Chainsaws

[dledinger]

Echos are decent, and IMO typically on par with comparatively priced Stihl Honeowner and farm models. I run only Stihl pro saws, every model from the 261 up to the 880.

A 362 would last most homeowners or firewood cutters a few lifetimes, if you ask me.

 

[DaveInPhilly]

I have a Husqvarna my neighbor has a Stihl, we each heat our homes with wood stoves (he bought his because he liked mine so much) and we often go out and cut wood together.

My Husky cuts better than the Stihl, but the Stihl works each time every time. The Husky has given me grief from time to time. I like my saw, but if I had to do it again, I'd look harder at the Stihls. Either way you can't go wrong with either of them. I have never played with an Echo but I hear good things about the Timberwolfs.

 

[Jazz1]

I had to let my 046 Stihl go for a lighter saw. Picked up this 026 that's like new. The 009 I've had since new, never any issues.

 

[ffemtdisp]

A question or 2 if I may: I have a 70s Dayton 2Z461 (read Poulan 361). The instructions from the manual for fuel mix is 1/2 pint SAE30 oil into a gallon of "regular" gasoline.

It didn't run well for a long time, until a friend straightened it out for me recently. Will one of the new pre-made 2 cycles mixes work in it? Which ratio?

Thank you

 

[bpjr]

A question or 2 if I may: I have a 70s Dayton 2Z461 (read Poulan 361). The instructions from the manual for fuel mix is 1/2 pint SAE30 oil into a gallon of "regular" gasoline.

It didn't run well for a long time, until a friend straightened it out for me recently. Will one of the new pre-made 2 cycles mixes work in it? Which ratio?

Thank you

Yes, use modern 2 stroke oil at the speced 16:1 in non ethanol gas. I've been running a 70s (2.3 cman made by poulan) saw that way since new. It still runs fine and no issues...has been a backup saw for almost 10 yrs so only gets fired up 1-2 times a yr to keep it alive. I also run synthetic oil in this one.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Just picked up this stack of chainsaws for $12 total.
View media item 95809
Jonsered 510SP
Poulan 306A
Echo 315
Echo 351 VL
Unknown Echo

I dont know much about these, but from a quick search online, it sounds like the old poulan and jonsered may be pretty good saws. No idea about the echos.

 

[Jazz1]

Just picked up this stack of chainsaws for $12 total.
View media item 95809
Jonsered 510SP
Poulan 306A
Echo 315
Echo 351 VL
Unknown Echo

I dont know much about these, but from a quick search online, it sounds like the old poulan and jonsered may be pretty good saws. No idea about the echos.

If you can get them running that's a bargain. I'd keep the Jonsered if it runs. Although I used to cut with very vintage saws without chain brakes I won't own a saw without a chain brake or Karma will bite me!

 

[tonyciambrone]

I carry extra bars, 16", in my chainsaw tool box for this very reason. I've had to take the bar off the saw when it got pinched and I couldn't get it out.

I use an axe and a wedge, or an axe and another axe. Wouldn't cut anything without an axe....

 

[freudianfloyd]

If you can get them running that's a bargain. I'd keep the Jonsered if it runs. Although I used to cut with very vintage saws without chain brakes I won't own a saw without a chain brake or Karma will bite me!

With some carb cleaning and new plugs I was able to get the Jonsered and Poulan saws to start. I haven't messed with the Echos yet.

I dont know why I wanted the Jonsered but I am happy with my $12 purchase even if I cant get the other three running.

 

[dledinger]

MS362 and don't look back.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Air cooled chain saws run hotter than water cooled outboards, so take a different 2-cycle oil. Older chainsaws and Poulans take a thicker 32 to 1 or ,40 to 1. I think it's worthwhile buying oil prepackaged by the chainsaw companies.

 

[930dreamer]

I have a pile of vintage Homelites if anyone is interested. Moving to another shop.

 

[Jazz1]

I carry extra bars, 16", in my chainsaw tool box for this very reason. I've had to take the bar off the saw when it got pinched and I couldn't get it out.

You would not want to be running this saw if you prone to getting bar stuck. This beast is direct drive.

 

[John T]

Cut some Ash slabs today.
385XP

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[Outwest]

Those are a good saw

 

[Copymutt]

I cut my teeth on a Shark toothed Strunk and two man Mall in the 60’s.
Dad was a tree surgeon, this was B4 Arborists. Attended school half days in senior year to cut firewood to sell during the winter.
Present saw, now 5 yrs old is a 346xp Husky. Forrester- professional model. It does everything i ask including multiple cords every season.

As far as Im concerned the biggest advancement has been Opti-2 synthetic oil.
As i have over a dozen 2 stroke toys and tools it solves the mix ratio issue and contains stabilizers to boot. I used to have partial cans of gas ranging from 16-1 up to 60-1. Now one can and it stays fresh. Beats the designer premixed cocktail price.

 

[seber]

Just for your information that Shindaiwa and Echo have merged in the past couple of years. I have the 352 Professional and it is a rock solid saw.

Not quite. They are owned by the same holding company but sill operated as separate companies despite confusing advertising. In any case they both make high quality products especially for their price points.

 

[Empty Pockets]

In addition to my 80 volt Kobalt saw, I recently bought a 40 Volt Harbor Freight pole saw. works good for limbing before taking down main tree.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

Lived in logging country for years. Most of the loggers used Stihl, Jonsered, or Husqvarna. I have a a 235 Husqvarva with a 16" bar that I bought at TSC that I used for cutting up fire wood. Wasn't really big enough for felling but big enough to cut up limbs and smaller blowdowns etc.

 

[John T]

Messing around with this beam cutting gadget...

Not sure why
Maybe I’ll make a cross to hang on.

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[velocipede]

That beam cutting gadget seems to work pretty good. The results look decent ...straight and square enough for small timber framed structures. Seems you are cutting at an angle to the grain, which should make an easier cut. Does the saw make mostly dust, or curlies?

 

[John T]

That beam cutting gadget seems to work pretty good. The results look decent ...straight and square enough for small timber framed structures. Seems you are cutting at an angle to the grain, which should make an easier cut. Does the saw make mostly dust, or curlies?

I really wasn’t paying attention how or what orientation I was cutting....
This is the first time using it.

Yeah it seems to be pretty square.
When I first started off,
the main bolt was loose so it was getting a little wonky.

But once I tightened things up it seem to cut pretty straight.

Cutting the beam it threw Curleys or chips.

Cutting slabs was finer chips almost dust.

But that’s a lot harder go.

Not something I would want to do all the time.

Also
With A 24” bar you need to pay attention... in order to keep the chain out of the dirt. LoL...


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[Jazz1]

Cut some Ash slabs today.
385XP


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That looks excellent. I saw one of those guides for sale but had no idea how well they worked

Is there a special chain used for cutting slabs?

 

[bob15]

That looks excellent. I saw one of those guides for sale but had no idea how well they worked

Is there a special chain used for cutting slabs?

Yes, it is call ripping chain

https://www.oregonproducts.com/en/professional-products/forestry/saw-chain-families/ripcut/c/ripcut-sc-p

 

[John T]

Is there a special chain used for cutting slabs?

I use a skip tooth chain... file about 10°






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