I have the opportunity to pick this older chainsaw up for pretty cheap I think. Guy says motor was rebuilt 2 years ago and has a new chain as well.

It's a Homelite XL12 has anybody ever used one or still using one? For the price I might just get it anyway. The guy only wants $35 for it.

Will come in handy when I go down to Rausch Creek doing trial cutting.

 

if it doesn't work you can always just throw it at the tree to knock it over.

 

XL12 is gonna be very old... if it runs for $35 it would be a good buy.

I bought an 18" Homelite at homedepot last fall...went through 2 of them in one weekend before i said forget it. first one the drive sprocket was wandering off the shaft...2nd one would not shut off when I hit the kill switch...

Dad was nice enough to loan me his 24" Husky on a pernament basis

 

Get a new one, I went through chain saw BS today

 

found the specs on this: Also by googling it seems as though lots of people have used this particular saw fro quite some time some even in the 15-20 year range.

YEAR INTRODUCED: 1964
YEAR DISCONTINUED: 1988
ENGINE DISPLACEMENT: 3.3 cu. in. (54.2cc)
NUMBER OF CYLINDERS: 1
CYLINDER BORE: 1.75 in. (44.4mm)
PISTON STROKE: 1.375 in. (34.9mm)
CYLINDER TYPE: Aluminum with chrome plated bore
INTAKE METHOD: Reed valve
MANUFACTURER ADVERTISED H.P.: not advertised
WEIGHT : 12 lbs. 12 oz. (5.8 kg.) powerhead only
OPERATOR CONFIGURATION: One Man operation
HANDLEBAR SYSTEM: Rigid
CHAIN BRAKE: none
CLUTCH: Centrifugal
DRIVE TYPE: Direct
CONSTRUCTION: Die cast magnesium
MAGNETO TYPE: Wico and Phelon, electronic on later series
CARBURETOR: Tillotson HS-4D, 142A, 179D, 195A series
MAJOR REPAIR KIT: RK-23HS
MINOR REPAIR KIT: DG-5HS/T
AIR FILTER SYSTEM: Flocked wire screen
STARTER TYPE: Homelite automatic rewind
OIL PUMP: Manual
OPERATING RPM: 6,000 under load, free speed 9,500 to 10,500
IGNITION TIMING: 30 degrees before TDC.
Position stator plate fully clockwise
BREAKER POINT SETTING: 0.015 in. (0.38mm)
FLYWHEEL/COIL AIR GAP: Position is fixed
SPARK PLUG TYPE: Champion TJ8J, later Champion RCJ-8J
SPARK PLUG GAP: 0.025 in. (0.63mm)
CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARINGS: Caged needle roller
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 20.9 fl. oz. (595 ml)
FUEL OIL RATIO: 32:1 with Homelite oil
RECOMMENDED FUEL OCTANE: Regular
MIX OIL SPECIFICATION: Homelite chain saw mix oil
CHAIN PITCH: 3/8 in.
CHAIN TYPE: Oregon 72D
BAR MOUNT PATTERN: 14 link
SHORTEST GUIDE BAR SUPPLIED: 12 in. (30cm)
LONGEST GUIDE BAR SUPPLIED: 24 in. (61cm)
COLOUR SCHEME: Homelite Blue enamel, later Red enamel

 

The old school Homelites rock!

That being said, the new ones royally suck.

IMHO, the quality of most manufacturers has gone way downhill in the recent years trying to keep up with the crap from China. Homelite is one of them. But, there old saws are really good quality.

If that chainsaw runs well, then buy it. It should work pretty well for a long time knowing how old it is and that its been rebuilt.

These days there is only one good saw builder left IMO. And that is Stihl. They are the one manufacturer that hasn't compromised quality, but they aren't cheap. Even Husqvarna quality has severely dropped off in recent years.

 

My buddy has that saw and it was his fathers before that. It has always treated him right. He swears by it and is very attached. It is a little shy on power but with the proper technique and a sharp chain you can cut anything. Price is right!

 

thank you scottyc and ehertz for confirming my research on this saw. Oldie but goodie. Hopefully the guy still has it.