CHAINSAW PORTING TIPS: Polishing exhaust ports to a mirror finish... it IS worth it!!! My method...

[@RichFife]

I wish this dude would post more videos. One of the few chainsaw porters that I looked fwd to watching.

[@Carboneye7]

But he’sgatekeeping…

[@RichFife]

@@Carboneye7 idk what that means?

[@Magoot2456]

That scotchbrite trick is SLICK! definitely putting that into my arsenal! I love when professionals share tips and tricks

[@DM-MCMLVI]

A well polished port is, if nothing else, a thing of beauty. Great job!

[@johnbailey2306]

Well now I'll take an tell ya I have been porting saw's for goin on 30+ year's and this ol'kid John is topnotch!!!! There are only a hand full of guys that can mach his ability to do this kind of work keep up the AWSOME WORK OLKID!!!!

[@chadj8374]

You still doing it?

[@jasonsayre8102]

Looks great my man! I use 400 grit on a drill and sometimes go a bit finer. Comes out nice. But I like your method better. Seems to work a bit faster! Thanks for the tips man

[@Wildwwill]

Nice work! I used to use a diamond imprgnated compound from work on my snowmobiles and jetskis. Also used it on RC cars. It was used for blending inside diameter of carbide and tool steel dies after pressing them together. Ours come in 3 colors for grit. Used it on the small white dremel pads. Ports looked like chrome.

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

In my minimal experience I have been doing the same, taking my time except the WD40. I was satisfied with my results in the end. Thanks John.

[@davidberry7985]

done this using a polishing kit. gets it to a mirror i can see my face in. also polish top of piston to a mirror to and top of cylinder around plug hole seems to make more power and carbon don't stick so easy .didn't know this way ya learn something new every day

[@woodcutter4481]

Thank's John. Usually use aluminum polish. Never tried scotchbright /WD 40 combo. Huge difference. Thank you!

[@PRNSTR021]

I have been using the exact same method for years, producing good results. You have a steady hand and your port work is super clean.

[@claudemaggard7162]

Ya he does have a real steady hand but if your first ruff isnt that clean that is why you will leave a little stock. He is just so good at it he doesn't have to. But a couple under your belt and boom im just scared to mess up my saw by taking to much material.

[@joescissorhands141]

Oh and *excellent* deadpan humor on the wd 39/40/41 that was nice ;P

[@joescissorhands141]

Thanks for re-uploading (old version of this had those no-video moments at key times, couldn't tell if it was you playing games or just an error lol!), am new to this and had been trying all kinds of attachments, rubbing compounds etc but cannot get past a "perfectly-smooth hazy-mirror....cannot wait til I have a top-end opened again so I can try again after having seen this, thanks again!! Love the terminology btw ("2nd cut"), I see it the same in my mind but putting words to things helps so much more, doing "rounds" of successively finer/smoother sanding... I found, at first, I was going and ruining cylinders because I'd wait til the grinding was like 95% done before beginning teh smoothnig (and then, chasing defects for smoothness, I'd end up w/ a larger port than desired) so now once I'm around 75-85% I begin going for smooth, start using those sanding barrels on the dremel instead of the burrs, in-preparation for the finer stuff. Glad you mentioned steel wool, meant to try that last time & forgot, it's in my notes now ;) JB in intakes is very neat where applicable, reliable easy and lets you 'choose' for instance on big bore 660 builds it's required (as they send them w/ skirts that're 73thou short, intake timing is nonsense "out of box"), gonna be trying a 395 piston (plus its con.rod bearing, so it fits the 660) instead but otherwise you need JB in that case, I came to like it (I had to do 3 of those jugs to get 1 that I liked, anyway I came to like that I could make the intake floor even higher than I'd initially wanted (while widening it) on a later cylinder, usually you can't choose to reduce your intake timing (though besides some instances w/ 660's I've never heard of desire to :P )

[@johnscustomsaws]

I was just messing around on that video I didn't think I had any secrets or tricks to offer to be honest but I'm glad a lot of people got something out of this video it's really cool that it helped some people.. I always say find what works for you if you can use some of my methods and other ideas then make it your own... also metal polish will give you a nicer finish... this old timer that showed me how to port on dirt bikes told me that metal polish is bad for cylinder linings so i have it in my head but I don't think it really hurts it

