For no reason in particular I picked up two chainsaws from the pawn shop for $63 total out the door. One Homelite 16" with no starter rope and a Craftsman that didn't start. So, the Homelite is near new looking, I unscrew the side cover, pull out the starter cord, re-knot it throught the handle still laying in the case and have it running in 5 minutes.
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.