Finding a knowledgeable/reliable Stihl service shop

[alha]

I am looking for a shop nearby, and was wondering what people who don't work on their own saws (which here I presume would be in the minority, but still..) do to find a good shop that prices their repairs fairly, fixes just what's needed, suggests things that might go soon but are still serviceable, etc. I would think this forum could be a good resource for finding one. Anyone have any suggestions in the Twin Cities? Thanks!

[ladylake]

 If I didn't work on my own I'd try and find a small engine shop with a good rep (ask around) rather than a  shop with big showroom more interested in selling new saws and has to charge arm and a leg to work on them to work on them. Saw are not hard to fix, give it a try.   Steve

[shinnlinger]

I agree,

Folks on this site just talked me thru a couple of carb rebuilds and if anything more significant comes up in he future I think I will take a stab at it myself, but find a greasy small engine repair place and ask them if about chainsaws and see what they can do.  I think you can get a pretty good sense after a few minutes if that is the kind of place you want to work on your stuff.  Look around.  If you see  newer pro saws either waiting for service or pickup vs a couple of crapsmen wilde thangs you may have found your place.

[beenthere]

I have a good one just down the road. He does just what you describe you want.

I am hopeful that he hangs in there at least as long as I need his services.

Not in the twin cities area however (about 4 hours drive).

[smalldog]

One of the new dealers here didn't even have a testing log out back but didn't want me working on my own saw.?? All they have are the green anti kick back chains but no forestry helmets.??

[alha]

Well, that sounds like good advice, as I am fairly handy, just haven't dug into 2 cycle engines that much, and seeing as I just bought my 1st saw yesterday (probably paid too much, $450 but it ran ok (after it started) when I bought it, with new bar and skip tooth chain) I will probably need to get my hands dirty. I went to my dealer and bought a new plug today, the one in it was NGK and the one they sold me was a Bosch, I presume both work as well as the other. I also took the cover off and cleaned the carb area with carb cleaner, and the rest of it with electronic cleaner I got from NAPA. Left no residue, and cleaned pretty well. It looked like he had just finished cutting with it, full of crap under the cover, etc, but I guess I like that better than it being pristine, (unless it was almost never used, wouldn't that have been nice, eh?) because you can clean up a engine (like they steam clean cars at the dealer before selling them) and it will hide problems like leaks, etc. At least this way I knew what I was getting.

I think I am going to take it to my local dealer on Tuesday, they have a certified Stihl mechanic that can give it a once over for around $40, check it out and tell me what is wrong with it, if anything. Tried starting it today after cleaning it and putting in a new plug, it wasn't responding, but then it was 20 degrees out, and they are I've heard cold blooded saws. He did start it when I bought it, was a little tough but started. I am waiting to hear about the condition of the cylinder and compression, that will tell me a lot, and if I need to get back a hold of the seller or not. I was told it was used but in great running condition, we'll see...

I have a couple pics of it, but couldn't attach them to this post, as I don't have Java on this machine. I did use the old uploader to get them saved to my album, but when I go to add them to this post from there, there isn't a way to say Attach to this post or whatever. Anyone know if I can attach photos without Java?

[Saw Dr.]

I would rather buy a saw covered in fresh sawdust 1000:1 over one in sterile condition.  That sawdust can tell you alot about the saw, and how it was used.  If it is/was nice chips, you know he runs good sharp chains.  The evidence under the filter lid can tell you if the filter gets cleaned often or never.  If the carb screws are sawdusted over, then one can infer that the saw must have been running properly (otherwise, they'd be adjusting it alot.)  It is very easy to spot problem areas on dirty saws since the sawdust will be wiped away in that area. 

I hope the saw you bought for $450 is a 70cc or larger pro saw.  As the others have said, older and less flashy shops are the best IMO.  I might be inclined to drive around back and see if they have a test log anywhere.  Also might want to see what they have in for service.  If you walk into a shop and spot old stock Homelite or McCulloch parts on shelves, you are probably in business.  Shops like that stay around for a reason.  I stay away from any shop with a neon sign.

[alha]

I would rather buy a saw covered in fresh sawdust 1000:1 over one in sterile condition.  That sawdust can tell you alot about the saw, and how it was used.  If it is/was nice chips, you know he runs good sharp chains.  The evidence under the filter lid can tell you if the filter gets cleaned often or never.  If the carb screws are sawdusted over, then one can infer that the saw must have been running properly (otherwise, they'd be adjusting it alot.)  It is very easy to spot problem areas on dirty saws since the sawdust will be wiped away in that area. 

