Chainsaw Recommendations

[happysawer]

Is one pic the 'before' and one the 'after'? Which is which?


.

No one is from the side other from front.

 

[Egon]

Steel toed boots are fine but there are regular chainsaw boots that offer much more protection.

 

[Jo D]

Firstly, I am gratified that you are, in fact, shopping for chainsaw shops, Hopefully you will find the extra time well spent. Secondly, I am happy you have involved your husband in the process. Receiving a "surprise" gift of a new tool is often a disappointment for the recipient.

Actually he has been involved since day 1. He said to get him a chainsaw for his birthday. He knew he wanted one the question was which one. We have stuff we need to get done. Stihl was first brand he mentioned but he asked me to ask a couple people for recommendations. One said Stihl, the other came up Stihl. Husqvarna or Jonsered. He had a limit he didnt want me to cross, we both didnt want to have to buy another. (we have owned Battery & Electric before and he didnt want either) We wanted a good one that would last. I started doing my research and landed on an older board in here, and cant tell you all how happy I am to have gotten the information and suggestions that I have received.

 

[Jo D]

We had a local place pop up on the Stihl site (it hadnt prior, Ace kept coming up) and I spoke to then on the phone Saturday. I liked the vibe I got speaking with them and we will be going in tomorrow morning to see the place in person, talk some options (will honestly boil down to price but will be likely comparing the 271 and 261) We will be discussing options of a few things, like an extra bar, chains etc. We will be getting the pre mix when we buy.

 

[rademamj1]

We had a local place pop up on the Stihl site (it hadnt prior, Ace kept coming up) and I spoke to then on the phone Saturday. I liked the vibe I got speaking with them and we will be going in tomorrow morning to see the place in person, talk some options (will honestly boil down to price but will be likely comparing the 271 and 261) We will be discussing options of a few things, like an extra bar, chains etc. We will be getting the pre mix when we buy.

Remember, if you purchase any Stihl chainsaw with Stihl premixed fuel at same time, Stihl will automatically double the warranty for you. The dealer can also do your warranty registration for you at time of purchase. Ask them to do that for you, it takes them just 5 minutes to complete your "double" warranty.

 

[Jo D]

Remember, if you purchase any Stihl chainsaw with Stihl premixed fuel at same time, Stihl will automatically double the warranty for you. The dealer can also do your warranty registration for you at time of purchase. Ask them to do that for you, it takes them just 5 minutes to complete your "double" warranty.

Thank You. Although I was aware of the doubled warranty, I didnt know they could do the warranty registration. Definitely good to know as its so easy to forget to do them.

 

[ArlyA]

I own a pro Stihl which sadly stays home 95% of the time. It has not been out this summer at all and we burned about 5 gallons of saw gas per season. (we are still clearing trails today) I recommend a pole saw, weather its battery powered or gas.

 

[Frankenkubota]

I prefer Stihl but you pay extra for the name. I lived in Raleigh during Fran in 96'... had to cut up 40+ trees that sat under flood waters. Had to change chains 3 times during the day and sharpen the chains at night for the next day. That was with a Stihl 028... bought my wife and "easy start" professional Stihl 193CE; I quit using the 028 (had no reason to pick up a big saw when all I needed was light weight stuff). That is a great little saw...

Fast forward to today, I use EGO 56 volt chainsaw, yes electric but more than capable... I still have the other two saws, after not being able to start them (left gas in them) I replace both carburetors and put them on a shelf, ready if I need them again. Problem was for small tasks, I was using a bow saw or hand saws to cut up the little stuff that you run into weekly. It was not worth gassing up the big saws to do a little bit of cutting. Electric saw are great these days... much better engineered and I have 4 batteries and I would be worn out before the saw ran out of batteries... (I know you are not interested in electric now... pretty sure you will some day).

I cut down a 18" Leyland Cypress and limbed it all up (40 feet) and the neighbor didn't even hear the electric chainsaw.

I lived in Raleigh/Cary in 96 when Fran hit. Amazing amount of damage. Could not buy a chain saw for weeks!

Back in the day, Cary was the last stage coach stop on the way to Raleigh. Raleigh is where Barney goes to party!

Cary has since become a part of Raleigh but still referred to as.....

Concentrated Area of Relocated Yankees. CARY

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I have an Echo CS-490 which I loathe. It's a pain to start, finicky as all get-out, and guaranteed to leave me with weeks of rotator cuff pain.
It was the echo that drove me to try out a Milwaukee battery powered chain saw, which works well from a power perspective but gets pinched too easily, derailing the chain.

I'm not sure what I'd buy for gas powered if I was replacing this odd duo above. If money is no object, get a Stihl. If you're less loyal to brand and more loyal to your wallet I'm not sure what to suggest I shy away from Husqvarna equipment because of the repeated customer feedback they get when they fail to honor waranty's, but hey, you can't believe everything you believe on the web. I will not buy another echo.

I've always liked how easy my Honda equipment starts, my brush cutter is always a one pull start. Don't think they make chain saws though.

Good luck, curious what you get and how you like it.

 

[old and tired]

...Could not buy a chain saw for weeks!

My uncle owned a chainsaw shop in McGraw, NY - He sent me a care package of a new bar, several chains, oil and most important a box of Files for my Stihl 028...

Cutting trees at dusk, it looked like I was grinding metal... sparks flying everywhere. I lived on Crabtree creek and flood water was 6" in my first floor "basement". House was hit with a 27" Tulip Poplar, 120' tall... Fun time cutting that tree off the house. I would strap a 24' ladder (on top of the roof) to the tree because once you cut the tree, it would spring up a bit and expand the ladder.

