Author Topic: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad  (Read 1725 times)

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Offline Giles

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Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« on: February 08, 2015, 12:39:41 pm »
I have owned hundreds of chainsaws over the years but never owned a Tanaka or ever worked on one.
I found a really nice Tanaka ECV 4501 on eBay at buy it now or make offer. I did a little research and discovered they are not very popular. I made an offer that was accepted and finally received the saw with a busted rear handle. I contacted the seller, gave photos, and we agreed he would refund price of new handle. Several days later, after he contacted UPS, he offered to give FULL REFUND including shipping and I could just keep the saw ! ! WHAT ? ?
Unbelievable but true. This guy has sold over 4K items and has a 100% feed back.
Anyway, saw was supposed to run perfect but while waiting for the replacement handle, I decided to go over the saw.
This saw is built like a Japanese motorcycle. Quality throughout with nearly all screws having lock washers and flat washers.
Still had the carb restrictors so I removed the carburetor. Took about FOUR minutes.
I was so impressed with Tanaka quality, I decided to try their bigger saw ECV 5601. This was also top quality, even has a small hole in the end of crankshaft to lube clutch bearing. I was really surprised to discover neither saw had a catalyst muffler but had carb restrictors. They both appear to be made in 2007.
Now the sad part. They are now Communist made!! --and parts are expensive and a little hard to find.
By owning the two Tanakas, I now see why they were expensive chainsaws.

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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2015, 12:56:35 pm »
Didnt they used to be Japan made and now they are made in China?

Offline 660magnum

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2015, 01:07:51 pm »
Tanaka is a very common Japanese Surname such as Smith or Jones in the USA.
We should share what we know... someone may learn...
That knowledge can live after us... and that "Pays It Forward".
Be all that you can be . . .

Offline RoyM

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2015, 01:33:33 pm »
I have no experience with their saws but sold the lawn edger and ice auger. They were top quality pieces, not cheap, but appealed to customers that wanted the best. Unfortunately, distribution is weak in North America.
Old age and treachery always overcome youth and enthusiasm

Offline Giles

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2015, 01:43:08 pm »
Yeah---The 5601 I bought was sold having a defective oil pump. I sometimes take gambles and this one paid off. I knew before buying that a new oil pump cost about $133 but the oil pump was not the problem but the drive worm gear was stripped. Worm gear was not available separately, so I made a modification to it.
I made an aluminum sleeve to replace the stripped threads.

Offline aclarke

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2015, 02:52:57 pm »
Cool fix!  We had some Tanaka gas drills for cabling trees and they were top notch very well made in Japan.   Newer stuff seems like its all China?

Offline fuzz1500

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2015, 06:11:17 pm »
Ive always wanted to try one... But im just too uninformed on them to spend the cash !  Love the homemade gear :)

Offline Giles

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2015, 07:11:35 pm »
Actually what I did was make a "thread sleeve". What is pictured is the original worm gear with specially sharpened threading tool that is centered and adjusted to maximum depth and documented. I then removed the damaged threads of the plastic gear. Next, I fabricated a thin ring, from aluminum, with threads cut on outside diameter and it was pressed onto the plastic gear.
This involved a great deal of figuring that would have not been feasible had I been able to buy a new one.
As I stated, it was only available with the pump and cost around $133.00.
Husqvarna has a very similar worm drive on some of their saws and the gear is available for less then $10.00 new.
That's part of the sad part in that parts are not plentiful and they are expensive.

Offline Eccentric

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2015, 07:05:42 pm »
I have a little "Tas" branded outboard motor (1.2HP, weighs 11 pounds) that was made by Tanaka 30 or so years ago.  Very well made little machine.

Offline aclarke

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Re: Tanaka ---Happy and Sad
« Reply #9 on: March 31, 2015, 11:02:52 pm »
Aaron, air cooled?

Adam

 

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