Mik the Miller

The spring is driven by the clutch drum. The spring drives a spur gear (which sits below the clutch) and this drives the planet gear (that's the big gear you mentioned earlier). The oil pump site below this gear and is driven by it. The clutch is screwed onto the end of the crankshaft (left hand thread) so spins at the same speed as the engine. The clutch opens out (gets bigger) when it spins and so grips the clutch drum, which turns the spring, the spur and the planet gear and so pumps oil. Or in the case of this saw, doesn't. Of course this also drives the chain around and the two are linked really, if the chain is moving you need oil ... The saw (as supplied) is quite dangerous, in my opinion, although the seller doesn't agree I'm not sure how this was damaged, at a guess I would say that the saw was used extensively with a smaller bar (it was sold with a clean 47" Duro) and to stop the chain spinning on tickover the brake was applied. Often. This caused the clutch to get hot, so hot that it turned blue and melted the spur gear.... Mechanical sympathy is difficult to teach some folk

On my bench today I has ... An MS880, it didn't come as faulty, in fact it was sold as "in good condition", "seen little use" and "The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended." Well .... it was a bit clogged up with muck-n-sawdust behind the drive sprocket cover (nothing amiss with that I guess), although it was a bit dark. Digging it off the inside of the cover I saw a shiny/indented bit near to the front, above the outer side plate, which corresponded with the holding screw. When I turned the saw over this screw fell out and when cleaned the plate falls off. Closer examination shows that the thread has been stripped ..... I noticed that the clutch drum was very dark (blued). I removed the E clip with my fingers (yes it was that stretched) noting that the rim sprocket was worn as was the securing washer. Digging out the crap the plastics around the clutch, specifically the chain brake spring cover, were brown and melted. The clutch was a deep blue. I could see the worm-drive floating about below the clutch (literally) and removed the clutch for a closer look .. The pictures tell a thousand words ...

I like it. Ideal for milling pine etc, would make a great tool to produce planking for raised beds. Big J is right though, perhaps a tad expensive. I haven't the room for a tool like that but it's pretty good non the less

The baby of the familly

I like the Multicut LPX chains for cutting fresh fallen Beech and Oak. It's said, that because the Multicut has a thick chrome plating you can't sharpen it as well, but to be honest I can't tell the difference. I use the M75LPX on my 036 and the chain lasts well, longer than the std full chisel that's for sure. I've just started milling and have reground a Multicut chain to 10 degrees, i've also bought some factory ground ripping chain and will keep my eye on the longevity/differences.

I've got one A std 90 hard-top 300 TDi, (in the fastest colour) love her to bits, never answers back, reliable, only problem is she can't make a decent cup of tea !

PM sent

They may be but i'm in Lanark Scotland and they are in Sydenham, London and Stihl won't allow them to ship ....

I couldn't find a new one for anywhere near that, and I was lured into believing the "had little use" and "in good condition" stated by the seller - to be honest I don't think the seller knew it was as bad as it was. Once I get the parts it'll be a good-un

Don't they just - I just bought an MS880 off eBay for £855, crazy money for a saw that wasn't in working order too !