Anybody here got a Poulan "Wild Thing" saw?

[JDgreen227]

I have owned 4 Craftsman chainsaws, the newest and biggest is a 42cc with an 18 inch bar, and have owned 3 16 inchers of the same brand and from what I understand, they are all made by Poulan. This Saturday TSC is selling the Poulan Wild Thing for $99.99, it's a 40cc with an 18 inch bar. As I am not a regular or heavy user of chainsaws, they last me a LONG time, even the cheapos. All of my Craftsmans still run, but the oldest one has broken bosses on the housing so I cannot use the bar and chain.

Anybody got feedback on the "Wild Thing"? Yes, it's garish looking as h***, but an 18 inch saw for $100 seems like a good deal.

 

[J F]

:laughing: I hate to admit here, after being a member (and reading) about the saw....for my purposes, it's done well, over the years (maybe 5-7 ). I've got a 2 or 3 chains, which I've sharpened by hand, or had sharpened, intermittently, over the years.

I also have a much larger poulan, that I don't have a clue about...but I've done some good work with, over the years.

This site has me salivating over some "real" saws, though...we'll see.

 

[xyz123]

I think the new wild things are strato design 40cc or the non AV version of 4018. Most problems I have see with the saws are by owners not knowing how to tune or do simple maintenance. Just keep a eye on fuel lines for cracking.

 

[xyz123]

I also have a much larger poulan, that I don't have a clue about...but I've done some good work with, over the years.

This site has me salivating over some "real" saws, though...we'll see.

Come on man your killing me, whats your much larger poulan? cc?

Real saws? LMAO I've owned them all and they all make plastic and they all make or made real saws.

 

[Soundguy]

i have one from? a few years ago. runs good... sometimes don't like to idle when cold.. but.. if I had to buy another and it was 99$ I would. I recall paying more for mine....

 

[J F]

Come on man your killing me, whats your much larger poulan? cc?

Real saws? LMAO I've owned them all and they all make plastic and they all make or made real saws.

Orang-ish..maybe 45-55 cc? It's down in the crawl-space. I cut a coupla big-arse (for me) trees with it...a buncha years ago - 8-12?

 

[JDgreen227]

i have one from? a few years ago. runs good... sometimes don't like to idle when cold.. but.. if I had to buy another and it was 99$ I would. I recall paying more for mine....

Thanks Soundguy...my Craftsmans, especially the newer ones, are the same way...don't want to idle well when cold.

 

[Soundguy]

once I've made a few cuts.. or a good long cut it will idle.. but then.. I don;t particuarly like an idling saw all the time either.

many times i'm doiung fencing or someting.. and I may make a cut on a board or a top.. and then work up another 16'.. etc.. and I'll just let her cut off during that time.

i tell ya. chainsaw on a farm is a great tool. poor mans skill saw.. gas powered.

I can't rememebr the last time i used a skill saw to cut fence boars or capple panels to size

 

[riptides]

I had one a few years back. It lasted a good long time. I think the cover bolt snapped around the engine case. Not sure what you call that.

I abused it, mis-used it and never took care of it.

I have another Poulan now, just had good luck with them for my use. I recall paying around 100 bucks way back when for the wild thing too. It was a deal, I just could not pass on.

 

[kenmac]

I had a couple once and broke both of them in short time trying to use them for big stuff. They are good for small stuff & or de limbing

 

[nwltruck]

Have owned one for years. 2 bars 5 chains. Other than that the only thing that broke was the brake cover bought one on line for little and put in on. BIL dug up a stump with mine (bar #2). Only thing I wish was different would be less guild teeth on the factory chains (2 guild links for every cutting link). I have since filed the guild teeth of one of my chains and the thing just eats trees alive. That chain does not get loaned out with the saw!

 

[stuckmotor]

I think the new wild things are strato design 40cc or the non AV version of 4018. Most problems I have see with the saws are by owners not knowing how to tune or do simple maintenance. Just keep a eye on fuel lines for cracking.

I bought a Wild Thing from Tractor Supply at one of those 99.00 sales. One reason I bought it is that my brother has used one for years. I was unaware there were different designs. Mine tended to choke down the first time I used it, the second time it seemed to run better. I've only used it twice.

 

[the old grind]

My first saw was a Craftsman (Poulan) 2.0 CI-14" and it paid for itself several times over in the 30 yrs I've had it, cutting way bigger stuff than was meant to, btw. What a performer it has been. My 18" wild thing was a gift after its PO broke a tiny part and didn't know where to find another (made a HD one on the mill). For a near-'disposable' priced model it has run like a race-horse for 5 yrs or so. Ergonomics suit me well, and arthritic old hands handle it with ease.

btw: Sharpen often. Grind those 'rakers' down .060" below tooth height vs the typical .030" -.045" and let the tool do the work. If you're spinnin' WFO in the cut you're not really 'cutting'. (Make chips, not sawdust!)

Anyway, IMO anyone who couldn't appreciate what those 'Wild Things' will do for the bucks might just need another level of saw entirely, either twice the price or down to an electric.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I would spend a little more on something with anti-vibration handles. I hate the tingly hands feeling.There's a Craftsman 18" on sale for $150 right now. This one is $160 regular price at Home Depot. Poulan PRO PP4218A 18 in. 42 cc Gas Chainsaw. Sometimes you can find a reconditioned better model for around $99 if that's your budget.

 

[JDgreen227]

I would spend a little more on something with anti-vibration handles. I hate the tingly hands feeling.There's a Craftsman 18" on sale for $150 right now. This one is $160 regular price at Home Depot. Poulan PRO PP4218A 18 in. 42 cc Gas Chainsaw. Sometimes you can find a reconditioned better model for around $99 if that's your budget.

Thanks for your input, the Craftsman you refer to is priced at $147.99 locally...thought about that one. The real reason I started the thread is because I am going to be helping my brother take down a number of good size trees soon and want to have a backup 40+cc saw. Wonder if the anti-vibe handles on my oldest saw would fit the WT? The first saw was a 14 inch 2.3 ci Craftsman and I was amazed at how well it performed, and it cost me more than the 42cc-18" model on sale now.

 

[s219]

I'd either burn the $100 bill, use it as a napkin during lunch, or put it towards a good saw. You definitely get what you pay for with chainsaws, more so than most other outdoor power equipment.

 

[YesDeere]

I only have experience with 2. I owned neither. One leaked bar oil from day one. The other threw chains when it did run. So obviously I have a bad impression. Sounds like that's not the rule after reading this thread.

I am an avid stihl user, but I started on a counter vibe 3400 poulan. Tough saw.

 

[D7E]

I'd either burn the $100 bill, use it as a napkin during lunch, or put it towards a good saw. You definitely get what you pay for with chainsaws, more so than most other outdoor power equipment.

My thoughts too

 

[kenmac]

I only have experience with 2. I owned neither. One leaked bar oil from day one. The other threw chains when it did run. So obviously I have a bad impression. Sounds like that's not the rule after reading this thread.

I am an avid stihl user, but I started on a counter vibe 3400 poulan. Tough saw.

You aren't the only 1 with a bad experence. I posted I used up 2 of them once in short order. I'm sure there is a market for them, because they still make them. For limbing and cutting small stuff they should be ok. But, for heavy duty use/cutting. No way

 

[YesDeere]

You get what you pay for. I don't like to have problems added to the job at hand. So I personally wouldn't want one. Tools should fix things not need to be fixed.