Post by: Fudgieghost on August 08, 2006, 02:11:46 PM
I'd like to get a good size one---we have some very large oaks, that, if they came down, would need more than the "pruning" size saw's.
What should I look for in the way of features, which brands are best, IYO, of course. Keep in mind that this saw will not get extensive use. I'm thinking of it as more of a SHTF equipment thing, so the most durable may not be what I need. OTOH, I don't want a POS either, as when I need it, I'm gonna really need it. . .
So, without further ado, pontificate. . .
Post by: crt360 on August 08, 2006, 02:38:43 PM
Be careful not to prune one of your own limbs. I know more people that have negligently chainsawed themselves than negligently discharged a firearm.
Post by: charby on August 08, 2006, 02:41:47 PM
When I used to cut quite a bit of wood, I really liked Stihl brand. I know a lot of guys who swear buy their Husqvarnas. I guess they are like Fords vs Chevy.
Right now I just cut wood for camping and my fireplace, less than a 1/2 cord per year so I just use a McCulloch MAC 10 with a 14" bar that is left over from my self employment days. Its an ok saw that sees about 5 hours of use per year.
The secret with any 2 cycle engines (or small engines in general) is to properly store then, if you leave fuel in them they quickly varnish up and you'll never get it started.
Pretty much if you aren't going to be using a chainsaw on a regular basis it really isn't worth owning on. If those are large oak trees it will take you a long time no matter how big the saw is to remove them.
FIL and I are going to drop a giant burr oak once it gets a little cooler for firewood for his house and shop. I figure the tree is about 80' tall, trunk diameter is close to 30" it won't take more than 15 minutes to free drop the tree but will take the two of us all day to cut it up into pieces small enough for us to move to the log splitter.
Probably be easier in a SHTF situation like a violent storm just to seek shelter and when the storm has passed just to drive around the downed trees. Its not like looting is going to happen in most of US after a storm that drops trees. If you in hurricane areas then bug out when the warning is given. Tornado areas have very little looting afterwards because of the out pouring of people wanting to help after the storm has passed.
Post by: 280plus on August 08, 2006, 02:49:12 PM
MAN, there's some STUPID people out there.
I'd think a 16" would be enough and +1 on the Stihl. Remember also the bigger the saw gets the heavier and harder to wield it gets.
Post by: Bob F. on August 08, 2006, 04:48:30 PM
Stay safe.
Bob
Post by: charby on August 08, 2006, 05:04:40 PM
You will need to know what to do when a saw binds, buck, throws a chain, tree splits, tree explodes and tree starts to fall your way. There really isn't any safeties like one finds on a circular saw.
Chainsaw cuts through flesh like a warm knife to butter, no forgiveness and whats left is a ragged hamburger edge.
Post by: Fudgieghost on August 08, 2006, 05:58:10 PM
Post by: charby on August 08, 2006, 06:46:27 PM
Post by: Fatcat on August 09, 2006, 12:27:49 AM
Quote from: Fudgieghost
Those Kevlar chaps any good?
YES. I screwed up pretty badly once, but the chaps stopped the chain instantly; my jeans weren't even torn. I'd have a sweet pegleg if I hadn't been wearing them.
Post by: ...has left the building. on August 09, 2006, 02:00:06 AM
Post by: Leatherneck on August 09, 2006, 02:32:28 AM
Learn about chain tension, kickback, and how to sharpen the chain during breaks. A well-tuned and sharp saw will help avoid accidents. Don't get in a hurry, don't get too tired, avoid drinking alcohol, wear hearing and eye protection and chaps if you feel the need.
Mom out.
TC
Post by: 280plus on August 09, 2006, 03:30:57 AM
Quote
Mom out.
LOL,,,see ya Mom... 
Post by: peteinct on August 09, 2006, 03:46:04 AM
I was very lucky. Once I was clearing a fallen tree in my yard and I lost control of the saw. I cut through my pants and my long johns but didn't cut my skin. Be carefull.
pete
Post by: K Frame on August 09, 2006, 05:03:40 AM
I've always liked Mculloughs and Stihls, but Huskys are a very close runner up. Echos never impressed me.
The only Poulan I ever used was a horrendous pain in the ass.
