Husqvarna 350 - keep/service/repair old chainsaw, or buy new?

[carbs for arbs]

Super advice - thanks.  And glad to hear that spares are no issue.  

 

I love the idea of servicing it and cleaning it up myself.  With around 3 acres to look after I'll be having a few 2-stroke and petrol machines, and the costs would soon start to mount up if I have to get someone else to take care of it for me.  I've not really done similar, so it will be a steep learning curve.  And hopefully an enjoyable one; although I should probably get a swear box ready! 

 

Cheers

[Paddy1000111]

Well there's a vast amount of free knowledge and help on here if you need it! Just don't forget to add photos! 

[spudulike]

Pop the top cover off the saw and we will be able to tell if the cylinder is OEM or cheap aftermarket. If it is aftermarket, the saw may not work as well as if it was original.

Carbs are generally changed when dealers can't be arsed to pull them apart and make sure it is OK, unfortunately it leaves the customer with a £100 bill or a cheap aftermarket carb on the saw!

The saw is a good saw. I had a 345 which is the same saw but smaller cylinder and it was a damn good small saw, I cut a load of wood for the burner with it and sold it on a few years ago and just seen it come up on ebay so a good saw.

 

[HDAV]

I’m not too far from you (Cardiff) and very much an amateur myself but let me know if you decide not to keep the saw, Blackwood chainsaws have a good rep locally I have a mate who has owned a few huskies and rates them and there are plenty of other dealers about my stihl originally came from a place near usk. 
 

lockdown makes things a bit trickier but I’m sure there are a few people closer who would be able to help aspen supposed to be good but fresh unleaded stored properly mixed as you need with quality 2 stroke oil has worked for me in several tools with engines that get little use (a few times a years most years) 

 

 

that said I just bought a stihl as they seem so much so better (my experience is from kombi motors rather than saws)

Edited February 2, 2021 by HDAV

[carbs for arbs]

My apologies...  Things got in the way!  I've built a makeshift wood shelter and processed a whole load of wood which is now sitting nicely in it.  All using my bow saw.   But with 20 odd ash trees coming down soon it's got me to thinking about the chainsaw again and so here I am.  

 

I've not had a chance to get Aspen yet so I haven't started it.  But I have taken some photos this morning.  No idea whether photos are helpful but didn't think they'd hurt.  

 

If anyone in Carmarthenshire / Llandeilo area is interested in taking a look at the chainsaw and/or giving a few starter tips in using it for processing firewood, then beer tokens or return favours await   

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[spudulike]

It has an OEM top end so that is good. I would clean it up, fill it with oil and fuel, see if it starts, if it does, make sure it idles and revs out (without screaming) and ensure it is oiling OK.  This is done by pointing the bar at a bit of timber and revving it up - you should get a line of oil formed by the bar and chain flicking it off within 2 seconds although if you haven't cut anything with it it may take slightly longer to draw the oil up.

Needless to say, make sure the chain brake works as it should....mid revs, crack the guard forward and the chain should stop immediately. Make sure the chain catcher is in place.

Ready to go............

[Dan Maynard]

I'm going to helpfully diagnose that there may be a spark issue to cure first....

[carbs for arbs]

1 hour ago, spudulike said:

It has an OEM top end so that is good. I would clean it up, fill it with oil and fuel, see if it starts, if it does, make sure it idles and revs out (without screaming) and ensure it is oiling OK.  This is done by pointing the bar at a bit of timber and revving it up - you should get a line of oil formed by the bar and chain flicking it off within 2 seconds although if you haven't cut anything with it it may take slightly longer to draw the oil up.

Needless to say, make sure the chain brake works as it should....mid revs, crack the guard forward and the chain should stop immediately. Make sure the chain catcher is in place.

Ready to go............

 

That's all good to hear, although after the initial tests I think I would still feel more comfortable getting it checked over and/or serviced by someone who knows what they're doing (i.e. not me!)  

 

6 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

I'm going to helpfully diagnose that there may be a spark issue to cure first....

 

Sorry, I should have added that I removed that!

[Alpasty]

Great saw, I have a 350 that I bought new in 2007, has done loads of work and is still going strong. Looking at the pictures, I would give it a really good clean up and try and get it running. Really nice saw to use, just feels right.