Poulan 25DA Craftsman 2.1 Vintage Chainsaws (A brief History)

A look at one of the most Re-branded Chainsaws ever made, the Poulan 25DA - featuring 4 examples from my collection. We have a Super 25DA , A Countervibe Super 25DA, an Early blue Craftsman 2.1 model, and a later Red Craftsman 2.1 - Also a look at The Power Sharp Feature that was supposed to sharpen your chain for ya!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Poulan made a huge amount of these little saws, and I think you could buy one at just about any place except a food store. There are three different dislacement 1 33cc 2 34cc 3 38cc. Most of the changes I have seen after working on them, is that the early ones are more powerful, the mufflers were larger and quiter in the later saws, and the anti-vibe also on the later ones. The one that has been the best one I own is a Skil branded one. I used it extensively over the years, but crank seals are shot and it is going to be a wall hanger Early saws had 1/4" chain, later 3/8 LP.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks for the info buddy! Your a wealth of knowledge!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

happy to help@@KainKustomGarage

[@happydays454]

I got a few of those little saws and i got bad luck with em i can never start em

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

@@happydays454 That's why there are so many of these saws still around.

[@ericfuller6326]

I got the skil tge same as tge poulan 2000 love it

[@nardstokes5216]

Hey Dan, joe here from northern cali. Picked up a s25da from a estate sale for 10 bucks 2 days ago. Watched your video on pulling the fuel line n stuff, pulled up the spec sheet n went to pacific ace hardware and got a rubber fuel line, spark plug and a new chain and she fired right up after priming her. Little ripper for sure. She leaks bar oil all over but that ain't gonna stop me lol. Love your videos, thanks for the tips, I did everything you said to do. Such a cool vintage chain saw.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Alright! That's awesome Joe, Glad to help. Yeah, they really are good little saws, many got junked cause nobody wanted to mess with the fuel lines. Appreciate you Brother 😁

[@p71collector]

Dayton electric motor company made an orange version of this saw, Model 2z970. I worked at a Napa store in the 1970's and we sold a lot of these saws.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Nice, I think I may have one of those 🤔

[@GrahamLeggett]

I have one here in the UK, from new, it's labelled Dolmar Sachs 104 Hobby. It's orange and looks identical to your smaller 33cc green one! Been a great saw. It stopped running a while ago now, but I recently changed air and fuel filter, the fuel line and added a Walbro carb kit, but it won't stay running for some reason, sems like it isn't sucking the fuel through. I need to sort it out!

[@KainKustomGarage]

Wow, very interesting Sir! Little rippers they are😉

[@tratsch1063]

I'm working on a S25D my dad has had for a very long time. I would say mid to late 70's . The only thing it is missing is the cast muffler cover I would say bolt worked loose or he removed it. You have some very nice one's in you collection.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Very good little saws! I appreciate it Brother!😊

[@lelandjoesmith6458]

"CACKLE FEST" " Little RIPPERS" I love it! I just got a Wizard 212 Automatic that was branded under Western Auto from a junk man. I think it was also made by Poulan but the carburator is in the back and the gas tank is up top front reversed from these. Haven''t had a chance to get into it yet. I also got a Poulan 2055LE "WOODSMAN" from the junk man which I was looking for information on when I run up on your video. I also have a green Poulan S25DA like the blue one you have there with the slide kill switch and another green S25DA like the one you have there that has the newer flip kill switch. The one that has the slide kill switch has an earlier type muffler that is much smaller and is much louder! it also has the quarter inch chain. Maybe I'll make a video and put it on KZbin.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thank you Leland, I appreciate the kind words! They are good little saws for sure. So many different companies Rebranded them back in the day....😊

[@garycagg4437]

Great little saws I have owned several of them over the years

[@KainKustomGarage]

Yessir!😊

[@waynejohnson9119]

I have one I bought new in 1978. Does't even have a bar safe guard. Identical versions were under the Dayton and Sears brand. Later versions had electronic ignitions. Mine has points I never adjusted in all the years I have used it. My wore a hole on the bottom of the gas tank and I covered it with JB Weld. Last year I put a rebuilt carb on it from a guy on Ebay that knows these babies inside out. I have been using Opti-2 semi-synthetic at 50/1 ratio. That is not a typo. I run my Husky 55 on the same mixture.

[@KainKustomGarage]

That's Awesome Wayne! Yeah they're tuff little saws! I love how they sound!😊

[@longhorninbluegrass]

Could you share Ebayer that has rebuilt carbs? I am hoping to revive my father’s S25da

[@shapeshifter7753]

Very cool Kain! My xxv super cv is pretty much my fav saw! So much torque for such a small saw. I thought maybe mine was special n no one else liked these but yeah! They are little rippers😁 mine tried to digest itself twice😳one interior muffler bolt came loose and was dangerously close to the falling into the jug. The other time it was on the flywheel side another loose fastener almost took out the flywheel. N yup only thing wrong with it was the fuel line but obviously the previous owner had been in and out of every system trying to diagnose it. Hence all the loose fasteners😏I’m really digging your channel bud. Keep on rippn 👍

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Man! I figure I got all these Chainsaws laying around, might as well let others enjoy them too!

