Breaking in a new saw

[Graham]

Use it for what it's intended for...cutting wood. Just give it a rest now and again. In the dirt bike world the saying is 'ride it like you stole it'. Fannying about will result in glazed bores and lower compression.

[cornish wood burner]

As Spud says you must avoid glazing the bore. Easy to be over cautious with a new engine. Common thinking is to treat any new engine as normal but probably best to let it rest (work easy) between hard use and don't over rev it.

[keptenjim]

Very interesting feedback - many thanks all

[spudulike]

How long would you do this for spud?

 

Around 10-15 tanks, I have seen saws of a year or two old still have hone marks on the bore but it is the first few tanks where the bore is pretty rough that more heat will be generated and you want the piston ring to wear in to the same shape as the bore.

 

If you go flat out for very long cuts the saw may be fine but in general it is better to do lighter work at FULL throttle and let it idle for a while or switch it off to cool so the heat is dissipated.

 

Basically, the bore and ring are a bit rough when new, the bore will smooth with a few hours running and if the ring isn't worn to shape during this period, it will take much longer when the bore is smooth hence running the saw flat out and for short periods.

 

Running a saw on half throttle isn't good either, they need either idle or flat out to be used as this is how they are set up to run.

[Eddy_t]

Run it like you stole it... Or like a work saw. Harder you run it, the better it beds in, which is more power!