Thoughts on Chain Saws?

[Oak]

+1 on the Stihl and Echo. I have a MS290 Stihl that served me well but now the engine needs rebuilt so I picked up an Echo from a commercial dealer and it seems pretty good. If the Echo saw is anything like their weed wackers I now I will be happy.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by gsomersjr

Also, if this is your first chainsaw then pickup some ear plugs, safety glasses, and wear sensible clothes. Nothing that can get tangled in the chain. I'm not a huge safety fanatic but I don't take any chances when I'm using my saw.

I'm the kinda guy that believes a good set of gloves, ear protection, and safety glasses should be in everyones shop so check, check, and check. Good recommendations, though

[twoton]

Stihl!

MS 192 TC, great one handed saw when you’re up in the tree
026, so much power it’s scary
036 PRO w/ 18” bar the work horse
066 Magnum, made in Germany, w/ 48” bar and skip tooth chain, watch out!

And get one of these;

http://www.amazon.com/Granberg-Bar-M.../dp/B0002ZY1WG

(and read the tutorial at the bottom of the page)

And be safe!

[yeeter]

+1 on a used Stihl. Believe mine is an old 024 Farm Boss, the best saw I have ever owned.

For sharpening I bought one of these. If you have a knack for things, it works well. If you need the tool to be foolproof to where a 10yr old can do it, get something different.

http://www.harborfreight.com/electri...8221-8346.html

Nothing like a sharp chain (and you will likely want two - one for when you hit rocks and dirt). Swap them out and keep on going.

[J-Mech]

Everyone else has spoken..... so I guess I can throw in my

I've ran bunches of saws. Stihl, Homelite, Shindaiwa, Poulan, McColloch, Echo, Weedeater.... might have picked up a Husky a time or two, I don't remember. Stihl, Shindaiwa and Homelite are my personal favorites. I own a couple old saws... a Homelite 1050 Auto with a 30" bar(might be 36"), a McColloch with an 18", and a new little Poulan 14" that someone gave me for money owed. If anyone reads this and is thinking about buying an old used Homelite, they are good saws. Mine is probably 15-20 years older than I, and at right at 100CC it's a pretty mean ol' saw!

Homelight 1050.jpg


I don't cut wood for a living, but I've been around the block.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=25317

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28238

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28358

[Mike McKown]

I started out with a Homelite Super EZ 16" and a Homelite Super XL 20". Both these saws were of the late 1960's vintage and they were top notch. Back then. I've had two Super XL's and four Super EZ's over the years. Bars the same size as above.

My son bought a new Husquavarna about ten years ago and we were cutting up a large white oak. My Homelite's were making about twice a much noise and cutting about half as fast as his new saw. My saw wasn't dull at all. It just didn't have the rpm of the new saws.

So I sprang for a new Husky 450 with 20" bar and it starts, cuts, runs like a dream. Much better than the old Homelites. I then purchased a Stihl with a 16" bar. It's great too.

Somewhere along the line, I bought a Poulan from WalMart. 16" bar. It worked pretty good for awhile but it had a small pitch chain and the gas soon ate up the fuel system rubber parts and when it ran, it was very light but didn't cut all that fast.

If I was a youngster, I'd spend the money for a quality saw like a Stihl or Husky and you'll be better off in the long run. there's other quality brands out there but they aren't sold at Walmart.

[Mike McKown]

One other thing. Most new chain saw now come with anti-kickback chains on them. They are not apt to kick back because it's hard for them to get hold of the wood, if you get my drift.

ONLY if you are familiar with how a chain saw works and the safe way to hang on to one should you ask the dealer to put on a chisel chain. It'll cut 3-4 times faster than the out of the box chain.

[drglinski]

Dad's Husqvarna is about 10 years old. My homelite is about 30 Years old. I like both of them. They both work great. I'd also vote for stihl.

[Jeff in Pa]

I had a good sized branch come down right after we moved to this house. I borrowed a friend's Husky 345 to cut it up. It worked so good I purchased my own the same day I returned his ( I had his saw one day -- I'm not one of "those" people )



I've had this saw for 8 years now and it always starts within a couple pulls. Use good oil and always add gas stabilizer, I only use Star Tron myself.

Safety talk

Always wear gloves, boots, eye and ear protection and watch what you are doing. Pay attention to your surroundings and keep a lookout for "widowmakers"

[john hall]

I vote Stihl. Unless you like really loud and heavy, then try one of these. The big blue one (Titan) runs a pint of 50W oil to the gallon of gas. Until it gets warmed up things are a tad bit smoky.