[@Finksta951]

Have you tried Cratex bits. They also make generic versions that are way cheaper I think a pack of 50 is like 10 bucks, they are a rubber abrasive that you can get a mirror polish instantly. It almost takes off material faster on rougher surfaces then slows down on polished surfaces I think they are designed that way to keep you from hoggin out material on accident. The bits are awesome because you can take a metal file preferably one you don't like and you can shape them to get into any hard to reach spaces. The ones I get are varying sizes of cilinders with quite a bit of bit to work with,. I would use them back when I worked in the shop we did a lot of heavy duty diesels and a lot of hot rod motors. Doing any kind of head work they were second to none to get any metal to a mirror shine in 0 seconds flat.. Just be warned tho like any other abrasive you can go to far with these so you have to be careful on your super critical tolerance areas.. Just a suggestion I like what you did with the scotch brite. It gets expensive buying the little wheel forms especially if there is any sharp edges for you to explode them on.

[@nuttyDesignAndFab]

you're correct about the metal dust: fine aluminum particles are coming off and oxidizing, making alumina which is a common abrasive. I think the scotchbrite pads are infused with alumina to begin with.

[@andrewslagle1974]

Thank you for the tips.I was not using the wd40 with the scotch brite .Tryed using flitz and buffing but it took a long time!

[@johnscustomsaws]

Mothers is better than flitz IMHO... its what I use for polishing the side covers and anything else I want chrome... I honestly use WD40 because an old timer that got me into porting dirt bikes told me polish is bad for cylinder linings... but I have never heard anyone else say that so uts probably just in my head 🤷‍♂️

[@MegaLostOne]

Thanks for the tip. I have been using emery cloth and fine sandpaper, then a piece of rag with polish to get mine like this. Your way is much faster.

[@KensGarage1]

I just did my first home port job on RZ350 cylinders. Lots of fun. I always polish the exhaust ports on my MC cylinders. I appreciate this video as it has tips to improve efficiencies. Always a good thing.

[@rayban5737]

Cool bikes rz350 Good poweband kick

[@KensGarage1]

@@rayban5737 Thanks dood. I happen to have a garage full of them and a few other bikes.

[@jamesbond-qs2ff]

Your right, the exhaust. Not the intake....

[@markmurray7031]

When you can stick a straight edge in there and cant find any rock in the port then it's flat but that doesn't mean it's blow pattern is correct. Get two 10 inch long small steel rods, put them in the port sitting flat against the sides and note the angles the rods are pointing out of the cylinder. Blow pattern should always be considered before any grinding is done.

[@johnc9738]

Wonder what it would look like if you could use a leather strip and jewelers rouge that they polist metal with

[@johnc9738]

Polish not polist ffs

[@DaveyBlue32]

It would definitely make for a very polished and shiny surface but you can’t take a 300 or 500 grit surface up to polish… you need to go up in steps… 500/800/1000 that’s where this little technique really shine’s… it’s using the old material to sand the surface facing… you are dumping from 200 or 320 up to around 800-1000 in the one step… you could probably use ZAM polish… it’s mostly used in sterling silver and torquiest jewelry to go one more step smoother from where he ends up at… but at some point right in this area it’s not really going to be any more beneficial… it’s just a great little cheat to save a lot of time

[@glennllewellyn7369]

@@johnc9738 Use a full stop FFS. Ed: Heh, heh, heh…

[@plowmaster1206]

Excellent. Working on this myself. I used a hard rubber bit and a mix of lapping compound and wd-39

[@johnscustomsaws]

Really 39 huh... I just can't get 39 to cooperate with me... whatever works tho lol

[@justinweaver8787]

Great tips thank u 4 sharing ur exhaust ports do look badass sir. Have a good week.

[@kevinparent8843]

pretty mint job. but i expected to understand the difference of the air passing through the muffler on this setup instead of let the port rough. what's the difference on performance, on long term carbon etc..