Post by: charby on August 09, 2006, 05:10:38 AM
Quote from: Mike Irwin
I've got a fair amount of bar time with Echo, Husky, Mcullough (sp?), and Stihl.
I've always liked Mculloughs and Stihls, but Huskys are a very close runner up. Echos never impressed me.
The only Poulan I ever used was a horrendous pain in the ass.
I thought you were a craftsman man??I've always liked Mculloughs and Stihls, but Huskys are a very close runner up. Echos never impressed me.
The only Poulan I ever used was a horrendous pain in the ass.
Post by: BozemanMT on August 09, 2006, 05:38:41 AM
Plus Stihl's are only sold at little guy stores, so you can actually get service and get them worked on.
a big plus in my book.
16" is plenty big enough for all homeowner work.
buy extra chain oil and buy a couple chains. in the middle of a bad time is not the time to be sharpening chains, just switch them out and move on.
Post by: K Frame on August 09, 2006, 06:05:21 AM
They simply didn't have much traction in the area where I grew up.
Post by: ...has left the building. on August 09, 2006, 08:28:18 AM
Quote from: BozemanMT
Another vote for Stihl
Plus Stihl's are only sold at little guy stores, so you can actually get service and get them worked on.
a big plus in my book.
16" is plenty big enough for all homeowner work.
buy extra chain oil and buy a couple chains. in the middle of a bad time is not the time to be sharpening chains, just switch them out and move on.
That is a good point! We bought ours at a very small hardware store in my very small hometown in PA.
Plus Stihl's are only sold at little guy stores, so you can actually get service and get them worked on.
a big plus in my book.
16" is plenty big enough for all homeowner work.
buy extra chain oil and buy a couple chains. in the middle of a bad time is not the time to be sharpening chains, just switch them out and move on.
Post by: mtnbkr on August 09, 2006, 08:51:24 AM
I used the Stihl when I worked for the county Parks and Req dept for a variety of tasks, it always worked well and never gave me any trouble. My small amount of experience with Poulan is limited to cutting up firewood at camp. The one in question worked well once you got it started, but it was a bit ornery in that respect.
I have the most experience with my dad's Homelite saw. It wasn't very big, but between the two of us, it has cut down and cut up a couple hundred trees ranging from 2" to 12" in diameter. I've run it all day long clearing brush and trees at my grandmother's, only shutting it down to fill the tank, sharpen the chain, to eat lunch, etc. There, we were cutting pine, various hardwoods, and 50yo Rhodedendron bushes standing 8ft tall with 12" trunks. My dad used it to harvest timber on a plot in the National Forest. Every day, he'd cut down a few trees, limb them, cut them to 6ft lengths, and bring a load home in his pickup. Once at home, he'd use the same saw to cut them to splitting length. It's only weakness IMO was the itty bitty nut used to hold the bar in place. I just didn't feel comfortable really torquing it down. Otherwise, it ran like a champ and never let us down.
If the price were right, I'd buy another Homelite, but my first choice would be Stihl because they are good saws and service would't be an issue.
Chris
Post by: Tallpine on August 09, 2006, 08:56:08 AM
My choice is Stihl but the newer Huskies seem to have some good features. In my experience, the older Huskies (1980's) were prone to heat up and vapor lock in hot weather and at high altitude. OTOH, Stihls run so cool that they don't like cold weather unless you are working them really hard.
But I would tend to recommend a larger saw - if you really need a saw to clear a road (etc) then you want one with some muscle and bar length, say a 20" bar and 50cc or so. In my observation, the bigger saws and longer bars are actually safer than the little ones.
My current saw is a Stihl 046 magnum with a 30" bar leftover from my logging days (I hate bending over
). Also have an ancient (1970's) 045 Stihl powerhead lying around that weighs about a ton. It's about wore out, but it would still cut rings around most of the new smaller saws - if your arms didn't fall off first 
oh yeah ... if you do anything with saws or trees you need to know about these people:
http://www.baileys-online.com/
Post by: K Frame on August 09, 2006, 08:59:55 AM
YES!
That was my grip with the Poulan I used. Starting it cold was a monumental pain in the ass. Keeping it going until it warmed up wasn't much easier.
Once it finally warmed up, though, it ran well.
