"New" saw

[Burnham]

In one of those completely unexpected finds, I stumbled across a Stihl 026 for sale in an estate/barn sale just up the road a way a few days ago. The barn was a gold mine of cheap deals, and the folks doing the sale were certainly focused on getting rid of stuff rather than making money. A couple of mid-40's children selling off the deceased fathers' things and property. I don't think either one had ever run a chainsaw or knew anything about them.

I bought a nice Skil brand 1/2 inch chuck, 5 amp variable speed drill, old enough to be made in USA, in perfect condition for 1 US dollar.

The 026 cost me a whopping $20. Said to be running last the guy knew of...by his guess maybe 5-6 years ago? I have absolutely no need for this saw, but who among us could pass up this one? Condition is outstanding. The fuel tank was dry, the oil tank half full of uncloudy red bar oil.

Fueled it up at home, and it started after 6-8 pulls. Idled smoothly, but the high speed jet needed leaning some, which was readily accomplished. It runs and cuts fine, though it might have a bit too much bar for 50cc, at 20 inches, and is mounted with some version of full comp safety chain that I have no love for.

I sharpened it with 7/32 file, and I'm sure others could do a better job...I have zero experience with this sort of chain. It is smooth in the kerf, though.

I would appreciate any advice re this unidentified chain, before I toss it and put something more to my taste on it . Also, any general tips on the 026...I still need to do some digging to see if I can download a manual...I expect that will not be hard to find.

Here are some pictures.

 

[friedrich]

wow, great deal! i use my 261‘s with 16“ bars with 325 chisel chain.

 

[Dave Shepard]

Nice score on the 026! I'm not sure what makes them a "PRO", but a coworker had one. Handy.

 

[pete mctree]

Nice old saw and great fo those little jobs.
Dump the chain - well keep it for cutting dirty timber stumps. It’s an old semi-chisel safety chain and lacks in performance in clean timber.

A 16” with a nice new chain will wake it up and give it balance. Perhaps a .325 with the narrow kerf would be nice.

 

[Burnham]

I was thinking 16 or 18 inch bar. Maybe one of those Oregon light bars I put on my 361 recently.

I have a 16" on my 200 rear handle, and a 20" on the 361. Maybe an 18" to split the difference . Plus, give me an excuse to buy more chains .

Stig put me on to that Oregon VersaCut bar. And it has been a good match. I can almost hear him growl at me about buying another "antediluvian" chainsaw. Damn, but I miss that man.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

18" .325 pitch narrow curf semi chisel.
Sure loved mine when I had it. Gave it to a wood carver when he lost everything he had to a wildfire.

 

[flushcut]

Screamin deal!

 

[Burnham]

Yep, for the price there wasn't even a moment of hesitation. The bar alone was easily worth that.

 

[Burnham]

18" .325 pitch narrow curf semi chisel.
Sure loved mine when I had it. Gave it to a wood carver when he lost everything he had to a wildfire.

Think I'd need to change sprockets to go to .325; isn't that right?

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Yes.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

Might need a diffy bar too.

 

[Nutball]

Probably an old Stihl safety chain. Collectors like the red switch. The 026 really wakes up with porting, and will happily use all 20" of bar.

 

[Ed L]

WOw....what a score.
Yup, .325 rapid super chain, 16" bar.

Only issue with a 026 is the air filter, gets dirty fast.

iirc the "pro" model has an adjustable oiler.

Mine is my "go to" saw.

Ed

 

[davidwyby]

026 has a good reputation. 20” 3/8” skip to keep the same bar and sharpening stuff.

I would run probably 18” length and for sure stihl 23rsp narrow kerf .325”. Also like the versacut bars.

Devil’s advocate, opposite of KISS…20” and 3/8” LP. I run that in 24” on my @huskihl ported 346….in clean wood. LP dulls faster. It is kinda like skip or semi skip compared to .325”….which they also make in skip now…

 

[vharrison]

Fun finds! I love it when that happens!

 

[Magnus]

Here they ran them with 16" 21BPX (=1,5mm .325 semichisel).
It was called 16 but I am not sure it as that in reality. 64DL so they could swap chains with the Husqy's..

 

[Burnham]

I decided to keep the dollar outlay low, so for now anyway I'll run the 20 inch bar. I ordered an Oregon 3/8 .050 chain, full skip, full chisel round filed chain for it. It's the same chain I'm currently using on my 361 (also 20"), and it is satisfactory, if not inspiring. A bit softer than a Stihl chain. Sharpens easily enough, and cuts well in my woods.

I doubt I'll run this saw all that much anyway; it'll be more of a backup for my 361, most likely.

The air filter is not one I have any experience with...it seems to be a permanent item that one disassembles and cleans inside and out. Is this correct? And the oiler pumps full time, rather than only when the chain is moving. Likes to weep all over the place. But it oils really well, at least . From what I read, the 026 Pro has an adjustable oiler, but not this 026.

 

[CurSedVoyce]

They replace. But yes, you can clean.

 

[davidwyby]

Reminds me, I found four used chains for $10 ea in a feed store in AZ.

 

[davidwyby]

Also found a dealer that had stihl skip square in stock. 110dl, not so cheap 😆

 

[Burnham]

Indeed .

 

[Burnham]

My Oregon chain came today; mounted and ready to work. I need to find a solid piece of tree for a trial. If previous experience with this chain proves out, it will stretch some pretty quickly, initially. All to plan .

 

[SkwerI]

Mr. B, when it comes time to buy another chain, please look at Husqvarna X-Cut chain. Not quite as hard as Stihl chain, but miles better than Oregon. As an example, Stahl's has loops for less than $20 each. Last year I purchased a roll from them. It was my first time straying from Stihl chain and I am very happy with it.

3/8" .050 Ga.

stahlssupplies.com

 

[Burnham]

Thanks, Brian. I will do that. What cutter shape are you using? Skip, full or semi comp?

 

[SkwerI]

Thanks, Brian. I will do that. What cutter shape are you using? Skip, full or semi comp?

I have run skip chain for many years, can't remember my last roll of regular chain. At least 8-9 rolls of Stihl 33RSF before my current roll of Husqvarna X-Cut skip chain.