Homelite XL12 Vintage Chainsaws - A brief History

A look at 5 of my Vintage Homelite XL12 Chainsaws, We'll attempt to run all 5 at the same time and cut some wood!

[mrobsoletesvintagehomestea]

Lousy weather today, so I have been inside watching youtube and saw your video. It is interesting how the power head stayed unchanged, but the handles, mufflers, guards, etc. were changed over time. I have only 3 modern era Homelites (1970, s) and the rest are older models. I have used and collected saws for 40 years, but never had an XL 12 or Super till this year. I recently did videos of them, talking about the history, and also show them cutting. Great old saws. The area that I used to live in, had a huge McCulloch dealer, and the Homelite dealer was just an old shack with about a half dozen saws for sale at any one time. I was out collecting VINTRASH recently, and picked up a Homelite water pump, that uses an XL powerhead with the pump attached. It is new in the box with all the hoses etc. and I will put it in a video at some point for the Homelite collectors, an interesting piece.

[looloo]

I had one of those red ones, put myself through college with that saw. Climbed, topped, bucked and felled with that saw. I sold it to my buddy when I bought a husky 394.

[Mikkel]

Don’t know if ur still reading comments on this video but i found it helpful, just bought a blue xl-12 that i from your video learned was a super. It is getting shipped today and i am super excited. Bought it for 5$ so i would say a great deal, i live in Norway so these are more rare since their American. The seller said the saw had been sitting in a garage for years so i hope it starts, wish me luck.

[countryboy]

I inherited one from my great uncle. I got it the other day probably hasn’t ran in 20 years. I put some fresh gas in it and some bar oil. It started on the first pull.

[sundial]

Really nice collection of fine ol Homelites . Not so much a fan of new Stihls but that was hardcore eye candy !

[anthonykimmerly]

I love your passion for saws, I just picked up my first XL 12. It was my grandpa's back in the day and can't wait to get her running again. Also you have a very Jack Black esque way of talking which makes me laugh. Happy cutting!

[btactn]

Great video, I love the history of these legendary saws. That's a nice collection!
I run an 18" MS250 STIHL, but i got a handed down red Super XL12 with a 20" bar. I cleaned, tuned and sharpened it up.

[goosecreeksouth]

The old home lot as are my favorite . I have a xl 12 and a super 2 great saws

[gregwooldridge]

My father just passed away leaving me 4 homelite chainsaws never used. Xl. Sxl. I4050 20 inch. Can wait to cut the winter fire wood.

[werewolfpa]

On the saw with the 28" bar to pick up a little more chain speed switch to a skip tooth chain, You will pick up a little more chain speed in the cut for that longer bar . I run 24" on the two i have an my old gale ( 1955 Homelite ZIP) has 36" this saw is family it was my grandfathers past down from father to sons an when my time time comes I'll pass it to my son . We were a longing family here in central Pa by Altoona. Loved the video .

[tysonernst]

Hey that video will never get got a xl 12 exactly like that last one you talked about....got it from my old man too!!!!

[hotboxpizzatruck]

Pretty cool all the different variations of the same saw. Sweet how they had the super version.

[shapeshifter]

Neat ol’saws! Ya did a good thing there with that kick stand mod👍

[clovissmith]

The square bar is to balance it better so you can put oil in it. A lot of folks don't know that's why it's like that. Other than oil on bottom of xl 12 they're the same creature. I've used em to cut a lot of Rick's of wood and just feel what real saws felt like instead of plastic lol

[Tennessee]

When I was a kid (I'm 40 now) I remember seeing my dad slang a few homelite chainsaws through the woods.

[lanedexter]

I ran the XL brushcutter on trail jobs in 1970 and 1972. I have a Super XL now, along with three Super EZ Autos. Good saws!

[liamgray]

rebuilding my super 2, love this video. it's awesome to see folks amped up over 50 yr old saws

[maliciousmullet]

Thanks man new sub. You inspired me to fix up my granddads homelites. Take care 😎✌🏼

[panzerdragoonss]

Very cool collection. I just got my first old homelite. A blue super xl ao.

[tommyconner]

I have a xl12 still runs, great saw. It was given to me, it sit on the back porch of a person house out in the weather for 15 Years, I cleaned it up put fresh gas in it. It still has the original plug. Runs great now though.