Chain saw Mods?

[T-Dozzer]

Bought a used chainsaw (stihl MS 461) that I plan on milling with. Before I do, I would like to have it gone through and have atleast some exhuast work done. Maybe more?
Anyone know of a good place somewhat close to North Bend?
It has a few recalls on it so my local dealer will handle that fix first. They wont do modification obviously so I would rather who ever I find to do it, also gives it a check over.

Thanks

[Dale Gribble]

Harper lumber in Roslyn. They have a saw shop in the back, can’t remember his name but the guy that works in there can build one hell of a saw.

[T-Dozzer]

Harper lumber in Roslyn. They have a saw shop in the back, can’t remember his name but the guy that works in there can build one hell of a saw.

Thanks

[BigGoonTuna]

you may have to do some convincing, saw modding is illegal per the EPA and if stihl NW finds out a shop is doing it, they'll threaten to pull their dealership.

i hated modifying saws, i would shave the flywheel key to advance the timing a little, open up the intake and polish the exhaust, and restore the muffler dump size to the "original" 044 size(they choked the hell out of them in later models).  after all that, nobody would buy them unless i added the original 046 front plate and hogged out the other side of the muffler for a husky baffle.  all noise and no go, but as long as it was louder than their buddy's, that's all that mattered.  just to prove that, i quit doing the cylinder work and just gutted the mufflers...nobody ever complained.

[JWEBB]

you may have to do some convincing, saw modding is illegal per the EPA and if stihl NW finds out a shop is doing it, they'll threaten to pull their dealership.

i hated modifying saws, i would shave the flywheel key to advance the timing a little, open up the intake and polish the exhaust, and restore the muffler dump size to the "original" 044 size(they choked the hell out of them in later models).  after all that, nobody would buy them unless i added the original 046 front plate and hogged out the other side of the muffler for a husky baffle.  all noise and no go, but as long as it was louder than their buddy's, that's all that mattered.  just to prove that, i quit doing the cylinder work and just gutted the mufflers...nobody ever complained.

Wow! I come from a long line of loggers. Never knew modding was illegal. Seems like there could be more important things to focus on

[syoungs]

muffler mod and a good tuning is all I do to mine. run great, but they get loud.
eventually I may try my hand at doing some porting work, ive got a couple old cheap saws that I can practice on, but for my bigger saws I haven't ever felt that it is needed. (im not a logger though, and don't make money with my saws)

[jackmaster]

Gut the muffler is about all you want to do and lean your mix out just a tad, change your plug regularly and get the right chain for milling, I mill with my saw on occasion and mostly I just use a semi skip chisel chain, it works well but it still plugs up, especially when your ripping the length and pulling noodles, I think they actually make a chain that pulls chips instead of noodles when your running the length !!

[syoungs]

they do make that chain for milling that will pull chips, or you can grind an old chain to do the same, though that is time consuming for sure.

[T-Dozzer]

Gut the muffler is about all you want to do and lean your mix out just a tad, change your plug regularly and get the right chain for milling, I mill with my saw on occasion and mostly I just use a semi skip chisel chain, it works well but it still plugs up, especially when your ripping the length and pulling noodles, I think they actually make a chain that pulls chips instead of noodles when your running the length !!

Granberg makes a ripping chain.
You lean your mix out for ripping? ive always heard to go more rich since milling is tough on saws.
Whats your setup?

[BeerBugler]

HD air filter setup, DP muffler and tune. That’s the most bang for your buck. After that your cost/gain ratio falls off. 046 is a great saw but your still going to be limited on your log size for milling 24” or so? Granberg chain makes a nice smooth cut but it’s expensive and takes time to sharpen. Baileys ripping chain doesn’t provide as smooth of cut but cuts fast,sharpens fast and fairly cheap. I’m selling a 288xp (good milling saw) pm me if interested. Make sure you turn your bar oil output up when milling.

[BigGoonTuna]

You can make a decent rip chain by taking a semi chisel skip chain and grinding the teeth at a 10* angle instead of the usual 30*.

I believe it was the 2011? EPA regs that banned modifying small engines outside of sanctioned racing events, im sure they'd never go after a guy doing it in his garage, but risky for a big shop.  Technically you aren't even supposed to be able to own carb adjusting tools, and a bunch of other stupid stuff like that.  Big brother at work...

[T-Dozzer]

HD air filter setup, DP muffler and tune. That’s the most bang for your buck. After that your cost/gain ratio falls off. 046 is a great saw but your still going to be limited on your log size for milling 24” or so? Granberg chain makes a nice smooth cut but it’s expensive and takes time to sharpen. Baileys ripping chain doesn’t provide as smooth of cut but cuts fast,sharpens fast and fairly cheap. I’m selling a 288xp (good milling saw) pm me if interested. Make sure you turn your bar oil output up when milling.

Yeah, air in/out was pretty much all Im after. Along with a compression check etc...
The saw came with a 32" bar, but I planned on using around a 25" bar for milling. I'll probably just go with the 30" alaskan mill.
Learning as I go...

[jackmaster]

Gut the muffler is about all you want to do and lean your mix out just a tad, change your plug regularly and get the right chain for milling, I mill with my saw on occasion and mostly I just use a semi skip chisel chain, it works well but it still plugs up, especially when your ripping the length and pulling noodles, I think they actually make a chain that pulls chips instead of noodles when your running the length !!

Granberg makes a ripping chain.
You lean your mix out for ripping? ive always heard to go more rich since milling is tough on saws.
Whats your setup?

i use my 039 with a 26" bar and I also use a 28" bar, if I am doing big wood I use a 066 power head with the same size bars as my small saw , yes I lean it it out, but my saws are broke in really well!! And what I mean by leaning it out is I mix my gas at 2 to 1 and I use super unleaded , I do not like my saw to bog down the more it bogs down seems to cause the bar to wander but that could be just me ..

[Knocker of rocks]

you may have to do some convincing, saw modding is illegal per the EPA and if stihl NW finds out a shop is doing it, they'll threaten to pull their dealership.

I can't find any legal document stating that modifications by end users or their agents is illegal.  Stihl NW may prohibit their authorized shops from doing it because they are leary of a legal entanglement, but I can find nothing that legally prevents an owner or independent shop from doing such work.

These saws are cool

[Bob33]

Interesting 

https://www.forconstructionpros.com/rental/article/10708101/educate-yourself-about-epa-standards-for-small-gasoline-engines

What can’t be done

With these new standards in place, it’s no surprise that some things now can’t or shouldn’t be done with generators and other small-engine equipment.

First and foremost, don’t tamper or attempt to modify engines designed to meet EPA standards. Not only is it illegal and comes with civil penalties, but it can cause a host of problems. For example, removing an engine’s vapor control valves presents a fire hazard and can cause liquid fuel in the vapor system to severely damage the carbon canister.

Knowingly disabling an emission control system component, from tweaking the fuel or exhaust system to altering the engine’s performance, will violate the EPA regulations. Installing a part that differs from that originally on an engine that meets EPA standards also may bring penalties for tampering.