Chainsaw Recommendations

[Jo D]

I agree with a local Dealer and their known service people, you have someone to meet face to face that can give you advice if needed and help with problems if any happen.
At Home Depot and Lowe's try getting the real store manager to talke to you, and how they hire service people is you take a computer assement test if you pass it someone who know nothing about fixing anything gives you a quick talk and your hired that is if your not over age 60.

You by any tool and have a problem good luck at best they will send it back to the Mfg. who knows, if they try fixing it chances are it's then scrap and that is all there going to do for you.

at a Big box your best bet if it does not work quickly return it, and go to a local Dealer that will give you quality service, and have real trained service people.

None of what i am looking at is available at either of the stores you mentioned by me. I dont know if Tractor supply or Ace hardware would fit in that category to you. If we go with the Stihl, ACE is the only authorized dealer I have been able to find (and we would have to drive about an hour to get to ne that carries the one we were looking at originally). Lighter would be good, for sure but we just dont have the ability to do the 300$ jump. IM not sure if ACE was listed as an authorized repair have to look that up, but they are authorized dealer. Tractor supply isnt a authorized dealer (and doesnt carry the saw period) but is authorized repair and parts. My local saw and mower place doesnt come up as a listed/authorized anything but I know from my yard guy they sell them, and I know he buys other equipment there and has repairs done there that he cant do himself. I know they will register your serial number incase ever stolen. Your thoughts on those 2 stores?

 

[happysawer]

None of what i am looking at is available at either of the stores you mentioned by me. I dont know if Tractor supply or Ace hardware would fit in that category to you. If we go with the Stihl, ACE is the only authorized dealer I have been able to find (and we would have to drive about an hour to get to ne that carries the one we were looking at originally). Lighter would be good, for sure but we just dont have the ability to do the 300$ jump. IM not sure if ACE was listed as an authorized repair have to look that up, but they are authorized dealer. Tractor supply isnt a authorized dealer (and doesnt carry the saw period) but is authorized repair and parts. My local saw and mower place doesnt come up as a listed/authorized anything but I know from my yard guy they sell them, and I know he buys other equipment there and has repairs done there that he cant do himself. I know they will register your serial number incase ever stolen. Your thoughts on those 2 stores?

Tractor Supply sells Poulan and if you look at Poulans web sight and read the really BAD reviews no one in their right mind would by a Poulan today.

Now if ACE Hardware can get the STHIL chainsaw you want i would go with ACE. chances of having a real problem requiring a full take down repair is not something i would worry about, if something that bad happened a simple contact with STHIL and they will get things started for having it back in service.

I understand your not close to the point of where buying, not like me just within 2 miles from a full service dealer, but am sure if a problem happens ACE will get it fixed and you won't have to quickly drive back to them.

 

[Jo D]

Second the safety equipment, bought chaps, helmet with ear and face protection before first use.
Never use a saw when tired or frustrated is just as important.
If I had the $ I would buy the Stihl, but I am out with the saw all the time and upped mine from an 18" to a 20" and was very happy. Most people seem more comfortable with 18" or less, since a bar/chain is much less $, then go with a 16 or 18 and see if that works well.
14" is too small for any sizable trees and over 20" brings a lot more risk.

Jonsered is different quality based on size, so that leaves the Stihl and husky from your list.
Go hold them and that can also show which one you will be more comfortable with, ignore salesman unless he is a mechanic/sawyer and can tell you something that is not just printed right on the box

The place I bought mine from, knew all the tweaks and was really helpful, I had already decided on brand/size.

Thank you. we have decided to wait to buy, my initial plan was to hit the local saw and mower place yesterday and buy the Stihl Farmboss. We have now decided to take one or two day trips next weekend to get to the places that have them near us and feel them out, and see what kind off information we can get. If we can get a good quality pro series that isnt 600-700 it would be worth it for the weight difference

 

[ruffdog]

jo d....my dad and I (both retired) have been heating with wood for 55 years and we cut all our own wood. We have small saws all the way up to 100cc+ as we take down some monster trees. For little jobs, we both have the baby MS180 Stihl 14" saws and they have cut more wood than I thought they should. Yeah, they are a cheap homeowner saw but we sure got our money out of them. The occasional 10" tree is easy for it. It sounds like a 16" homeowner saw would be plenty for you and I would buy stihl. I would not get 2 bars for a small saw. I have big saws that I have a 20,25,36" bar depending on the job. If I don't need that long bar, I sure don't want to carry it around all day. Spend the extra $ on the better oils and PPE like hearing protection, shield, chaps, boots. Most of all, be safe.

 

[Jo D]

Tractor Supply sells Poulan and if you look at Poulans web sight and read the really BAD reviews no one in their right mind would by a Poulan today.