[@Smallballz1738]

Wow this was awesome to see, thank you immensely for sharing, you do the best chainsaw work that I have ever seen

[@johnscustomsaws]

Thanks man but lotta guys are killing it out there they just dont have KZbin channels...im just a showoff lol 😉 i appreciate it tho my man 💯

[@blueridgemountainprepper2166]

Yeap, I used to build race engines for karts. Same senerio, aluminum blocks. I started the way you do, went to sanding mandrel, but I finished with steel wool and aluminum polish, then final polish was cotton disc with aluminum polish

[@nils2tr]

Thank you for this great porting tip. 👍 Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@Don-yj4qq]

What kind of hand drills are you using? Never seen those before looks like they're very high quality!

[@ragercrepair9301]

Very nice tutorial and thanks for all the advice!

[@wolverinebear5357]

They have buffing wheels an compounds for polishing made for those lil dremmel type tools. Ive not used to port anything but i have polished sn buffed some parts with them, they work great for intricate tight spots. Have you ever polished a cylinder head? Dome?

[@nicodemus7784]

scotch bright pads are in fact abrasive on their own, metal wont really do anything to identical metal. using a liquid to "wet sand" just helps the waste (swarf) move out of the way so the abrasive can keep contacting the surface you are actually trying to polish, the wd-40 just wont evaporate like say Windex or isopropyl alcohol or if you literally held it under water, but then the tool would be fighting the resistance of the water. i would be curious how it would turn out if you took a small piece of leather and some polishing compound smeared all over it and did that after the scotch bright

[@crazyzeus83]

Very interesting video, have you ever experimented how a chainsaw works with a modified piston, i mean in such a way that you take a iron hand file..and file down on top of the piston... Like angles, hard to explain but we used to do it on mopeds here back in the old days and it "" should"" work since it's a 2 stroke machine!?, . It's a challenge to explain this in English! Hope you understand 😂 Ofc if the piston has a flat surface on top it can be difficult.

[@robertyoung1339]

Love the videos mate, some great info. Question around porting though. Have you had any issue's with the Nikasil flaking/ lifting from where you have ported? Cheers

[@livingadamman7994]

Hey John, can you please show us how you pull down a 500i to port it. I just subbed and love your work, thanks for sharing the love bro.

[@jbnavynuke1]

We actually use the same process with polishing equalizing ports on steam turbines with a minor difference. May be worth looking at just to see how it does…. You can get rods with a nut on the end, so we will get Scotch brite discs that have petals cut out so they collapse easily. We will also get them bigger than the hole so when they are spinning the individual petals are forced into the side. We used WD40 or Kroil also… we will also go with multiple grits of scotch brite . Doing this gives a very uniform finish and hits the edges really well. And you can tell where you are at with polishing by the feel of the rotary tool as you run it through. The way you do it works well, but I think the method I described works a little faster and is dead uniform on the polish with a little less difficulty in managing pressure and location of the arbor

[@BPeterson730]

Nice job and technique.

[@RealMopedRumblePack]

Great work! Did you port already a Husqvarna 543xp?

[@nickprice7752]

Could you give me some advice maybe? I just tore my 170 apart and polished the exhaust port, cleaned it all up and put it back together. It wouldn’t run before. Piston looks fine and all the bearings seem fine. I got it back together today and it started and ran for about 5 seconds. Now it won’t hit a lick

[@richpitty]

Hey brother are you still around I hope to hear from ya Jake from guilty of treeson said he can’t get ahold of you I hope all is well well man I miss the vids

[@TTisleofmanTt]

Great vid.whats the bit called that held the scotchbrite to dremel.cheers.

[@WildStyleWorks]

if you wann get a real mirror out of it, use some polish paste on the rack. it will go faster and will shine even more ;-) there are spezial compounds for aluminum too. they are not expensive but help a lot to get metal polished even faster 🙂

[@victoryfirst2878]

Would you tell me if you use a mathematical ratio on the exhaust ?? What is your favorite type of cylinder port edge breaking, radius or 45 angle scraper ???

[@paulrhodes482]

Great video John! Do you buy the 2" scotchbrite roll? Thanks for all the amazing videos have a great weekend.

