The Chainsaw Thread
- Thread starter Mr. Leary
- Start date
This is an interesting discussion. I'm sure when you need one you need one and the big badass chain saw will work better than a smaller, cheaper version. I think there needs to be consideration given to size and weight of a tool I hope to never need to use. I doubt I'll bring a chainsaw, large or small, with me in the end but time will tell. I'll have some hand tools, a winch, and hopefully the patience to take the long way around if it comes to that.
^^^^I'm with you Doug. I won't carry the chainsaw for most of the travelling I do in the southwest, not enough trees to justify bringing it. For my needs it would be an optional tool to bring depending on the terrain. Once I've completed my current project at the house, the saw will probably spend a lot of time sitting and taking up space in my shed.
Unfortunately Bob Poulans are that bad. They are the Harbor Frieght of chainsaws. We known each other over the Internet for a lot of years and you know I'm pretty frugal. But a decent household saw from Stihl or Husky is not really all that much more than a Poulan. They'll also have exponentially longer service life, have more useable cutting power and will just be a better investment. In addition a saw of lower quality and cutting capacity is by far a more dangerous one. The quicker and more efficiently you remove the wood from your cut the less chance of kickback, binding and stalling. Take it from a guy that has had a chainsaw in his hand since...well a long frickin time...your a far better off with a higher quality saw. Your saw will work but it will make you work more.
What's done is done. I had no idea that Poulan's reputation was that low. Live and learn I guess.
The bad part is my neighbor is a tree trimmer, he swears by Stihl's as well.
I am happy to report that my daughters boyfriend (Christopher Wright on the forum) finished clearing the drainage ditch this morning. Clearing that ditch of heavy brush was the goal with the saw.
The bad part is my neighbor is a tree trimmer, he swears by Stihl's as well.
I am happy to report that my daughters boyfriend (Christopher Wright on the forum) finished clearing the drainage ditch this morning. Clearing that ditch of heavy brush was the goal with the saw.
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100acre
Adventurist
This would be my preferred saw for long road trips due to its compact size and weight. It's definitely not a Stihl Homeowner's model but a professional Arborist's saw. Even though it's fairly small compared to the larger Farm/Ranch Saws, it stihl packs a punch....I also don't see myself doing all that much tree cutting in the hinterlands of American wildernesses...
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/in-tree-saws/ms201t/
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/in-tree-saws/ms201t/
Scott
Adventurist
Funny thing.. I was surfing harbor freight today and came across this.. Harbor freight sells Poulan lol...
http://m.harborfreight.com/42cc-18-in-gas-chain-saw-60729.html
Sorry but as much as I'd use a chainsaw I'd buy a Poulan for occasional use around the home and clearing the occasional tree off a trail id bet it'll work fine.
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Long ago, there were a lot of saws being used in the woods logging. Jonsered, Poulan, Homelite, Echo, Pioneer, Solo, etc. I've used several of these and back then they were all competitive.
Brands got bought out and became more "consumer" oriented, some just seem to have faded away, leaving Stihl and Husqvarna behind as the only true "industrial" saws IMHO.
Brands got bought out and became more "consumer" oriented, some just seem to have faded away, leaving Stihl and Husqvarna behind as the only true "industrial" saws IMHO.
Brushogger
Adventurist
I made the mistake years ago of buying a craftsman (made by Poulan). I referred to it as my 2 stroke heartache. I spent more time working on it than using it. I bought another Stihl, burned the Poulan, and ran over it with my dozer. That was the most satisfaction I ever got out of it.
^^^^Exactly!
I'll bet the one I bought doesn't get 20 hours of use before I die, as long as it lasts that long, I'm a happy camper!
Knowing what I know now from people that have experience with chain saws, I probably would have stepped up to the Stihl, the model that Dan (100acr...) posted.
I'll take my chances with it if I ever need it on a trail run, it'll beat using the little POS hatchet that I have. Thinking about using it on the trail, I might find some use for it on some of the overgrown trails at Los Coyotes Indian Reservation now that it's open again. There are a couple of trails that have become overgrown/unpassable over the years that it was closed. Better yet, I may use the same tactics that I used this time...I bring the saw, someone else does the labor!
I'll bet the one I bought doesn't get 20 hours of use before I die, as long as it lasts that long, I'm a happy camper!Knowing what I know now from people that have experience with chain saws, I probably would have stepped up to the Stihl, the model that Dan (100acr...) posted.
I'll take my chances with it if I ever need it on a trail run, it'll beat using the little POS hatchet that I have. Thinking about using it on the trail, I might find some use for it on some of the overgrown trails at Los Coyotes Indian Reservation now that it's open again. There are a couple of trails that have become overgrown/unpassable over the years that it was closed. Better yet, I may use the same tactics that I used this time...I bring the saw, someone else does the labor!
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From what experience are you making this bet @Scott? I'd guess none to very limited. Poulans are made of the most marginal of components, come equipped with poorly manufactured bars that wear quick and warp easily, consumer "safety anti-kickback" chains that don't cut well and are a bitch to sharpen. Sure you'll save a few bucks initially but not only will you spend all your frickin time fiddling with the damn thing but you will work harder and longer to accomplish the same job with an actual saw. Repairs and lost time will eat your supposed savings. Running a marginalized saw WILL get you hurt. And I will not let someone be flippant about poor quality especially when they do not have a knowledge base to make such proclamations.
For that matter most people should just stay away from chainsaws. I've seen enough pros get hurt or lose their lives over the years with these damn things, some damn good friends as a matter of fact. The thought of the average "civilian" running one makes my neck hairs stand up on end. If you do plan on getting a saw for damn sure find someone to show you how to use it properly and buy a quality saw for gods sake. Also DON'T fall any damn tree on your own. All sort of bad can happen.
Scott
Adventurist
You're right. I'm wrong. You'll probably die cutting tree branches with anything less than a $500 stihl saw on your own property once a year. Believe it or not, living where I live I have a decent amount of experience using chainsaws and, in my experience for the average homeowner something of less caliber will work just fine once a year or so for projects around the house. That being said, I'd love to own a nice high end chain saw but since I don't, I'll use what I can afford. I'm not a professional arborist by any means, so I'm probably talking out my hind end.
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Google chainsaw kickback injuries.... I was going to post some up here but didn't want to get put in the timeout room.
That $h!t will make you think twice!
That $h!t will make you think twice!