Now if ACE Hardware can get the STHIL chainsaw you want i would go with ACE. chances of having a real problem requiring a full take down repair is not something i would worry about, if something that bad happened a simple contact with STHIL and they will get things started for having it back in service.

I understand your not close to the point of where buying, not like me just within 2 miles from a full service dealer, but am sure if a problem happens ACE will get it fixed and you won't have to quickly drive back to them.[/QUO

Thank you, That is extremely helpful. We do have some closer but they just havent had any in stock in the 2 or 3 weeks we have been looking. So we will take the drive. Do places like that tend to only service if you bought from them?

 

[happysawer]

Thank you. we have decided to wait to buy, my initial plan was to hit the local saw and mower place yesterday and buy the Stihl Farmboss. We have now decided to take one or two day trips next weekend to get to the places that have them near us and feel them out, and see what kind off information we can get. If we can get a good quality pro series that isnt 600-700 it would be worth it for the weight difference

As i said nothing wrong with the STHIL Farm&Ranch chainsaw, many have them and been a great seller for years.

I might add i have a problem of buying a lot of things, if you could see inside my firearm safe you would understand.

 

[Jo D]

Another important item that first time chainsaw users over look is their need of safety equiptment, most people know eye protection is needed when using powered equiptment, but your head needs protection also STHIL and many others offer very nice head protection that includes ear protection and a screened face shield, i had a bubch of trimmed limbs fall on me and my girlfriend helper and i was just using a small pole trimmer not a Pole chainsaw they were just small branchs but i sure felt them, now i have a safety STHIL hard hat it has really made working safer for me.

Then another item i am planing on getting it's wrap around safety Chaps, one slip with the running chainsaw and if the chain contacts your leg "OUCH" STHIL and many others offer safety Chaps full and wrap around, these safety chaps are designed in layers that quickly stop a gas powered chainsaw NOTICE i said gas powered they don't work with an electrict powered chainsaw.

Then there is the need for good quality foot protection you need to be sure footed when using a chainsaw and this calls for a good tough boot does not need to be steel toed just good and sturdy.

Gloves are your hands friend good quality gloves are always needed IMHO many don't use them i say good luck it's your hands.

Remember with chainsaws just like with a firearm do something foolish, and you don't many times get another chance.

although not anywhere near a professional when it comes to trees, Hardhats, eye protection, ear protection, good work boots and quality gloves are readily available in this house. We likely have a face shield somewhere cant say for sure, the chaps would be the only thing I know we dont have My husband has been in the construction industry for 30plus years and was also the Osha person at 2 different companies he worked for. Not just the go between for the company and Osha, but he taught Osha safety classes for his men and was certified to sign the certificates. My 10 year old knows to wear gloves, and safety goggles when he goes out to "work" on a stump we have that needs to come out

 

[happysawer]

although not anywhere near a professional when it comes to trees, Hardhats, eye protection, ear protection, good work boots and quality gloves are readily available in this house. We likely have a face shield somewhere cant say for sure, the chaps would be the only thing I know we dont have My husband has been in the construction industry for 30plus years and was also the Osha person at 2 different companies he worked for. Not just the go between for the company and Osha, but he taught Osha safety classes for his men and was certified to sign the certificates. My 10 year old knows to wear gloves, and safety goggles when he goes out to "work" on a stump we have that needs to come out

In watching Bucken Billy Ray videos even someone who has used chainsaws for all his life, and is in the bush almost everyday he also has been pretty badly hurt by his saws, so no matter how large the chainsaw is or if it's a homeowner type it can hurt you if you make a mistake when using it.

 

[Jo D]

I have 2. The smaller Echo 310 for 80% of what I do and the still 310 for the big stuff. The still is very heavy compared to the echo, and far more powerful!

If you are going to use it for long periods, if occasionally or every day, weight is a factor. IMHO

Yes weight has been something we have been talking about since brought up in the forum. I MAY have found an authorized dealer closer to me, but regardless we have decided to go and feel some out. This forum has been like a pot of gold for me and I so appreciate all Im hearing.

 

[Toyboy]

In regards to "canned" fuel. I've never used it but my cousin in Hawaii has. It's handy for occasional small jobs but pricey. True Fuel may be the name?? Anyway, if your going to be doing a lot of cutting it's not for you.

Bar length: A lot of chatter here about putting/getting a longer bar on the saw of your choice. I would not exceed the manufacturers recommended bar length without an adjustable oilier for the chain. A fixed displacement oilier would not be able to keep up with a bar that was longer then intended and will eventually ruin the bar and chain. If you purchase a saw that has the bar length you feel necessary, then you can buy the shorter bar & chain which will work well.
Pro saws come with adjustable oilier's to accommodate different length bars but that comes at a price also.