Chainsaws: Save yourself the trouble

[OneLegJohn]

For years we used to buy the $135 Wal-mart Poulan Wildthing Chainsaws. We would buy one every year. Three years ago we invested in a Stihl MS361 Saw. I cannot believe the difference. This saw is so fast and light I dont know how we got by without it. A fella is easily 50% faster with a good saw. Another lesson learned: we use the pro chains, not the green safety chains. They literally pull the saw through the wood without effort. Word of caution though, it will throw smaller pieces of wood right into your shins. My Dad is 60 years old and it is easier to use this Stihl than a cheap saw. Pay the $550 and save yourself the headaches.

[tuckermtn]

I have three MS361s- There is supposedly a 362 out now. Best saw on the planet as far as I'm concerned. I will say they don't get a lot of use these days since I've been cutting trees with a 200 hp, 55,000 lb. machine with a 6,000 lb saw thats on the end of a 20ft long boom...

[sfsshadow]

we bought a stihl 190.had it 2yrs, now. did all our ice storm cleanup and sugarbush maintenance, with no problems. went through 2 bars and 10 chains. only costs $229

[Bucket Head]

You know the saying,"The right tool for the job". We recently bought a used Stihl Farm Boss. Its not the biggest saw out there, and I'm no woodsman or forester, but this thing beats the heck out of our old Homelite. We used that thing for years, and we still have it for back-up, but the Stihl really shows how much time was wasted tyring to get through wood with the old one. All those department store type saws are a waste of precious time and money. We really don't cut much wood. Luckily we find folks getting rid of trees and they blocked or pieced it up to move it. However, wether you cut a lot or a little, its well worth the investment of a "professional" model saw.

Steve

[Russell Lampron]

My Stihl 031 finally died 2 years ago after close to 30 years of use. My Stihl 026 Pro is 10 years now and still going strong. I cut a lot of wood to keep my outdoor furnace and evaporator fed and wouldn't buy anything but a Stihl saw.

[red maples]

I had the poulan wild thing 18" loved it!!! and it died after about 5 years not used really heavy. wanted more saw but got the poulan pro 20" and it could use a bit more power only 46 cc motor but runs great!!! cuts great and handled 12 cords this season easy. still running fantastic. for my next one I will go for the stihl. I have a stihl E140(electric) with a 16 inch bar that I use for Ice Carvings. I love it. the only electric saws you can use for Ice is Stihl and The other one milwakee I think??? other than that the motors are gone after 2 carvings!!!

[whalems]

I ran a stihl 044 for 20 years that I bought used. It finally died last year and I bought the stihl ms361. Not quit as powerfull as the 044 but it seems like it is half the weight! and it does EAT wood!! I would highly recommened it to any one looking for a new saw.

[xyz5150]

Wow am i on a stihl web site! Coming from a Husqvarna / Jonsered dealer you should buy a saw where you can get parts and sevice. Would you buy a car from a box store? oh buy the way the bible says thou shall not stihl.:lol:

[steve J]

I finally bought a good saw this spring being an 18 inch Husvarna (spelling) and its been great> It took me a little getting use to as it cut so fastI had to be careful with it. It starts first pull every time.

[tom jr.]

last I knew they sold huskies at big box stores:o , not stihl!

[briansickler]

I couldn't resist...But in my book Stihl chainsaws are by far the best saws. But the point here is to buy quality instead of buying cheap over and over every year or two. I hope I haven't started another chainsaw war.:lol:

[sap retreiver]

couldn't resist either! Always been a Stihl fan but chevy vs. ford, my father taught me to always use the right tool for the job and when they ask how many cord a year there's a reason. My 291 has been perfect. By the way I want a saw on the end of a 20 foot stick, see wood eat wood. is it time to surp yet?

[3rdgen.maple]

My dads a certified Stihl mechanic and we both run Husqavarna for a reason. lol let the wars begin...

[Dennis H.]

Why no Echo fans?? Just kidding.

I do have a small Echo that I just love, I have had it now for over 15 years and runs great. Don't laugh now but I think it is in the high 30's cc. It has a 16" bar and that thing works great. I have down trees that are way bigger than the bar.

It also is a nice light saw to use when I climb a tree to limb it.

By the way my dad is an Echo dealer and authorized service center. I do beleive in the thinking that you want to buy something that you can get worked on quickly and easily if needed.

