Your most problematic / unreliable saw?

[Yooperforeman]

Jonsered 2145 for sure.Also my newly acquired Husqy 335 XPT has been giving me fits,but I'm working on it.

 

[tigersaw]

031 av

No, I wouldn't say its a bad saw, I just didn't like the one we had. My Grandad had an 031 AV electronic that always ran like a dream. Ours could have probably been fixed if the right person had gotten ahold of it.
I have a little echo cs 300 top handle now that I bought to cut out fencerows, that I'm not very proud of, but I know people who have had them and loved them.

 

[foxtrapper]

At first I was going to say the various home owner Poulans I've had over the years. 900 pulls to start, oil only pumps when turned off, etc.

But the more I thought about it, the more I decided to change my answer to "anything I picked up cheap and used at a yard sale or auction." That I think has been much more the problem than the brand name.

Old beat up worn out saws are junk, no matter what name is on it.

 

[SkippyKtm]

For me it was an 024. Went thru it comPletely. That saw just would not dial in. It sold on eBay for wayyyy more than it should have. Not that I'm complaining about that.

And you got away with that?!
If it was one one my saws like that, I would of got it sent back and crammed up my adze!:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[paccity]

i think all 6 cube and up saws are p.o.s's ................................................................................................ if everyone jumped on that bandwagon maybe the prices would drop.

 

[cheeves]

I don't know about unreliable, because it is a great runner now after a MM. But my 310 is my most finicky. It doesn't like the cold. Or old gas (what saw does), or quick changes in the weather. Has not started a few times in the winter. On the other hand my Efco and Dolkita is my best starters. The 262 is a hard starter.

 

[McCulloch1-52]

Any Stihl 031 with Walbro carb:msp_mad: if you want a old saw for around the house a Mcculloch 10-10 is the way to go won't let you down.:msp_smile:

 

[SkippyKtm]

Any Stihl 031 with Walbro carb:msp_mad: if you want a old saw for around the house a Mcculloch 10-10 is the way to go won't let you down.:msp_smile:

This thread's a little old, but I'll bite...

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the Stihl 031 myself and I do like the trusty ol' school McCulloch 10-10 saw, but you'll have to pry the Husqvarna 262 out of my hands first before I'll use one.

 

[one2tree]

POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHLAN PREDATOR> HAHAHA (lasted about one hr cutting eucalyptus . then blew up (yes the fuel mix was correct). All saws have their issues . But good trades men don't blame their tools !!! most any professional saw STIHL OR HUSQY (my only exp) can eat the cheap brands for breakfast. If i wasn't already married id get it on with my 460 magnum ......LOL .. that saw (also ms 200 an 020) are absolute marvels in modern engineering.

 

[treesmith]

Top handle echo, it was the worst running pile o cack ever

 

[KenJax Tree]

Top handle echo, it was the worst running pile o cack ever

Which one? My 355T has been a pretty good saw but i've never had any other Echo's.

 

[PA Plumber]

Dolmar 5100 S.

A friend of mine purchased it used.

He doesn't work on his own stuff, so I've had lots of phone calls about that saw.

He has a terrrible time restarting it if it's not quite hot or cold. When hot or cold it starts great.

Good ending to this post.
Found out the carb can be very touchy on these.
Got online and located tuning instructions.
Went down to his place, followed the instructions, and the saw has run very well ever since.
It's been around 3 years ago now. Nice running saw.

 

[TIMBERTRON]

earthquake cs4518 that saw just suck balls i had a friend buy one and its been broken more then its been running.
chain break handle, cylinder base gaskets, cranks seals, ignition coil, oiler and then the piston ring broke and now its a door stop at the friends barn

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I suppose if you want a really reliable saw you would be looking for something without anti-vibe, not having the rubber mounts, rubber intake and pulse hose. That pretty well leaves out most of the newer saws.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Good ending to this post.
Found out the carb can be very touchy on these.
Got online and located tuning instructions.
Went down to his place, followed the instructions, and the saw has run very well ever since.
It's been around 3 years ago now. Nice running saw.

I've owned 2 of those Dolmar 5100S saws, both required piston rings in short order. Don't know if the factory put in soft rings or what..

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Several years ago I had an old McCulloch 1-40 chainsaw that I couldn't get to start very easily. I'd crank and crank on it and about the time I started getting too tired to cut wood with it it started. I found out later that they have to have a bit of compression to start easily.

 

[old-cat]

The Husky 350 has to be about the the MOST problematic saw of all!
Then when you do a proper rebuild and show it who's boss it settles down and becomes the number one go-to saw!

 

[CJ1]

Another vote for the Homelylite 410. Had to give it away. This was when I was making a living with saws and it was just junk. The only problem saw I own is a 562 and I think we are close to figuring it out as soon as I get off my dead ___ and get it to Randy! CJ

 

[blumtn969]

Husqvarna 445...never idled for s**t ..constant problem with the oil pump...nightmare !

HUSQVARNA 455 rancher, new in 2010 oiler broke before I cut the first cord with it.I did the right thing, took it back to the dealer.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I have a strato wild thing that has great spark but I can't get it to pop with any combination of new spark plug and mix down the hole or carb throat. The compression is a bit low so I don't expect it to run well but it should at least blow a smoke ring. Being that it is a wild thing and I have many better saws it is at the very bottom of my list of things that need fixing. I will look at the flywheel key when I get a chance. Only thing I can think of that would cause it.

Yeah, on most of them the key is built into the flywheel and shears pretty easily..