billpierce

Literally change the primer or just that the models with the black primer have been upgraded in some other way?

I cant remember what it is in ft/lbs but mine had a sticker on saying what torque the bolts should be done up to. Its surprisingly low. Rough, I'm sure you mill has had a fair battering, I've broken quite a few if the wee bits that sit between the u bolt and the box section. On your replacement I would definitely suggest tightening them more evenly if you dont already do this, be interesting to see if this makes them last a bit longer. You should probably take up tig welding also

Seems your sorted now. My memory of sequoia is that it is very significantly heavier than youd think when green, and significantly lighter than you'd think when dry. An off cut once had that was about 4ft diameter by 5 or 6ft length hichnid guessed to weight about a ton ( legal load) absolutely flattened the springs on my pick up to the extent that even I removed it and went to get a ifor to bring it home.

Probably you are right. Seller does sell some other makita stuff though. We will see

Could be a scam but there are some genuine makita 5ah batteries on t Ebay for cheap if anyone is after some. 30quid for 2 . Seller says def genuine and happy to refund if not satisfied. Has good feedback so worth a punt https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F163632591156

What sizes do you like again? Just milled a stem approx 18 to 22" diameter onto 2" boards.

Is what I was trying to say!

Dont tamper with it then. My guess is you'll have less bother from a saw the cat than a AT saw.

You tempted to just supplement you normal size logs with a few offcuts each time you load the fire and use them like that? Or add and arm full after lighting the fire to get it kicking th hea out asap then switch to normals?

@echo I would worry too much about the altitude thing. I realise this can have a small effect over a large altitude change. I live at over 1000ft and tune my saws at home and regularly work by the coast with no noticeable difference in performance. Your little echo may behave differently on cold days etc but if it starts idles and revs up ok and spark colour is good I expect you may be overly concerning yourself. Regarding a new AT saw, both 550 and 261 have had issues, these seem to ironed out now and there is a new mark (barry) 2 550 out now, which should be out now. Quite a few folk I know have issues with both the husky and stihl saws you mention, but alot of people love them and have had no problems.....so who knows? Are you set on buying new? If I lost all my saws and had to start again, I'd be looking very seriously at the echo/dolmar/makita offerings. Whilst decatting the dolmar/makitas/echos seems like a sensible idea, I haven't heard of alot of big issues with them when left in. Possibly you might have to clean it after a few years work. However less people run these saws so you may not hear of the issues as often. I have decatted all of the echoes, makita and dolmar saws I have. Partially because I cant help myself from fiddling with them, not because i thought they were being restricted by them. If you want to buy a new AT saw, I would go with whichever dealer seems the best service rather than which brand, as quite possibly you will have some issues. Even if this means having to spend a 10er to post it back to them in the event of a claim. I have never heard of a warranty claim being refused from not having receipts of regular dealer servicing, however perhaps a dealer on here an shed some light onto this.

Love these saws but it really bugs me that they dont just run like any other saw!

Go on then spill the beans howd you get it to idle while hanging without chain creep? You manage to get it to start without throttle?

Welcome to the club! Tuning these little echoes is an artform. I am fine on most saws but getting this one right is hard. I have recently revisited it, got much better starting ( not always having to hold the throttle) great response, no chain creep, but will only idle on a strip for 20seconds. Rob d has done a yootoobe video on how to tune them. It didnt really work with mine but may well with yours. I have you payed with the l or h screw? If not I would try returning the tick over to where it was and leaning the L screw 1/8 of a turn ( clockwise).

Yes it would reduce torque, but there are some good combinations. I have found that a stihl ms361 on a 9 pin .325 18" bar goes extremely well, with other saws I have found it can be amazing until the chain gets slightly slightly dull and then it works out a slower cut. Horses for courses

Those waitley ones look decent. I asked if they would except a return if they had noticeably less oomph than the makita ones and they told me to get an original and not to buy theirs. Shame as I was quite up for buying them as you can get 2x6ah ones for just over 60quid which is pretty much the cost of one makita 5ah one

Aye but some chains you notice pretty quick when dull others not so. Semi chis 404 seems to keep cutting pretty well on dirty stumps for example

Spoke the waitley seller on Ebay asking about high power output makita tools, they said I'd be better off buying OEM, they said theirs are good but properly not good enough to withstand high drain things like chainsaws. Appreciate their honesty!

Surprise! 8 inches of snow this morning

Good to know! I have a floreun knockoff Bosch battery and it definately has less grunt than then proper Bosch ones. And I think with a chainsaw it wants all the help it can get. Plus you can drain the battery in a short time so decent cells have to be worth it. I'll take a look at the link. Thanks

Seems fine, haven't really noticed it so cant be that bad! Wait til I've had a climb with it though

Yep the chain it comes with is surprisingly good. Reckon it'll take a bit getting used to, seems to struggle a bit or bite in and cut real fast depending how you push it not the same as a petrol saw.

Aye I did try and show that in the vid, but hard to hold a phone and film and keep both hands on the saw. Certainly does make a big difference more torque less chain speed I think. Look forward to having a climb with it.

Tbh matty I was a bit dissapointed when changed the 3/8lp bar to the panther, was expecting nearly twice the cut speed (as have experienced with other saws when going over to the skinny stihl chain) and its definitely smoother but not night and day faster. Seem to get the battery temp warning quite alot, but have only used it logging in the yard so far. Expect 3 or 4 5ah batteries are probably required. Just wish I already had a load of makita batteries

Went and bought a makita duc254z. Shavey sent it up ( coming with 1/4 sprocket and panther bar) and battery and charger at a good price. Seems to go well. Fair Chins the battery and if your just stood logging with it seems to trigger the battery too hot warning. Which I think wouldnt really happen on a reduction but might on a small dismantle. I'll need to buy atleast another 2 5ah batteries I guess ( annoyingly I have about 6 decent Bosch batteries, wish I had chosen makita now.) To keep things running. Here is a quick vid

Hope you get sorted. As said there should be a plate that screws over the tensioner. I'd fit the bat and look in under and from the front and check the cover plate is pulling in real tight.