How to Clean a Chainsaw

You take pride in your work and you should also take pride in your tools. Regularly cleaning your chainsaw is important for keeping the chainsaw running smoothly, not mention keeping it from stalling in the middle of a job. Here's what you'll need to get your saw as clean as the day you bought it:

• Air compressor
• A set of chainsaw tools
• General cleaner
• Air filter cleaner
• A towel or rag

1. Remove the drivetrain cover and remove the chainsaw chain & bar: There's not a whole lot of room for sawdust to escape in the drivetrain, so it's likely this will be an area you will have to clean more often. Use an air compressor to blow out all the dirt, dust, and grime in both the sprocket and clutch area and on the drivetrain cover. It doesn't hurt to give the chainsaw bar a quick cleaning as well.

2. Remove the oil port plate: Some compressed air should clean this area out quickly.

3. Remove the clutch cover and clean the components: Carefully unscrew and pry off the plastic clutch cover and blow out the area. Remove the sprocket and clean it off. Disassemble the clutch being careful to keep track of all the pieces, and add some bearing lubrication to the clutch bearing axle. Carefully reassemble these parts when you're done cleaning.

4. Remove the muffler: Unscrew the muffler and clean out the screen. Reassemble when you're done.

5. Clean or replace the air filter: Remove the intake cover and blow off the air filter. Remove the air filter cover and check to make sure the filter isn't damaged. If it is, you'll have to replace it. If it isn't, blow out the air filter from the inside with compressed air, and use air filter cleaner to make sure you remove any stubborn pieces. Air filter lube will also ensure that air will flow freely through the filter and keep debris from sticking to it. Reassemble the intake when you're done.

6. Reassemble the bar and the chain: Finally, put the chainsaw bar and chain back on the saw. It's important to set up your saw with proper chain tension to avoid any mishaps while running your saw.

Now your saw should be ready for any job. If along the way you find any parts that are damaged or have excessive wear, HL Supply has a variety of chainsaw parts for just about any saw you might need.

Product Review: Stihl Chainsaw Parts

Stihl is one of the most trusted brands of chainsaws and is used around the world and is an official sponsor of the summer Timbersports, a compilation of competitions that use chainsaws and handsaws. While this is one of the most prestigious saw companies, there can still be occasional breakdowns and parts will need to be replaced. Those high quality parts should always be replaced with parts of the same caliber. That’s why HL Supply offers a vast variety of Stihl chainsaw parts. Some of those include chainsaw spark plugs, chainsaw fuel filters, and chainsaw starter rope with handle which we will talk about in this review.

Chainsaw Spark Plug

One of the most commonly replaced items on a machine—the spark plug—is the combustion starter for your engine. By creating an electric bolt a chainsaw spark plug is able to ignite the fuel and the engine can start. You don’t want to have an engine that doesn’t start. Find the right size spark plug for your Stihl chainsaw fast and easy today at HL Supply.

Stihl Chainsaw Fuel Filter

Chainsaw Fuel filters are absolutely essential to having a strong chainsaw. All the fuel pulled into the engine is filtered through the fuel filter. If the filter is clogged from dirt and grime, the fuel has a harder time passing through and engine power is decreased. When cutting with a saw, power is precision. Make sure that your engine is at full power with a custom aftermarket Stihl chainsaw fuel filter.

Starter Rope with Handle

If your starter rope is about to break don’t wait for that day to come. Our aftermarket starter rope with handle is both strong and inexpensive. These easy to replace ropes will fit all of your Stihl saws. Have a durable starter cord that you don’t have to worry about breaking.

When you need to repair your Sithl chainsaw or cut-off saw, you have to make sure that you buy the right parts. That is why searching for your parts at HL Supply is essential. Find everything you need, including products like spark plugs, fuel filters, starter ropes, and many more. If you have any questions about our Stihl products, please contact us and we will get back to you right away!

Meteor Pistons & Cylinders: Aftermarket Parts for Stihl & Husqvarna Engines

At HLSupply.com, we are always on the lookout for quality, aftermarket engine parts that we can offer you at a great price. Meteor Pistons are one of the aftermarket brands we carry, and they are a favorite among chainsaw and cut-off saw enthusiasts. These aftermarket parts offer quality and performance comparable to the original parts, and for a price you won’t see on genuine Stihl and Husqvarna parts. Let’s take a look at the company and how they became a leader in aftermarket parts for Stihl and Husqvarna small engines.

Meteor Pistons Overview

Meteor Piston was founded in 1952 in Italy, and the company continues to operate out of Italy. Their original focus was on scooters, including the world-renowned Italian Vespa, and the company has been focused on small engine parts ever since. The company also worked with industrial small engines around this time.

