When the Homelite XL chainsaw was introduced, why change the design?

Why did they first come with a metal gray handle, then black metal, then the most recent looked to be rubber. Also they changed the handle design because at first it was attached at one point, then the other 2 designs were fixed on completely. Any point to this besides rusting? Also what were the specs on all these versions?

Comments

One Response to “When the Homelite XL chainsaw was introduced, why change the design?”

IRONMIKE says:

March 9, 2010 at 7:41 pm

I’ve worked in manufacturing and have seen designs changed and the reasons behind the changes: There’s a problem with the original design that only shows up after time in the field; A new design is cheaper to make; A new design uses better material; A new design is more ergonomic and causes less strain for the user, etc.
If you, the consumer, don’t find these changes as improvements then you might start looking at what the competition has to offer. It’s generally, but not always, a good thing that a company is still putting money into R&D on a product, but you’re the one who has to decide if the end product is better or not.
I can’t answer your specific questions about that brand of chainsaw because I’ve never owned one and have not heard many good things about them. Dollar for dollar, and pound for pound there are better saws on the market, in my opinion, and once you’ve used one you will probably see Homelite as the inferior product that it is.