advice for Chainsaw

[Johnny A]

Looking for advice on buying a used chainsaw.

I have a 335xpt Husqvarna & a Stihl 290 Farm Boss

I'm looking for a used saw that I can loan out to friends. They have nearly destroyed my 335xpt by cutting roots that were in the dirt.

I was looking at older Stihl & Husqvarna on line & can't figure out what was a good used durable saw. Looking to spend around $200 on craigslist for a saw.

I can't continue to let my regular saws be used & abused. And I can't say no to realatives when they ask for a saw.

I figured I would hand them a saw that I will not depend on coming back as nice as it left.



________________________________________
Looking for 18bar capable saw if Husqvarna,
I want one that was made in Sweden...

And if a STIHL, I was looking for a old proffesional use model. (Not Homeowner series).


Got to be either Husqvarna or Stihl... Had a craftsman once that left me stranded during a awful storm.
_________________________________________


I was online for a hr last night & figured I would ask all of you. If anyone can guide me it you all.

Thanks

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

If it's just to loan out how much difference does it make? I would recommend getting one with a chain brake (lots of the older used saws didn't have that feature). You might also want to try and get a saw that uses bars and chains similar to the one you have.

My BIL freaked out when he saw me cutting a tree stump off below ground level. I just throw an old bar and chain (sharpened) on the saw and try not to hit too many rocks or too much dirt. Maybe all you need to do is put the old bar on when you loan it out.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

Any Husquvarna made in Sweden is tough as nails. They should have a small aluminum plate riveted to the case stating "made in Sweden". Otherwise, I would get a Stihl. With Stihl, if you can find one made in Germany it will be a better saw too. The smaller, newer Husquvarna saws have the same piston assemblies that fit a Poulan.

 

[NUTTSGT]

You can say no to relatives.

Why should you pony up for a saw just so they can ruin it ? If they need a saw, tell them to either buy one or rent one.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Maybe this needs to be in the WTF thread? Who loans out chainsaws to morons? Then again, who loans out chainsaws?

 

[va.grouseman]

Lending your chainsaw out is like lending your wife out.---They never come back the same.---I like my saw and my wife operating at maximum capacity at the very moment I grab a holt to them.---I don't want to have to fix someone else's damage to them before I get to use them.

I went through that once with my cousin who blew my chainsaw up, right at fall cutting time, and it was the only saw I had, and he flipped me a $5.00 bill for my troubles.---He wasn't getting anywhere close to my wife.

I got to thinking, If I have to procure a chainsaw for me and for the whole community, how did they get exempt.---All my local relatives were coming and borrowing my chainsaw which means they didn't have to buy one and knew mine would be good and sharp.---So I repeat, how did they get exempt?---The answer, because I started it.---It was my fault for ever letting it get started, and it was up to me to stop it.---It gets pretty nasty when you cut them off cold turkey, right at first, but they soon learn to adjust.---Also learned they have far more respect for a person that can say NO than for an enabler.---And now they all have chain saws, imagine that.

 

[billspit]

Around here you cannot find a used Stihl for $200. I would look at the Husqvarna and Echo saws. But I would not loan out a chainsaw to someone who will not use it sensibly.

I bought the smallest Stihl chainsaw last spring to limb up some trees. I wanted a light weight saw because I was going to be working from a bucket lift. After I got home with it, I regretted buying. Then I got around to using it and that little saw has more than paid for itself. I've cut down and bucked several trees including a large sweet gum and the chain is still sharp.

 

[Jon_E]

Do not loan out your chain saws. You CAN, and should, say no. Tell the next person that asks, that the last time you loaned one out it came back trashed, and you're not doing it again. End of story. Several places, including Home Depot, rent saws, and the borrowers can pay the price.

 

[mopar440_6]

I don't EVER loan a chainsaw, experienced user or not. It's too much liability. If I bury my saw in my own leg, that's my own problem. If someone else cuts their arm off with my saw, that's a far bigger problem.