[@jaythe306snowmexican]

Those are sweet. I just got a homelite super 2 given to me. Great video.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks man! The little vintage saws are just as cool as the big ones!

[@johnnorman7708]

Did you steal my cable spool?!? Mine has chainsaws getting fixed on them too. Good video. Working on a WA Wizard 110 now. Fuel lines and a carb kit probably. I haven't had a cacklefest in a long time. Used to be able to get two or three Homelites going at once....Im going to watch your fuel line video.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Buddy! love the old cable spools! we made a kid Playhouse out of giant Fiber reel a few years ago! Thanks for watching!

[@douglasbest8136]

I have let my Poulan sit on the shelf for many years because the other saws I have use a 50:1 gas oil ratio. I was in Lowes recently and saw a synthetic oil for mixing one small container of oil to a gallon of gas. The label says it’s good for any two cycle saw engine so I’m thinking about replacing my fuel line and firing up my Poulan.

[@KainKustomGarage]

That's Awesome Douglas! For sure, get the old girl runnin!😊

[@cliffordkiener8183]

I've got a poulan 1800 from 91' , the fuel line, oiler line and air filter were all disintegrated. Fixed them and it runs like a top

[@KainKustomGarage]

That's Awesome Clifford!😉

[@bluetruck53]

I was looking at my little Poulan 25 DA in the basement today. It hasn't run in years but I did put in a new fuel hose then. It is an early one like your blue one with the black flip on/off switch and the 1/4 chain. I didn't see solid state so I guess it has points. Anyway, we had a windstorm last month and my electric Homelite has problems with a stripped bar hold down stud. I did not think I would find a video on this model. I like the streamlined appearance too. Is that a 34 Ford and a Comet in the background? I will see if I can get the Poulan going, thanks.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks man, That's my 36 Ford with a modified 35 grille and yes a 61 Mercury Comet 😁

[@timberray9572]

There was also a grey one branded as a Remington.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Very interesting, did not know that...😊

[@ButlerOutdoorsCanada]

I've got one of those little green guys! I've also got one red one and a couple yellow ones lol ide have to get a video happening to show ya em properly tho lol I don't really know anything about em but I think your right About em being the most rebranded saw!! Only thing that I know of that comes close is the frontier mark 1 which is very similar, husqvarna, johnserd, pioneer and a few others had a rendition of it. Cheers thanks for sharing!!

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks buddy! bust em out - lets see a video!

[@ButlerOutdoorsCanada]

@@KainKustomGarage will do next time I get a chance I'll she what I can get running lol Cheers!

[@jimmyqdizon8840]

For knock all trees if mountain burning and voldosers my dad is firefighter also back in day.

[@Buzz-vz2js]

They all had a distinctive sound the blue one sounds like it's screaming more

[@KainKustomGarage]

You're right! That little blue one seems to have more power, not sure if maybe the older ones had more compression? But yeah she does scream!

[@notavailable7379]

You just need the yellow craftsman and the two poulan pro versions and you will have them all! Oh you also need the late model green and black poulan version!

[@KainKustomGarage]

I know right! I'm always checking out ebay, Craigslist etc....they are good little saws!

[@jasonk4469]

I have the yellow sears explorer 2 with the power sharp on the side.

[@jasonk4469]

Also has slide shut off switch and 1/4 chain

[@KainKustomGarage]

That's Awesome Jason, great little saws...1/4 inch chain is getting harder to find!

[@budgillett9627]

Is William Bray a KZbinr? I searched but didn’t find him. I’d be interested in his historical Poulan knowledge. Thanks.

[@KainKustomGarage]

No, but he is on Facebook, he's a member of the Vintage Chainsaw Collectors and Cutters Group, You should check it out!

[@jeremylay1694]

I have a Craftsman like yours but it's a 2.0 10". 1. What brand besides craftsman is that saw. And 2. I'm having problems getting it started. I ran new gas line and installed a new fuel filter on the fuel line in the gas tank. It has no primer only choke on/off. I did the fuel line just before winter so maybe I need to check the carb? And while I don't plan on selling it as a 10"gas chainsaw will be handy for trimming branches and tree limbs instead of using my pole saw.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Hi, made by Poulan. Try squirting a little gas down the carb and see if it fires, probably needs carb kit it if still won't run on its own...good luck man!

[@JeffCummings73]

Thanks for the video! I have the red Craftsman 2.1 version of this, and have done rebuilds on it, runs great however the original gas cap is stripped out and cross threaded. Have been looking for replacement cap but coming up with nothing. Anyone know where to get a new gas cap for this or anyone that has one?

[@ericfuller6326]

I got a yellow 2.1 bottom end got to get me a parts saw

[@KainKustomGarage]

Good little saws!😉

[@randomproj1977]

I just got one identical to this(in shape) but in orange and with “JoBu” writing on the side

[@KainKustomGarage]

Interesting! Might be a rare one!😉

[@habbestad77]

Thats the version they sold in Norway. Jo-bu SL3.