There I threw my 2cents in amongst all this stilh and huskie stuff.:D

[802maple]

I've had several brands and when I buy one, I always go to the biggest badass saw they have. I have alittle Tim the Toolman in me when it comes to saws. I just don't it like enough to want to cut any longer then I have to and plus (maybe it is just me) but I don't think they kick back as much as those little buzz boxes do. If the sawdust doesn't fly 20 feet behind me then it needs a tuneup. argh- argh- argh-argh

[Russell Lampron]

last I knew they sold huskies at big box stores:o , not stihl!

Yup that's the way it is out here too. I can only buy Stihls at the local dealer but Husky's can be had at Tractor Supply and Home Depot or Lowes. The Husky dealer doesn't want to touch the box store saws if you have a problem either.

[western mainer]

They can sell Husky at the box stores because they run! We had Stihl they were slow cutting, 2 had to have the engines rebuilt, and we had to carry a tool box with you to tighten all the lose bolts!:lol:
Brian

[xyz5150]

I am Jonsered/Husqvarna dealer i quit working on stihls about 3 years ago. got tired of having to freeze bearings to get them to go in cases. cant put a round object in a egg shaped hole. plus way too many parts on a stihl. The Swed's machining tolerance is to the millionth of a inch (sorry stihl).Thats why the 346/2153/357/2156 can turn 15000 rpms all day.

[maple flats]

I have heard that Stihl's are good, but the local dealer I DO NOT LIKE, therefor I buy Husky's. I used to buy those Poulan Wild things but then I got tired of 1-2 yrs life expectancies. After going thru at least 5 WT's I decided to go Husky. I bought my first Husky (359) about 10 yrs ago and it is still going strong. About a year later I bought a used Husky at a yard sale (350) which died last summer and when I went to get it fixed was told it could be fixed but would cost about 1/3 the price of a new one. At the same time I also needed a bigger saw, at least 32", so I bought a Husky 365 with 20" and 34" bars (asked for 32 but the dealer had both and because of an ordering error had gotten a bunch of 34's and was selling them cheap, I bought the 34" for $50) The reason I need so big is to fell a few big ones but mostly to trim or buck logs on my sawmill. I can cut up to 60" on the mill and if I need to trim or buck I don't want to need to work my way in to the center to buck them. My 359 gets most of the use. The 365 only does big stuff, from about 18" up. Both cut fast but the 365 is faster because the power is better. I (or my hired man) cut up to about 60-75 cord a year between house wood, sugarhouse wood, and saw logs.

[xyz5150]

A word of advise to all small engine users.
When i first became a dealer (11 years ago) we would see 1 or 2 piston failures a year not oil related. after hurricane katrina 1 or 2 a month.What we have found is most piston failures are a result of too low of fuel octane. Remember the lower the octane the hotter the fuel burns. We recommend to all of our customers to use name brand fuel and a minimum octane rating of 91. Another interesting fact is ethanol is being used to raise octane rating in gas. If your fuel co has water in there tanks the ethanol will separate from the gas and collect with the water lowering octane rating. so 87 octane fuel may not actually be 87 octane. Premium gas will cost you on the average .20 cents a gallon. cheep insurance on something that can do a lot of work on a gallon of fuel.

[red maples]

yes that is true on the ethanol. but I thought that they only put ethanol in the 87 reg gas. I by med grade always!!! I don't use the reg in anything especially if its goin to be sitting for any length of time!!!

[C.Wilcox]

I'll throw another name in the mix....I have a John Deere chainsaw. I think it's a model CS80, but I could be off on that number. I didn't even know that JD made chainsaws or maybe I should say "marketed" chainsaws. I think it's actually made by Efco or some other corporation like that, but it's been a pretty good saw. It's in the 80cc range so it's got plenty of power for everything except the occassional sequoia, but it does have it's quirks. The bar tends to walk backwards over time so the chain gets loose and it's super sensitive to old fuel. If the fuel is more than a couple weeks old it just won't run very well. If I was looking for a new saw I wouldn't have gone with a JD, but this one was given to me in trade for some tree clearing work I did with a set of 10 year old, heavily used and still running great Stihl farmboss saws :).

[xyz5150]

Efco does make the john deere and cub cadet chainsaws.They are the old olympyk chainsaw co made in Italy. Little known very good quality. The green paint does inflate the price on parts some due to more channels of handling (markups).Color is the only difference between the three brands.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

A word of advise to all small engine users.
When i first became a dealer (11 years ago) we would see 1 or 2 piston failures a year not oil related. after hurricane katrina 1 or 2 a month.What we have found is most piston failures are a result of too low of fuel octane. Remember the lower the octane the hotter the fuel burns. We recommend to all of our customers to use name brand fuel and a minimum octane rating of 91. Another interesting fact is ethanol is being used to raise octane rating in gas. If your fuel co has water in there tanks the ethanol will separate from the gas and collect with the water lowering octane rating. so 87 octane fuel may not actually be 87 octane. Premium gas will cost you on the average .20 cents a gallon. cheep insurance on something that can do a lot of work on a gallon of fuel.