[@Condor1970]

Do you do any decking when you do this? I ask, because I'm wondering if I try to chamfer the edges, or perhaps round the top of the intake at all, it may affect timing.

[@Lilman3000]

Try the white fiber abrasive. It almost mirror polished my axes. After scotchbrites

[@jmrides777]

Hey thanks John, I was wondering how the hell does he make such a beautiful finish on his exhaust port?!?!🤔 Oh yes I like your style, keep rough!

[@dannyprater7687]

I use buffing compound to bring it to a mirror finish. Just can’t be lazy and try different stuff out.

[@michaeldoidge1838]

I knew it. I also showed that little trick on a chainsaw forum 14 years ago. Really enjoy your flicks on porting. I watch them all around the world. Have you ever thought of using a adjustable regular and a smaller spray fitting on you NOS system?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Thats awesome man... the WD-40 trick is an old school method and the guy that showed it to me said that some metal polishes can be hard on the cylinder lining so I have always been nervous to use it ... probably a non-issue but he was a super smart dude and 2 stroke wizard... as far as the adjustable NOS yes that would be awesome... especially since the NOS is not consistent... when the bottle is full it is definitely more dense and towards the end its very thin... it is tough to control with the big valve on the bottle but a secondary valve is a really good idea man... I might try that 💯

[@DaveyBlue32]

If you use a metal polish you should wipe down the bore with a clean towel and acetone or something as a regular dish or hand soap will not cut the waxes… they are chemically designed to break down an oil molecule not necessary a wax molecule… and as you know cleanliness is next to godliness where it comes to internal engine surface’s… my uncle had a metal fuel filter in between the tank and right where it came up into the engine bay… like a little charge regulator… it wasn’t about filtering the gas it was something about that line into the more voluminous container and then back into the line and then threw the intake… I think it actually acted as a mix device or a conditioner… if you are really into it… run an additional air line into your filter….or accumulator…and get a regular cylinder of compressed air… a dive tank… and cut your nitrous hit with the compressed air… You will actually be getting a boost from nothing but air…😉👍

[@johnscustomsaws]

@@DaveyBlue32 thats really clever... that might be something I try in the future... I have a new fuel delivery and intake system on the NOS saw that solved my lean running issues now I can really start messing with the nitrous and boost

[@DaveyBlue32]

@@johnscustomsaws yeah man…with the nitrous not having any lubrication properties or ability you are needing to compensate for it’s heat with your fuel mixture… wondering if you did a mix valve and used a small propane bottle and mixed your nitrous hit with the propane before the cylinder if you wouldn’t be way ahead of the game… 16:1 with super techniplate…in the dive tank world… we use a higher pressure tank and you can mix your gases in your dive tanks off of your higher pressure master tanks… like when you are working extra deep and are breathing nitrox … and if really deep then helium in the heliox like at 900 feet…. But my thinking is that an empty nitrous bottle could be prefilled with propane just with the little valve that lets you flip a 20lb er and fill your small propane tanks… then it could be topped off with nitrous??? If you were running a nitromethane blend at 16:1 with techniplate that nitrous with some propane for lube might be a viable hit??? Wondering off the cuff if a little bit of diesel or kerosene or aviation fuel would add lubrication properties that are needed??? This might be a neat area to research??? at 10-(15)-20% of the mix that really high octane would. Wondering about the snowmobile drag racing scene boy’s… I know that they are all turbocharged but I’m sure there’s been some playing with fuel bleeding and nitrous setup’s…. That nitrous bottle you have with propane and high pressure air would be a pretty sweet hit for a chainsaw and it’s not that crazy heat without any lube factors???? It’s definitely some fun shit!!! When I first saw the video of you and that saw that catches fire in your hands as you are trying to blast it out on a nitrous shot!!! I knew you were right up my alley!!! Then you were doing the smartazz routine in your video’s and I was rolling…laughing my ass off … and loving it… then you helped out Treason and I was liking you way way way more!!!!

