42" Chainsaw mill Build
- Thread starter Clay3063
- Start date
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #82
I can only imagine. I understand these guys have an overhead. So do I . But, come on! It's like I told Mary about the local guy, He serves a very specific clientele. They can afford to pay the premium price for their equipment so they buy their lawnmowers, chainsaws, weedwackers, etc from him. He in turn provides a service to them by maintaining those machines, again at a premium. He doesn't like to see guys like me who can fix our own stuff as long as we have the parts we need. He is afraid of me and others like me. He shouldn't be. I'd do more business with him and so would others if he was a little more on the up and up. But again, I see his side too. He's trying to make a living too.
But...
He's either extremely out of touch or he's very afraid of me and others like me or he's slicker than snot on a glass door knob. Here's what I am talking about:
Couple months back I needed to adjust the carb on one of my chainsaws. It's about 14 years old and like all the new ones has a funky headed adj screw(s) for the high and low jets. Takes a special kindof screwdriver type head and each manufacturer uses a different style head. Supposedly they do this because the EPA doesn't want the average joe to jack with his chainsaw or weedwacker or leafblower. At least that's the story the local small engine repair guy (whom from this point on shall be referred to as "lserg" or "serg" for short). He says that the manufacturers won't let him sell those tools to me. That the government has made it illegal for me to own them. He goes on to say that even he has a hard time getting them. Blah Blah Blah.
So I go home, get online. And order a complete set on Amazon for less than 30 bucks. Got em 4 days later. Reset my jets on the chainsaw and she runs like a top now.
So you tell me. Is he out of touch? Or just very afraid of the average joe fixing his own stuff? Or slicker'n snot on a glass door knob and I just happened to be bright enough not to buy his line of bull?
One thing he was right on today, parts are high! REal High!
Last edited:
@Clay3063 you should bring the tool to him and ask him if he wants to buy it seeing he has a hard time getting it 
I think though, it is a little of both. They don't think that people are going to research things online because to most people, fixing an engine is foreign and then the other part is probably him trying to be slick.
I think though, it is a little of both. They don't think that people are going to research things online because to most people, fixing an engine is foreign and then the other part is probably him trying to be slick.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #84
I did go back after I got my tools and told him where he could buy a set. He just gave me a funny look. Didn't say a word. Just a look.@Clay3063 you should bring the tool to him and ask him if he wants to buy it seeing he has a hard time getting it
woodtickgreg
scroll, flat, spin
Staff member
Administrator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
Full Member
Forum Moderator
Clay, send me the model, type, and code numbers and I'll see if I can do anything. At least I can give you an honest answer. And for what it's worth, the harbor freight predator engines are decent engines, honda clones, but you can only get parts for them through harbor freight. You can't get carb parts, you have to buy the whole carb. Same with the starters, you just buy the whole starter. But the prices are sorta reasonable, ish.
woodtickgreg
scroll, flat, spin
Staff member
Administrator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
Full Member
Forum Moderator
At the power equipment shop I work at we cannot sell those carb tools, the fines for a business are very high indeed. but a febayer can sell them, he's not a power equipment shop. We sell the crap out of parts, I'll sell you anything you want, and we sell fair, just don't ask me how to fix it, lol. That's up to you!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #87
Message sent
woodtickgreg
scroll, flat, spin
Staff member
Administrator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
Full Member
Forum Moderator
Got it!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #89
I learned a long time ago how to fix things. I actually like tinkering with them and making them run. And like I said, I understand the ins and outs of a repair shop and don't begrudge a fellow a decent wage for a decent job, etc. I just don't like a run around.
As far as the regs that say you can't sell me tools. That is getting out of hand. Quick. I have heard and read that a lot of farmers that have bought new JD tractors are turning to Europe to get bootleg programs for their equipment when they have to purchase new parts etc and reprogram the computers to make them work. Seems there is a monopoly that the gov has produced for the heavy equipment industry that makes you rely on factory service and not a local service guy or even your own skills. This whole thing is bogus to me. And it's time to get the government out of it. It's enough to get this ole preacher a little hot under the collar. LOL!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #90
I guess I may look at purchasing another set or two then so that if they make it illegal for others to sell them. Anything else you CANNOT sell me that I can still get online let me know. I'll be sure and get them too. SMH. NUTS I SAY! ABSOLUTELY NUTS!!!
