Recomend me a good chainsaw

[Tinbasherdan]

I have a Stihl 08s, not exactly the high end of the range, but it starts, stops and cuts perfectly well for what I need. Heavy compared to modern saws and not a fast saw either but it was cheap. I also have a 70 danarm, big old donkey of a machine, made In the days before health and safety was even a thought. It's loud, vibrates and is heavy, but it'll start second pull and chews through anything. Not bad for a free saw out of the bin

 

[marlinspike]

I've just got back from Screwfix after picking up my £50 electric chain saw. Whilst I was searching today I came across a Ryobi petrol one at Argos, reduced to £106. We only need one for a bit of shrub pruning, so no idea if it's what you are looking for, just thought it might be of interest to forum members:

http://www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/2887049.htm

As usual, stock is a bit hit and miss, but it was available in 2 out of 5 local ones.

 

[Ed.]

I own 3 chainsaws now and have bought 5 in my life, first one was a Makita electric, which was quite good for small jobs around the house, (sold it when it got too old.) next one was a 62cc 22" Chinese P.O.S, which had the plastic bits in the pull start but with the very limited amount of work I gave it, it managed to last about 3-4 years before the pull start setup gave up the ghost. Then I got another 82cc 24" real Chinese P.O.S which after owning it for about 6 weeks and trying to make it run from day one, returned it and got my money back. Bought a different brand 24" 82CC Chinese machine to replace it and surprisingly enough it is quite a reasonable machine especially for the price (about $140-160 on E-Bay).

Lastly I imported a lightly used Husqvarna 372XPG from Canada and that machine is a beast of a machine, howls like a banshee and cuts really well and has much more power than the Chinese 83CC machines. I look after that one as it was just under $1000 used which is more than 6 times more than the Chinese ones.

I have repaired the 62cc machine by machining up a crude pull start with a large nut on it and just use my rattle gun or electric drill to start it. I use it for all the grubby jobs that I don't want to use the other 2 on 'cause if it stuffs up I have already got my monies worth out of it. I was prepared to throw it away so I wont worry about it if it finally gives up the ghost. The last 82CC Chinese one I got was as a backup to the Husqvarna in case it gets wedged, so at least it can use it to extract it if necessary.

There are quite a few knock offs of the Stihls and the Husqvarnas out there but I have found, that a good indication I think, is that all of copies use 25:1 oil ratios whereas the genuine Huskies and the Stihls use 50:1 once run in. As for which chainsaw is better its a Ford vs Holden debate, I am a member of two American forestry forums and the general consensuses from the professionals is get one that from the dealer that has the best support regardless of the brand. Even though I own the Husky I actually go the the local Stihl dealer for parts and service rather than the Husky dealer in my local area as I think in my opinion that they are a bit shonky/dodgy and I won't deal with them. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[marlinspike]

Thought I would update with a brief review of the £50 Titan electric chain saw we got from Screwfix last week. Had a quick go in the garden whilst it was dry and was very impressed. Heavier then expected but quiet to use, it made short work of branches on the leylandi and thicker 4/5cm branches on a very large buddleia. Not tried it on real tree branches yet but very happy so far.

You need to buy chain saw oil with it, £3, but for fifty quid with a two year warranty I think it will pay for itself within a few sessions. Definitely worth a look if you have lightweight garden clearing to do.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

With my new medication I think is the chainsaw I need.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lego-City...207951?hash=item1c68cad68f:g:AxMAAOSwzJ5Xa1kh

 

[Bill Edwards]

^^^ Excellent on fuel...