GardenKit

Not chainsaw? Guess you mean Polesaw then. Let us know what it is and if 2stroke or 4 stroke.

It could be a useful tool, but as you say it does not test the electrical system. All it does is measure the spark intensity. It then dresses this information up by giving possible reasons for the results, which is fair enough for those who are not 'techies' It is an inductive reader and the results could be effected by the HT lead thickness and shielding. Could it be a useful tool for the average mans tool kit? YES. Would a 'techie' use one? Probably not, far better to actually see the spark intensity IMO.

Thats just the starting point, they still need tuning.

Certainly worth testing the comp. Often a saw with low comp will start from cold and run at throttle, but will not be able to run at low revs. It could just be that the compression is low enough when warm not to start at all. It could however be just carb tuning and the L screw is incorrectly set. Edit, Sorry Rich, posts crossed.

Sounds like it might be low compression that gets even lower when warm. As Rich says, check the compression.

Hahahha , thought it was just me did things like that Ray

Rich, I guess you are looking to run a service and repair business from this workshop. For horticultural equipment you dont need as much room as you might for, say, ag machinery or cars, but you will be surprised how much you do need. You need to look to how big your business will be in three years time, not how big it is when you start. Although you dont need much space to work on small kit, you do need plenty of storage space to keep customers machines pending service, awaiting spares or waiting for customers to collect when complete, they can not be left out as cars or tractors can. My workshop space is apron 750 sq ft, and is currently home to about 60 machines (around 20 2 strokes, 42 mowers and 8 lawn tractors) This is approximately a weeks work and is therefore on a 7 -10 day turnaround. This workshop is only just big enough, any smaller would be unworkable. Even now I have to overflow, from time to time into the other half of my unit which houses the showroom and office. Outside space and parking is also essential, as is somewhere to 'wash down' machines.

Always a good thing to do Jon.

Only the OP can tell us that Jon, or show us some pics.

I have just opened a trade account with Garden Hire Spares. Has anyone direct experience of their pots and pistons? Good or Bad?

hahaha IT was just for scale Rich:biggrin:

As well as the normal service repair work over the last few weeks, I have had van problems which resulted in an impetuous decision to buy a new van. Then had to fit it out, so all last weekend, and a couple of hours each morning before work and after work this week has seen it finished. Now I can get back to earning money to pay for it. (and there was just enough phenolic ply left over for a new workbench top)

We decided to replace our van a couple of weeks ago, so found and bought a Transit 280 mwb, med roof. That was the quick and easy part. I said 'I'll just make it a little functional in the back, somewhere to store the ramps and some load retainers of some sort, won't take long or cost much " About 25hrs of work and £600 later this is the result! False floor to store the ramps under, 2 shore poles and rails, demountable winch and storage for the jump pack.

Hahaha, £19 with a Halfords Trade Card

By 'cardon' coupling, I assume you mean 'universal joint' as found on a PTO shaft or prop shaft? If so a universal lithium EP grease is usually sufficient and certainly loads better than vaseline.

No negatives at all Steve, any oil is better than no oil, and at least chain oil is cheap! Its actually quite good as it stays in place longer, but some bio oils can go a bit sticky when stored. I used to spray a liquid grease on the ones I serviced, but stopped when a customer brought one back that he had not used for a year since service and the grease had dried out and gummed the blades solid! I had to wash them in petrol to free them up.

Hedgecutter gearboxes need a multi purpose EP lithium grease. Brushcutters have a higher loading and need a graphite grease. Stihl and oregon both market one in squeezy tubes. Red fluid grease is actually not suitable for either application, its much too thin. But as markie31 says, Stihl blade lube is good, but expensive. I use, and sell, one from Anglo American Oil, its cheaper and very good. WD40 is OK to spray on the blades after work to displace moisture and stop rusting, but is pretty useless as a lubricant.

Sorry you have problems Ty. Firstly, it will not be due to Aspen. this fuel is merely a very pure, and chemically stable petroleum product, which is sold in sealed cans, premixed with high grade 2 stroke oil at a constant 50:1 ratio, always. Petrol on the other hand, contains many impurities, is not stable, absorbs water, is seldom mixed to the same ratio of oil every time. it is therefore much more likely to cause problems than Aspen. Any differences in tuning between the two fuels will be noticed at idle, and 'pick up' and will be tuned by the L screw. The H screw should not require any adjustment other than being set in the normal manner at PDI. Your problem sounds like fuel starvation. Even though Aspen is pure, and will not form gums and solids to block filters, it is still possible to induce contamination whilst refuelling which may have restricted the pick up filter or the carb gauze. The tank breather, which is meant to let air into the tank could be blocked by external crud. There could of course be other issues stemming from mechanical defect such as a coil breaking down under load or spark plug failure. hope this helps.

Thats a good move Justin, I have sold Tanaka since 1990 and its top quality gear. I very rarely have a dissatisfied customer, either domestic or pro.

18mm Phenolic Ply. Its really tough, does not absorb oil and grease and is very easy to clean. I prefer the shiny side. i get about 2 years from my intensively used bench before it gets a little messy, then I stick a new bit on. Just done it today by strange coincidence.

Welcome to the forum mr_magicfingers, and welcome to Devon. What part of this wonderful county are you hoping to call home?

My alltime favourite, Top Gun, classic soundtrack.

On the subject of tools, dont be fooled by the tools that I have. I worked for many years on basic budget tools, relying on knowledge and common sense for diagnostics. It is only recently that I have been flush enough to start treating myself to more complex testing 'toys' I always managed OK without them and would still do, its just a bit quicker sometimes with them.

My own feeling is that it may be a bit short sighted, unless you have need for extra cash this year. I have just bought a £12K van, but if I put it all against tax in one year i will have higher tax bills over the next few years. I would prefer to spread it

He probably has a load more tools than you know about, collected over 40 years. But every trade has its tools to do the job, I have my service and testing tools, you have your saws and chippers. They all cost. My account is the lucky one, he earns more than me and just has a pencil!