This is good advice and thanks a lot for posting it and will make sure I only buy 93 octane from now on.

[markct]

i cant say one brand is better than another its like the ford, chevy etc crap, only reason i bought my first stihl saw, ms310 was cause at the time i had done some work for a stihl dealer and they knocked alot off the price as payment. it has been a great saw tho, run as much as a 36 inch bar on it occasionaly with a skiptooth chain and it handles it well taking your time. i later bought a ms192t as a small climbing saw and for limbing and bucking up small sugaring wood, and clearing along lines. both have been great saws altho it appears they no longer offer a ms310 not sure why

[3rdgen.maple]

They can sell Husky at the box stores because they run! We had Stihl they were slow cutting, 2 had to have the engines rebuilt, and we had to carry a tool box with you to tighten all the lose bolts!:lol:

I am Jonsered/Husqvarna dealer i quit working on stihls about 3 years ago. got tired of having to freeze bearings to get them to go in cases. cant put a round object in a egg shaped hole. plus way too many parts on a stihl. The Swed's machining tolerance is to the millionth of a inch (sorry stihl).Thats why the 346/2153/357/2156 can turn 15000 rpms all day.

You guys sound like my dad LOL. Husqavarna makes 3 levels of saws. 1 for the homeowner market that you will find in the boxstores, 1 that is for a homeowner/farmer who requires more than an occasional use and 1 for the professional logger. Pricing is alot different between them of course. The homeowner line has just basic numbering, the next level of saw is the rancher series and the last the XP's. I personally have 2 husqavarna and a stihl. The one plus on the Husqavarna over the stihl is its weight. My XP 375 with a 24 "bar weighs less than the 039 Stihl with an 18 " on it. The old stihl runs strong though. Dad says he gets a atleast one or 2 engine failures a month on Stihls a year old or less and most the time it isnt the lack of the operator not mixing the fuel. I know I burned up a 350 husqavarna and the factory had the dealer replace it with a new one of the shelf. If I blew up a new saw I sure dont want that one back. But with all that said alot depends on the operator, maintenance, a sharp chain and how well the dealer treats him. Its all about RPM's and if it has the torque to maintain it. Like said Husqavarna has some extreme tolerances and can handle high RPM's.

[red maples]

I totally agree. you can see the price differences.

and the chain and maintence is key!!! I sharpen my chains my self with a file works good but there comes a point I take it in and get it sharpened. When things slow down its time to take it apart and clean filters, check you gas, make sure the bar isn't kinked(that was my problem last time) all that stuff will slow down a saw. Watch for nails in logs or the ocational rock you didn't know you hit when cutting close to the ground!!!

[tuckermtn]

keeping sharp-

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=HVA%20505%2069%2081%2091&utm_source=base&utm_medium=cse

roller guide is the blue hexagonal object in the picture

I know its going to be a ford/chevy thing, but after filing thousands of times, the roller guide is the best one I have found. keeps the file out of the "gullet" and at the correct angle under the top plate...also has a swing out depth guage...

[heus]

I use the blue roller guide religiously. Couldnt figure out how to use it when i first got it a few years back.

[chipa]

yes that is true on the ethanol. but I thought that they only put ethanol in the 87 reg gas. I by med grade always!!! I don't use the reg in anything especially if its goin to be sitting for any length of time!!!

They blend regular and premium at the pump to make medium grade.

[maple flats]