[@johnscustomsaws]

@@DaveyBlue32 you are right in line with a lot of the ideas I have... I just wish I had the time to really dedicate to these crazy projects... I would try it all if time permitted 💯 i have a few projects in the works I haven't shared any details yet and they are pretty interesting 😉 will have to see if I can't blow myself up or tear a hole on time with a 084 lol

[@mtraven23]

did I miss the part where you covered why its worth it?

[@DirectCurrent4u]

Super nice work!💯👍

[@mechanech]

Thanx for sharing Big John!!!

[@joneserupinsmoke9161]

And bro them joints look really really good man u definitely do ur thing👍👍

[@waydehamm7928]

Awesome job 👌👍👍

[@williambarnett4060]

Dude! Spectacular!

[@kowski9477]

Regular house insulation works pretty good for polishing

[@tomyousch7070]

Wow, what a difference!

[@agrijunkie]

Nice job. So is this finish just for the exhaust side? How smooth or rough does the intake side need to be?

[@johnscustomsaws]

I will do a video on the intakes... the way I do them at least... I use 60 grit sand paper... pretty rough finish is how I like it

[@patrycklealoliveira8106]

Hello from Brazil my friend Can you try to help me, please? My chainsaw has a problem with excessive compression. But when I remove the spark plug the piston rotates normally. Even placing your finger in thze spark plug opening causes the piston to become extremely compressed again. Yesterday I installed a completely new cylinder and piston, but the problem remains. I changed the spark plug, removed the carburetor and exhaust fan, and still the problem remains. Do you have any idea what it could be? Can I send you a video showing the problem? I have been seeking help with this mystery on various social media channels, Instagram, KZbin, but no one has been able to guess what could be causing the problem.

[@thadstuart8544]

Thats awesome. Thanks for sharing man

[@michaelmaher4328]

try the new wd40.5 it seems to be a bit grittier and breaks down nicely to polish the port.

[@Boost_Addict]

where did you go John?

[@andreaslundin7935]

How much does porting effect the fuel comsumtion?

[@treewisemenllc7281]

Black rouge, then white. Cross hatching. That's how. :)

[@lucgyre9268]

ok looks good. but what about port timing

[@Stefanseiner]

at 7:30 how do you do that the scotch brite is connected to the drill bit? And which grit do you use? 400?

[@kingsaws]

Nice job man !

[@ambermosier3175]

Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing

[@juledoren]

Nice my had is bad at hogging most of the material away, hope i can see the bumps and grind them without the bit jumping around

[@62Cristoforo]

Is the mirror finish purely aesthetic, or is it for enhanced engine performance? I’m new here.

[@johnscustomsaws]

It definitely helps performance and really helps keep the carbon from building uo

[@Milos-Stankovic]

@@johnscustomsaws 1. How frequently needs to remove carbon (compared polished to unpolished port) - 2x, 3x... ? 2. How to safe clean port after polished is done? Is it possible not to damage shiny polished finish??? What tool you recommend other than screwdriver? Thank you for your advices

[@johnohara7590]

polishing exhaust ports does nothing to enhance performance it's mostly just for cosmetics

[@johnohara7590]

@Split your wig No it's obvious that you know nothing ,polishing exhaust ports does nothing to enhance any significant gains of airflow on a flow bench nor HP gains on a dyno, yielded gains will come from port shape,volume etc. all polishing does is slow the progression of carbon build up and that;s it . I've ported a few heads in my day and I have a friend who's been porting professional for some 35 plus years who taught me well over the years, I'm not here to bust anyones balls,just relaying some true facts.Having a rough barrier finish on an export port will not impede the flow

[@claudemaggard7162]

Hey i know how to use those tools but your dann good with them . I used to do debutr at a machine shop . I been contemplating doing my 359 husqvarne but i dont know what im doing. How much to cut and all that..

[@kraftzion]

That was slick!

[@wildmanturner]

Nice tutorial. Only experience will show you the little tricks and shortcuts…. Unless you watch KZbin

[@claudemaggard7162]

Ya your right about the polishing. Got to keep at it till it's right.

[@darrenturnbull7250]

Great content 👍 Would it be healthy to wear gloves?

[@itsaRiot]

What exactly is the point of that baffle inside of the muffler? I have a 462 and it has it and I've debated taking it out.

