VINTAGE HOMELITE XL 12, FIRST RUN OF IT'S LIFE , IN WOOD

[@paullanier8280]

First chain saw ever bought in my life was an xL 12 Homelite. Mostly used for farm work in the early 70's. Had many brothers that helped with farm chores, also. One brother had a tree find a puff of wind push it wrong on felling and cracked the fuel tank. Repaired with fiberglass and he still ran it for years after. He passed away just before his 43rd birthday in 2005. Hard working man! Miss him and the saw. Life goes this way and you just keep moving. Ride the high wind, brother KP.

[@jacquesveilleux5001]

Unbelievable! My Dad used an XL12 back in the early 70's to cut wood for our stove - remember it well - finally died in 2008. I have about 6 of them in my shop - just hanging around as decorations as a reminder - some red and some blue - but amazing to see an NOS. Thanks for showing! Cheers!

[@sirtango1]

I know this post is 6 years old, but even now you can still find parts for them if you’re interested in restoring them. I have my grandpa’s xl-12. I remember the day he brought it home. Until then we cut wood with a crosscut saw. Oh what a glorious day it was when that saw roared to life! One hint, NEVER discard the coil. You can bake them in the oven and bring them back to life. But you can still find parts for them! 😃 Not from homelite, but NOS online.

[@dcrog69]

I have about 7 old xl12s that were my father's. Blue ones ,red ones, red and blue ones built from parts of each, I love them they were the first saw I ever run. They had been sitting buried in a shed for awhile,so I dug them out and picked the best one to get going, well later that day I messed my hand up pretty bad at work,but I'm almost healed up now so I had to come back to this vidya to get some inspiration. Thanks for all you do Billy.

[@TinyTurboTuna]

I have my grandpa’s old xl12. It is literally the first power saw I ever ran. Many childhood summers clearing fence lines and clearing trails at grandparents .My grandma asked me if I wanted anything, I chose that saw. It pulled firewood duty and tree trim action for the first year at my first country house. Now a xp372 and a ms660 clone do the work. But grandpa’s old red xl12 still comes out of the thinking shed once in a while just because it can still throw chips, and make me think of grandpa.

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

WELL DONE TIM

[@massawman]

Love the sound of the old power saws can’t beat it !! Thank you for sharing this beauty with us !

[@BigBlocksOtherStuff]

What a beauty. I have an XL12 in the original case that was a hand me down from my dad. It still runs great. Thanks for sharing.

[@leonardvirtue5753]

You know my chain is sharp.!!! Because of you teacher. I didn't like school! !! I love this school. Thank you Mr smith.

[@Kram2525]

My dad bought an XL12 back in 1978 when we got a wood stove. The Homelite oil came in cans. I believe the fuel ratio was 16:1. I got it about 30 years later and it started right up after I put new gas in it. Incredibly well built and still going strong...brings back great memories.

[@tylerhealy4096]

I love the sound of a vintage power saw. 🌲👍

[@redcanoe14]

Great video, I love those old Homelites. I recently bought a Homelite Super Mini XL, what a little monster! It has a decompressor on it and believe me she needs it. I bought it off a guy who is a forester, it belonged to his dad who recently passed and holds a lot of memories, I promised to keep it and look after it.

[@TheSagerider]

Just found one of these saws today, I bought it! On a trip to town I decided to go poking around and found this little nugget in just broke in condition. It has been sitting for years so the fuel line needed to be replaced but I had a new one for a Super XL am rebuilding. I remembered this video and came back to it to get the dope on tuning it properly. The saw I have makes power in the cut with a max rpm around 8,500 and blubbering while free spinning. In the cut it digs in and runs smooth, no blubbering. Tried using a tach and got the saw turning 9,500 free spinning but no power in the cut, bog city. Data says 10,500 max so to be on the safe side I shot for 9,500. It likes the 8,500 rpm free spinning with the really sloppy blubber much better. 3/8ths chain 18 inch Homelite bar with sprocket nose.

