Cheapo Chainsaws

[66-V8]

Not welding related but there's a few diy woodburner posts here.

There's plenty of Oriental made petrol chainsaws on ebay for 80 quid, just wondered if they'll last an hours log sawing 3 or 4 times a year. It's 50 quid to hire a quality one (with safety gear) but are the cheapos any good or just complete crap?

I suppose I could encourage it to 'expire' just before the guarantee does.

 

[Landynut]

Buy a second hand Stihl and new chain and it will last a lifetime, probably looking at closer to £100 though

 

[stormin]

I find chainsaws a frightening tool at the best of times.
I wouldn't really want to be anywhere near one of slightly dubious quality.

 

[chevykev]

Deffinatly stihl or Husqvarna - http://www.husqvarnachainsaws.co.uk/acatalog/Chainsaws.html

 

[zzr1200]

Dolmar or Makita same saw 2 badges, Echo are also good for home/light-ish use.

 

[craigelland]

ive got a mcculloch chainsaw cost under £100 couple of years ago done a fair bit of work with it only problem ive had is a couple of snapped pull cords mainly down to me yanking on them to hard.
also got a cheapy electric saw works well argos special i think

 

[Archie]

Stihl without doubt (we've got five chainsaws). The local treesurgeon uses Stihl stuff exclusively). I suppose it's the often occuring situation where for limited use it hardly seems worth shelling out on expensive kit. All I can say is that pretty much any time I've economised and bought something cheap it's turned out to be cheap for a reason......

 

[dulwichwood]

chainsaws

For occasional log cutting I would suggest you purchase the Stihl MS170 or MS180 with 12 or 14inch bar. They are great little saws - recently replaced by new models so should now be cheaper secondhand. Stihl's small saws are better than Husqvarna's, will be more reliable and will last forever if well maintained.

Try and view before you buy - check that the spark plug, fuel and air fliters have been replaced annually, look for burrs along top edge of the groove on the bar, check the chain tension adjuster is working ok and that the bar is receiving oil, make sure it comes with the operating manual - this is essential. A well maintained saw should fire up third or forth pull from cold - if it does not, this could indicate carb trouble. With the machine running at high speed, check the chain brake operation at least twice - walk away if it does not stop the chain instantly both times because a saw with a dodgy chain brake will kill you.

Bear in mind that the chainsaw is one of the most potentially dangerous machines yet invented. Chainsaw accidents are always very, very nasty. Professionally, no one is allowed to operate one without having done a five day training course (NPTC CS30 and CS31).
If you are going to get a saw, always wear protective clothing, ear defenders, eye protection, gloves, a helmet and steel toe capped boots.
Read the chainsaw manual from cover to cover, then read it all again, and again.

The trick to safe chainsaw use is to ensure the teeth are sharp - they should produce chips of wood, not dust, never operate it from directly behind - cut with it off to one side or you will lose your head if it kicks back, and completely immobilise the wood you are cutting with a saw horse or a clamp of some sort - never use your foot. Always use two hands when cutting, always apply the chain brake unless cutting.

Good luck if you are going to get a saw, and please be very, very careful.

 

[^neo^]

if it's 3 or 4 times a year, then get an electric one. Petrol saws like being used, not locked in the shed.

 

[Justme]

I have had one of the cheep 50cc ones. Its needed more new parts in one year for less work than my McCulloch has had in 6 years doing 10 times the work each year. For your level of work I would get a McCulloch. No point spending a high price on quality kit to just let it sit there.

Justme

 

[66-V8]

Thanks for your replies. I think I'll go 'electric' as I'll be doing all the log sawing at home and don't need the portability of a petrol one.

 

[^neo^]

If it's only small stuff you're doing, black n decker (or bosch) do one with a guard which acts like a pair of scissors. Dunno what the max diameter is though?

 

[zzr1200]

66, if you're going electric and want a long lasting good quality saw try this one

One of the best designed 240 volt electrickery saw, basically a 2000 Watt angle grinder with a chainsaw blade.

Ps. Screwfix has screwed up the description.

 

[66-V8]

I probably will, zzr, just as soon as I knacker out the Bosch that I bought earlier today!

 

[zzr1200]

I probably will, zzr, just as soon as I knacker out the Bosch that I bought earlier today!

That'II be next week then..............

 

[Justme]

Just dont forget to fill the oil up. Thats the good thing about a petrol one, when its out of fuel you fill the oil up as well. With elec you never run out of fuel (well unless they cut you off lol)