Chainsaw

[theoldwizard1]

Overkill is underrated.

My opinion is, buy a Stihl gas saw one size bigger than what you think you need, and enjoy decades of service.

That is still massive overkill for the millions of people who live on a 1/4 acre (or small lot) and need a chain saw to trim trees or limb a large fallen tree !


If that Milwaukee 6215 was still available, I would SERIOUSLY consider buying it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

An electric saw would maybe be perfect for the op depending on what he trying to do and how often.

My Dad heated his house in Northern MI with wood are he retired. He would buy a full 40' trailer load from one of the local pulp cutters. Green, mixed hardwood. He let it cure for a year. He used a couple of gas saws until a neighbor convinced him to go electric. He said it was the best decision he ever made. Nor gas/oil mixing. No yanking the cord. Pull the trigger and cut. Quieter and with less vibration, he was less tired at the end of a cutting session.

 

[stikman56]

Interesting, MX842 says he had to have several McCulloch's so one would start. The best thing with the two I have had is that they always start and run well and cut like crazy, and the old Mac 10 lasted what seemed like forever. I found out after I bought the new CS380 that Husqvarna makes it.

 

[kctyphoon]

im willing to bet half the people posting about how their cheap saw that died in 5 years and was absolutely horrible, so they went out and bought a brand new Stihl or Husky and "WOW" what a difference - dont even know how to sharpen a chain. Most people just buy new chains not realizing how easy it is to sharpen, (which is perfectly fine if your the guy that just needs to cut up a few branches after a storm) and further still dont realize that one reason why the the gas Stihl or Husky cut faster is becuase it has a different TYPE of chain on it to begin with.

even more laughable is that most guys have never even tried to use one of the "good" corded electric models, which would impress probably 90% of the people out there - and contrary to what many people think - chains dull very easily, and very fast if you even touch the wrong thing with it for a fraction of a second while its running - no matter what type of saw it is.. actually - a full chilsel chain (gas stihl or husky) will dull faster than a semi chisel chain (electric husky, stihl, makita) because its a more agressive chain to begin with - so theres a trade off too of performance vs longevity.
i dont know what else i can say other than Verizon uses electric saws exclusively when working in the air.. they have been cutting up telephone poles with them for decades, and they run no matter how cold it is and never run out of fuel. saws break (gas or electric) mostly becuase people do stupid things with them. i have an electric Milwaukee, Makita, and Husquvarna right now. Ive had an electric Homelite and Reminton also, and there is most certainly a difference ($50 vs $200). i have a gas Stihl MS290 Farm Boss, and some other guys have 20" gas Huskys. biggest probelm with the gas is people not knowing how to start them. biggest problem with electric is people thinking they are made out of steel..

still - i stand by my original thought of a $50 electric saw being good enough for most homeowners. if it could last 2-3 of constant utility work, it will surely be enough to clean up your yard. matter of fact, of the 2 we had - one was run over, and the other was under 7' of water in the sandy flood, so they never even died from failure.
as far as gas goes, craftsman is definately enough to cut down anything you need unless you expect to become a professional logger.. and even still - there are many other brands of gas saws not being mentioned that deserve respect like Makita and Echo that are within the realm of realism for a homeowner.

 

[stikman56]

Yeah, if you just live on a lot and can reach with a cord, an electric is the easy way to go for the average homeowner. I had one when I lived on a small lot, it was fine.
When we bought a house on land, then more bare land as well, the tools kept getting bigger and bigger and for more types for different work, until they almost won't fit in the shed. Different types of gas, 87 octane for everything except the bike needs 95 to keep it from pinging, so a little race gas mixed in as they tell you in the manuals, and mix oil for some too, and not for others. It's gotten to the point it's kind of a hassle at this point, just keeping it all straight.

 

[CJM8515]

Im not sure how large the lots are for msot, but around here 3/4-2 acres or more is common. Unless you have 250ftof extension cord an electric wont work. Id sooner use a bow saw and an axe.

