Smaller chainsaw

[berkshires]

Hi gang. Yeah, another chainsaw thread. I looked through everything I could find here, and none of the older threads seemed to fit.

I've been running a Homelite (Home Depot brand) 16" 33cc chainsaw for 20 years or so. It still runs great, but it I'm thinking of upgrading. My problem is that it gets bogged down, it likes to cut to the right or left (and when it does it sometimes stops grabbing the wood at all), it doesn't have dogs on it to help keep it straight, and at 16" its bar it's a little small.

Now what I don't want is a big 24" chainsaw. I'm a little guy - strong but small, and only process maybe two cords of wood a year. So I don't need or want a huge saw. But I think I've gotten my money's worth out of this old Homelite, and would be willing to spend up to maybe 5 or $600 for something that could make my life easier when it's time to buck up the wood. I was thinking something with an 18" bar.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Gabe

[Brian]

It sounds like the chain is not sharpend correctly and is why it is pulling. there can be alot of reasons, the rakers may need attention or the pitch ect. Try changing the chain and see what happens. I like a 20 inch bar so i don't have to bend over so far.

[littleTapper]

^^ what Brian said.

The bar could also be a noodle and a better bar may help along with getting the chain right.

I love my collection of gas Stihl saws (MS170-14", MS291-20", 038 Mag-28"), but my most used saw now is a stupid little Greenworks 40v with a 16" bar. The stock bar was flimsy and .043 gauge. When I used up the stock chain, I put on a better .050 gauge Oregon bar and chain and that made it even better. I have 3 large batteries for it (since I have a bunch of the other tools) and for anything not huge, I grab that saw first. I can cut and not annoy the neighbors and it's really light.

I would suspect that for many people a good battery saw can now meet a lot of needs, but I wouldn't make it my only one....and anyone burning wood for syrup sure wouldn't either. Having something with a 20" bar is great and I think going to a 18" would then make you wish you had a 20" bar; I can pretty much do everything with my MS291; but variety is nice That said, a MS251 with an 18" bar or a MS271 with a 20" are a decent amount of saw for decent prices.

[berkshires]

I dunno, I got a new chain and bar pretty recently, and I sharpen it after every couple days of use, sometimes more often, with the Timberline chain sharpener. So I don't think my chain angles would be too funky.

GO

[Brian]

I sharpen mine every tank of gas, I give each tooth 3 passes weather they need them or not. Don't forget to change out your file, they don't last for ever. The saw is only as good as the bar and chain, make sure they are from a respectful co.

[Ultimatetreehugger]

I run. A stihl 261 c and love it. Light and far more powerful than a standard 261.

[Brian]

I have a one handed dewalt sawzall I carry when I walk the woods. It will do all the little stuff, but sometimes I have to go get a real saw. I have stihls, husqvarnas, and a Jonsered no preference but when they don't make that noise you know it is going to suck!! I can't imagine cutting wood with an axe and cross cut saw all day and then pulling it out with horses then rolling the logs onto trucks with peavey ect. That was when men were men, I guess I am still a boy!!

[johnallin]

Have to agree that a light touch up with a file after each tank of gas is the answer. Properly sharpened, my Stihl MS 311 will pull you right on into whatever you're cutting.
If it's not throwing chips, or pulling to one side or the other, the chain needs some attention.

Nothing much nicer than a good sharp chain, makes cutting a pleasure - it's the picking up and throwing into the bed of the Gator that's still a pain in the back!

[BAP]

Does it have a real chain on it or a Homeowner’s special with anti kickback chain? If it has the anti kickback chain then that’s your problem. They are worthless for cutting.

[berkshires]

Does it have a real chain on it or a Homeowner’s special with anti kickback chain? If it has the anti kickback chain then that’s your problem. They are worthless for cutting.

Here's the chain and bar: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oregon-1...6-23/326904971. They're both just two-and-a-half years old. That said, I think I just figured out I was running my chainsaw with the chain consistently too loose, and I may have blown out the track in the bar the chain runs in. It feels like there's more wiggle there than there should be. So maybe I'll pick up a new bar. May as well get a new chain while I'm at it, so as to have a spare.

GO