A lot of folks like that are simply retards! They realize the average person has absolutely no idea what is going on under the hood of their car, or whatever, and they'll throw any old line of B_S_ out there they think they can get away with. And, most folks don't understand it well enough to do anything but believe them.
The service manager at our local Dodge Dealership was that way. I finally told my wife that if she ever carried her car in their again, I was going to go in there and kill that ignorant SOB! That was right after they charged her $785 for AC repairs, to fix a defective $35 fan switch. He was lucky I was 2000 miles away when he pulled that B_S_.
The service manager at our local Dodge Dealership was that way. I finally told my wife that if she ever carried her car in their again, I was going to go in there and kill that ignorant SOB! That was right after they charged her $785 for AC repairs, to fix a defective $35 fan switch. He was lucky I was 2000 miles away when he pulled that B_S_.
Last edited:
woodtickgreg
scroll, flat, spin
Staff member
Administrator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
Full Member
Forum Moderator
So I got a chance to look this carb up and see what the deal is. Clay sent me the model and type numbers of the engine, I looked the carb up when I got to work at the mower shop today. The good news is that a carb can still be purchased for it, even after several super sessions of the part number. The other good thing is that it now comes without the fuel shut off solenoid. Which is not exactly what it is, it actually is a backfire preventer, it stops the flow of fuel into a hot engine and muffler so it doesn't backfire when you shut it off. Now the bad news, cheapest I could find it online was $225.00 from jacks small engine warehouse. It seems pricey until you look at what comes with it, it is a kit, comes with a new air filter base, vent hose, air filter top cap etc.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #93
Yep. Jack's was the cheapest I found too. I think for now I am going to look at a couple other options. I actually have access to a 12 hp that is running. But was hoping to use this 18 for the power. I cleaned the carb today and now I am thinking it may have more to do with the fuel pump. I noticed that I had left the fuel valve on from earlier today and it was weeping a little fuel. Not supposed to do that. So.....
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #94
Yep. Not many things get under my skin anymore. But that does. Hard to be civil when you know someone is taking advantage of a situation because one party isn't as up to speed on things as the other. One thing I do know is something my ole daddy used to say (and still does), "What goes around, comes around." Jesus said it better, "You reap what you sow." Folks like that are sowing a lot of future grief for themselves. Personally, though I know they probably deserve it, it still makes me feel sad for them. It's gonna hit them and they aren't going to know why. Important stuff there.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #95
For those who have been following... Brief update:
Yesterday we finally hooked the wires up and sprayed a little ether in the carb and it fired right up. Then it died. Carb issues. This morning I was feeling a little rough so I didn't do much. I did venture out and pulled the carb about mid morning and tore into it and cleaned it all up. Made sure the needle was good as well as the seat and then put it all back together. Still not any difference. Start, run, die. Gave up and went in the house. Forgot to shut off the fuel valve and when I went back out for a few minutes this afternoon I noticed that fuel was weeping from the pump. I pulled the pump and sprayed it down with carb cleaner and then blew it out ever so gently (yeh right! lol!) with the air nozzle. Re-assembled it and turned on the fuel. Sprayed a little ether and it fired up and ran for a couple minutes. I decided to let it run as long as it would and began adjusting the throttle in minute increments. It began to clear itself and ran pretty good through about half throttle. As I advanced it a little further it abruptly died. Fuel starved. Never did get it to run very long afterwards. So I quit for the day and came back inside.
I've been consulting with a couple of the small engine gurus here and the consensus is that tomorrow I will buy a new fuel pump and see if that fixes things. I am thinking that it will. If I get it running again I am going to let it run with a mixture of seafoam in the tank until the tank is almost empty.
Thursday, I am going to start building the track regardless of whether I get the engine running smoothly or not. I need this thing to go and the sooner I get it going the happier I am going to be. As a side note, I did engage the clutch for a brief moment just to make sure everything with the bar, chain, and various other drive components were working according to spec. They are, it did, I smiled. Now I will run the oil like to the bar to get lube to it and we'll have ourselves a chainsaw mill.
Once I get it up and going I am going to draw up a set of plans for it. I've already promised a set to @rocky1. And though they won't be scale or professionally drawn I will include measurements etc so that at least you get an idea of what to do if you decide to build one yourself. Be patient with me in this. I've got a lot of stuff on my plate so it may take a while, like everything else in my life right now. LOL. I've got a 35 ft cattle trailer in the yard that has to be repaired this week too. So.... until next time,
Shalom!