 

[justme-]

Most people just buy new chains not realizing how easy it is to sharpen, (which is perfectly fine if your the guy that just needs to cut up a few branches after a storm) and further still dont realize that one reason why the the gas Stihl or Husky cut faster is becuase it has a different TYPE of chain on it to begin with.

even more laughable is that most guys have never even tried to use one of the "good" corded electric models, which would impress probably 90% of the people out there - and contrary to what many people think - chains dull very easily, and very fast if you even touch the wrong thing with it for a fraction of a second while its running - no matter what type of saw it is.. actually - a full chilsel chain (gas stihl or husky) will dull faster than a semi chisel chain (electric husky, stihl, makita) because its a more agressive chain to begin with - so theres a trade off too of performance vs longevity.
i dont know what else i can say other than Verizon uses electric saws exclusively when working in the air.. they have been cutting up telephone poles with them for decades, and they run no matter how cold it is and never run out of fuel.

You're correct on chain types but not 100%. Semi chisel do hold sharp a bit longer then full chisel and sharpen easier with a file, but generalisation about which saws have them is off. Electric and micro saws have micro chain - lower profile to cut weight and resistance allowing a smaller power source (in some cases an underpowered saw) to function acceptably. Almost every saw sold in the past decade will be semi chisel off the shelf unless it's a high end or medium level or higher pro saw. Guys swapping a Homelite for an 026 or MS250 are staying with semi chisel.
A lot of utility companies use hydraulic chainsaws in the bucket trucks...totally useless without a source of hydraulic power just as an electric is useless without electricity. Fortunately for Verizon they have substantial generators on every truck. And they're not using Makita, or Remington electrics for that matter.

Very good point typhoon - saw chain dulls incredibly fast when touching the ground or dirt in the bark. Every saw user should have and be shown how to use a file/file guide to dress the chain. It takes almost no time and makes the whole cutting process much easier. Also important to note to those who may pass...a dull chain decreases resistance on the engine which can lead to over revving and lean seizures...in english, wiping out your piston and cylinder.

 

[mx842]

Interesting, MX842 says he had to have several McCulloch's so one would start. The best thing with the two I have had is that they always start and run well and cut like crazy, and the old Mac 10 lasted what seemed like forever. I found out after I bought the new CS380 that Husqvarna makes it.

Sorry didn't mean to fluff your feathers. Back when I first started to mess with saws McCullock was the brand to buy. It was either Poulan or McCullocks that were in the back of all the loggers trucks. I often wondered why loggers always had 15 or 20 saws in the back of their trucks when there were only 3 or 4 guys using them. I mean I could understand having a spare in case one got run over by a skidder or something but it seemed to me that was real over kill in action.

One day I was at the mill and one of the logging guys came in to pick up a check for some logs he had brought in and I couldn't help but notice all the saws he had in the back of his truck and I couldn't help but ask. Hey, man..............that's a lot of saws you have there, why so many? He looked at me with the one good eye he had left; the other one got knocked out by a saw chain that broke and hit him right in the eye. Anyway he stared me down with that one big ol eye and said, Sonny boy, trying to make a living in the bush is really hard, almost impossible at times. Especially if you are not making saw dust. To do that you have to have a working saw and a good man to run it. I got me 4 good men and they ain't making me money pulling on a saw starter rope. I have to have that many in my truck to keep my men busy. That old guy had Mac's, Homelite, Poulands and a couple others that I didn't even know what they were. He said....you think that's something, you ought to see what I have at the shop.

I'm glad you have good luck with your Macs but those old mac saws I had were sorry pieces of equipment. Don't forget we are talking about saws that were made over 40 years ago and no the more modern saws that are available today.

 

[cheechi]

I'm guessing that was long ago. I have never heard of someone relying on a poulan or mac for pro logging. I mean I'm sure someone out there has one but my whole life it's been Stihl/Husq/Echo.

I worked with some guys who used to work in the woods in upstate PA. One owned 2 Stihl with different bar lengths and chains, other owned a Stihl & Husq setup about the same. That was typical, you have a saw and a backup. Some guys had 3. That was the max unless the logging company had something extra like the 2 mans or for exotic/specialty woods.

Not sure I would work for someone who thought they needed 4 saws per man, seems like he didn't want to pay for a good saw to begin with.

 

[mx842]

I'm guessing that was long ago. I have never heard of someone relying on a poulan or mac for pro logging. I mean I'm sure someone out there has one but my whole life it's been Stihl/Husq/Echo.

I worked with some guys who used to work in the woods in upstate PA. One owned 2 Stihl with different bar lengths and chains, other owned a Stihl & Husq setup about the same. That was typical, you have a saw and a backup. Some guys had 3. That was the max unless the logging company had something extra like the 2 mans or for exotic/specialty woods.