Post by: zahc on August 09, 2006, 11:34:16 AM
The best chainsaw ever made was made by Partner. My father has a Partner chainsaw that is just better than anything else. It has broken and he has bought new ones, only to get the Partner fixed by finding an obscure part and keep using it. It's just an animal of a chainsaw.
Currently I think Stihl is the best saw. Husquavarna is an acceptable saw as well.
I advise you to ignore whatever the owner's manual says about mixing fuel, and use good quality oil mixed at 32:1. I promise.
Post by: Brad Johnson on August 09, 2006, 11:41:07 AM
If memory serves none of the low-dollar bargain saws held up very well, regardless of mfg. The electrics were, in a word, pathetic for all but the most light-duty small jobs (like trimming very small branches).
And if that doesn't work, you can get you one of these....
One bad mofo V8 chainsaw
Brad
Post by: charby on August 09, 2006, 12:32:59 PM
http://www.forestryequipmentsales.com/146-timberpro630.htm
Post by: Larry Ashcraft on August 09, 2006, 12:39:56 PM
I bought a slightly used 20" Homelight about fifteen years ago at a pawnshop for $80. The thing just won't quit! I cut 2-4 cords of firewood a year plus other chores around the farm. I also bought a used Echo as a back up saw, although it doesn't seem to be nearly the saw the Homelight is. If I ever wear out these two, I'll look at Stihl.
I use Stihl full-chisel chains. You have to buy them at a Stihl dealer and I don't believe anybody else makes a full-chisel chain. The Oregons and all the other hardware store chains are semi-chisel. Make sure you have some experience first with a semi-chisel though, the full-chisels cut way faster.
Post by: Larry Ashcraft on August 09, 2006, 12:42:08 PM
Post by: BozemanMT on August 09, 2006, 12:58:09 PM
Quote from: Larry Ashcraft
Oh, my first saw was a Poulan. It was actually less work to use a hand saw than it was to start that thing.
I've owned that sawIn fact, I finally got so made, I threw the POS down the driveway after working on it for like 30 minutes
I was a wee angry.
It deserved to die.
Post by: mtnbkr on August 09, 2006, 02:23:38 PM
Quote from: Larry Ashcraft
Oh, my first saw was a Poulan. It was actually less work to use a hand saw than it was to start that thing.
What is it with Poulan and hard starting? You're the third person to mention that (Bozeman below makes 4).I agree about Homelite being hard to kill. Other than it being a bit small at times, it was a trooper. I say "was" because I haven't seen it in a few years, but being out on my own, I'm not normally around when my dad would be using it...
Chris
Post by: Tallpine on August 09, 2006, 03:40:55 PM
It would still sorta run, but it wasn't much good for anything. I think I finally traded it in for my second Stihl 045 (the state of the art saw at that time), after keeping it for a spare for a while.YMMV ... but running a saw 8 hours or so a day for five or more days a week is a lot different than cutting a couple cords of wood a year.
Oh yeah ... and use the manufacturer's recommended oil and mixture - especially if you want the warranty honored
Post by: stevelyn on August 10, 2006, 04:01:52 AM
The only one's I would consider are Husqvarna, Stihl, Jonsenred or Shindiawa.
Last fall I went to buy a chainsaw and went to the Husky dealer. I ended up buying a Shindiawa Professional model on the dealer's recommendation and after comparing it with the similar Husky model. The Shindiawa is the saw that the local electric utility uses to outfit their service trucks. They're reliable and seem to cut circles around a Husky.
I got an 18" bar for mine. It's okay and is big enough to cut through anything I need to drop, but I think a 20" might even be better as you don't have to bend as far when cutting logs. I also recommend getting 2 or 3 extra chains and swapping them out while working rather sharpening on-site.
Post by: TarpleyG on September 02, 2006, 11:39:59 AM
Greg
Post by: Tallpine on September 02, 2006, 12:13:02 PM
and by next year they probably will have discontinued that model and you won't be able to buy parts for it
Post by: erik the bold on September 03, 2006, 02:46:33 AM
Husky, Poulan, and Weed Eater are the same company. They also make many of the saws for Sears. We used Husky/Poulan units (46cc) on the fire dept without problems for years.