When I took GOL (Game Of Logging) training, the gas was an issue. The recommendation in the course was to only use premium gas in 2 cycles, stating that the engines will last lots longer on it (said you are likely to double or even tripple the engine hours, as long as you use top grade mixing oil too.) I have used nothing but the highest available at the pump ever since.
Going back to the original thread, when I thought I liked Puulan's, I could not believe how much faster the Husky cut, I was cutting at least 2x as fast as before.
There is also another issue, learn how to sharpen a chain properly and either sharpen or change chains as soon as you first notice it is not cutting as fast. If a file chalenges you use a jig or guide. I used to sharpen all of mine on the saw by hand but a touch of arthritus now makes that painful. I have a hired man who cuts more than half of my wood and he never seems to sharpen chains properly even after being demoed several times, so I ended up buying a Maxx chainsaw sharpener. Excellent choice. I now have the hired man chainge the loop everytime it stops cutting well and install another. Then when there is 5-10 loops to sharpen I sit down and do it. It only takes about 4-5 minutes to do a 20" loop. The only thing to be careful of is to make sure the adjustment is correct so you do not remove any more from the teeth than necessary. I can't say how much this shortens the chain life because I have not needed to discard any chains since I started using the Maxx. There is a second advantage to sharpening off the saw. You do not keep putting filings into the bar and clutch works. That metal can't be good for anything in there.
My suggestion for chainsaws and sawing, buy a high quality saw from a reputable servicing full line dealer, use premium gas, use top brand mixing oil and keep your chains sharp. Also, take the GOL for your safety and so your loved ones will enjoy you in good health and with all your fingers and toes into your twilight years.

[Tweegs]

I bought the Stihl 290 farm boss 20” recently. Compared to the McCallough I was using, this thing is a dream, albeit 4 to 5 lbs heavier.

Wore out the tip sprocket on that McCallaugh. About half way through the log, the blade would start to make a decided turn to my right. A professional logger from a woodworking forum helped diagnose the problem as the tip sprocket, his suggestion was to flip the bar over every time you sharpen the chain. This will help keep the sprocket from wearing unevenly.

Of course, once I found out I could no longer get parts for that McCallough, not even a new bar, it was time for a new saw, and thus the Stihl purchase.

Didn’t know about using premium gas, but will do so from now on.

[red maples]

MAN!!!! Didn't know about the mix for med...learn something new everyday!!! Well switching to prem. from now on!!! Remember when the good stuff was the norm!!! what the heck happened!!! I don't mean just gas everything...

anyway never thought about the filings from sharpening on the saw!!! but i like the "max sharpener" I may look into that.

[maple flats]

You might only want to look if you sharpen lots of chains, It cost just south of $400, but I consider it money well spent. I have talked with those who bought the cheapo Harbor Freight ones, They are a waste of hard earned money. There are other quality units out there, I bought the Maxx because it clamps the chain automatically when you lower the grind wheel, others need to be clamped before you lower. Oregon also makes good sharpeners as I understand (as does Silvey if you are a full time professional and can afford them) but I don't think you want to try cheapos. The way I do is I sharpen all the teeth on one side on several chains and then re set to the other side and do all of them. This way I only need to adjust the stop for each loop depending on how many times it has been sharpened, which is quite fast to adjust. The switch from one side to the other requires you to flip the chain, tilt the table from one side to the other, then tighten at correct angle by the degree markings and to tilt the grinder head from one side to the other, also by the degree markings and flip the stop. My rig takes about 1 minute to adjust all 3 settings but I do all chains on one side then flip. I keep about 10-15 loops at all times for my 20" bars, the big bar I only have 3 loops.

[maple flats]

I also have a Sharpboy 12v sharpener that came with my sawmill with a conversion bracket and diamond wheel to sharpen the carbide teeth on my Peterson mill, I once tried sharpening some chains with it but it was very time consuming to get set correctly. I never used it a second time did my sharpening by hand until I finally broke down and bought the Maxx.

[xyz5150]

Tecomec Makes the maxx and oregon sharpeners. We use and sell the tecomec jolly star grinder. The vise tilts allowing vertical angles for chisel chains. Tecomec grinders are made in Italy, very high quality. Don't waste your money on the plastic harbor freight junkers, learn the art of filing or take them to someone with a good grinder. Keep lots of chain loops on hand don't run a dull chain its hard on the saw and you. Remember cutting with a chainsaw should be the easy part, hauling, splitting, stacking should be the hard part.

[red maples]

thanks!!! I might keep sharpening by hand for a while. But I think in a few years I might switch to a good electric one. the way I see it it will pay for itself in time and money. I have other maple stuff to spend the money on first!!!:)

[tuckermtn]

wonder what this will do for Stihl's sales....

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2029300_2206981,00.html

[WMF]

She's purdy !!!

[red maples]

OH I so wanna say stuff but might get backlash!!! no more politics!!!!

A chic with a chainsaw uuhhh .... kinda sexy in way but def. a little scarey!!!

[3rdgen.maple]

OH I so wanna say stuff but might get backlash!!! no more politics!!!!

A chic with a chainsaw uuhhh .... kinda sexy in way but def. a little scarey!!!