-Clay
Yesterday we finally hooked the wires up and sprayed a little ether in the carb and it fired right up. Then it died. Carb issues. This morning I was feeling a little rough so I didn't do much. I did venture out and pulled the carb about mid morning and tore into it and cleaned it all up. Made sure the needle was good as well as the seat and then put it all back together. Still not any difference. Start, run, die. Gave up and went in the house. Forgot to shut off the fuel valve and when I went back out for a few minutes this afternoon I noticed that fuel was weeping from the pump. I pulled the pump and sprayed it down with carb cleaner and then blew it out ever so gently (yeh right! lol!) with the air nozzle. Re-assembled it and turned on the fuel. Sprayed a little ether and it fired up and ran for a couple minutes. I decided to let it run as long as it would and began adjusting the throttle in minute increments. It began to clear itself and ran pretty good through about half throttle. As I advanced it a little further it abruptly died. Fuel starved. Never did get it to run very long afterwards. So I quit for the day and came back inside.
I've been consulting with a couple of the small engine gurus here and the consensus is that tomorrow I will buy a new fuel pump and see if that fixes things. I am thinking that it will. If I get it running again I am going to let it run with a mixture of seafoam in the tank until the tank is almost empty.
Thursday, I am going to start building the track regardless of whether I get the engine running smoothly or not. I need this thing to go and the sooner I get it going the happier I am going to be. As a side note, I did engage the clutch for a brief moment just to make sure everything with the bar, chain, and various other drive components were working according to spec. They are, it did, I smiled. Now I will run the oil like to the bar to get lube to it and we'll have ourselves a chainsaw mill.
Once I get it up and going I am going to draw up a set of plans for it. I've already promised a set to @rocky1. And though they won't be scale or professionally drawn I will include measurements etc so that at least you get an idea of what to do if you decide to build one yourself. Be patient with me in this. I've got a lot of stuff on my plate so it may take a while, like everything else in my life right now. LOL. I've got a 35 ft cattle trailer in the yard that has to be repaired this week too. So.... until next time,
Shalom!
-Clay
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #98
Ok Gentlemen. Here's an update.... on a very positive note!
The last two weeks have seen me very busy with pastoral duties and various other things that needed to be done. In the last week, the wife and I have been over 3000 miles helping kids move from San Angelo to Marble Falls. Visiting my buddy's daughter in law in the hospital in Houston. Speaking at a family retreat at the HEB encampment in Leakey, TX. Going to visitation for my Uncle's funeral on Saturday in the DFW area and then going back on Monday for the funeral on Tuesday morning at the National Cemetery in Dallas. And various runnings and goings on in between all those things.
Couple that with the disappointment I had when I tried to get the engine running on this build and the subsequent disenchantment with the small engine parts suppliers trying to either get parts to rebuild the carb on this thing or just totally replace it, I was getting fed up with the whole process of this build. But, I've always had a tenacious spirit and was determined to make this thing work. So I poured almost a whole bottle of Sea Foam in the fuel tank along with about a half a gallon of gas and let it sit for the last week or so with the fuel valve on, hoping beyond hope that this would do the trick.
I suspected all along that it was more of a problem getting the needle set right than anything else. I'd move it one way and it'd flood the carb. Move it the other way and it wouldn't allow even one drop of gas into the carb. I pulled and re-installed that carb over three dozen times after I mounted the engine and before I let it sit. I also knew I needed a new battery. So last week we bought a battery and just set it on the frame until I could take the time to work on it again. That happened this morning.
I got up this morning determined to either make this thing run or jerk the engine off, throw it in the trash and go steal one somewhere... or rob the engine off the only running lawn tractor we have and fix the push mower so the wife could still mow the 2 acres of grass that we have fenced off as our yard.
The first thing I did was change the battery and then gave the carb a quick squirt of starting fluid and that baby fired right up and ran great. I told the wife I was going to just let it run until all the fuel was gone. That lasted about 2 minutes and then, starved for fuel, it died. Needless to say I was a little miffed. So while she ran a couple errands, I pulled the carb off again. Removed the bowl. Jacked with the needle. Re-installed the bowl. Hooked the fuel line up and just put the carb on the mounting bolts until I was sure I had the needle set right. I didn't. Pulled it all off again. Jacked with the needle. Re-installed. Turned on the fuel and watched the fuel run out the over flow. Turn fuel off and repeated this procedure at least another dozen times until I finally decided, this time is the last time. And it was. By George! I've got it running!