Eventually in the 70s, Meteor Pistons began making pistons for agricultural, gardening, and forestry engines. This marked the beginning of Meteor’s manufacturing of cut-off saw, brushcutter, blower, and chainsaw pistons, which are regarded today as some of the best aftermarket parts available for Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws and cut-off saws.

At the beginning of the new millennium, Meteor Piston was an established name in piston manufacturing and began to move into cylinder manufacturing. They began offering Nikasil plated cylinders for forestry equipment.

Today, Meteor offers pistons for a wide range of engines including forestry equipment, scooters, 4-stroke small engines, ATV engines, go-karts, and more. With over 60 years of experience manufacturing pistons in a wide range of engine types, Meteor remains a trusted name in aftermarket pistons and cylinders.

HL Supply’s Wide Selection of Meteor Pistons & Cylinders

HL Supply carries a wide range of Meteor piston kits and cylinder kits. Whether you are a Stihl user or a Huqvarna user, you will find piston assembly kits for your chainsaw model. Stihl piston kits include pistons for 026, MS260, MS250, MS230, MS210, and other models. Husqvarna piston kits include Husqvarna 346XP, 55 & 55 Rancher, 357, 359, and many more. Visit our Meteor parts page, our Stihl parts page, or our Husqvarna parts page for the entire selection of Meteor parts for your particular chainsaw or cut-off saw.

Chainsaw Parts Buyer’s Guide Part 1: Chainsaw Chains

While there are many components important to a properly running chainsaw, the chain could mean the difference between a clean, quick cut and dangerous kickback. Chainsaws utilize a chain with sharp teeth that runs around the chainsaw bar. The chain’s teeth cut through wood with ease when the proper chain is used. Modern chainsaws use one of two types of teeth: full chisel teeth or semi-chisel teeth.

Full-Chisel Teeth

Chains with full chisel teeth are generally used on soft woods. "Full chisel" means that these teeth have sharp, square corners which are designed to cut quickly by splitting large amounts of wood. Because of the design of the teeth, these chains can cut away soft woods with ease and speed. The sharpness of the square design means that these chains are more susceptible to becoming dull quickly when used for more heavy-duty jobs. These types of chains are best for soft and "green" wood.

Semi-Chisel Teeth

Semi-chisel are rounded teeth that don't dull as quickly, and are therefore better for cutting hard, dry, or frozen wood. Chains with semi-chisel teeth cut more slowly because of the rounded design, but in the long-run, they will save you time because you won’t have to stop to sharpen your chain.

Finding the Right Chain for Your Saw

Choosing the correct chain for your individual saw requires a bit of measuring. There are three main measurements that you need to determine the right chain for your saw: the pitch, the gauge, and the number of links.

1. Chain Pitch

The "pitch" of your chain is the measurement of how close the links on your chain are to each other. To get this measurement, you want to measure the length between any three rivets on your old chain, and then divide that number by 2. Most chainsaws will have a 3/8" pitch or 3/8" low profile pitch. Luckily, this number is usually displayed on the chainsaw bar. If you can't determine the pitch, it's best to bring you saw into a respected chainsaw service shop to be sure you're getting the correct measurement.

2. Chain Gauge

Gauge is the thickness of the chain, or the link width. This is important because if you get the wrong gauge, the chain won't fit into the bar properly. Again, this is a measurement that should be found on the chainsaw's bar, and could be .043", .050", .058", or .063". If you can't find it, bring your saw to a reputable service shop.

3. Chain Drive Links

Figuring out the amount of chain drive links is a bit trickier than simply looking for a number on your saw. Most likely, you won't find this number on your saw, so you will have to manually count the amount of drive links on your chain. The actually length of the chain doesn't help, because the length is determined by both the pitch and the number of links present on the chain, so it's possible to have two chains with the same length that have different amounts of links and different pitches.

As always, if you're unsure of what you're doing, it's best to bring your saw into a respected dealer and have them tell you what size chain you need.

HL Supply offers a variety of small engine parts for chainsaws, cut-off saws, and other power equipment. Visit our store for our complete selection of aftermarket small engine parts.

How to Sharpen a Cut-Off Saw Diamond Blade

Maintaining your tools is important to the quality of your work, longevity of your equipment, and your safety. This is especially important for power tools, which can pose a serious risk of injury if they aren’t operating properly. Keeping your cut off saw blades sharp will prolong the life of your saw by making it easy for a saw to cut and putting less stress on the engine. Safety-wise, this will also help reduce kick-back from the blade snagging.
While diamond blades are designed to essentially sharpen themselves by wearing down and revealing new diamonds, sometimes the diamonds become worn to a point that they become smooth, which doesn’t allow them to be stripped away and the new diamonds to take their place. This typically happens when you have been primarily cutting hard, dense materials. To sharpen the blade and bring expose the new diamonds, follow these steps:

Power Chainsaw Safety Tips

When operating any power tool, it's crucial to always take proper safety precautions. This doesn't only pertain to proper use of the tool, but also to maintenance and preparation as well. Chainsaws are among the more dangerous power tools, but with proper operation and precautions, there's a limited chance of something going wrong. Read on to learn how to properly operate your chainsaw.