Red thats why she using a Stihl and not a husqavarna. I was always told a Stihl was made for a women I guess this just proves that statement. lol:D

[xyz5150]

Women like stihls because of all the vibration.:lol:

[farmall h]

I don't care what anybody thinks.....Sarah Palin is a "hottie".;)

[Cardigan99]

Sarah or Hillary

You make the call

[Haynes Forest Products]

They dont VIBRATE they STIMULATE:o

[Brent]

Back on track guys.

One of the biggest factors in cutting speed, that does not see to get enough attention, is the safety dogs on the chains. These are the backward facing dogs that have smooth tops. They regulate the depth of cut that the next tooth can take, and help protect against kick out.

You need to put a straight edge across the tops of the cutting teeth to see how much clearance there is to the safety dog. When it gets close to the same level, you need to grind it down a bit. The more you grind down the more aggressive the cut will be. If you grind it down enough on a small saw, you'll take such a huge bite that you'll easily stall the saw. It makes an astonishing difference. Someone earlier commented that the saw seemed to pull itself into the wood, this is why.

Go at the grinding a bit at a time. I trim mine down about once every 3 or 4 sharpenings.

But be carefull. You will be subject to more kick back.

Edit:
The Oregon sharpener comes with a small plastic depth guage that is marked in 3 places for different chain sizes. It is hard to measure the gap accurately but it looks like they vary from about .020 to .030"
ps: I've used the Oregon sharpener for about 5 years now after filing for 20 years. Great investment.

[3rdgen.maple]

Brent If you like oregon sharpener with the seperate depth gauge you will throw it out if you get a Sharp Force sharpener from Husqavarna. For 20 bucks it sharpens the tooth and files the depth guages to the proper height at the same time. I threw that oregon thing away years ago when I bought the sharp force. Heres a link to it. http://catalog.getsaws.com/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=691306&showPic=Yes

[Brent]

thanks for the link 3rdGen
I have one of them in the drawer where it has sat for many moons. It works (worked) fine. But after I got the Oregon electric bench model, I have never touched it again. I wait till I have a few chains to do, and do them at night when it's not good to be cutting in the bush. .Different strokes
- pun intended.

[3rdgen.maple]

Brent I missed the part where you had an electric bench grinder. Now they just need to make one that does the tooth and the depth guage at the same time. Now that would be slick and sitting in my workshop. Well maybe not I can drop them off at dads and he can take them to work and sharpen them for me if I want lol.

[Brent]

Being in the machine tool business, chip making is pretty high in my mind. The Oregon sharpener grinder grooves at 90 degrees to the way a wood chip needs to flow off the teeth. I would love to see a machine that had a Dremel type grinder that would grinder the grooves with the flow. With thousands of chips being cut per minute, it would make a difference ... I think. I know there are hand held sharpeners out there that used Dremel type heads, but I wish it was on a good frame, along the style of the Oregon so you could set up and get get an accurate angle and depth on every tooth.

[Revi]

I like to sharpen before I cut every time. I can't seem to do it after I cut. I've been using a little file guide, and it helps a lot. Today I cut a truckload stovewood. That's plenty for me. I was throwing nice chunks after I sharpened. It sure makes it easier when the saw is sharp.

That's it for me until spring. I'm done cutting firewood. Let it snow!

[Goggleeye]

You know, all of you guys talk about your big hot rod chain saws. Guess my desk job makes me a little soft, but the best saw I ever bought was a Stihl mini-boss I picked up last Feb. It's already paid for itself, several times over, in saved chiropractic visits. I use it for all the small stuff, and one of those old back-breaker Stihls for all the big stuff where I don't need to move so nimbly. Although the mini takes a fairly small bite, I can still move pretty quickly through a top.

[Ausable]

You know, all of you guys talk about your big hot rod chain saws. Guess my desk job makes me a little soft, but the best saw I ever bought was a Stihl mini-boss I picked up last Feb. It's already paid for itself, several times over, in saved chiropractic visits. I use it for all the small stuff, and one of those old back-breaker Stihls for all the big stuff where I don't need to move so nimbly. Although the mini takes a fairly small bite, I can still move pretty quickly through a top.

Was wondering what to get to replace my little 12" Poulan - Used it for knocking off smaller limbs on the hemlocks and pines for years -- but - it needs to be replaced. What size bar does your Stihl mini-boss have? My old Stihl Wood Boss is great for my bigger stuff - But I'm getting to old to wrestle with that old hog on light work. I Will have to Check the Stihl mini-boss out and thanks for the information.

