Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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wrecked
Never leave fish to find fish
Location: Central Jersey
Joined: Jan 8, 2005
Points: 7
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Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Original Message Jan 30, 2005 6:39 pm |
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I know this is neither the season nor the OPE that comes to mind in the dead of winter but I am looking for advice on the purchase of my first chainsaw. Giving the thoroughness of the reviews of snowblowers, I believe the same expertise is there for other OPE's such as chainsaws. Looking for a chainsaw for home use that includes managing timber on my property and maintaining an adequate supply of firewood. No problem splitting the wood with a wedge and sledge. I understand Stihl is outsatnding quality and friends recommend that I get a 20 inch bade. I would expect to use the saw 2-4 times/year. Beyond that I'm looking to see what other say with respect to size, manufactures, model numbers, etc. Thanks in advance. Chris
OPE:John Deere 180 w/plow,Toro 724, Redmax EB6200, Craftsman 2400 psi PW, 24 Grady w/Mariner 200 Offshore
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terrapin24h
The more I learn the less i know
Location: Rochester NY, USA
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Points: 628
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Re: Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Reply #13 Jan 31, 2005 1:56 pm |
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I know this is neither the season nor the OPE that comes to mind in the dead of winter but I am looking for advice on the purchase of my first chainsaw. Giving the thoroughness of the reviews of snowblowers, I believe the same expertise is there for other OPE's such as chainsaws. Looking for a chainsaw for home use that includes managing timber on my property and maintaining an adequate supply of firewood. No problem splitting the wood with a wedge and sledge. I understand Stihl is outsatnding quality and friends recommend that I get a 20 inch bade. I would expect to use the saw 2-4 times/year. Beyond that I'm looking to see what other say with respect to size, manufactures, model numbers, etc. Thanks in advance. Chris There's never a wrong time to buy a chainsaw :) Were i you, i'd go with a 16" or 18" bar. 20" is darn long when that sucker is spinnin around. Also, it's easier to ground a longer bar than a shorter. One of the nice things about a long bar though is the kickback zone of the bar will be further away from you(and what you are cutting) when you are cutting right up tight to the saw body. Now, just a few months ago, i too was looking for a saw for about the same amount of use you seem to have(but i don't have a fire place) and i ended up with a craftsman 18" 42cc saw for 200 bucks with tax. So far, i've done alot of limbing in the 4-8" range, i've dropped a pine, cut down a huge "tree bush" in our yard and processed it, done limbing for friends and family (i second the note about not lending your saw to anyone- ever) and I have to say the lil bugger is a tough little saw! I've prob got a little over 20 hours on it, and it's really nice to use. It has a quick style chain tension adj that's neat to use once you get the hang of it, and it has anti vibe handles that make it a dream to use. I would have liked to have gotton the same size stihl(def my fav saw) or husq or echo, but I couldn't afford it. It was either use my cordless recip saw(which is quite handy for trimming high up) or buy the craftsman. If i'm not mistaken, the craftsman chainsaws are made by poulan.
--chris 2001 Homelite VacAttack Blower 2001 6hp Toro PPace 22" mower 2001 Ariens 824LE 2002 6hp 2400 PSI Excell Powerwasher 2004 18hp Craftsman 27375 42" mower 2004 42cc Craftsman 18" chainsaw
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wrecked
Never leave fish to find fish
Location: Central Jersey
Joined: Jan 8, 2005
Points: 7
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Re: Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Reply #14 Jan 31, 2005 9:16 pm |
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Thanks all for the advice. Its great to see the diverse esperience and the recommendations from the "school of hard knocks". I do want a saw that's easier to use and I'm concerned about the kickback and based on all the responses, an 18 inch bar should meet my needs. In addition, it seems that the anti vibe handle and overall balance are serious considerations. I'm somewhat surprised to hear that some of you have difficulty starting your saws. I imagine that the same fuel problems that plague snowblowers due to infrequent use also effects chainsaws. For two cyle oil I use Stihl that has preseervative incorporated into the mixture. If I plan to use the saw 2-4 times per year should I store it full or run it dry following each use? What other factors make chainsaws diffuicult to sart? I fully agree with not lending equipment and if one asks I offer to give that person a hand with the work. With chainsws you also have liability considerations because people do hurt themselves with the equipment more times than one would expect. Chris
OPE:John Deere 180 w/plow,Toro 724, Redmax EB6200, Craftsman 2400 psi PW, 24 Grady w/Mariner 200 Offshore
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terrapin24h
The more I learn the less i know
Location: Rochester NY, USA
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Points: 628
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Re: Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Reply #15 Feb 1, 2005 10:32 am |
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Moreso than liability concerns, people that aren't used to them (or don't pay for them) tend to be stupid with chainsaws. I wouldn't say my saw is hard to start per se, but if you don't follow the start procedure, it can get cranky. They do alot of fancy stuff to the saw engines today with turbo air cleaners, and pressure relief valves and such, and when you are talking about a cold engine, it starts to get absolutely critical that you have the perfect amount of gas and air ready to go. No kidding, over or under priming my saw by as little as 1 bulb push can (and does) make all the difference. I have never know chainsaws to be as easy starting as lawnmowers, snowblowers, powerwashers, string trimmers, etc.
--chris 2001 Homelite VacAttack Blower 2001 6hp Toro PPace 22" mower 2001 Ariens 824LE 2002 6hp 2400 PSI Excell Powerwasher 2004 18hp Craftsman 27375 42" mower 2004 42cc Craftsman 18" chainsaw
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wrecked
Never leave fish to find fish
Location: Central Jersey
Joined: Jan 8, 2005
Points: 7
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Re: Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Reply #16 Feb 1, 2005 7:11 pm |
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Chris, Do you see the starting issue related to it being a two cycle engine as opposed to four or just the added complexity of the machinery? It appears to me to be the latter. My RedMax does start up quickly but it is sensitive to flooding if it is overprimed. How often do you use your saw and how is it stored between used? Using it a couple of times a year I can see myself draining iteach time but I do not know what is best. Chris
OPE:John Deere 180 w/plow,Toro 724, Redmax EB6200, Craftsman 2400 psi PW, 24 Grady w/Mariner 200 Offshore
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Dave___in___CT
Deliberate often... ...decide once...
Location: West-Central Connecticut
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Points: 3159
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Re: Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Reply #19 Feb 2, 2005 6:15 pm |
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Solution...Self starting... No messy fuel mixing... No chain replacing... Dave...
Whether you think you can or you can't... you're right.Henry Ford BCS Tractor & snowblower
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wrecked
Never leave fish to find fish
Location: Central Jersey
Joined: Jan 8, 2005
Points: 7
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Re: Looking for advice - Chainsaws
Reply #20 Feb 2, 2005 6:56 pm |
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Cute, But much higher maintenance You can't leave alone in the garage for months on end...
This message was modified Feb 2, 2005 by wrecked
OPE:John Deere 180 w/plow,Toro 724, Redmax EB6200, Craftsman 2400 psi PW, 24 Grady w/Mariner 200 Offshore
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