The Homelite Zip-6 is an 82 cc vintage model from the early ’60s when chainsaws were transitioning from 2-man behemoths to one-man machines.
It was only produced through 1960 and ’61 in Port Chester, New York, and is a relatively rare model today.
The saw you see pictured throughout this article has been restored by Alex, who lists his saws for sale on eBay.
This side plate states:
HOMELITE
CHAIN SAW MODEL ZIP-6
WHEN ORDERING PARTS SPECIFY
SERIAL
No. A12702MIX THOROUGHLY 1/2 PINT
HOMELITE ENGINE OIL OR 3/4
PINT REGULAR SAE 30 OIL WITH
EACH GALLON GAS BEFORE
POURING INTO FUEL TANK.USE CHAMPION J-6J
OR HO-8A SPARK PLUG.
GAP SETTING .025”MAGNETO POINT
SETTING .015”PATENTS APPLIED FOR
HOMELITE
a division of Textron Inc.
PORT CHESTER
N. Y., U.S.A.
And on the back:
ZIP
STARTING INSTRUCTIONS
Push toggle switch “ON”.
Pull choke lever down (on left side of starter motor).
Depress air throttle trigger to prime carburetor, then clip on throttle trigger.
Pull recoil starter briskly until engine fires.
When engine fires, push choke up. Warm up engine with light throttle.
When engine runs smoothly, release throttle clip.
Don’t choke when engine is hot.
Carburetor needle setting:
High speed – 1 turn open.
Low speed – 1 turn open.OPERATE CHAIN SAW WITH PROPERLY TENSIONED CHAIN AND ADEQUATE BAR LUBRICATION.
READ OPERATOR’S MANUAL CAREFULLY.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufactured by | Homelite-Textron, Port Chester, New York, USA |
| Series or assembly number | EZ series, ZIP-6, ZIP-6-modified |
| Year introduced | 1960 |
| Year discontinued | 1961 |
| Engine displacement | 5.64 cu. in. (82 ccm) |
| Number of cylinders | Homelite two-cycle single cylinder loop scavenged engine |
| Cylinder bore | 52.5 mm |
| Piston stroke | 38 mm |
| Piston ring thickness | 0.0625 in. pn 56291 |
| Cylinder type | Aluminum with chrome plated bore |
| Intake method | Reed valve |
| Manufacturer advertised H.P. | 5 hk |
| Weight | 18 lbs (powerhead only) |
| Operator configuration | One man operation |
| Handlebar system | Rigid |
| Chain brake | None |
| Clutch | Centrifugal |
| Drive type | Direct |
| Construction | Die cast magnesium |
| Magneto type | Phelon |
| Carburetor | Tillotson HL-104A series |
| Major repair kit | RK-88HL |
| Minor repair kit | DG-5HL |
| Air filter system | Wix element |
| Starter type | Fairbanks Morse automatic rewind |
| Oil pump | Manual |
| Maximum engine RPM | 6,000 |
| Ignition timing | Fixed |
| Breaker point setting | 0.015 in. (0.38 mm) |
| Flywheel/coil air gap | Fixed position |
| Spark plug type | Champion J6 |
| Spark plug gap | 0.025 in. (0.63 mm) |
| Crankshaft main bearings | Ball and caged needle roller |
| Fuel tank capacity | 45 oz. (1.33 litres) |
| Fuel oil ratio | 1/2 pint to 1 gallon with Homelite chain saw mix oil |
| Recommended fuel octane | Regular |
| Mix oil specification | Homelite chain saw mix oil |
| Chain pitch | 7/16 in. |
| Chain type | Oregon 62C |
| Shortest guide bar supplied | 12 in. (30 cm) |
| Longest guide bar supplied | 30 in. (76 cm) |
| Colour scheme | Homelite red metallic enamel |
From acresinternet.com.
I was given a Homlite Zip saw (blue) serial number 1102021. Trying to get the year of production.
So far I took a dry compression check 90 psi. Put some Red Armor 2 cycle oil and pulled the starter cord to get the oil circulated. Next compression test 160 psi. The piston and cylinder look good.
Great spark. Now I’ll get some fuel in the carb and fire it up.
Clutch and drum were stuck but getting it loosened up was easy.
I have a 20” bar for it.