I currently have a Poulan 46cc w/20" bar and small Homelite (14"). Never have any trouble with either.
Use good synthetic oil (Royal Purple, Amzoil, or Redline) and add some gas stabilizer to the mix.
Don't buy more saw than you need. Many times I'll use the Homelite over the big mammu, to save my arms.
Post by: French G. on September 03, 2006, 03:17:41 AM
The Craftsman will be trickier, it is not picking up fuel due to sitting forever, its fuel system pre-dates the push bulb primer. By the look of the saw (new, muffler not even rusted over) and the smell of the fuel( damned old) it is probably on it's first tank of gas. So, next tinker time I get I will have it sucking fuel. I am kind of excited about this one, it is a pretty rugged saw, vibration isolated handle, big bar, big motor, ought to be a lot of saw for the money.
I know these two are not the best names in chainsaws, but a deal is a deal, and when I can get that price for two near new saws I will. I know one little Homelite that has run well for 30 years. My Homelite may get sold to cover the project cost.
Were I buying new, it would be Husqvarna. My dad has run an 8hp model for 20 years, lots of wood heating in that time, it is a pretty indesructible saw.
Post by: TarpleyG on September 03, 2006, 05:02:00 AM
Quote
Husky, Poulan, and Weed Eater are the same company. They also make many of the saws for Sears. We used Husky/Poulan units (46cc) on the fire dept without problems for years.
It's funny you mention that because I got the impression yesterday while looking around in Sears and online that the riding mowers and chainsaws were all Husky with a Craftsman label on them. I could not confirm that theory, however.Look, bottom line is that I paid $170 for the saw and it might see 50 hours of use in its lifetime. I could not justify spending $400 for a tool tha will sit in my garage and not ever see daylight. I have a principle...I buy the best I can afford for the job at hand and you know what? That little principle has rarely let me down.
Greg
edited to add these links which somewhat substantiates what I said above.
http://www.weedeater.com/poulanpro/pressReleases.do
http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:gmeF049QIMEJ:www.poulan.com/weedeater.asp+weedeater+craftsman&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2&client=firefox-a
Post by: mtnbkr on September 03, 2006, 05:13:31 AM
Like I said earlier, my dad's Homelite has been used quite a bit over the years and it still runs well (even after sitting in a wheelbarrow full of water for a few days recently). A Stihl might be better, but would he have noticed the improvement? Probably not.
Chris
Post by: K Frame on September 03, 2006, 06:59:20 AM
Yep, same company.
Same designs, same manufacturing specifications, same parts?
Not hardly.
"and by next year they probably will have discontinued that model and you won't be able to buy parts for it."
Yeah, that was a real impediment to my ordering parts from Sears for my circa 1958 Craftsman 2.5 HP industrial router. Only took them a week to get them to me! If they maintained decent stocks of parts, they would have had it to me BEFORE I needed it.
Post by: Tallpine on September 03, 2006, 11:57:45 AM
There is also a "Huskee" company that makes lawn mowers that is not Husqvarna ("Husky")
Buy whatever you want ... by the same reasoning might as well get a Jennings instead of a Ruger or S&W since you probably will only need to shoot it once in self-defense in your whole lifetime
My limited experience with Sears parts has been dismal - we had an old Sears gas range once that the in-oven control had failed. They wanted something like $100 for it (over 20 yrs ago) and had no idea how many months or years it might take to get it but I was supposed to pay for it up front - no thanks.
I won't have anything to do with Sears stuff - ever since they pulled the plug on the catalog business some years back. Our neighbors had just bought the local catalog store, and suddenly everything they paid for (name brand, franchise) just vanished.
Somehow they managed to avoid bankruptcy by switching to Coast to Coast.I think I used to have an old Craftsman chainsaw that I got used. I don't remember what it's problem was but it was always breaking down. I got a Homelite (actually a couple of them - one used and then one new) and didn't have much luck with them either. Then I finally wised up and bought a Stihl and never looked back. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to get something done with a tool that won't work.
Post by: BozemanMT on September 03, 2006, 02:05:33 PM
Quote from: Tallpine
There's nothing more frustrating than trying to get something done with a tool that won't work.
+100 to thatwords of truth.
Good tools last a lifetime and are worth paying for.