346xp potential

[stihlmadasever]

Hi all,

Since my problems with my elbows is affecting my usage of bigger saws im lookin at makin my 346xp into an "go to saw" for most of my work so i dont need to lug a big saw around.

My question is just how much could i get out of the 346 if i was to send it too spud to get it ported.

I know it has its limits but would it be comparable with a 461 or 372 ?

Or better?

If i do send it to spud id get the full bhuna and new anti vib mounts aswell.

Opinions and advice is much appreciated

Cheers

[Stubby]

It wont be a 372 that is asking a bit much . You wont get the torque from 50cc that you get with 70cc . All I can tell you is my  Spud ported 346 pulls a 15" full chisel driven by an 8 pin powermate rim .  The difference between mine and standard is very noticeable .  My mate picked up mine and I his standard one once when coppicing some Hazel and I thought there was something wrong with the saw until I realized what had happened .

So a ported one would pull an 18" bar but the balance might be a tad of .

Edited January 13, 2018 by Stubby

[NFG]

Hi

 

I have a un-modded 346xp & its excellent, can't fault it, feels best (to me) on a 15" bar. I'm sure Spud would get a lot more from it, but cost & the laws of diminishing return limit what is possible - I guess +15% might be achievable without spending too much? I dont know.

As Stubby said, it wont provide 70cc torque, but you'll certainly have a fine saw once done.

Edited January 13, 2018 by NFG
spelling

[stihlmadasever]

I currently run a 15" bar on my saw aswell but im keen to get it on an 18" bar for the bigger stuff.

Tbf it pulls like a train on a 15 but im reluctant to put anything bigger on it with a standard power unit.

[spudulike]

it won't be a 372 but possibly give a standard 357 a good run for it's money!

[stihlmadasever]

24 minutes ago, spudulike said:

it won't be a 372 but possibly give a standard 357 a good run for it's money!

Ive pm'd u mate

[spudulike]

And I've PMed you....must stop meeting like this

[Pete Mctree]

My ported 346xp is happy with an 18” full chisel. Needs to be treated with care & sharp, but I have zero issues 

[outinthewood]

The guy I use to do my work saws did a video of his 346 with a 32" bar just to see how it ran and the only drawback was that really the oiler was not upto it ! Now we know that could not happen every day and would any sensible person want to but no reason why a well done 346 in the hands of a person able to sharpen should not run a 20" well if required ? so a 18" would be a bit of a weapon. A 550 will run a 18" 3/8 in good order if you only have a few "bigger" ones to do, I do keep thinking of having one done.....

This question really is going back to the reason "ported"saws came about smaller/lighter saw = bigger power as has been disscused in a thread a couple of weeks ago, this is a very good example of making life as easy as possible and indeed prolonging your working ability ?

[huskykev]

What about putting a lightweight 20” bar and skip chain on it?