[@alexstromberg7696]

Lower noise

[@johnscustomsaws]

They claim it cuts emissions and noise/Soundwaves... but I have noticed there is more unburnt fuel left in the muffler when I don't remove some of it... thats mainly why I do it

[@janeali1174]

Sir i have two stroke cylinder i want to increase its rpm,power please help me how i can increase the speed from its ports. Please help me tell me sir😕🥺

[@tedspillman6429]

Beautiful work. How the heck do I reach you. Can’t find a phone number on line.

[@jeffjackson8381]

Will be giving this a go this w/end👍🏼🧐😁

[@douglasdonegan9372]

How much for 2 ms260 cylinders ported

[@FletcherHarper-u3j]

What bit do you use to put the scotchbrite in?

[@M107SASR]

JOHNS CUSTOM SAWS Are you the guy who ignores customers and still have their saws for 2-3 years now? Is that you?

[@derekhoward4835]

Where can I send a saw for you to work on?

[@natebean151]

Wd40 works well for cutting aluminum

[@jonathanlloyd8791]

Have you ever tried polishing with a piece of leather and jewelers rouge it will look like a mirror

[@latinodeathjazz]

That’s exactly what I do after a friend who makes jewellery told me about it. My old man who used to be an aeronautical engineer advised doing exactly the same as John but with brasso rather than WD40 and that also gives a mirror finish. Whichever way floats your boat I think it’s real decent of John to share his technique - top lad.

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

Id like my husqvarna 460 rancher ported!

[@wiggybends3632]

Where is your shop/ contact info

[@joneserupinsmoke9161]

Hey John what saw jug has a 52 mm piston?

[@mfsaws8240]

461 does

[@johnscustomsaws]

460 461 462 064...

[@two-strokeworkshop1154]

Do you just Dremel the exhaust port

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

So you gotta buy the service to get the intake 'secret'?

[@johnscustomsaws]

Lol no I am gonna do an intake video for 10k subscribers 👍

[@triplesperformancesaws]

Nice work😏

[@alexstromberg7696]

Is it worth just lowering a cyl without porting?

[@johnscustomsaws]

You will gain torque in most situations so I say yes... on 200t its definitely beneficial.. Its better to lower cylinder than raise the exhaust and not lower cylinder if that makes sense

[@Witschor]

Wd39 and 41 😂 Lol best Joke ever 👍👍👍. Awesome work!

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

I use side cutters and a chisel.

[@gobangs1117]

WOW!

[@jeremylyons6252]

How do we get in touch with you?

[@johnelliott4521]

Where do I send my saw

[@DaveyBlue32]

Good stuff.., ZAM metal polish is my finish…your wd is cool homemade polish technique… the waxes in the wd are holding onto the fines and grit and they are creating their own abrasive compound… cool old school metal worker technique…. ZAM is like $9 bucks a stick and it’s great for all metal and stone polishing… Great video! You are being all nice and shit… now that you’re at 10k subs… you are going to quit being a cocky azzhole and start changing your shoes when you come into the shop!!! Ahahaaa!!! 😂😂😂😂👍. FANTASTIC MAN!!! AWESOME CHANNEL!!! KEEP KICKING BUTT BUDDY!!!’ That’s a crazy wild nitrous hit on the bike… third gear at 5500 on a straight and you better be ready to grab the next one!!! I bet that’s a freaking awesome rip!!!! I’m totally jellybeans over that ride!!! That’s gonna blow your freaking hair back!!! Rock on!!!

[@christianarcos4333]

How much to port a 461

[@HanaBasara]

Can you do this on the piston?

[@primarchxi6639]

Scotch brite and WD40 on TOP of the piston with hand! NOT on the side... I would like to know also IF and HOW we can clear the sides of a piston.

[@fiddlinjazz]

How much and would it be worth porting a ms 440 magnum?

[@markus4965]

depends. If you use it to make money, go for it. But if you are not it's nor worth it finacially. Probably at very very least if you know a friend $ 200 and professionally like 300-600$

[@chadj8374]

Make me a ported work saw please.