[@TheodoreM-wp6cs]

Can you please tell me how to remove the muffler. I’m trying to replace an old rusted one with a nice clean one I just got on eBay but I can’t seem to get the damn thing off. I removed the long screw that you can access from the front but don’t see where the others can be accessed.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Hi! So you have to pop off the cover that the long screw goes thru, should be 2 more screws inside muffler, good luck buddy 😁

[@sheltonmcmillian677]

What do you like to run your fuel mixture at on these old saws? I typically do a 40:1 ratio.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Yep, 40:1 is just fine😊

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Nice! I always rescue them and fix 'em up, must have ten or so. I like the new bar, what's the number/brand?

[@KainKustomGarage]

Not sure, it's actually an older one I just painted up...😁

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

@@KainKustomGarage I heard you say Windsor in your other video. I think I know which bar. I've converted some of my little top handle saws to 1/4 pitch, it cuts better IMO.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Found that bar new old stock along with 1/4, 3/8lp. I'm running the 14 inch 3/8lp with a rim sprocket and 3/8lp 16 inch bar with a spur. I'll wait to toss a 1/4 pitch tip on one later.

[@happydays454]

The blue one took off in the lead

[@KainKustomGarage]

Ha ha! I know right🤣🤣

[@jimmyqdizon8840]

What is your machine reliable for all kind job ? I think fire fighter needs those to in our mountain .

[@KainKustomGarage]

I know right😉

[@chevyScottsdale]

they also made one called a Dayton I have one

[@KainKustomGarage]

Oh yeah! I forgot about those, I have a "Wizard" Branded one as well....thanks for stopping by😊

[@ericfuller6326]

Skil saw i got a 2419 i think it is same as a poulan 2000

[@KainKustomGarage]

😉👍👍

[@williambray4134]

Pretty sure I seen "Super" on the both green versions. That blue one was exclusively 38cc. There's a Jc Penney S25DA on Evil Bay right now. Completely refurbished. No work necessary.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Wow - I didn't know the blue one was 38cc - no wonder she rips! I'll check out the one on ebay!

[@williambray4134]

Link in FB messenger.

[@corydunaway]

How do you get the flywheel off of these? I'm replacing a fuel line and it routes behind the dang flywheel

[@KainKustomGarage]

Hi, usually you can loosen the nut, thread it back on till flush with end of crankshaft, apply a little pressure prying from behind with a screwdriver and give it a smack on the crankshaft nut and it will pop off....just be careful 😉

[@corydunaway]

@@KainKustomGarage gotcha, i got the nut off last night but the flywheel wouldn't budge. I'll try more pressure. This was a $20 Facebook find that I got running off of starting fluid last night. It was rusted up pretty bad

[@454ss67]

I have the Craftsman 2.1 model 358.352151 needs a coil. Do you know if the 530039198 coil will work? That's the only new coil I can find.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Oh man, wish I knew...lots of stuff on ebay for those..🤔 good luck Brother!

[@brandonmurphy4657]

I have one . A deluxe super 25 .green

[@KainKustomGarage]

Nice! They're good little saws!😁

[@jsjoe66]

Enjoyed the video! I have the Poulan Pro S25 (yellow) Need a user manual. Can anyone help me?

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks Brother, maybe check out Ebay?🤔

[@jsjoe66]

@@KainKustomGarage there is a manual on ebay but the price is outrageous!

[@jimmyqdizon8840]

US made my friend I found mine in St and I start it its power engine I know I dint know they old like that old. Means we made good machine sins in beginning.

[@KainKustomGarage]

Yessir!😊

[@jasonk4469]

Any idea on recommended fuel mix?

[@KainKustomGarage]

I use 40:1 on all my older saws...😊

[@LovinJDA]

what bar and chain are you running on the craftsman 2.1?

[@KainKustomGarage]

Oh man not sure, one has 1/4 inch chain, the rest are 3/8 low profile...😊

[@notavailable7379]

I have a new old stock chain brake for one of these poulans. I collect the hell out of vintage poulans, ive been on the look out for a really clean one (preferably the counter vibe) are you interested in selling one?

[@KainKustomGarage]

Oh no, those are my little friends! 😆

[@notavailable7379]

@@KainKustomGarage i know! So are my 25 or so poulans in the garage 😂

[@hunterbarry1383]

Where can i vet log dogs fro theese

[@KainKustomGarage]

Ebay is where I found them....

[@hunterbarry1383]

Ok thankyou love you brother

[@davidcox9771]

volume extreamy low

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks David, one of my earlier videos...I think I have the Volume better in my newer ones...😁

[@davidcox9771]

@@KainKustomGarage Thank You!!

[@Revellersaws]

Ever done crank seals on one?

[@KainKustomGarage]

Hello, No never have on these guys....thanks for watching!

[@Revellersaws]

@@KainKustomGarage alright, I'll let you know how mine goes

[@KainKustomGarage]

Thanks man, hopefully not too much of a pain!😁