Mac Chainsaw Question

RedMF40 · Feb 16, 2021

This is one of my favorite saws, this little Mac. Bought it at auction a few years ago, maybe $15 bucks at most. Brought it home, put new fuel in and ran it. Aside from some regular cleaning and sharpening the chain, it's been trouble-free. This saw doesn't owe me anything, so I'll start by saying that.

When I can run it at full throttle it cuts like crazy. Good power for a little saw like this. But now something is hanging up, and I can only pull the throttle about halfway. I don't know enough about how the linkage works to begin taking it apart to troubleshoot. But I'm getting resistance at the trigger and I feel like something is bent maybe or I don't know what. Don't know what model it is, either. Didn't come with a manual and I don't see the typical markings on it.

I realize it's a relic by today's standards and not many ppl run old saws like this, but thought maybe someone was familiar with old Macs and might have an idea where to start. If I can get the throttle back to normal it'll cut like it should.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Gerrit

casecollectorsc · Feb 16, 2021

I have a 20" Mac and a little one like yours. Don't think the small one has 3 hours run time on it although I bought them over 30 years ago.
The 20" one has a pile of hours on it but never had an ounce of trouble. Been thru a bunch of chains but that is all. Guess I can't help much
except surprised to see a saw like mine.

rustred · Feb 16, 2021

you have 2 options,... leave it or tear into it, its not that complicated. might only be sawdust in there.

Russ from MN · Feb 16, 2021

I was given one like that last year, I got it to run somewhat, and it cut OK, sometimes, but noisy and temperamental! I decided if I put a
$20 worth of parts in it maybe it would run better, but then it would still only be a $10 chainsaw! I offered it on craigslist for $10 or bo,
and I never got a call. I have 4 Jonsereds that run well and are quiet, I took the whole box of Mac saws and parts and put it beside the
metal dumpster at our recycle center, I don't normally ever give up on anything, but it was the poorest designed saw I had ever seen, and I
have been working on chainsaws since 1967.

RedMF40 · Feb 16, 2021

(quoted from post at 17:03:57 02/16/21) you have 2 options,... leave it or tear into it, its not that complicated. might only be sawdust in there.

Yeah, I'll be tearing into it. Saw starts easily and cuts great. I have other saws but I find myself using this one most often.

I posted this on the off-chance someone would look at it, see something familiar and say Oh you just take out that one screw and the whole throttle linkage is laid bare. As you mentioned, could just be some crud hanging things up.

Gerrit

Steve@Advance · Feb 16, 2021

Don't be afraid to go into it.

Take pictures and sort the screws as you go.

I suspect it will be a mud dobber nest or packed saw dust.

While you are in there, take a look at the fuel lines, they are probably way past due for replacement if they are Tygon. Good time to clean out the gas tank and the oil tank. Clean everything!

2x4 · Feb 16, 2021

looks like one I put in a auction couple of years ago or so. It had a black case with it.

Bret4207 · Feb 17, 2021

(quoted from post at 20:54:12 02/16/21) This is one of my favorite saws, this little Mac. Bought it at auction a few years ago, maybe $15 bucks at most. Brought it home, put new fuel in and ran it. Aside from some regular cleaning and sharpening the chain, it's been trouble-free. This saw doesn't owe me anything, so I'll start by saying that.

When I can run it at full throttle it cuts like crazy. Good power for a little saw like this. But now something is hanging up, and I can only pull the throttle about halfway. I don't know enough about how the linkage works to begin taking it apart to troubleshoot. But I'm getting resistance at the trigger and I feel like something is bent maybe or I don't know what. Don't know what model it is, either. Didn't come with a manual and I don't see the typical markings on it.

I realize it's a relic by today's standards and not many ppl run old saws like this, but thought maybe someone was familiar with old Macs and might have an idea where to start. If I can get the throttle back to normal it'll cut like it should.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Gerrit

I think that's a 3 series, maybe a 310 or 315. Go on You Tube and look up "Leons Chainsaw Repair". He has a video on tearing into one of those. They have a reputation as being horrible to work on. Leon says they aren't that bad. IIRC it's got a long system to actuate the throttle and things can wear over time. It's probably a simple fix, but it's worth looking at someone whose done more than a few to get an idea of what needs doing.

560Dennis · Feb 17, 2021

Looks like a 110 , l got one like it , might have a wood chip or something foreign stuck , I see the cover off over the carburetor so could easily happen , if
you like it take to a chain shop ,if you dont want to work on it locally and they work on orphans ,some shop here only work on there stuff. 🤷‍♂️👀

GBCMAN · Feb 17, 2021

I have one of those that I just rebuilt the carburetor on in the last month. It's old, but my go to for trimming and cutting up fallen limbs.
It uses a cable that goes from the trigger to the carburetor throttle lever.
I'd check things out on the trigger end first as it's a little tricky getting things back together if removing carburetor just because of the way they put it together.

RedMF40 · Feb 17, 2021

Thanks for all the input, been tied up with work today but we're supposed to get another round of weather tomorrow so I'll put some wood in the shop stove and have a look-see. I'll also check on the other six saws, see if they're happy or want anything.

For the one who said the design is terrible or something to that effect, I can understand that. It cuts great, but is noisy and the bar oiler is in a place where you can't possibly operate it without maybe injuring yourself. It would help to have another finger about 8" long.

Thanks again, I'll check back with what I find.

Gerrit

Mac Chainsaw Question

RedMF40

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casecollectorsc

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rustred

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Russ from MN

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RedMF40

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Steve@Advance

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2x4

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Bret4207

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560Dennis

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GBCMAN

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RedMF40

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