[Goggleeye]

The mini-boss has a 12 inch bar. It's perfect for limbing out trees. Very powerful for it's size, yet light enough to one-hand it if you need to. Like I said earlier, best saw purchase I ever made.
Mark

[Buckshot]

I run a husky 460 , its just over 60 cc and has a 20 inch bar on...and i just love it.
Being a little bigger saw it does tend to get heavy if you put in long hours. It does any thing I ask of it including some carving just for fun. I bought it on E Bay 3 years ago and saved about $250 over the cost, not including taxes. And also this year I bought a bench grinder style sharpener. It seems I can only hand sharpen for so long before it all get out of whack or hit something not intended for the chain saw. I took a chain I could not hand file out and it would not cut worth crap after touching a rock, and the grinder made it like almost new again. I'm very impressed.

[Gravel]

I have owned a few different saws but recently purchase a 357 XP Husky. Best all around saw I have ever owned, not too heavy with very good power!

[danno]

Can anyone recommend an electric sharpener at a reasonable price. I'm so sick of hand sharpening - and I don't think I very good at it either.

[caseyssugarshack93]

im a stihl man. and i just bought a little ms170, What a great little saw perfect for small brush and can cut big stuff to. a good sugaring saw. only 180 bucks brandnew to. real good deal i think. as for sharpening at our cvtec conservation class we use Husky file guides my teacher swears by them. and thats all i use now and my saws always sharp and rakers maintained

[TF Maple]

Can anyone recommend an electric sharpener at a reasonable price. I'm so sick of hand sharpening - and I don't think I very good at it either.

I have the Timber Tuff electric sharpener and really like it. Only costs about $100 on sale so it is alot cheaper than others like the Oregon. I think it does a good job of sharpening for the price of the machine.

[petersp22]

Does anyone else get a chuckle out of a thread titled "Chainsaw Advice - save yourself the trouble" started by a member named One Leg John?

[collinsmapleman2012]

well ive been quite few saws in my few years. first, my dad had a bear of a saw it was a 20 year old homelite that finally gave out. so we bought a husquvarna and that thing is a beast. my brither in NC is borrowing it for a few years cuz thats the good saw :D. then we found a $250 gift card in the lowes parking lot one day so, we bought a poulan pro 42 cc 18 inch saw that works good its a nice light all around saw. now my uncle gave us this john deere cs36 saw and its got some real good power. last thing i have to say is our school has 2 stihl saws,a ms180 and a ms190. they are both JUNK. hard to start, then when they finally start they dont run for long. taking them apart is a nightmare and they are really underpowered even though we only run a 14 and a 16 in. bar

[3rdgen.maple]

My dad had a John Deere chainsaw years ago. Man that thing was an animal. It was rather heavy and if you used it to long you had to see a dentist and get the loose fillings replaced. Antivibration was the best thing that ever happened to the chainsaw world.

[heus]

Does anyone else get a chuckle out of a thread titled "Chainsaw Advice - save yourself the trouble" started by a member named One Leg John?

I know One Leg John and he actually has two legs.

[Ausable]

I know One Leg John and he actually has two legs.

Ok - ok! I've waited and waited and no one will take the bait. I know I'm gonna regret it Heus - but - here goes ---- If One Leg John has two legs - why does he call himself "One Leg John"? --- Mike

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Probably because his wife has cut off one of his legs since he has bought so much syrup equipment the past few years!

[michiganfarmer2]

I ran a stihl 044 for 20 years that I bought used. It finally died last year and I bought the stihl ms361. Not quit as powerfull as the 044 but it seems like it is half the weight! and it does EAT wood!! I would highly recommened it to any one looking for a new saw.
I recently bought an MS460. It definately hogs the lumber, but it is heavy, and it likes fuel too

[NorthCountryWood]

I recently bought an MS460. It definately hogs the lumber, but it is heavy, and it likes fuel too

Got one of these last year off craigslist NIB for $450. Monster saw. That being said, have a MS170 14" that is super light and has cut and bucked 14-16 cord per year for the last 8 or 9 years.

Bought strictly huskys (saws, trimmers, etc) for property management back in the 90s and didn't have good luck with them.

[Ausable]

im a stihl man. and i just bought a little ms170, What a great little saw perfect for small brush and can cut big stuff to. a good sugaring saw. only 180 bucks brandnew to. real good deal i think. as for sharpening at our cvtec conservation class we use Husky file guides my teacher swears by them. and thats all i use now and my saws always sharp and rakers maintained

Well Casey - Finally broke down and bought a new chainsaw - A Stihl MS 180 - Have been reading the posts looking for ideas - needed something light and tough and I think this might be it -- I would have probably got the MS 170 - like You have - but - they didn't have it in stock so I went with the MS180 ---Time and a lot of cutting will tell ---- Mike

[ehafkey]

I'm a Stihl guy also. I have the MS390 with a 25" bar and I love it. Yes its a bit heavy for the wood I cut but the long bar is much easier on the back.

