OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Chainsaws and Concrete Cutters Petrol Chainsaws and Concrete Cutters Cracked Stihl frame

I got a Stihl 032 AV. The frame (the orange part that comprises the rear hand grip, the carby and attaches to the crankcase), has a complete crack right at the bottom of the back of the rear hand grip area.
I am not sure what the metal is, but I suppose it could be welded, but I would have to get someone to do the job as I have not the skill or equipment. Any thoughts on what weld type here?
I wonder if JB Weld would work?
Also anyone know where to get a cheap set of annual buffers for the 032?
Thanks for any replies.

If the handle is metal it will be either aluminium or magnesium. Most aluminium alloys can be welded but it requires special equipment. As far as I know magnesium can't be welded, and trying to do so would be quite dangerous (if you haven't seen burning magnesium, you can't even imagine the temperature and intensity - that is what military "starshells" and other parachute flares consist of). I suggest you think about getting a second hand handle rather than repairing the broken one. Glue will not help - the original handle broke because it was overloaded in some way, and the metal was a great deal stronger than glue.

Thanks Grumpy, I am not sure the type of metal, but I will not attempt to weld, bronze, or anything by myself. I am not skilled at this. I will find out the metal and post it up, as it may be a good reference for someone else. I am sure the crack was caused by the saw being dropped, not stress on the point. The point of the crack actually bears little or nil load.

Easy way to work out if its msagnesium is to get a sharp knife and scrap off some slivers then try and burn it.


The frame on my 051 stihl has been welded up. If i remember i will get a pic tomorrow, not sure but i thought i had one posted up here already.

Wayne
If its plastic it cam be plastic welded
I have on several occasions had to weld up fuel tanks and handles on saws as well as other items
If you get a good sizes electric soldering iron nice n hot you can then run the tip along the crack to a depth not more the 1/2 to 3/4s the thickness the parent material
the tip of iron will leave a furrow as would a plough
you can then used the tip to push or spread this material back into the trench and smooth it over nice
I will do this in short lengths so as to still hot material in the bottom of the weld that the top can stick better to
you can also use a filler rod of the same type of plastic that you are welding up getting a better result
this trick has helped me out several times now with very pleasing results saving me a few quid
Its worth thinking about
for helpful hints Google it and you'll get video on YouTube :O)

I'd be pretty surprised if it was magnesium being it is a very expensive metal and a very dangerous one to have around. It is more likely to be an aluminium alloy. My 045 cracked across about the same place you indicate. The only reliable repair is TIG welding.