what chainsaw

[foxnet22]

the farmer where i shoot as asked if id like to cut up some falling branches for firewood logs thing is do i use a hand saw or chainsaw.ive never used a chainsaw but my friend says he will show me how to use one the correct way as he works for the parks department and uses them regular and lend me protective boots etc.the farmer says i can cut logs whenever i like so was thinking what size ie in cc chainsaw would be recommended for this pupose?thanks

Edited November 14, 2012 by foxnet22

[Zapp]

You wont need a big saw for branches, a 12 to 14 inch bar will do, and about 30 - 36cc.

 

That aside, without meaning to be patronising, get your mate to instruct on the first couple of loads - chainsaws and petrol are the two most dangerous things you can get your hands on without a licence.

[foxnet22]

thanks zapp he will be instructing me on the first few outings pal,for the fee of some rabbit stew a good deal in my opinion.

[redtailhawk1]

Sthil or husqvarna about a 15" cut.

[FalconFN]

I have a Sthil MS170, it's got a 12" bar but you can get a 14" for it. It's a great little saw.

[Catweazle]

You won't go wrong with a Husqvarna 346xp. I asked the experts on Arbtalk forum before I bought mine, it was strongly recommended, they were right.

[FlagUp]

Avoid cheap Chinese saws from ebay. Ask me how I know!

 

Husky and sthil are expensive but, from what I can gather they are worth it.

[12borejimbo]

I have a husqvarna 236 which is a lovely little saw, also have a Stihl ms170 which is also very good! spend some dollar and keep a good reliable saw, mine never been serviced and starts on 2/3rd pull from cold not being used for a few months and will work all day!

Edited November 15, 2012 by 12borejimbo

[Beretta28g]

Stihl everytime, id recomend getting one that will handle a 14-18/20'' bar and running it with a 14'' i find they cut easier

[andypaint]

I've got a stihl 180 with a 14" bar which is great and gutsy ideal for branches. Also got a stihl 391 20" bar for medium stuff and harder wood like oak or hornbeam. And also a stihl 880 for oak or beech with a 46" bar, gets heavy after a while. But they all have a use. Try and go for a good make like stihl. Mainly they are better built, but also parts are available and easy to get. If your a chainsaw novice and just clearing branches you'd be best getting something like the stihl 181 with 14 or 16" bar. It will do most stuff and easy to use. Don't forget the safety gear, and buy a spare chain.

[Kes]

I have a Stihl but almost went for a Husqvasarna when I replaced it this time but stuck with Stihl both are very good. I bought mine at Charlie's - by far the cheapest and recommendable.

Its best to go for something that wont struggle with the size of wood you are cutting and as others have said, go for the best you can afford and buy a chain file - use it after about 15 hrs of cutting and replace the chain regularly (about £30) make sure you mix the 2 stroke properly or a 'dry' piston will fail quite quickly. The last piece of advice would be to go for the SMALLEST bar suitable for the saw you buy - it avoids straining the engine and will extend its life.

There's nothing like a log fire from your own efforts, except maybe a game stew in front of it.

[al4x]

as a first time user as said you want something with a 14" bar or similar and light, simple facts are never take either hand off the saw in use and you won't go far wrong assuming you are half sensible and don't put your legs in the way. Light saws are safest as accidents happen when you start to feel tired after that maintenance is the key, never let the saw blade touch the ground as soil blunts them straight away. As soon as it starts to feel like its not cutting well give it a quick sharpen and keep the edge on it. After that you learn most things in use when you trap the blade when a branch is under compression etc that is a learning curve

[itchy trigger]

did a lot of research on the web, theres a lot of stihl v husqvarna on there, anyway ended up I have just purchased a husqvarna 435 with a 15" bar, its a great little saw, paid 260.00 localy at a main dealer, asked for a price match and got it, comes with a 2 year warranty, don't get a stihl ms261 major prob's with them, I am running the husky on aspen2, a bit dearer but after my last saw died of overheating after a bad/or 6 week old mix, running on aspen2 takes away any risks, after reading the manual turns out its recommended by husqvara anyway

always wear the ppe even if its only for a few minutes, accidents happen.

Edited November 15, 2012 by supersport

[Peskyfoxs]

I have a stihl ms250 with 18" bar but it takes a 16" too, had it about 4 years and it is great for small/ medium tasks and being fairly light you don't get tired doing a big load for the woodpile.