I hope the saw you bought for $450 is a 70cc or larger pro saw.  As the others have said, older and less flashy shops are the best IMO.  I might be inclined to drive around back and see if they have a test log anywhere.  Also might want to see what they have in for service.  If you walk into a shop and spot old stock Homelite or McCulloch parts on shelves, you are probably in business.  Shops like that stay around for a reason.  I stay away from any shop with a neon sign.

Well, it wasn't quite fresh sawdust, kinda gunked up oiled stuff under the chain cover, did clean up fairly easily. I got a 460 Magnum, so that quailifies as over 70cc. Tomorrow morning I will bring it into the shop to see just what I have bought. They are actually a local rental shop that has a mech come in a couple times a week to work on their saws, is certified I was told, so we'll see what he finds, and what answers he has for me.

[alha]

Got the info back from the shop, appears to be in decent shape mechanically, despite the way it looks. Only issue he found with it was that it had some string caught in the sprocket, and that had damaged the needle bearings. Those were replaced, and it runs out pretty well with fresh gas and a new plug. Compression is 152, so that is a good thing, the tuneup and repair totaled $72, can't complain. Looks like it was in just the condition the seller said it was, glad to know I wasn't scammed, he seemed like a trustworthy individual (not that that matters of course, as the best scammers usually do). Now it's time to make some sawdust!

[Al_Smith]

.  If you walk into a shop and spot old stock Homelite or McCulloch parts on shelves, you are probably in business.  Shops like that stay around for a reason.  I stay away from any shop with a neon sign.

Well that's easier said than done .When Mac circled the drain in '98-99 people scoured the country side  and bought up NOS or used Mac parts by the seml load for about a dime on the dollar .

You used to be able to find those old shops that smelled like gasoline and smelly oak sawdust but there are all but gone now  along with a large amount of history .

[John Mc]

Those older shops where you can walk right in, smell the oil and gas, see the saws lined up waiting to be worked on (or waiting to be picked up) are getting harder to find. We've still got a couple around here, but the guys running them are getting older, and close to retiring (some are already "semi-retired"). I don't see any of these types of shops with younger guys running them.

We do have a couple of the "fancier" shops around here that are pretty good. The two I'm thinking of are tractor dealerships, both with great reputations for service and support in their tractor lines. One is also a Stihl dealer, and one a Husky dealer. Fortunately, the nice showrooms are supported by their tractor lines... the chainsaws and brush saws are a sideline, but one these guys seem to take seriously.

The other end of the spectrum was the power equipment dealer (lawn mowers, splitters, snowblowers). He had a fairly nice showroom, and was a Dolmar dealer. Unfortunately, he never took the chainsaw end of his business seriously. They did service what they sold, but seemed to miss some obvious things (like letting brand new 5100 chainsaws go out set too lean, then telling new potential customers (me, of rexample) that they were junk because they burnt up too easily). They are now out of the chainsaw business - which is probably a good thing. Downside is tat there is no one selling Dolmar saws anywhere near me.

I still support the old-timers and their shops, but it's nice to know there are a couple of solid, established, servicing dealers around for when the old codgers finally close their doors.

[trapper]

I got a good one here.  The father retired and the son who grew up in the business took over. His wife does a lot of the office work.  Do all of my small engine business there which is not a lot but they know me by name when I come in.  Have another place in town that I stoped in years ago to look at a log spliter but didnt like his attitude and never went back.  His son also took over and seems to be doing well but I just didnt have any desire to go back there.

[Al_Smith]

Those old timers are pretty much gone around here .The one dealer,Stihl ,does have a fancy place .Fact is the largest Toro /Wheelhorse dealer in the USA .He started in high school as a gopher ,learned the biz from the ground up and now owns it .

He,his wife ,the whole staff give me the best service anybody could ask for .Every time I stop in they ask what kind of a hot rod saw I am working on .As per their franchise agreement with Stihl they aren't permitted to alter the saws but they are fascinated that somebody can .

In a couple of weeks I'll make my quarterly trip to the "back room " in search of rebuilders .

