Chainsaw Advice Needed

[Ken]

Any suggestions on a good gas chainsaw? I won't be doing any lumberjacking, but I've got alot of stuff to clean up. My dinky little electric model just won't "cut it" (pun intended).

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Husquavarna 445 it is the second one from the biggest at lowes. I have had 3 in my time a poulan, a crafstman, and the above. I didn't really have a chain saw until I bought the Husky. be advised it will readily cut your leg off!

[crashdive123]

Ken - I bought a Sthil MS290 last year http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS290.html and love it. I was going to get the MS390, but based on the recommendation from people in the shop went with the 290 (quite a bit cheaper) with a 20" bar.

[Sourdough]

I suggest owning two cheaper chainsaws for relative beginners. By that I mean don't buy a $689.00 saw, buy two saws for $319.00 each to start. I never leave with only one chainsaw, even after 40 years I still get the bar pinched, and need a back-up saw to extract it.

Try to buy two saws the exact same, so you can cannibalize a dead one to fix the other. I have 14 chainsaws, but for general work, I grab one of the "Husky" Rancher/Farmer models. Buy extra chain loops, bar greaser.

[Ken]

Most of what I'll be doing is cutting some low lying limbs and branches that are way to large for a simple pruning saw, and alot of smaller "scrub" growth as well. There's also about 2 cords of wood lying all around the property from the previous owner - all about 6' lengths, which won't fit in the fireplace or fire pit. Once I get it cut up, I'll just rent a splitter for 4 hours.

I only have 2 trees that need to come down, and one is a dead 60' tall "border tree" stuck right in the middle of the stone wall out on the corner of the front yard - all around the power lines - think I'll hire a tree company for that one.

I won't be felling too many large trees - I want to keep as many as possible. Almost all of the firewood gets delivered - cut and split. All I've gotta' do is stack it.

[crashdive123]

With the preparations that you've done, when you buy your chainsaw you may want to consider an evacuation scenario. Tree down, blocking your path sort of thing.

[Ole WV Coot]

Ken - I bought a Sthil MS290 last year http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS290.html and love it. I was going to get the MS390, but based on the recommendation from people in the shop went with the 290 (quite a bit cheaper) with a 20" bar.

I bought the same saw a couple of weeks ago to replace my 20yr old Sthil 032. Finally stopped making parts for it. The Farm Boss Crash has should be all the saw anyone but a pro would need. Sthil fixes prices and most dealers have the $359.95 tag on them. Best I could do was $345 around here.

[Ken]

With the preparations that you've done, when you buy your chainsaw you may want to consider an evacuation scenario. Tree down, blocking your path sort of think.

That tree's more than 100' away from the house and driveway.

I'll be living in a house with 4 women - the Sweetie and "our" 3 daughters. Believe me - I have multiple escape routes.

[crashdive123]

I bought the same saw a couple of weeks ago to replace my 20yr old Sthil 032. Finally stopped making parts for it. The Farm Boss Crash has should be all the saw anyone but a pro would need. Sthil fixes prices and most dealers have the $359.95 tag on them. Best I could do was $345 around here.

Yep - got mine for $349. Had the 032 years ago. This one was replacing a couple of smaller Poulans (still have em as back-ups).

[Rick]

I can tell you which one not to wrestle if that would help. I have a Craftsman now. Does everything I want it to. Oh, it has a chain stop. My other one didn't. Probably why I wrestled with it.

[Sourdough]

Around'here'abouts...if you ask nicely to borrow a mans chainsaw, he will make you two counter offers. 1) You can borrow his wife, but not his chainsaw. or 2) He will offer to come log what needs logging...:):):)

[crashdive123]

Around'here'abouts...if you ask nicely to borrow a mans chainsaw, he will make you two counter offers. 1) You can borrow his wife, but not his chainsaw. or 2) He will offer to come log what needs logging...:):):)

Soooooooo, borrowed any chainsaws lately?:lol:

[Rick]

My guess is he needs to borrow a chain saw every Friday night from the same guy. He's trying to clear the ROW for the electric line he needs to install. (wink)

[2dumb2kwit]

Ken,
If you want a quality saw that will last you a long time, I'd choose the Stihl first, with the Husky second.

Most people who I know, that make a living with their saws, use Stihl.

[nell67]

I would get a Stihl or the Husqvarna,but for Christ's sake Rick,I can't beLIEve you said craftsman,oi.....

[crashdive123]

Got a question for those in the know. Are the Husqvarnas that is sold in the big box home improvement stores at the low end of the quality scale as far as the Husqvarna line is concerned?

[nell67]

They were considered low end when I had a small engine shop,crash.

[crashdive123]

Thank you. I had heard that before, but wasn't sure.

[nell67]

Well when a mass marketer can sell one for pretty much less than cost for a Authorized dealer,you kind of know,the only one we were ever able to confirm it with was Briggs and Stratton,and that rep spilled the beans on stuff built for Walmart ,Home Depot and the likes.

[Schleprok]

Ken, get at least an 18"er. Whatever model/brand you chose.
Rick, I too have a Craftsman (freebie). Use it quite regularly, never had any problems with it.

[Rick]

Thank you, Schleprok. Hey, Nell, Nanny nanny boo boo.

http://browngoat.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/new-human-sticking-out-tongue-from-designdig.jpg

[Stargazer]

Ken, I run a Huskquavana.The 455 rancher model with a 20" bar. Picked it up a few years ago at the True Value on Popes Island. For doing some limbinb the bar is a little long but once you get down to the turnk you appreciate having the extra leinght...Size does matter some times.

[mcfd45]

You should keep your electric saw ken. When we did urban rescue training we used the saws inside "buildings" that collapsed. I imagine you could find a use for it down the road. The good part about them is they don't give off fumes.

[Ken]

You should keep your electric saw ken. When we did urban rescue training we used the saws inside "buildings" that collapsed. I imagine you could find a use for it down the road. The good part about them is they don't give off fumes.

I'm keeping the electric. I had an old gas model that was given to me with a bent bar, but it was junk not worth fixing.

In my "rescue days," I used to love playing with one I had that looked like this (not the same model): http://www.edarley.com/itm_img/AM083-300.jpg

That thing can cut a car into confetti in mere minutes. Add the jaws of life and a parking lot full of old cars, man we had some fun.

[2dumb2kwit]

Well, if you want a real mans saw...check this out.:tongue_smilie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Tamp2fHhg

[crashdive123]

I'd hate to have to try a horizontal cut with one of those.

[Ken]

Give it a week. There will be an end-cap sale at Home Depot featuring these things.

[Rick]

Chain saw knife anyone?

http://www.customknifedirectory.com/workshop/tut_chainsaw_burnett.shtml