Chain Saw

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agomez

agomez

Frijoles
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Apr 29, 2005
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Need a chain saw for around the house trimming. I need alot of bang for the buck preferable a small one with alot of bite and as economical as possible. I will need to be up in some trees so weight is a consideration and last best place to buy....


Thanks Andy
 
The problem with economical is it sacrifices power, durability, and often weight.

If you're just using it once a year to trim a couple trees, go buy a Poulan or Homelite for $100-200 and deal with the associated headaches. Be prepared for hard starting (especially after it sits a while), plug fouling, low power, etc. But for light work on a budget they're ok. Wal-Mart, etc.

If you're doing any sort of real cutting, beg borrow or steal the cash (250-500) for a Stihl, Echo, or Husquavarna. There is a world of difference, and you definitely get what you pay for. I'm partial to Stihl, but have used an Echo and a Husquavarna with no complaints. Lowes/HD etc have 'em reasonable but no real advice/support available, or support your local small business owner and buy from a farm/home store or landscape equipment store where they specialize in power equipment.
 
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husq from a small biz. shop local and they'll take care of ya right back!

um, up in tree w/saw? :eek: i know that pro tree dudes have those skills, but that's a pretty small set of folks. i've got rope experience and training, ditto for powersaws, but i still left the chainsaw on the ground and used my bowsaw to limb the ponderosa near my utility lines. wouldn't wanna see you get a darwin award. :D
 
I own a Husqvarna 345 (I think) It was just under $300 at Northern Tool (cheaper than Lowe's). It has a 16" bar and compression release (good for starting when you're up in a tree). My tree service used the same model for limbing.

I've done some dumb things before, but I don't use chainsaws up in a tree. I'll leave that to professionals.
 
What bar length do you want to run? If you are undecided on the bar length just remember that a standard 55gal drum is 21" across. Will you ever cut anything that big?

If you are happy with a 16" or 18" the STIHL MS250 is the best bang for the buck. It has a 45cc engine and weights 10lbs and puts out 3hp. I have two of them and just love them.

There are over 9,000 servicing dealers across the country. Every retail outlet for these is also a servicing dealer. If you buy it and take it home and use it and decide it is not right for you there is a 7 day Satisfaction Guarantee so you can return it and get a smaller one or a bigger one to suit your needs. (You cannot take it home and cut a season of firewood with it and then take it back.)

One thing to keep in mind is that a chain saw, any brand, is one of the highest maintenance pieces of equipment you will ever own. It needs the air filter, saw chain and fluid levels maintained constantly. That is where the servicing dealer comes in. You can buy parts for them.
 
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I've owned a STIHL MS360 Pro for about 4 years and it starts up everytime regardless of how many months of non use. It was more than you want to spend but you can not go wrong with the brand. I would go to a small engine store that is a distributor for the better named brands and inquire about purchasing a used one that was traded in.
 
agomez said:
Need a chain saw for around the house trimming. I need alot of bang for the buck preferable a small one with alot of bite and as economical as possible. I will need to be up in some trees so weight is a consideration and last best place to buy....


Thanks Andy
Click to expand...

Andy,
I don't mean to be overwhelming, but ask yourself a couple of questions. My thought is if you don't need one, don't get one.

What will you be cutting?
How much property do you have?
Do you heat your home with firewood?
How often will you use it?
How much can you spend?
Will you service it yourself?
etc.

It's amazing what you can get done with hand tools. A simple saw and loppers can go a long ways. I've actually got jobs done quicker and easier with hand tools than with power tools. From trimming, splitting wood, stripping paint, etc. Power tools have there place (especially chain saws, I have three of them and use them all the time). Chainsaws are not economical for the occasional user. They are a lot to maintain and store. About going up in a tree, I've done it way too many times and probably should be dead by now. A friend of mine cut his leg up in a tree. Pole saws, hand tools and ladders are great.

You might look into a climbing saw, made for one handed use. They're great for all around use except large (anything over 16'') felling and bucking. Buy from a small local shop that will stand behind and service their product. Oh and yes I am partial to Stihl, they're great saws and a great company.
 
I have an Echo... no complaints....Stihl or Jonsered are good.
 
