wrecked

You can go from petroleum based oil to synthetic but not from synthetic back to petroleum. I am told that if you go back to the petroleum, significant engine damage can occur. does anyone know why this is a problem?

Thanks, chris

TomP,

You may want to do yourself a favor and mention this to your neighbor so she can prep the driveway before the snow comes. If you expect a 50/50 split for repair costs mention this upfront so maybe there will be greater interest in preventing this from happening in the first place.
Good luck.

Chris

Cute, But much higher maintenance You can't leave alone in the garage for months on end...

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

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