Not sure I would work for someone who thought they needed 4 saws per man, seems like he didn't want to pay for a good saw to begin with.

Yes that was long ago in the 60's. I'm not sure sthil or huskies were even around then. I don't remember seeing Stihl saws until sometime in the mid 70's and huskies much later than that. The Echos were around but not many guys used them.

Now days most loggers around here anyway hardly use chain saws any more. You might see one or two laying around where they are loading trucks to trim up stick outs from the sides of trucks. But when you do see them they are usually Stihl and when they are not the owners usually wish they were.

 

[Cope]

Yeah, if you just live on a lot and can reach with a cord, an electric is the easy way to go for the average homeowner. I had one when I lived on a small lot, it was fine.
When we bought a house on land, then more bare land as well, the tools kept getting bigger and bigger and for more types for different work, until they almost won't fit in the shed. Different types of gas, 87 octane for everything except the bike needs 95 to keep it from pinging, so a little race gas mixed in as they tell you in the manuals, and mix oil for some too, and not for others. It's gotten to the point it's kind of a hassle at this point, just keeping it all straight.

Electric saws are great when you have fuel for them. When a hurricane or other storm comes through leaving trees and power lines down, the gas powered saw will still work.

I saw a blurb on the Stihl site recommending mid range gasoline if the gas was 10% Ethanol.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just so that no one is confused ...

The new/current McCulloch company has no connection what so ever with old/original McCulloch Motors Corporation. The went Chapter 11 in January of 1999. Husqvarna bought the European portion then. The North American portion kicked around from Jenn Feng to MTD before being bought by Husqvarna in March of 2008.


There is very limited parts availability on the old saws.

 

[stikman56]

Electric saws are great when you have fuel for them. When a hurricane or other storm comes through leaving trees and power lines down, the gas powered saw will still work.

I saw a blurb on the Stihl site recommending mid range gasoline if the gas was 10% Ethanol.

After having issues I've never had before ethanol was being put in our gas, I no longer use it in anything but my daily drivers. They sell ethanol free gas in north county where we own land, so it's easy for me to get at this point as I'm out there all the time. I've had fuel lines eaten on the inside on my yard equipment and it collects moisture as well, so for cars that sit for long periods it's a no-go for me these days.

 

[Dust Devil]

Gasoline is the biggest enemy of any gasoline powered equipment these days.

 

[Cope]

After having issues I've never had before ethanol was being put in our gas, I no longer use it in anything but my daily drivers. They sell ethanol free gas in north county where we own land, so it's easy for me to get at this point as I'm out there all the time. I've had fuel lines eaten on the inside on my yard equipment and it collects moisture as well, so for cars that sit for long periods it's a no-go for me these days.

I live in Harris County where E-10 is mandated. Surrounding counties don't sell regular gas either. My 5 year old Honda mower moms the yard 3 times on a carb. clean out, and this is with Stabil and Ethanol treatment.

 

[kctyphoon]

A lot of utility companies use hydraulic chainsaws in the bucket trucks...totally useless without a source of hydraulic power just as an electric is useless without electricity. Fortunately for Verizon they have substantial generators on every truck. And they're not using Makita, or Remington electrics for that matter.

i work for Verizon - i have an electric Makita.. and an electric Milwaukee.. and an electric Husqvarna.. ive also been given an electric Homelite, and an electric Remington both of which would work fine for people that understood to not try and force the saw through the wood, but are definitely not the same as the others i mentioned. i also have a gas Stihl on my Digger Derrick, and 2 other guys have gas Husqvarna's.. there are many outlets in which we obtain tools like this, some approved, some "not so" approved..

 

[justme-]

The Verizon trucks around me either don't use electric (gas) or have industrial models of electric - no idea what brand, but definitely not a common tool brand.

