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Porting a chainsaw is essential if you want it to work at its best capacity and increase its lifespan. So it’s important that you do that at least once.
As for what it means exactly to port this tool; it’s simply that the volume of air the saw is able to pump increases with porting. This makes the tool much more performant.
There are some steps you should follow when you port your chainsaw and things to look out for. And since it can be a bit tricky to do this for the first time, we’re here to help you.
This article provides you with all the things you need to know to port your chainsaw properly, as well as an extra FAQ section about this process. So let’s get into this!
The Importance Of Porting Your Chainsaw
It’s essential you port your chainsaw at least once, as it can massively increase its performance. Not only that, but it can also increase the work progress rate, so it increases productivity. Porting a chainsaw can even extend its lifespan.
When you port this tool, you also check all of its components. You can, for example, check the erosion component, which can increase the pressure of other components and ruin your whole chainsaw. So you can easily prevent that.
People are usually amazed by the difference it makes. The engine speed of your chainsaw can increase anywhere from 20 to 40%, which makes a huge difference. This won’t damage your engine’s health, so you don’t even have to worry about that.
So instead of getting frustrated at your chainsaw and buying a new one, you can simply port your tool.
Just remember that you can’t port all kinds of chainsaws, especially if they don’t have a gas-operated engine.
How To Get Ready To Port Your Chainsaw
Before you port your chainsaw, you need to prepare for it.
First, you need to get a manual or motorized screwdriver and a screw holder. You also need something to wipe any oil from the cylinder, like a rag. You may also need a torchlight if there’s not much light where you plan to port your chainsaw. A caliper can help measure the inner fitness of the engine.
Now that you have the necessary tools to port your chainsaw, you need protective equipment and gear. We advise you to wear protective glasses, an apron, as well as resistant gloves to protect you and help you get a better grip.
Finally, you can prepare the chainsaw once you have the tools and are protected from any potential accidents and dirt.
To do this, simply remove both the chain and the chain bar from your tool. Then, unscrew all the components from the cover and carefully remove the engine from the box. You can proceed to detach the cylinder carefully, making sure there’s no gas or oil inside it.
Be patient and don’t force anything. Finally, you can remove any oil and dirt from the cylinder. You’re now ready to port your chainsaw!
How Do You Port Your Chainsaw?
And now, for the part you’ve been waiting for: porting your chainsaw. Here’s how to do it properly, without damaging the parts and improving the engine’s overall power.
Once you isolate the port cylinder from the chainsaw, you need to open the cylinder wall at the width and location you want to. You can take measurements for future reference and mark the desired spot with a pencil or a marker pen.
Ideally, we advise you to take the measurements of the upper hole of the chainsaw’ engine by using the calipers you’ve prepared. Then, mark the spot you want to port with a marker pen.
You can now port your chainsaw. Use a drill machine with a file part or even with a manual file. Then, file the cylinder port. Ideally, try not to file too much material away from either the top or the bottom, whatever you choose.
Otherwise, the timing can be off, and your chainsaw won’t be any more performant than what you started with. So avoid any unnecessary corrosion.
Try to find another cylinder that was changed and has the dimensions you want to use now. This can serve as a guide.
To avoid any gas from escaping, only go as far as where the piston allows you to go. Otherwise, you might as well throw your chainsaw away and buy a new one.
Then, take any air turbulence you can find and make the inlet side of the intake port a bit bigger than the outlet side of the intake. This creates more restrictions on the cylinder wall.
So file away anything that’s unnecessary, such as port work and unnecessary ridges. Continue this process until the intake wall is smooth. Do the same thing with the exhaust port of the cylinder, making sure that the side opening is bigger than the outside port opening. Finally, smoothen the wall out.
And that’s it. You’re done porting your chainsaw! As you can see, it can be hard to follow at first, but the process is worth it.