[Ausable]

I'm a Stihl guy also. I have the MS390 with a 25" bar and I love it. Yes its a bit heavy for the wood I cut but the long bar is much easier on the back.

Now that - Is a lot of saw. Years ago I had a picture of a crew working on California Red Woods and they had some awesome sized bars. But - in this part of the Country a 25" Bar should handle just about anything --- Mike

[Revi]

I use a Husqvarna 351 Ecotec. It has the highest power to weight ratio. It doesn't make nearly as much stink as my old one did, and it gets the job done. The 18 inch bar is perfect for most of the stuff I do. I was wondering if just the oil we put in our gas is enough to ward off the bad effects of the ethanol? So far it's working, but in a couple of years...

[3rdgen.maple]

NO NO NO NO. You need to run super in them and dont be afraid to run them a tad rich. That is the advice that my saw dealer told me. He said you wouldnt believe the number of saw he gets in from ethonal damage and since Stihl and Husqvarna told him to have his customers run that formula he said problems have been decreased drastically.

[xyz5150]

Yes and no, Yes synthetic oil will HELP protect pistons and cylinders from excessive heat caused by low octane fuel but does not do anything for the effects of ethanol on a fuel system. 3rdgen is right run a minimum of 92 octane in all small engines at .20c per gallon it is the best insurance policy you can buy. Remember the higher the octane rating the cooler the fuel burns. Be Careful on adding to much 2 cycle oil to your mixture this can cause carbon build up on pistons and cylinders and causing heat buildup ultimately ending in piston failure. Years ago 1 out of every 3 2 cycle engine we worked on had a clogged muffler screen ( carbon build up) now that we mix synthetic oil at a 50 to 1 ratio we never see carbon much anymore. All air cooled small engine regardless of who or when it was made can be mixed at 50 to 1 with quality synthetic 2 cycle oil. I always make people nervous when i tell them that just because your 1970's chainsaws gas cap says 16 to 1 doesn't mean 30 years later you have to mix it the same. Its just a simple fact that back then we used 30w motor oil for mix and you needed a lot. 2 cycles then and now are pretty much constructed the same but our oil quality is just that much better.

[Ausable]

When I bought the Stihl - I asked the Guy about possible damage from Gasoline with Ethanol added - to the chainsaw. He suggested a product called Quicksilver made by Mecury Marine. Supposed to help protect 2 cycle engines and entend life --- However on reading the label the product seems to be good for just about everything except ringworm and warts. Anyone ever use this product in their chainsaws? Is it any good? --- Mike

[xyz5150]

If it sounds to good to be true it usually is, whoops wrong thread:lol:. i personals have never been a fan of fuel additives except fuel stabilizer. I have never seen quicksilver but i have had many salesmen try to sell me others just like it. All i can tell you is run premium gas from a reputable gas station and stay away from the discount stations. Use quality SYNTHETIC 2 cycle oil (Husqvarna xp oil, and i hate to say it but Stihl has good oil too) dont buy hardware brand 2 cycle if you do you might as well get a disposable chainsaw there to. If you run premium gas and synthetic oil you dont need the snake oils.

[Ausable]

If it sounds to good to be true it usually is, whoops wrong thread:lol:. i personals have never been a fan of fuel additives except fuel stabilizer. I have never seen quicksilver but i have had many salesmen try to sell me others just like it. All i can tell you is run premium gas from a reputable gas station and stay away from the discount stations. Use quality SYNTHETIC 2 cycle oil (Husqvarna xp oil, and i hate to say it but Stihl has good oil too) dont buy hardware brand 2 cycle if you do you might as well get a disposable chainsaw there to. If you run premium gas and synthetic oil you dont need the snake oils.

XYZ -- Thanks for the information - I really appreciate it - I'll put the Quicksilver in the cabinet with the rest of the miracle cures. As P T. Barnum would say "There is a Sucker born every minute". ------ Mike

[xyz5150]

Ausable

XYZ -- Thanks for the information - I really appreciate it - I'll put the Quicksilver in the cabinet with the rest of the miracle cures. As P T. Barnum would say "There is a Sucker born every minute". ------ Mike

Don't let it collect dust use it up, i just wouldn't trust it to protect my equipment like is says Even if they guaranteed it." a guarantee is only as good as the company that guaranteed it".