AJP said:
I have an Echo... no complaints....Stihl or Jonsered are good.
Click to expand...

Jonsered is the same as Husqvarna. Echos are pretty good, but IMO they have gone downhill in the last few years.
 
I worked two summers for a tree service in College. Nothing but Stihl. I did alot of climbing and cutting (mostly because I was young and stupid). IIRC the saw I took up was a 009 with a little (12"?) bar. Tied off with a climbing harness, whack that huge branch off and when you're about through, shut off the saw and reach for what you're strapped to and hang on for dear life. Saw was on a 4 foot tether attached to the harness so that I could free climb and let it follow me.

The fact that I'm still alive does not mean that we were doing it right and safe- it just means I was lucky.

Oddly enough that company went out of business soon after I left. Go figure.
 
stihl 009, I have an 011, but I don't think they make them anymore? mine is IIRC 42cc and 14.5" bar, fits in the cruiser easy, I cut 4-5 cords in the winter, and haven't done any maintenance to speak of.

there were two models, the AV and the AVT, the avt can be used one handed as it has the handle on the top. I would not use a chainsaw one handed, though.
tailgate2.webp
 
gladly said:
I would not use a chainsaw one handed, though.
Click to expand...

And why not? After all that is what it is made for. I don't believe it's dangerous at all if you use the tool within the scope it was designed for.
 
D'Animal said:
You all know that I have 15 vehicles.

I also have 98 chain saws. 4 of which are not STIHL's.


Damn my wife loves me!
Click to expand...
98 CHAIN SAWS!
How many hands do you have?
I thought I was bad with 5.....

Ditto's on Stihl or Huskvarna, But I also bought a reconditioned Poulan from Northern tool for $120, been a super reliable saw for 4 years now..

I figured it paid for itself after the first cord of wood and I would just toss it and get another when it gave up the ghost, but it is probably into about 12 cords now and still going.

I like to use 2 to 3 saws in a day. Helps keep them fresh. Also I don't use anything under a 20" bar, (chains last longer).
 
Dave-T said:
And why not? After all that is what it is made for. I don't believe it's dangerous at all if you use the tool within the scope it was designed for.
Click to expand...

um, the top bar is for the gripping hand (left, the one not running the fuel) when cutting vertically (ie: downed trees). side bar for same hand when cutting parallel to ground (ie: dropping the tree).

one-handed saw running has a high probability to result in one-legged former sawyer. :eek:
 
splitshot said:
98 CHAIN SAWS!
How many hands do you have?
I thought I was bad with 5.....
Click to expand...

I collect them and use them to cut my own firewood. I have some in my collection that were bilt in 1960 that are still in the original box. I have a few that the parent corporation does not have. Some of my Saws are parts donors to other chain saws. That number does not count the donor saws.

When is the last time you saw a 186cc chain saw? They build 12 of them and the founder of the company personally sold them in 1957. I found it at a yard sale in Northern California.
 
Wow, Your 98 saws put's my 15 to 20 saws to shame. Since I used to do tree trimming for a local tree service, I bought a Stihl MS 200 about 6 years ago. Overkill for the amount of trimming I now do, but that's how I like em. My biggest saws are 2 Jonsered 920's and a Stihl 051. Recently sold a Stihl 045. They all serve a purpose. Rick
 
This should fit your requirments, Stihl MS 170, light weight, plenty of power, a good bang for the buck. Only $170.

I have one as a back up to a larger one. I messed up the bar on my primary one morning, pulled this one out and proceed to cut cedar trees up to 24 in. dia, for 7 hours straight.

The only time it would not start easily is when I had used it so much that carbon build up had blocked the exhaust screen.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS170.html
MS170.gif
 
sirenmoses said:
um, the top bar is for the gripping hand (left, the one not running the fuel) when cutting vertically (ie: downed trees). side bar for same hand when cutting parallel to ground (ie: dropping the tree).

one-handed saw running has a high probability to result in one-legged former sawyer. :eek:
Click to expand...

I personally do not think that they are any more dangerous than a standard type if you know how to use them.

kruzinboots, do you like the Sthil 200? I've wanted one for a while and am now thinking more seriously at replacing my husky 338 with one.
 
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