New Saw Tips

[stemwinder]

Just bought my dream stock saw (372xp), been wanting to own one for 4 years and finally dropped the coin on a sparkly new unit. Cut three cookies off a decent size log for it's maiden voyage and upon reinspection I lost three bolts off the sucker . Learning the hard way to tighten down everything before you even run a new saw in wood. Found one of the three missing bolts, the other two are still on vacation.

Anyone else had this problem with new huskies? I've never seen a new stihl do this.

and any other tips you guys may have for "breaking in" a pro grade saw would be much appreciated.

 

[woodworkingboy]

After some hours of use (ten), tighten down the cylinder bolts as well. Probably at least get a tweak out of them. I might be inclined to check them already if other bolts are falling out.

Good luck with the new gear!

 

[stemwinder]

I was so excited about running this saw today and now this. I think I may tear down the whole body and reassemble so that I know the bolts and screws are all torqued down to spec, and then some. Our dealers out here suck BTW

 

[SkwerI]

I would go back to the dealer and ask for the missing nuts and bolts to be replaced. Part of being a dealer means doing a final check on the new machine before handing it to the customer. Call them on it and if they balk then just ask them to explain why.

 

[Tucker943]

What Brian said. I've had huskys and stihls do the same thing. Some loggers I worked with used to, and still do, leave their new saws to get rained on for a week when they buy them. That little bit of rust holds everything tight. Now I'm not saying to do that. I am saying that their saws NEVER rattled apart. Those bolts and nuts you are taking off, put a dab of nail polish on them when you put them back together. Not as strong as loc tite, so they come off if you need them to, but strong enough to handle the vibration.

 

[stemwinder]

I know the dealer I purchased from would make good. I also know that it would take 3-4 weeks for me to see 2 dollars worth of bolts come through his shop. I have a parts saw (courtesy of treesandsurf) and after checking the IPL I think I have the right bolts for replacement. Looks like I will be the guy buying nailpolish at our local drug store tonight.. Ha.. which color do you recommend?

 

[MasterBlaster]

Clear.

 

[SkwerI]

Hot pink!

 

[woodworkingboy]

Good point, Brian, about a dealer obliged to check a saw before giving it to a customer. Makes sense...

 

[stemwinder]

Btw, it was both bolts that attach the muffler bracket to the crankcase, and a bolt that attaches the upper plastic shroud? to the case... the part that covers the cylinder. Also all 4 of the bolts on the starter were super loose after the glorious 5 minutes of cutting I got in.

 

[woodworkingboy]

That's a bs way to put out a product. If the cylinder is loose, I would ask for a replacement for the saw, though it probably wouldn't have run. Just go in and toss it on the counter.

 

[woodworkingboy]

or the carb bolts.

 

[stemwinder]

it wasn't the cylinder bolts. To be more specific it was the plastic "top cover" which bolts to the alum-mag crank case body.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Yeah, I got that. I was just saying..... suggesting to check the jug bolts too. Not tightening the most main parts would be a bit over the top too sloppy for my liking. I think it is fair to expect better quality control.

 

[stemwinder]

I fully agree