[sharkey]

I would say your better off learning to do your own work at this point in history.  For instance, Ive noticed since Stihl moved in with John Deere that most dealers only keep one 'two stroke' mechanic, but instead have several 'four stroke' or mower/tractor mechanics.  Sometimes this single two stroke mechanic is expected to travel to other dealership locations or oversee young helpers who may mean well but have no idea what theyre doing.  Of course the dealer doesnt want to pay to send the young guys to school or to keep too many of the older experienced two stroke guys on.  This means, to you the consumer, that the chances of having problems are better than ever.  Peak period waits alone, like spring trimmers or fall blowers, can run a month in some places because of the volume of ethanol fuel problems.  Add in parts delays or warranty considerations and maybe you will get your brushcutter back in August...

Clymer, Haynes or Chilton's, etc., offers a shop manual for saws or trimmers etc., so look around.  Check your local library too.  Once you have a shop manual, put aside a couple bucks to buy some tools and your on your way.  Dont forget that these forums are also a great place to ask technical questions.         

[Banjo picker]

Some of these ole timers need to be out of business...I have used the ole guy here for years , and have seen it become more or less just a place where he goes to pass the day ...The last time I took a saw to him (Husky)...I had to get him a ring for it...thats what he said he thought it was...the saw would run but loose power in the cut then pretty much die...I got him the ring he wanted ...then in about two weeks went back to get the saw ...it was in a box in pieces...He said it ain't worth fixen...   I just got my box of parts and left)...I won't be back to bother him anymore....Tim

[beenthere]

Banjo
Just don't paint 'em all with the same brush.

[Smurf]

I agree with Al and Trapper the Old School Repair Shops are becoming much harder to find . The Day of the Son taking over the Family business is also few and far between . But they are still out there . I have found that quite often the Dealer mechanics moon light and or will quite often offer quite a bit of conversational advice . If not the small engine repair shop which most small towns have are usually quite fair or they would not be around for long . I have been doing most engine repair stuff for yrs , snowmobile , motorcycle , snowblowers , chainsaws , trimmers etc. However having a reputable dealer locally available certainly is a plus. The new saws or auto's with their micro processor's and EPA Regulated Constraints have taken a lot of the tuning techniques out of the backyard mechanics expertise. I guess to answer your question word of mouth goes a long way within picking a Quality and Fair Repair Facility .

[Banjo picker]

Banjo
Just don't paint 'em all with the same brush.

 

I agree with you...point well taken...Tim

[Al_Smith]

On this subject of chainsaw repairs I suppose the average home owner type user would be able to go for years with just routine maintainence .Things like keeping  the filter clean ,sharpening the chain etc aren't that entailed .Often overlooked though ,I'll grant you that .

Given enough time though they all will require part or two and that's where a good stocking dealer is needed .

Some of us eccentric gearheads because of our very nature would never dream of having somone else do our repairs ,too much pride or plain bullheadeness . Keep in mind though that over a period of time ,tons of tools,bins full of parts  and shelves full of parts lists etc it can become a   chore .I guess you have to like it to do it .

[Paul_H]

My dad was a gypo highlead logger all his life and part of that was working on a machine that had broken down so they could get up and running again quickly.He has a real knack for repairs but when he's off the job,forget it.He will fiddle with the lawn tractor for a little bit but usually packs it up and takes it to the young fellow down at the saw shop.
Dad would rather do something he truly enjoys than work on a broken machine.He loved playing baseball,hockey,golf,swimming or hunting and fishing.
His two brothers were fallers for over 40 years each and I remember in the early 70's,that Harold's basement smelled like gasoline and there were McCulloch saws and parts pilled up in the corner.They would work on their saws regularly but as the years past,they passed more of that work off to the local saw shop and did what they enjoyed in their time off which was much the same as my dad's list but Harold is an avid gardener and Thor loves woodwork.

I worked a year at the local Stihl dealer in '78 and then went logging full time but still put in a few months at the saw shop in the winter when the bush was shutdown for snow.At that time we were running 075's .If a saw broke down on the job,I would fix it if there was time but we always had a spare.At the end of the day,we'd drop the saw off at the saw shop and get it that same day or the next.
In all those years I logged,I never worked on a saw other than on the job to see if there was a quick fix.My time off was to do chores or things I enjoy doing.

[sawguy21]

And now fixing saws is a full time job.

[Paul_H]

And now I buy all my firewood split and delivered

[Smurf]

And now I buy all my firewood split and delivered

Roflmbo