That said, I've got a Stihl 290 that has been a very reliable and durable saw. I wouldn't have anything other than a Stihl.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

LOL..... go to Lowes and buy a new cheap Poland with the warranty, probably about $100-$150...if they like it sell it to them....if they don't like it let them go buy what they like.

 

[Angelfire]

Agree with many of the posters that say don't loan your saw out.

That being said, if you're hell bent on buying a saw, then buy what YOU want, then give the messed up one to the friends and tell them they can't borrow the new one.

 

[Forest Road]

Just say NO!!! Sounds like your friends and family don't have a clue how to properly use a saw. Suppose they severely injure themselves or a bystander. Then what?


If you're still going to buy a saw as a loaner get a cheapy from lowes. AND BUY A PAIR OF CHAPS and a helmet w mask and ear muffs to go w the saw.

If they don't like the safety equipment it should be a definitive NO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[finn]

Buy a cheap, off -brand saw, preferably one that is hard to start.

That will keep them from asking next time.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Or make sure the teeth are ground down smooth so it won't cut. . If they complain say they were the last one to use it

 

[Davefr]

My advice is to give them this "chainsaw" as a Xmas present:

Now send them the the HD rental center and have them get a Makita DCS6401 for their ocassional use and let the rental center maintain it.

...and if it's more then 1-2 times then they should buy their own.

 

[jeff_gates]

Don't loan it out.

 

[dfiler2]

I think the loaner saw is a pretty good idea. I also have a few people that I loan my chainsaw out to. I do that because they have skills or equipment that I borrow on occasion. Sometimes they are people with a strong back and few other skills but they do come in handy. I like this idea of the loaner saw because it is one tool that others don't seem to know how to take care of.

I would (will) look for a smaller Stihl, Husky or Jonsered. They are all pretty tough saws and enough of them around to probably find a pretty good deal on one.

 

[101mph]

I'd never loan out a saw. If your friends need a saw that bad they can find a used one just as easily as you can.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Looking for advice on buying a used chainsaw.

I have a 335xpt Husqvarna & a Stihl 290 Farm Boss

I'm looking for a used saw that I can loan out to friends. They have nearly destroyed my 335xpt by cutting roots that were in the dirt.

I was looking at older Stihl & Husqvarna on line & can't figure out what was a good used durable saw. Looking to spend around $200 on craigslist for a saw.

I can't continue to let my regular saws be used & abused. And I can't say no to realatives when they ask for a saw.

I figured I would hand them a saw that I will not depend on coming back as nice as it left.



________________________________________
Looking for 18bar capable saw if Husqvarna,
I want one that was made in Sweden...

And if a STIHL, I was looking for a old proffesional use model. (Not Homeowner series).


Got to be either Husqvarna or Stihl... Had a craftsman once that left me stranded during a awful storm.
_________________________________________


I was online for a hr last night & figured I would ask all of you. If anyone can guide me it you all.

Thanks

Anyone that borrows any tool from you and returns them nearly destroyed:

1) Should not borrow your tools
2) Should not use tools
3) Should probably pay someone to do the job for them.

My .02

 

[stikman56]

LOL..... go to Lowes and buy a new cheap Poland with the warranty, probably about $100-$150...if they like it sell it to them....if they don't like it let them go buy what they like.

This. ^^^^^ They'll never ask to borrow one again after they get done trying to do ANYTHING with this huge P.O.S.!

 

[buddyboy]

just look under the 'free' section in craigslist for a free non working saw.

when they ask, give them that one and tell them they can keep it but it will need a little work to get running

when they say, "i would rather borrow a working saw" just give them the old stink eye.

 

[dirttracker18]

If they ask to borrow your chain saw, hand them an axe and an old hand saw.

Have fun.

No one borrows my Stihl. If someone needs my help I MAY come and use my saw to help them out.