Safety Gear When Operating A Chainsaw

Safety gear is a must when operating a chainsaw. This includes proper hand, foot, leg, eye, face, and ear protection. If anything were to go wrong, this gear would be your last defense in protection against an injury. Your clothing should also fit properly—baggy clothing increases the chance of getting caught in the chain or on a branch, which could obviously lead to injury.

Chainsaw Preparation Before Using

Before you even start your chainsaw you should inspect it carefully to be sure that nothing is broken or looks out of the ordinary. If it's your first time using a new saw, read through the owner's manual and be sure to take note of any features that are unique to your saw. One important feature to note is the chain brake. Some saws have a hand guard that doubles as a chain break, which is a useful safety feature that protects against kickback.

Be sure to check the lubrication reservoir and fill it if it's low. When it's time to fuel, make sure that any spilled fuel is cleaned up before starting the saw. You should wipe down your saw if any excess fuel or oil has spilled on it and wait for it to evaporate before starting. Finally, move at least 10 feet from where you fueled the saw before you start your chainsaw up.

Starting Your Chainsaw

Again, this is a good time to refer to your owner's manual for any unique features of your saw, but there are also a few general things to keep in mind. Make sure the chain break is engaged so the chain doesn't start moving when you start your saw. Also, make sure to never attempt to "drop start" your saw. The saw needs to be secure when you are starting it so you have time to react in case anything goes wrong. This is a great video on how to properly start a chainsaw.

Chainsaw Operation

Again, chainsaw operation is going to be specific to your saw, what you're using it for and your particular skill level, so be sure to take each of these into consideration. It's important to never attempt something that is beyond your capabilities, but there are a few general guidelines to follow.

• Always look for any debris, particularly metal, that needs to be removed from the path of your chainsaw.
• Make sure to engage the chain break or turn off your saw when moving between different areas.
• Be aware of kickback and always use a saw that has kickback prevention devices. To avoid kickback, never saw with the tip of the chain.
• Always keep your hands properly on the handles of saw and keep secure footing when cutting.

HL Supply provides small engine parts for chainsaw, cut-off saws, trimmers, and more from the leading manufacturers including Stihl, Husqvarna, and Makita. Visit their store today to see the full selection of small engine replacement parts.

Preparing Your Power Tools for Summer

Now that the warmer months are rolling around, it’s time to get your power tools primed and ready for work. Taking them straight out of storage and immediately using them probably isn’t the best way to go, especially if you used your tools extensively the year before. It’s always good to do some preemptive inspections and maintenance of your power tools before using them, so we put together a list of the things you should check before pulling the starter on your chainsaw. As always, be sure to refer to your owner’s manual for anything specific to your equipment. This is the best place to find out how to properly care for your specific tool.

Inspection

The first thing you should do is carefully inspect your equipment. Check for any rusting that resulted from improper winter storage and make a note of parts that need replacement. It’s also important for safety reasons to check for loose nuts and bolts and be sure to tighten them, particularly any safety guards on saws and the deflectors on your hedge trimmers.

Sharpening

For chainsaws and cut off saws, keeping the chain and blade sharp will ensure a properly operating tool and improve its safety. If you haven’t been properly maintaining your chainsaw’s chain, it may be time for a new chain. Broken cutting teeth and worn down teeth and cutters are all signs that you need a new chain. This will also prolong the life of your saw, as the engine won’t have to work as hard when cutting. The same goes for replacement cut off saw blades.

Checking Engine Parts

Making sure the engine is operating properly is the most important part of maintaining your gasoline powered tools. Routine maintenance that should be completed before the summer season includes checking air filters and either cleaning filter debris with filter oil, or replacing any filter that is damaged.

Check other engine parts, including the spark plug, carburetor, fuel filters, and clutch to be sure they are all in working order. If something looks worn, replace it by either checking your owner’s manual or consulting a trusted repair shop. Also be sure to only use parts that are intended to fit your make and model of chainsaw. One of the most important things to do before using your saw is check that the stop button is in working order—you don’t want to be put in a situation that you need to stop the blade from running and find out that you have a busted stop button. Finally, lubricate any moving parts that will be subject to friction.

By properly maintaining your equipment, you will maintain its value and have a long-lasting and well-operating machine.