I let it run for about 20 minutes.. Then I killed it and greased the bearings on the jack shaft. Hooked up the oil line to the bar oil tank and set it to drip on the infeed side of the nose. (that way it will make its way around the nose before hitting resistance in the cutting side of the bar. I fired it back up and turned on the oil and let it run like that for about 5 more minutes. I am satisfied!
Now all I have to do is build the track that I was going to build three weeks ago but decided against it until I got the engine running right. I also need to install a heat shield for the battery. The hot air coming off the engine is ducted towards that side. Coupled with the exhaust manifold being there too, it is putting off a lot of heat that will surely kill a battery over time.
Here's a pic of it running and a video. I don't know why there isn't any sound. But pay attention to the last few seconds as I hit the clutch engage switch and the chain starts spinning.
PS - forget the video. I forgot I have to add it to youtube and then add the link here. Ain't nobody got time for that! That and I don't remember my youtube password.
The last two weeks have seen me very busy with pastoral duties and various other things that needed to be done. In the last week, the wife and I have been over 3000 miles helping kids move from San Angelo to Marble Falls. Visiting my buddy's daughter in law in the hospital in Houston. Speaking at a family retreat at the HEB encampment in Leakey, TX. Going to visitation for my Uncle's funeral on Saturday in the DFW area and then going back on Monday for the funeral on Tuesday morning at the National Cemetery in Dallas. And various runnings and goings on in between all those things.
Couple that with the disappointment I had when I tried to get the engine running on this build and the subsequent disenchantment with the small engine parts suppliers trying to either get parts to rebuild the carb on this thing or just totally replace it, I was getting fed up with the whole process of this build. But, I've always had a tenacious spirit and was determined to make this thing work. So I poured almost a whole bottle of Sea Foam in the fuel tank along with about a half a gallon of gas and let it sit for the last week or so with the fuel valve on, hoping beyond hope that this would do the trick.
I suspected all along that it was more of a problem getting the needle set right than anything else. I'd move it one way and it'd flood the carb. Move it the other way and it wouldn't allow even one drop of gas into the carb. I pulled and re-installed that carb over three dozen times after I mounted the engine and before I let it sit. I also knew I needed a new battery. So last week we bought a battery and just set it on the frame until I could take the time to work on it again. That happened this morning.
I got up this morning determined to either make this thing run or jerk the engine off, throw it in the trash and go steal one somewhere... or rob the engine off the only running lawn tractor we have and fix the push mower so the wife could still mow the 2 acres of grass that we have fenced off as our yard.
The first thing I did was change the battery and then gave the carb a quick squirt of starting fluid and that baby fired right up and ran great. I told the wife I was going to just let it run until all the fuel was gone. That lasted about 2 minutes and then, starved for fuel, it died. Needless to say I was a little miffed. So while she ran a couple errands, I pulled the carb off again. Removed the bowl. Jacked with the needle. Re-installed the bowl. Hooked the fuel line up and just put the carb on the mounting bolts until I was sure I had the needle set right. I didn't. Pulled it all off again. Jacked with the needle. Re-installed. Turned on the fuel and watched the fuel run out the over flow. Turn fuel off and repeated this procedure at least another dozen times until I finally decided, this time is the last time. And it was. By George! I've got it running!
I let it run for about 20 minutes.. Then I killed it and greased the bearings on the jack shaft. Hooked up the oil line to the bar oil tank and set it to drip on the infeed side of the nose. (that way it will make its way around the nose before hitting resistance in the cutting side of the bar. I fired it back up and turned on the oil and let it run like that for about 5 more minutes. I am satisfied!
Now all I have to do is build the track that I was going to build three weeks ago but decided against it until I got the engine running right. I also need to install a heat shield for the battery. The hot air coming off the engine is ducted towards that side. Coupled with the exhaust manifold being there too, it is putting off a lot of heat that will surely kill a battery over time.
Here's a pic of it running and a video. I don't know why there isn't any sound. But pay attention to the last few seconds as I hit the clutch engage switch and the chain starts spinning.
PS - forget the video. I forgot I have to add it to youtube and then add the link here. Ain't nobody got time for that! That and I don't remember my youtube password.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #99
I am working on loading the video to youtube. As soon as it gets loaded I'll post it here.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #100
Here is the video link on YouTube. No sound. But it's running. Just really quiet I guess. 