Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I am looking for a chainsaw to do very small work around my house (mainly 3 or 4" branches that fall, occasional firewood size logs when a bigger branch comes down).  I saw a Sears 35066 16" chainsaw and a 16 " Homelite chainsaw.  Each are about $125, each has about a 33cc - 36 cc engine.  I was wondering if anyone has experience with either of these, with strong convictions either way about them.  It will probably be used about one hour per year total.

Another possibilility is to go Echo or other "bigger brand but used".  I read the other post about chainsaws and found that information very helpful.  If I can find a used saw at a comparable price I will evaluate that route.  Agent Orange sells their used saws from time to time, although they are about $250, and if I was going to buy that I could get a new smaller Echo. 

Thank you, in advance, for any information you can give me.

Best regards,

Walt 

Will,

You sincerely just made my day; not by what you said, but by being here and saying....  THANKS!

To Everyone else,

I really do appreciate your help and opinions.  I will hopefully have some time this weekend to go back and evaluate the variety of saws.  The only electric I ever used was very small, and the bar kept loosening.  From the sound of some of the posts electrics may be better than my previous experiences.

Again Many Thanks

Walt

Stihl makes a nice electric saw, much better than what you will find at Harbor Frieght, etc.

 BJ,

Agree on the Stihl.

If it were me I'd buy the 180 c model  !!!

                  Fred 

I got to defend my homelite timberman  Iput this saw through lots work my area was hit by atornado.  lots if trees down  even loaned it , that could of went bad.  Any way I cut harrd wood  as large as 3 foot diameter.    The clutch got so hot the brake seized it up.  removed brake kept sawing.  I have never had it to hard start ,pump 7 times on primer buld choke 2 pulls.   It did plug up bar with chips and locked it up , gee clean out bar oncehesein while.  I do suggest to buy  a narrow kerf chain to ease cutting .  original anti kick so it doesn'"t  jump up a jab your head.   any of  these saws will cut with right combination.   I also purchase a stihl 210 c  goo saw ,  my son used it to cut .  However I got an Old 240 Homelite and drag raced in same log and cut faster.   I also tried echo ran fine still had problens with chains dulling quick,  


all in all I  still use antique 240 it sharpens easy 5/16 file .   does start hard its old ,  alittle starter fluid  carb punp weak , gee 26 years old can I complain?     Another thing need back on saws is manual chain oll pumpers need it when deep in log ,  chips suck all oil away.   Any way theirs a viideo called homelite vs. 44 magnum.  to watch.   As soon as the whether breaks I going to make a husky owrner  a believer will put the saw in same log,  loser buying lunch.



Hillbilly,  Hope to hear somethin from ya'll

Hi Walt.

Here's a vote for the Homelite.. I've had one for 8 years now and it's my most impressive cheap tool that i own. It still starts easily and just keeps on going. Only item ever replaced are chains. No other repairs. i think it was $100 back then. I bought it at the time just to cut up a tree that fell down. I  have since bought a wood insert for the fireplace and cut a cord and a half to two cords with it every year. I like it because it is light snd doesn't tire you out as a heavy saw  may. The negative on this saw is that  it has minimal vibration dampening and that gets anoying if you plan to use it more than a couple tankfuls at a time. Fow most home use it's great. Highly recommend it. For extensive use buy the orange one because they vibrate less (their higher end  models). One thing you should check is does it have a chain brake for safety. When i bought mine the 14 and 16" model had the same powerhead, but only the 16" one had the brake. Do not know if that's the same now. I think you should have a chain brake on a saw.

I also saw some suggestions on the electric. If you are within cords distance all the time that's also a good sugestion for ocasional home use. My sister has one and it works well.

Ron