[3rdgen.maple]

Quicksilver is the name brand for Merc's oil product line. So when you say quicksilver it could mean you just bought 1 of about 100 different lubricating products from merc. :rolleyes: But since you brought it up lol I got a good laugh when I was basically wasting time the other day at TSC browsing in the chainsaw aisle. I must have spent too much time in that section cause the guy behind the registerd kept coming over and looking at me. A couple minutes later he comes back with this box of the magic cure to ethenol (well according to him) , opens the box and hands me a tube about half the size of a traveling toothpaste tube. I looked at him and said did I win the doorprize:rolleyes: He said no I just figured you were looking for this stuff cause everyone wants it and we cant keep it on the shelves. I gave it back to him and said this sucker wasnt born yesterday. I did look at the directions on it and this tiny tube of the ever mighty magical ethonal cure said it treated up to 70 gallons of fuel. Umm that would be like one drop per gallon. What a joke. Did notice they were liquidating their electric table mounted chainsaw sharpeners for 19.99 must be all that plastic that its made of works great. Like I said I wasnt born yesterday.

[3rdgen.maple]

Now Im wondering how fast my saw will cut if I run 103 octane racing fuel in it:D. Port it polish it put a 10 pin drive sprocket on it mod the muffler heck maybe run some methonal in it. Joking of course.

[802maple]

Now Im wondering how fast my saw will cut if I run 103 octane racing fuel in it:D. Port it polish it put a 10 pin drive sprocket on it mod the muffler heck maybe run some methonal in it. Joking of course.

What you need is my old Terrill saw, 3/8 inch file to sharpen, ways as much as 350 John Deere bulldozer, the chain goes so slow you can count the teeth while cutting, but the torque is amazing. You never can stall it.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Now Im wondering how fast my saw will cut if I run 103 octane racing fuel in it:D. Port it polish it put a 10 pin drive sprocket on it mod the muffler heck maybe run some methonal in it. Joking of course.

no your not, once a gear head always a gear head <favorite phrase post ooops

[Josh Nickles]

Does anyone else get a chuckle out of a thread titled "Chainsaw Advice - save yourself the trouble" started by a member named One Leg John?

Yep. I started laughing right when I saw the thread start.

I'm impressed with how everyone is handling themselfs so far. I've seen people get really over the top on chainsaw threads. In fact, I was warned to never talk about chainsaws on this board.

[SapZilla]

I think of huskies the same as I think of Dodge pickup trucks. A little bulky, a little too hard on fuel, heavy on material, short on engineering, not the best looking...

[xyz5150]

SapZilla

I think of huskies the same as I think of Dodge pickup trucks. A little bulky, a little too hard on fuel, heavy on material, short on engineering, not the best looking...

Must be a Chevy guy.Only a Chevy guy would compare a Cadillac to a chevette, wait didn't they use the same parts.:lol: Come on man you cant stay in business for 322 years making bad stuff, unlike Chrysler and g.m.:lol: Oh i forgot Husqvarna was founded in 1689 to make guns for the Swedish army if you look at there logo you are looking down a gun barrel not at a crown like many people think.

[Daren]

Had a jonsared 2159 turbo for about 6 years with about 10 cord a year and blew it up. Dealer told me it was the fuel octane. Maybe, but bought a stihl this time. Season 3 with 14 cord per so far and love it. Danno posted where to find a good sharpener. Just bought the bench/wall mount version from northern and I have never been happier. Cut 7 trees including pinning and bucking on a single tank of fuel. Nice big chips and pulled itself through like a well sharpened chain should! Never gonna use a round file again!

[3rdgen.maple]

I think of huskies the same as I think of Dodge pickup trucks. A little bulky, a little too hard on fuel, heavy on material, short on engineering, not the best looking...

Man you couldnt be farther from wrong on all accounts. Well except mph on the dodge. Compare the weight of a comparible stihl saw to a husky. Yep they are heavier. I can out last a tank of fuel on my big husky verses my bro's wood boss which holds 16.9 ounces at 50 cc compared to my Husqavarna 570 that holds 16.5 ounces of fuel at 68 cc. Now if you compare a stihl saw equivelant to my 570 in weight you would get this Husky 14.55 lbs Stihl 441 at 14.6 pounds without the bar and chain. Oh to twist some marbles even more If I wanted to drive a square box down the road I would get the chevy lol.