[@johnnorman7708]

Hey Billy, I know this is an old video, but it kept popping up. Today was a great day. I bought a real nice red XL12 that hadn't been used in years. 80s vintage I think. I'm totally fired up. Had that beautiful girl running in 10 minutes. Original 20" Homelite bar, Homelite chain, rim and drum. Fuel line is a replacement. She is a keeper. Oh yeah. Carrying case, owners manual, safety hang tag and tools in case too. 100 bucks 🇺🇸. Seller gifted me a cast iron Dutch oven. No lid but I have 2 with lids that are identical. Real good day.

[@douglasrevord9154]

Love the Super Xls, and your channel is great, look forward to watching your videos.

[@jdeline1121]

Wow. Awesome saw. Brings back a lot of great memories. Grew up with this saw. It's the saw my dad always used and I learned how to buck with. Love the video.

[@bencauser]

Very cool. Nice bit of filing. ...those chips looked bang on.

[@alienatedcoilsmithingcoils3571]

I have the twin to that saw. It’s 37years old. My dad bought it when I was 8years old. And I’m still running it to this day. Love seeing that Buckin. 😎

[@alexmatthews2332]

Thanks for that Buckin, as some of the other guys said these saws kept wood by the stove for homes all over US and Canada for years. All over the place!

[@tonypavlik4434]

Love that saw, love it!! Got one just like it. Just not brand new of course. Love the vintage power saws!!! HA, HA YES MAN!

[@brucenicov1224]

Nice Buckin’!!! I’ve got a vintage circa 1972-3 Pioneer 2073 that belonged to my dad’s uncle. I pull it out to do some limbing up at the lake. Sure does a decent job of it. Running it on your secret sauce of fuel/oil mix and it doesn’t smoke like a crazy sob any more. Keep em runnin and workin!!!

[@jeremymcauliff2510]

I inherited my grandfathers old Super XL Automatic. I enjoy running it a few times per year. Hard to beat those old Homelites.

[@allanwells4886]

Love the lampshade; very clever. Good to see the old girl rattling again. I like the old saws but I can't explain why; maybe it's the lack of plastic (unlike the modern saws).

[@spencermcginty9812]

Little fella does a fine job buzzing through the wood!! Hope you’re on the mend from Rita’s sickness. Love to you and the family❤️

[@BillyP55]

Dug my dad's old XL-12 out from under the shop bench a few months back. It had not run in 33 years... that's when he died. Rebuilt the carb and it ran like new. Then proceeded to completely tear it apart and do a complete restoration. Now it looks, runs... and with its bow bar, cuts like new!

[@redeagle6842]

That’s a great Firewood saw. My dad bought one brand new in early 70’s it cut 20 cord a year for about 15 Years. I’ve got it now sitting in my barn. Last time I ran it the Oiler was leaking badly at the plunger. My arms don’t like to vibration but darn it cuts great.

[@chawkes77]

Listen to her purrr I love those vintage homelites good score my friend!

[@jasonscott1545]

Fired right up I got an old shcool eco saw 452 Val made in the 70s it’s a fun little saw

[@jonathancrotts2862]

This is the most beautiful thing i have ever seen.

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

A beauty and a joy forever.

[@leonardvirtue5753]

Beautiful! !! Saw teacher and vick

[@Bereft777]

Love my old homelite for the non pro work

[@bikedeefer]

So glad I found your channel. Love the positivity and the just do it attitude! Cheers from Chilliwack!

[@donrussell1577]

Is Earl's by the river campground still there? Maybe off Vader road?

[@trevorholland296]

That makes for a awesome video can't wait to see it crank!