 

[kctyphoon]

The Verizon trucks around me either don't use electric (gas) or have industrial models of electric - no idea what brand, but definitely not a common tool brand.

verizon prohibits the use of gas chainsaws while working in a bucket truck.. the saw thats in their tool catalog is the electric Milwaukee, but its not made anymore, although there are alot still floating around since they are pretty indestrucable. (also why its considered the best electric model ever made) the "normal" brand we get for new saws by me are the electric Husqvara's.. they are nice, but the brake handles are made entirely from plastic and prone to break at the base, and the head of the blade tensioning screw is in a bad place and winds up being wedged against whatever youre cutting.. after seeing many of them brake because guys are extrememly rough with tools here, i asked one of our vendors to try and get me an electric Makita instead, and he came though.. the Makita is actually considered the only "professional" electric model if you go some different webistes to try and look up replacement chains or bars.. the Husquvarna is considered to be in the "farm and ranch" category by some.
so far, the only bad thing i can say about the Makita is the thermal overload saftey gets annoying.. itll shut the saw off completely if it "feels" you are making the motor strain. thats actually the opposite of what wrong with the cheaper models. there is no protection at all, and you can keep trying to force a cut to a point where the motor starts to smoke, and its usually the wire going to the brushes that will burn up and cause failure. the Milwaukee has an adjustable clutch to help prevent the motor burning up, so motor can still spin if the blade gets stuck.

 

[kctyphoon]

bringing this thread back.. gotta watch Woodstockva's review on this one if any is still interested.. this guy needs to be picked up by Network Tv.. he does the best reviews, needs his own show..

EGO's 56v

woodstockva's review of the echo 58v

woodstockva's ryobi 40v brushless

some other guys video - Husqvarna battery powered saw

greenwork's 40v brushless chainsaw

 

[Alchymist]

A good review would have told how many times the battery was recharged to entirely cut and trim the 80 fot tree, other than that , an "ok" review.

As to the saw itself, just wondering if the fancy chain adjust system will suffer the same fate as that of the Poulan.

 

[kctyphoon]

A good review would have told how many times the battery was recharged to entirely cut and trim the 80 fot tree, other than that , an "ok" review.

As to the saw itself, just wondering if the fancy chain adjust system will suffer the same fate as that of the Poulan.

i swear there's no pleasing some people.. some of you guys go outta your way to find fault in everything if your not a part of it. according to half the people that posted on this thread - it wouldnt have even been possible to do that without a stihl.

 

[Alchymist]

i swear there's no pleasing some people.. some of you guys go outta your way to find fault in everything if your not a part of it. according to half the people that posted on this thread - it wouldnt have even been possible to do that without a stihl.

So, if I don't think the guy's review is the best thing since sliced bread, (note that I sad it was an "OK" review), and I speak with some experience about what I said about the chain tightening system, then I went out of my way to find fault?

 

[48fordnut]

Went thru this a few mos back. I bought a 110 volt saw used it till it dropped, then bought a Ryobi pole saw.
Worked well, then bought a homelite elect and it works well.
Starts every time.I have 150 ft of 12 gauge cord and love the new feature of tightening the chain. It works for me a 75 yr old .

 

[stikman56]

i swear there's no pleasing some people.. some of you guys go outta your way to find fault in everything if your not a part of it. according to half the people that posted on this thread - it wouldnt have even been possible to do that without a stihl.

Well put. Only a Stihl can cut a tree! Blah blah blah.... All I gotta say s this: My CS380 McCulloch cuts trees and eats them up. Cost me something like 138 bucks to my front porch. It's cleared a lot out on my land, dropped many large trees and cut them up, works great, cuts like crazy, runs strong. Do I need a Stihl or Husky to do this? Of course not. Will I spend more in the end? I dunno, how many could I buy for the price of a Stihl? My 999 dollar Troy Bilt rider is going strong after 8 years of mowing my very large yard. There again I could buy how many for the price of a Deere? You don't always need the biggest and best, some just simply want that or fool themselves into believing that they do, I think. Simply depends on the application, and it's not always the best value, nor is the cheapest product either. The only money I ever feel I wasted on a yard tool was on a Poulan chain saw for 99 dollars and any Craftsman product I ever bought, thankfully it wasn't many.

 

[MattN03]

I bought a Poulan Pro as my first chainsaw, and it was basically a POS...You'd be lucky to ever get the thing to start. I ended up buying a Stihl Farmboss 290, and have never looked back. It's a heck of a saw for a homeowner. I've had a couple large trees dropped (36" - 42" diameters at the base) and I cut them up with my Farmboss (along with the help of a neighbors skid steer to roll them so I could cut all the way through). The Farmboss 290 is probably overkill for what you're looking for, but run by your nearest Stihl store and see what saw they recommend. You won't be sorry.

 

[Dust Devil]

This thread reads like "The passion of the saw"