Chainsaw advice

Kit, Clothing, Tools, etc
grenfell
Posts: 4425
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:55 pm

Re: Chainsaw advice

Post by grenfell »

ForgeCorvus wrote: The problems with them is the blade isn't very thick or wide so it tends to wander a bit if you're sawing larger stuff (which can make standing the rounds on end hard),
Wonky cuts are solely the realm of bows saws of course ,
Going through a log pile a few weeks ago there wasn't a straight cut on any off them and they were all chainsawn . I'm not going to claim it doesn't happen to me , worn chain , maybe a bit too slack or not the best of sharpening jobs :oops:
Fozzie
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:02 pm

Re: Chainsaw advice

Post by Fozzie »

If you're still looking for a chainsaw... You could look at Jonsered Chainsaws - American made and some of their stuff competes with Stihl and Husqy. They're American made from memory and start from ~£170 online

I've no experience with Husqy but would have no issue owning one. I do own a Stihl saw - 30ccish engine and 14" bar from memory, using Oregon chains. If you're cutting up pieces as thick as your leg, you should be fine but if looking to take 20 year old apple trees down etc, I'd suggest a bigger saw than the 30cc @ 14" bar I have.

If you want it to last longer than 3 years, I would avoid the MuCulloch stuff at B&Q but that's me.

Helmet with visor/glass and suitable chainsaw trousers/chaps as a minimum

I'm not sure I'd buy a new sthil saw as the fuel cap lids are a bit fragile and wont lock closed after a while - on my third fuel cap in 5 years - more inconvenience than anything else.
featherstick
Posts: 1124
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:09 pm

Re: Chainsaw advice

Post by featherstick »

Just a thought that popped in to my head - I presume you have life assurance (the unglamourous preps)?

Might be worth reviewing to see what sort of injury/hospital stay cover it includes. I know I have a policy somewhere with some cover, which might be a comfort if I ever come THAT close to cutting my toes off again (three little curls in my boot leather where the chain caught the toe just before cutting out).
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CynicalSurvival
Posts: 189
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2014 6:39 pm
Location: Scotland

Re: Chainsaw advice

Post by CynicalSurvival »

I the end I bought a bow saw at the upper end of the price range. It is certainly a lot better than the saws I had before. I also bought spare blades. This combo is fine for me cutting a few logs at home, but perhaps wouldn't cut it for field work except in a pinch.
The last taboo is the myth of civilisation. It is built upon the stories we have constructed about our genius, our indestructibility, our manifest destiny as a chosen species. - The Dark Mountain Project Manifesto http://dark-mountain.net/about/manifesto/
Yorkshire Andy
Posts: 9888
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2013 4:06 pm

Re: Chainsaw advice

Post by Yorkshire Andy »

a old candle rubbed on the blade every few cuts makes lighter work ;)
If your roughing it, Your doing it wrong ;)

Lack of planning on your part doesn't make it an emergency on mine
gadgetguy
Posts: 349
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:56 pm

Re: Chainsaw advice

Post by gadgetguy »

Fozzie wrote:
If you want it to last longer than 3 years, I would avoid the MuCulloch stuff at B&Q but that's me.

I have a couple of Mculloch tools and they have lasted 5yrs plus giving good service doing commercial work. They are part of the husky group.