[@larryarnold1282]

Love this saw so special brand new I just found one in very used condition Haven’t gotten into it yet But this video make me ready as soon as the weather breaks. Thanks for sharing

[@nicholasb8799]

I have a 1979 XL12, I love that saw! Heavy, all metal where metal needs to be!!!! Mine is a 20"

[@foghornleghorn3478]

I watched your videos Billy about the gullet I got the gullet also I have almost perfectly perfected the boat rockin ... boy that chain will eat she chucks the chips my 2083 and 2095 love it

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

GREAT NEWS

[@brocluno01]

Was a great Ranch Saw riding around in the truck :)

[@BulldogsGarage]

Gonna look at one of these bad boys tomorrow. “Doesn’t run needs carb work.” Hopefully it works out. This video has me amped. Thank you sir

[@guns4funfreedomkeeper999]

That was pretty awesome. That little HL ripped for what it is. I had an old 45cc HL that seized on me years ago and I gave it to a man who needed some parts. It was a neat little saw. It had just been abused by someone before I got it.

[@onesadtech]

Just picked up a Canadian made Super 2 for 50 bucks a week ago, runs like a dream, and still has most of the paint on the original bar. Put it to work helping my buddy clear some land immediately and it never gave me one bit of trouble. Nice little saw. Gonna clean it up a bit now.

[@richyough3605]

I would probably be safe in saying that the Homelite xl 12 series saws were probably one of the most sold chainsaws ever ,at least in the states anyhow .Another good interesting video Buckin` two thumbs up brother.

[@jimmyd6695]

MAN !!!! I would give anything to have that saw. WOW

[@markhudak5085]

i ran an xl12 for years blue and red model! great saws! loud and strong!

[@terryw.milburn6414]

She Cuts Eh ? Great Job, Fellas Glad she's in service ATB Ter God Bless

[@ttop2385]

Greetings from Saskatchewan:) love the channel!

[@davidclarke4040]

Hi Buckin that a great saw bud

[@dawsonkendrick6788]

Right on Buckin !Im a homelite guy and I love seeing u run stuff like this and the xl76.Be blessed,work safe,and make the chips fly my friend

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

awesome , i am workin on a couple homies for the homey lovers ,, i am a man of service , don't ya no lol hahha

[@wichywoo]

love to see you using the old classic power saws buckin , keep em coming bud ;o)

[@cynthiaherr9029]

Well it starts a new journey..Keep er going my friend..Take Care friend's..

[@stevencroon]

Take care as well Cynth and I hope you don't catch that crud going around, it was terrible.

[@cynthiaherr9029]

I did get a sinus infection but with med's,It's just about gone.. Yea school's all over are shutting down,these poor kid's it must be worse on them. Take Care my friend and plz. stay healthy..

[@erwinwilde3109]

Great reliable saws, my first was an xl12 auto oiler.

[@aaronhagen2529]

Thats all my dad used cutting firewood while i was growing up, Always have a place in my garage for a few old vintage Homelites

[@dennisdavis8649]

I cut wood with a Homelite XL12 for 30 some years until something in the engine come apart. Then I went and bought myself a Stihl MS 290. I wish I had kept my Homelite but I gave it away to one of my friends who said he was going to rebuild it.

[@thenorthener6855]

Great to see the golden oldies come to good use again, love the sound...almost the V8's of chainsaws :) A chainsaw like that should be used for what's it meant to, cut wood that is..not to be stored as a show piece on a shelf. Great stuff guys!

[@johnbernstein203]

Buckin'.....that thing makes some chips and welcome new subscribers. 18K WOW!!

[@rogervandergriff1851]

These are one of my favorite old saws.

[@zmvp04m3]

Got a soft spot for the Xl-12 and super xl. Me and my friend restored a xl-12 then found out my both my grandpas had there own. I caught the bug got a couple more running put a full wrap on one. I'm hooked on a sears d-49 right now

[@codyvinings1055]

Just picked up a pair of xl 12’s today. Got an early model one before they were called the xl 12. Just says Xl automatic on it and it’s red white and green with the oil tank up front by the bar. And the other is the blue and white model with the oil fill on the back at the bottom. They just need a bar and chain and a little TLC and hopefully they’ll run. Seeing that made me very anxious to get em going.