[utectok]

Sthill ms 270 sh of eBay does me after recommendation on here and from foresters

Edited November 15, 2012 by utectok

[al4x]

with regard to ebay sales unless you can go and hear it run try not to buy second hand, you just never know if a saw has been run with a weak 2 stroke mix and has underlying issues. They will often start but lack power as the pistons are scored hence people then try and punt them on

[itchy trigger]

with regard to ebay sales unless you can go and hear it run try not to buy second hand, you just never know if a saw has been run with a weak 2 stroke mix and has underlying issues. They will often start but lack power as the pistons are scored hence people then try and punt them on

al4x is correct,

that the problem with my old saw, looks in great nick, starts well, cuts well on small stuff, but has low compression and lumpy idle, stalls on bigger logs, could punt it on but won't, looks a good clean saw, still got the box and the manuals still in the plastic, it would look a great buy

[mick miller]

Stihl MS181 are good, get some safety gear of your own, hat, boots, strides minimum. Mine was bought secondhand off the bay, seems to work fine though for what I point it at.

[littlerob]

i am a arborist/tree surgeon stihl husqvarner make top quality saw but do remember even tho these are top makers there cheaper saws are DIY/entry level saws will be much better than any other stuff on the market other saws worth looking into are echo as a none pro user 5 years warranty i run 2 echo saws daily for the last 6 years and havent had any parts needed or any down time Hitachi/tanaka also offers a high warranty the pro model makita are ok efco/oleomac same two makers are relatively cheap and are good i had a hedge cutter and that lasted 7 years

[smig4373]

You won't go wrong with a Husqvarna 346xp. I asked the experts on Arbtalk forum before I bought mine, it was strongly recommended, they were right.

 

Fact...346xp is what we use exclusively at work.great saws..

Edited November 15, 2012 by smig4373

[njc110381]

Tanaka are good. I've got one of their hedge cutters and it gets used hard regularly. It's never given me any issues in several years. Stihl or Husqvarna are the best machines - I run Stihls but in the domestic range Husky used to have the edge in quality.

 

Personally I'd go for something in the 40-50cc range. They have a bit more power but don't weigh too much. Smaller saws are ok but when you start cutting stuff that's up near the size of the bar they will struggle.

 

I like a 14/15" bar on a general purpose saw. Anything smaller restricts you and anything larger means you've got more to keep an eye on when you're working.

[crosshair]

i am a arborist/tree surgeon stihl husqvarner make top quality saw but do remember even tho these are top makers there cheaper saws are DIY/entry level saws will be much better than any other stuff on the market other saws worth looking into are echo as a none pro user 5 years warranty i run 2 echo saws daily for the last 6 years and havent had any parts needed or any down time Hitachi/tanaka also offers a high warranty the pro model makita are ok efco/oleomac same two makers are relatively cheap and are good i had a hedge cutter and that lasted 7 years

 

I use Huskies and Sthil, but for a good economical saw the Echo takes some beating, as above, 5 year warranty.

For smaller branch work I use the one handed model, it is recommended to keep both hands on it though, but with experience

you can use it one handed, it's also light and easy to use.

[ROBLATCH]

You wont need a big saw for branches, a 12 to 14 inch bar will do, and about 30 - 36cc.

 

That aside, without meaning to be patronising, get your mate to instruct on the first couple of loads - chainsaws and petrol are the two most dangerous things you can get your hands on without a licence.

 

got to agree!!!!!! hasnt he got a saw along with safety equipment??

[zx10mike]

i am a arborist/tree surgeon stihl husqvarner make top quality saw but do remember even tho these are top makers there cheaper saws are DIY/entry level saws will be much better than any other stuff on the market other saws worth looking into are echo as a none pro user 5 years warranty i run 2 echo saws daily for the last 6 years and havent had any parts needed or any down time Hitachi/tanaka also offers a high warranty the pro model makita are ok efco/oleomac same two makers are relatively cheap and are good i had a hedge cutter and that lasted 7 years

efco ,efco realy.

ms 170 cheap but will do the job .husky are great but you will get what you pay for.stay away from b&q

[Thelongwayup]

Husky. Got a 455 myself and it's great for everything I need.