dealers or fix'er up folks

[scott16121]

I live in Farrell, Pa and I have two Homelite chainsaws that were last used back in 1996. Today I went out in the garage and got them both out of there cases and fuled'em up. Wow, after all this time and 15 pulls later they both fired up! I couldn't even believe these would even work again like this. Well I did get some smoke of course but other then that they seem to run well enough to do just what I need them to do taday.

Well here is my question.... When I am done toady I would like to have these two chainsaw go into the shop and get taken care of and made healthy again. However I don't know where to take them for this to happen. I live in Farrell, Pa. which is about 15 miles outside of Youngstown, Oh. Is there anyone out there that can steer me io an oldtimer around here that knows how to take care of my saws. #1 is a Homelite XL and #2 is a Homelite 330.

I tried to get onto Homelites website a few times today but for one reason or another it is down. I would think that they would have a search there to find a dealer but I would rather help out a local ma and pa shop or a local person instead.

Thanks, Scott

[lawnmowertech37]

chances are if you do happen to find a repair shop make sure they do not sell stihl products cause they may try to tell you to buy a new unit dont let them talk you into that at all worst case scenerio one of the guys on here that may live close to you can offer you some help on repair work cause i know what a dealer will say is how about buying this new saw is exactily what may be there words besides give these guys on this site a try expecally if one is close to you

if you can find a back yard repair shop that may be the best bet than taking it to a big time dealer

hope this helps you out

calvin

and welcome to house of homelite

[chainsawwhisperer]

Hi scott!
LMT is right, a big name repair shop will likely steer you toward a new saw. But the practice is neither deceiteful nor underhanded.
If they were to fix a 20plus year old saw, then it breaks soon after you get it back, the customer would not be happy.
A lot of casual use customers would ask: why didn't you check that part?, Or, did you not fix it right the first time?, Or, Why didnt you steer me toward a new saw in the first place? Unhappy customer, everybody loses.
If you can find some 'shade tree' repair man fixing things out of his garage you'll probably be better off, those are usually the
guys who fix things not only for the money, but for the satisfaction of making something old run good again.
If that fails, we can walk you through any maintence or repair
of your saw. You may have noticed, we love old saws!!!
CSW
P.S. Great to have you on board!

[mikevan]

Hi Scott - If they're running, what needs 'fixing'? Guys on here are more than willing to answer questions, offer advise, etc - I haven't been in a real 'sawshop' in so long, can't remember what one looks like!

[lesorubcheek]

Hello Scott,
Like others have stated, if the saws are running well, I wouldn't worry too much. Just use 'em. Probably the biggest concern would be making sure your carbs are properly adjusted. There's tips all over for adjusting 2-stroke carbs and learning to do it is fun! Other than this, make sure the filters are clean and chains are sharp.

Dan

[RBW]

Hi Scott!! (Hope hes still with us)




The XL should be fine without any looking after, the 330 WILL need a boot soon. How soon? I dont know, but soon enough.



Both are fine saws.


.

[angel]

If you're not gonna use them for awhile make sure to run them out of gas, thats the best thing to do to prevent storage problems.

[RandyMac]

I think that anyone who is going to own, restore and run vintage chainsaws should get used to doing what they can for themselves. As stated above, a new saw dealer will try to talk you into a new saw.

[mikevan]

Randy, I can hear it now - "you can't use that saw, OSHA will arrest you - it has no chainbrake" Or, "that saw is illegal, it has no limiters on the carb screws" "Here, let me sell you this new one for only 699.99" ;D

[RandyMac]

HA HA
You got Mike. But try replacing a big vintage chainsaw for $699, you might get an XL12 replaced for that, what does it run for a saw that can pull a 36" to 48" bar?

[chainsawwhisperer]

"that saw is illegal"
I fell for that once with ski bindings.."Those bindings are illegal" "they won't even let you on the slopes with them."
I was such a sap.
I think that incident was the defining moment in my life, that turned me into a hippie snow boarder

[scott16121]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on my saws. I am going to take care of them to the best of my ability and make them live forever. Well at least for as long as I am alive. I not going to buy another one I am just going to make'em work like hell. If I get into a situation I will post a question. Thanks for the little push I needed...

Thanks, Scott

[angel]

Sometimes I go to my local Stihl dealer and dig thru their junk pile. They always ask why I am after Homelite parts and tell me that Homelite only made cheap crap. Other tree guys say that too, Homelites are nothing more than cheap homeowner saws and that anything other than a Stihl is worthless, and I beg to differ. I dunno why Homelites have gotten such a bad rap.

[RandyMac]

That mostly shows their range of knowledge, they only see the cheap, plastic, foreign stuff. The same goes for McCullochs.
On the subject of Stihls, one of the biggest disapointments I ever had was a Stihl 075, it did not live up to the dealer hype. It was porky, underpowered and overpriced. It did have some nice features, but was not the SP125 killer it was supposed to be, not even close.

[MCS]

If the saws run that's good, but keep this in mind. I'd say the biggest problem in a saw that has been sitting for awhile is a mushy fuel line and a hard fuel filter. Finding stock fuel lines for Homelites is getting harder to find but sometimes you can make one with a grommet and vinyl line.

[angel]

Some smaller mom+pop dealerships will work on older stuff, I know of a Jonsered dealer around here who will work on just about anything. Most Stihl dealers and some Husky dealers just wann sell new stuff.