[@K989-d7c]

That was my first real saw. Have 3 now and they're awesome. For some reason my 2 10-10's can't hang with them in bigger wood

[@tony4metallicaify]

Beautiful chainsaw, I picked up my self for 50 bucks to restore, nothing like them old saws.

[@heyreddin2.0s10]

Love the show man, cover yer eyeballs ya only get two!

[@Snijkamp]

Got mine running just today! Can't wait to get it in some wood💪 And i removed the muffler baffle as well. 😍 Sounds so nice

[@bansheemania1692]

I just Inherited the same saw and the Older Bigger Brother of it. 100cc i think.... Homelites have That SOUND all its own

[@sirtango1]

Amazing find!

[@markbuilt]

My Dad gave me a couple old Xl76 and XL130 that the oiler pump didn't work on one and the coil was damage on the other I made 1 saw out the two . It is a great unit it will out cut anything else I have used . . You have to hold it back from grabbing too much but it will never stall . When this thing starts up with the bark it has other firewood cutters stop and listen and watch this thing . So glad my Dad gave this to me . I through my other swedish red saw away

[@BuckinBillyRaySmith]

Mark they surprise me

[@markogajic8564]

very nice saw,and power and sound is beautiful. i have villager 3.2 hp but like to fill the more powerfull saw in action.

[@williamboyd776]

Heck yeah!!! That's the saw I learned to cut wood with

[@bogg54]

Hey Buckin'! Have you put this red darlin of-a-saw on a tree job yet? I've watched this video so many times. Believe me Buckin' and Army, THIS video inspires me to take care and preserve the things I have. Which also includes relationships and other boring stuff like that(hehe😆). Boy, I almost got sappy just from typing that lil riff of words. (Geez boggs! Get yerself 2gether)lol! Big heart to ALL!

[@timidater4803]

Steve just uploaded your vids!!!!! Cool beans!!!!!!!!!

[@mathias12345678]

They are really nice saws! Fully of torque and starting when ever you need them! Like it. I have for the moment two of them. Maybe they will become more numerous ;)

[@gregbrown9271]

Saws same color as you jeep hehe awesome 🎯👍

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

Greg Brown I noticed that too Greg, color coordinated big boys toys 😬❤️👍

[@gregbrown9271]

MIKEY YOYO hehehe 😎👍👍👍

[@ampatriot]

First saw I ran was a Super XL 12... Granpa gave me the basics, I had watched him for years and my 12 year old self was running saws like the grown folk.

[@leonardvirtue5753]

Love this one👍👍👍👍👍👍 sorry😆😆

[@jamesphelan9565]

Little bull of a saw love it

[@justinblanchard5856]

I was waiting to see that saw in wood nice.👍 welcome to the buckin army new subs pop in the comments dont be shy😉

[@jeffcummins1302]

an Evil Dead special. now we need the Boom stick. great to get em cuttin

[@leonardvirtue5753]

It!!!! Cuts!!!!😆

[@landfillrat7286]

Chips ahoy nice powersaw

[@davidparry8514]

I think I used to use one of those up in Alaska in the late 60's courtesy of the u.s. government, nice compact saw for the power

[@sawman209]

I wish the saws of today were made with quality and metal as they were when this one was.

[@levizagorski409]

Awesome saw!

[@mikecubes1642]

homelites were the best saws going back in the 70s and 80s

[@jamesbennett4467]

I have two super xl two's I just love them

[@13bravoredleg18]

My first Homelite was the old blue C72. Cut many cords of oak with it.

[@mikewest3828]

Nice,right on man. POWER HOUSE no BUT WHAT DOES THE HARDWARE STORE HAVE NOW THAT WILL PULL LIKE A 70's homlite,mucculloch,or p60

[@michaelbowman4596]

Hey buckin love the xl 12. I'm a homelite guy. If you want a set of felling dogs I prob got an extra set I could send ya.

[@DRHwcs]

Still got those dogs?

