How to Install a Locked Chainsaw Sprocket Plate
It's not uncommon for chainsaw users to find themselves in the difficult situation pictured below. The chainsaw in the picture has just had its sprocket plate removed with the brake left in the locked position.
The chances to mistakenly leave the brake locked before removing the plate is very high because removing a chainsaw's sprocket [...]
How to Clean a 2 Cycle Engine Carburetor
Cleaning a small engine carburetor usually gets done as part of a carburetor rebuild, but there are a number of reasons why cleaning a carburetor without rebuilding it is also a good idea for tool owners.
Properly cleaning a 2-cycle engine carburetor means completely disassembling and reassembling the unit.
We explain the steps to disassemble [...]
How to Replace a Lawn Mower Blade
Broken, dull, damaged, and mismatched mower blades can cause a number of easily-noticed symptoms.
Damaged mower blades can cause excessive vibration in the mower, while dull mower blades usually get noticed by the ugly, irregular patterns they make in the lawn.
Mower blades can be sharpened several times to extend their life and ensure that your [...]
How to Replace the Pad on a Random Orbital Sander
Changing the backer pad on an orbital sander is fast and easy and we have a of couple tips that will help make your next backer pad replacement even easier.
We show how to get the right replacement pad for a sander and the best way to install it on its sander using the Porter [...]
How to Replace a Primer Bulb
Small engines power all kinds of power tools, machines, and outdoor equipment types, and most small gas-powered engines use a primer bulb system for cold starting.
The usefulness of primer bulbs is often under-appreciated until tool users go to start their machines and find their engine's primer bulb excessively worn, broken, or cracked.
Cold starting [...]
How to Find and Match Model and VIN Numbers on Honda Small Engines
Honda small engines power thousands of individual machine models in dozens of tool and equipment types. In addition to all the machines that they power, there are also just a lot of Honda small engines in service, period.
When the time comes to replace a Honda engine's filters, spark plug, or any other part, making [...]
How to Change Lawn Mower Oil
The small engines that run lawn mowers need their oil changed just like car engines. Most mower engines need their oil changed every 20-50 hours of operation.
A mower's owner's manual will indicate how often to perform oil changes on the mower. At the very least, an oil change should be done annually with other [...]
How to Mix 2-Cycle Engine Oil
2-cycle engines power thousands of lawn & garden tool models, and every 2-cycle engine is lubricated through its fuel system.
This means that special 2-cycle engine oil must be mixed with the gasoline in 2-stroke engines in order for them to stay cool during operation.
Running a 2-cycle engine with the wrong gas/oil mixture can [...]
How to Install an Ignition Coil on a Lawn Trimmer
Gas-powered lawn & garden tools can fail to start-up for many reasons. Spark plugs, carburetors, pull cords, flywheels, filters, and fuel lines are just some of the parts that contribute to proper engine start-up.
A malfunctioning ignition coil is a common reason for why a gas-powered engine might not fire up right away (or at [...]
How to Tune-Up a Two-Cycle Engine
Small engines are used in all kinds of power tools and lawn & garden equipment, and like all engines, 2-cycle engines should get a tune-up at least once a year.
The most common mistake that small engine owners make about tune-ups is waiting for the engine to stop working before doing one.
Tune-ups are intended to [...]