I have an Echo Pole Saw PPT-226. Recently something broke in the pull starter, so I took it apart and found the broken part. Despite knowing that there was a clock spring lurking behind it, I couldn't stop myself from pulling out the cord reel, even though it wasn't broken. Sure enough, the clock spring did what clock springs do, but I figured it would be an easy fix. I had noticed some videos on YouTube, and you can purchase an entire starter assembly for under $30. However, my bravado quickly turned to chagrin and then concern, but I soldiered on. An hour or so later I had the thing put back together. I did a little damage to the spring while figuring out the process, but it still works.
Thought I would share the technique.
The broken part is at the bottom...those two pieces are supposed to be one piece. You can see the circle I drew in the wood that I mention below.
I used the reel as a template and drew a circle in the wood, then I drove four screws in part way, just inside of the line. I fed the spring in from the outside in. Then I pried the spring up slightly so I could put wire ties around the spring. Once the wire ties were in place I removed the screws and had a stable bundle. You can also run the screws through washers to hold the spring up off the wood, but I don't think it's worth the hassle, because it's easy to pry the spring up.
I placed the stabilized spring into housing
I held the spring down and carefully cut and removed the wire ties. I had to bend the inner end so that it would engage with the slots in the reel.
Reassembled. Brain was a bit dead, so it took me a while to figure out how to use the notch (circled in red) to wind up the rope. I turned the reel the wrong way a couple of times and bent the spring, but fortunately I was able to disassemble and bend it back. Only turn the reel in the direction that tightens the spring. The notch actually makes winding up the rope incredibly easy.
Thought I would share the technique.
The broken part is at the bottom...those two pieces are supposed to be one piece. You can see the circle I drew in the wood that I mention below.
I used the reel as a template and drew a circle in the wood, then I drove four screws in part way, just inside of the line. I fed the spring in from the outside in. Then I pried the spring up slightly so I could put wire ties around the spring. Once the wire ties were in place I removed the screws and had a stable bundle. You can also run the screws through washers to hold the spring up off the wood, but I don't think it's worth the hassle, because it's easy to pry the spring up.
I placed the stabilized spring into housing
I held the spring down and carefully cut and removed the wire ties. I had to bend the inner end so that it would engage with the slots in the reel.
Reassembled. Brain was a bit dead, so it took me a while to figure out how to use the notch (circled in red) to wind up the rope. I turned the reel the wrong way a couple of times and bent the spring, but fortunately I was able to disassemble and bend it back. Only turn the reel in the direction that tightens the spring. The notch actually makes winding up the rope incredibly easy.
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