[@sawsurgeon]

N.O.S. XL12 Believed to be the Most Copied Saw of all time...🤔 Produced from ‘64 to ‘88 according to ‘Mike Acres’ of (acresinternet.com fame) Sorry McCulloch, but it’s the truth😇 Homelite was one of the Kings if the Muscle Saws in the ‘60’s & ‘70’s. Much like McCulloch and Remington. Today most people brag on Husqvarna and Stihl, but back in the day, many in the U.S. respected these three as the kings of the hill. Although the names remain on the shelves, they are nothing like the saws of yesteryear. They were Serious Contenders in their day. The XL12 and the similar models were not marketed with commercial cutting in mind, but in a time of life when a tremendous amount of people heated and supplemented their primary heat source with wood, they bucked a tremendous volume of firewood in their day. It’s great that you are using this saw. In your possession it is in an active museum. Thanks for sharing this with us! Blessings All!

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

Saw Surgeon Very well said. We have a blue XL 12.

[@sawsurgeon]

Love2boat92 :: Thanks for the kind words! I too have a blue one, but she might be beyond repair. I also have a later issue red one which is extremely nice. What is your experience with oiling? My red one goes through a half a tank of fuel and the oil is completely out. The strange thing to me Is the chain does not appear to be over oiled🤔 I likely need to make certain the oil is going where I need it to... Anyway, I love the saw, just need to dial it in! Blessings!

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

Saw Surgeon You are welcome. Our XL 12 was my late grandpa's. Watching this video made me think of him and the Willy's Jeep he would drive to get the wood. I always press the oil button for more oil on ours. It does leak a ton of bar oil when stored. The bar oil on ours will go thru more oil than gas. Hope your get your blue XL 12 going again. It's really cool seeing these old saws still kickin.

[@sawsurgeon]

Love2boat92 :: That makes it even better, a family heirloom. I too love the old Willys jeeps. Great memories indeed. Mine doesn’t leak whilst sitting, so maybe they just had a small oil tank🤔 Thanks for the chat! Be Blessed!

[@HuckBowlt]

I would highly agree without a doubt they were the most popular McCullough 10 10 would be a distant 2cd

[@jackpeters6321]

Got one that was bought the year I was born 1972 that still runs.

[@mikec6345]

I used to own an xl12, cut alot of firewood with it. Great little saw. This was when I charged $18.00 a rick.

[@anthonyj.barton4032]

I remember using them 40 years ago

[@bogg54]

Nice fellas! Like a McCulloch but red, right...? HA! lol!

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

I'm with Saw Surgeon & Snowman lol 💪❤️👍

[@63DegreesNorth]

CRRRRRRRR-Azy stuff!

[@natoshaward7588]

I still have my old xl 12, although...not as good.condition as yours hahaha

[@davidtseng5565]

I have a blue one and use it only once in a while. It always starts; the carburetor is original and has never been re-built. The only non-original item is the fuel line which is no longer moulded rubber.

[@trevorholland296]

I mean if he put the wrap around bar on he can keep the other stock handle bar hehe it's would be tempting!

[@doctorromex7804]

I have had my old Xl -12 now for 3 weeks. A friend (and god) gave it to me. Upon researching it for the fun of it I put homelite xl12 into youtube search bar and guess what....Here we are. I meet Buckin Billy Ray.

[@gregm1457]

Put a 30" bar on mine so less leaning- works great. Not enough power to bury the bar, but plenty if just part of the bar cutting. 3/16" file is just the ticket ❤

[@markluxton3402]

You don't have to cut your pull cord to add a turn, or more, to the springs tension. I have done this several times; you just pullout a loop inside, place in the notch, and turn around, pull the loop back in place.

[@TimKollat]

when does anyone ever come across a new old stock saw from the 70s? I don't think Ive ever seen one

[@dyer2cycle]

...Interesting...I have never seen one with a red painted wrap handle before..usually they are shiny bare aluminum...I have seen some of the really, really old ones that had blue or green handle covers....

[@rogercoder1469]

I wouldn't trade my xl12 for any saw, little beasts!