No loaners, not a chance.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I grab dead, broken, dull tools of all kinds off the junk pile at the transfer station or grab junk from the free box at yard sales, etc.Those are my loaners for friends and family. After a couple experiences with my 'tools' the asshats never ask again. Most never return. I think they're only friendly with me because of my shop. I did have one that just marched up to my big box and decided to choose for himself. I forget what I threw at him, but it broke skin and that was that.
Yes, I have an uncomfortable edge. I enjoy most people at arms length. Further if I can get it.

 

[Johnny A]

Guys, you are the best!
I should not be the go to guy for the saw & other tools... It's time I piss them off & say NO MORE..... I just got to be honest & say that the saws have been damaged upon return & I can't do it....

We won't talk about the Gilson Cement Mixer that I loaned to a friend...Once he was done he loaned it to a neighbor..WTF......

Time to put my foot down & stop feeling bad about saying no....



Thanks guys.....

 

[Johnny A]

This is the one I found... http://worcester.craigslist.org/grd/5232888740.html


Glad I didn't do it....

 

[NUTTSGT]

Guys, you are the best!
I should not be the go to guy for the saw & other tools... It's time I piss them off & say NO MORE..... I just got to be honest & say that the saws have been damaged upon return & I can't do it....

We won't talk about the Gilson Cement Mixer that I loaned to a friend...Once he was done he loaned it to a neighbor..WTF......

Time to put my foot down & stop feeling bad about saying no....



Thanks guys.....

That's what we are here for. Ask a question, 95% of the time you'll get honesty from this group.

Next time you stop at HD, get a price sheet or two from their rental center. When somebody asks about borrowing a tool just say sure, HD charges this much and hand them a flyer.

 

[rburke65]

I do not loan chains saws.They can go rent one....or buy one. Really? Are you serious?

 

[Gary in NY]

I have two saws. Both Stihl. I have never, and will never loan them out. I have cut trees for people... they are not allowed to touch my saws!!!

 

[stihlntime]

Find a little 025 or 250 Stihl. Made in the USA. Although not a pro saw its very durable and cheap to work on if it ever needs it. Before buying a used saw pull the sparkplug and inspect the cylinder walls for scoring. Pass if there is any scoring. If you have a compression gouge test the compression after five or six pulls. Anywhere between 130 and 160 is normal. Above 160 exceptional. It takes 100 psi to run reliably.

 

[va.grouseman]

Originally posted by Johnny A.

We won't talk about the Gilson Cement Mixer that I loaned to a friend...Once he was done he loaned it to a neighbor..WTF......
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yea my uncle did me on my cement mixer to.---It's just a 3 bag mix, mixer with a real heavy cast iron bottom that is actually the cog on the drum.---But it worked like a charm.---My uncle needed it to do some apron work around his bridge.---I said ok just as long as he keep the teeth on the drum well greased.---He said oh yea, no prob.---We rolled it up planks into his pickup and man was it heavy.---I told him to let me know when he's bringing it back so I can be here to help him unload it.---He said ok.

I come home from work two weeks later, and there's my mixer, upside-down in the circle drive, with cog and drum teeth shining like new money and just about worn down to flat.---Guess he stopped using it when the cog started spinning on the drum.---Not a speck of grease anywhere.---And mashed the drum sides flat.

He called me up to tell me that he had brought it back and asked if I had seen that it was returned.---I said yes but I thought you were going to wait till I could help you.---He said well you weren't there and besides it was no problem, I just raised up one end and pitched it off the back.

I used to think that I had an obligation to share things and would be a very cold person if I didn't.---My neighbors and especially my relatives have made it very easy to say, not just no,-- but absolutely no.---And now I know that when you enable people, you feed an addiction of laziness and sorryness that only escalates to the point that they expect you to cater to them.---You think that they will think more of you for helping them out by lending your stuff.---You're a doormat.---Eventually you'll hit that breaking point.

 

[rburke65]

Oooh.....well said va.grouseman! Very nice.