Long term storage of Chainsaws

[paulpieter]

I have an 026, 346XP -- both great saws for this old 50 something desk jockey -- and a baby MS170. Actually I quite love the 026 and 346xp but find that they irritate my left tennis elbow after too much use - ya I know that's pretty wussy but then the desk job leaves little time to get out there, hence the smaller saw. My question is I presume that it is best to put two away for long term storage and keep one active - more continuous use. What then is the best way to prepare them for storage. I always use fuel stabilizer -- the Canadian Tire brand -- and regular fuel, no ethanol. So far touch wood, I have had no trouble starting any of them even after 8 months.

So is it best stored with an additive or run dry or other option? If run dry is there a bulb such as in a lawn mower that also needs to be drained? Or is it best to just keep rotating the use of the saws?

[miking]

Get one one of those tendonitis bands for your tennis elbow. Chainsaw work for me became pretty close to unbearable before I found them and started wearing them. Can't help ya with the storage question though as I don't really store them very long without using them.

[Al_Smith]

Probabley run then dry but I don't practice what I preach .As a result I've became pretty handy at rebuilding carbs .

I have 40-50 saws at last count .Two of them a Mac PM 610 and a Poulan s-25 I've never ran dry and never had a problem with them .I've owned both for over 30 years . The others though it might be every few years  a new carb kit --or not .

[flapjack23]

Clean them up good and let them idle dry. I usually clean bar and clutch area, sharpen chain, fill oil tank, pour out gas, start and let idle 'till it stalls. Should be good over winter (don't cut much in the winter). If there is a storm and I need a saw in the winter, a mix of fresh gas and its good to go. IMO if you are going to store longer than that, I'd run it dry, then have someone help spray a few squirts of fogging oil into the carb while you pull it over.

Andy

[Al_Smith]

It's not a good idea to store a saw on a concrete floor .Concrete contains alumina derived from blue clay .Galvantic action in time will cause the aluminum parts of the saw to deteriate if stored directly on the 'crete . Store them on a board or something, sheet of plastic whatever .

[Jim Spencer]

I have an 028, 029, and 066 and never had a problem with starting after sitting for 6-9 months with my 029 or 028.  Use the 066 every month.
My saw storage method is to shut the saw off and sit in a storage area in a pole barn and forget about it until i need it again.
Never had a problem since my first chainsaw which was a Homelite easy 5 back in 1955.
Will heed someones advice and not leave it sitting on the concrete floor in the future.
Can't understand when I hear people having trouble with old gas.  Of course my fuel containers are sealed so that may make a difference.

[paulpieter]

Thanks all very useful info, on all fronts.

I am particularly intrigued by the galvanic action that you, Al mention. Along the same lines, many respected mechanics have told me not to store batteries on a concrete floor. Indeed I have lost perfectly new batteries by doing that. Galvanic action usually requires a medium or electrolyte so I was somewhat skeptical that batteries would deteriorate but experience has obviously blasted my skepticism. I image that gases in concentration must also work as an electrolyte.

Last summer I had placed a steel tin of wood preservative and a bottle of Javex (Chlorox to others) on the concrete floor and after a season noticed a pronounced stain in, or deterioration of the concrete most likely caused by one of either container. I had moved the contains so wasn't able to confirm which caused it before I noticed it. Both were sealed tight and there was no leakage.

Thanks again.

[Urbicide]

A big +100 for keeping the saws up off of concrete (and damp surfaces too). I never thought much of setting a saw down on a hard surface & the resulting scratches and scrapes that creates. That changed after I acquired the bug for collecting old saws. It is sad to pick up an old saw that at first appears to be in good condition only to find that the underside is eaten up with magnesium corrosion.

[CX3]

I just set my saws in the barn and get them when I need them.  Now they hardly ever go a week without running hard.

Keep them off concrete.  As someone said they will start to rust, but I believe it is from drawing moisture off the cool floor.  Its not good for them to sit on the concrete

[Al_Smith]

Aluminum and mag are  termed to be  sacrificing metals .In other words they deteriate rapidly from galvanic action . The dull finish that forms on aluminum is aluminum oxide and resembles glass if looked at through a microscope . This actually preserves the metal by blocking oxegon much like rust on steel .

Both steel and aluminum will last a long time in the weather if kept from ground contact .Because with that galvanic action can also take place .

[paulpieter]

Thanks Miking, I do have one of those elbow bands, but wondered if they really work. I will try it again. I have tried acupuncture and that seems to be the most effective as well as electrical stimulation - to repair the problem. Apparently scar tissue develops in the area and unless it is not removed it won't get better. I am of course quite concerned about the problem recurring. Thanks again.

[miking]

Thanks Miking, I do have one of those elbow bands, but wondered if they really work. I will try it again. I have tried acupuncture and that seems to be the most effective as well as electrical stimulation - to repair the problem. Apparently scar tissue develops in the area and unless it is not removed it won't get better. I am of course quite concerned about the problem recurring. Thanks again.

I don't remember how I found out about them but I still wear it just below my left (and sometimes my right) elbow when sawing. I make my living in the woods with my saws and I was pretty much out of options with the pain until I head about them. It did indeed seem lke a long shot to work, but the relief was immediate and I haven't had issues with tendonitis since. I hope it works out for ya.

[paulpieter]

Sounds encouraging, thanks.