 

[Hay Dude]

I like the Makita saws. Made by Sachs Dolmar. You get a large Makita service/parts network.
My Makitas (20in & 24in) have been great.

 

[Jo D]

Thank you ALL for all your thoughts, suggestions, advise, Good & bad chainsaw stories. We went this morning and purchased out saw. WE went with the Stihl 271. We (he) did waver back and forth a little bit due to the weight, but since it is not likely to be sun up to sun down work, hubby decided that was the go. What we will be doing is mostly going to be in our own yard, and can be at his own pace. We were there a good hour and a half Id say. They only had the 20 inch bar in stock, and I can say Im not sure where the logic came in, but he decided to go with that and order the 18 inch bar (which will be in tomorrow - we could have bought and paid and just gone back to get it tomorrow, as it is we still have to to go the 18 in bar). He is planning to swap it out and put the 18 on but said this way if he ever needs it he has the 20 ?!?!??!. We got a gallon of the premix and I think a gallon of oil. I believe they said the smallest bar that can go on that saw was a 16, so I will likely buy that at some point so we have it. We checked into the files, so we dont have to bring it in every time ($15 a shot if you take the chain off the bar before you bring it in). Extra Chains, the file kit, another bar, a case etc are all being given as gift ideas to my daughters. Once they tell me what they are buying I will go out and but the rest. I cant thank you all enough. It made it a much more educated experience and he is happy with the final decision.

Frankenkubota, Cute reference to CARY, but this set of **** Yankees landed in Fayetteville. Then again he wasnt the Suit n tie type of guy, he was Electrical/Construction, we landed here in 92, and remember Fran quite well. I have learned since living here, you're Yankees if your here to visit, but **** Yankees as soon as you decide to stay. You were one of my first responses, if not the actual first. My first thought was how the heck did my husband end up on the same forum.... Your Profile pic is his FB profile pic. I know its silly, and there are probably millions of people with it, but it just really jumped right out at me.

Wish all of you the best of luck with everything, Until we meet again.
Jo D

 

[happysawer]

Thank you ALL for all your thoughts, suggestions, advise, Good & bad chainsaw stories. We went this morning and purchased out saw. WE went with the Stihl 271. We (he) did waver back and forth a little bit due to the weight, but since it is not likely to be sun up to sun down work, hubby decided that was the go. What we will be doing is mostly going to be in our own yard, and can be at his own pace. We were there a good hour and a half Id say. They only had the 20 inch bar in stock, and I can say Im not sure where the logic came in, but he decided to go with that and order the 18 inch bar (which will be in tomorrow - we could have bought and paid and just gone back to get it tomorrow, as it is we still have to to go the 18 in bar). He is planning to swap it out and put the 18 on but said this way if he ever needs it he has the 20 ?!?!??!. We got a gallon of the premix and I think a gallon of oil. I believe they said the smallest bar that can go on that saw was a 16, so I will likely buy that at some point so we have it. We checked into the files, so we dont have to bring it in every time ($15 a shot if you take the chain off the bar before you bring it in). Extra Chains, the file kit, another bar, a case etc are all being given as gift ideas to my daughters. Once they tell me what they are buying I will go out and but the rest. I cant thank you all enough. It made it a much more educated experience and he is happy with the final decision.

Frankenkubota, Cute reference to CARY, but this set of **** Yankees landed in Fayetteville. Then again he wasnt the Suit n tie type of guy, he was Electrical/Construction, we landed here in 92, and remember Fran quite well. I have learned since living here, you're Yankees if your here to visit, but **** Yankees as soon as you decide to stay. You were one of my first responses, if not the actual first. My first thought was how the heck did my husband end up on the same forum.... Your Profile pic is his FB profile pic. I know its silly, and there are probably millions of people with it, but it just really jumped right out at me.

Wish all of you the best of luck with everything, Until we meet again.
Jo D

You do understand that you will need the right length chain for each bar? you can't put a 20" chain on a 18" bar, and do i understand correct your dealer charges $15 dollars to sharpen one chain? that is really high my dealer charges $8 a chain, it's a good thing you bought some sharping files.

 

[Jo D]

You do understand that you will need the right length chain for each bar? you can't put a 20" chain on a 18" bar, and do i understand correct your dealer charges $15 dollars to sharpen one chain? that is really high my dealer charges $8 a chain, it's a good thing you bought some sharping files.

Yes, that is definitely understood . We purchased with the 20 " bar/chain installed on it and we ordered the 18" bar which will be in tomorroew, 18 chain was purchased today. Perhaps the confusion was when I said he was planning to swap out to the 18 and put the 20 up for when (I think if) he needs it. There is another authorized service/repair location in town, Tractor Supply,(just not sales) I may contact them to see what they charge. And yes, correct 15 to sharpen if we bring in off the bar, if we bring it in on the bar its higher, but I didnt get that price. I also thought it sounded high. Lucky for me, he doesnt mind sharpening on his own. Me, Id go nuts doing that

 

[happysawer]

Yes, that is definitely understood . We purchased with the 20 " bar/chain installed on it and we ordered the 18" bar which will be in tomorroew, 18 chain was purchased today. Perhaps the confusion was when I said he was planning to swap out to the 18 and put the 20 up for when (I think if) he needs it. There is another authorized service/repair location in town, Tractor Supply,(just not sales) I may contact them to see what they charge. And yes, correct 15 to sharpen if we bring in off the bar, if we bring it in on the bar its higher, but I didnt get that price. I also thought it sounded high. Lucky for me, he doesnt mind sharpening on his own. Me, Id go nuts doing that

Was that the Ace Hardware where you bought the chainsaw and charges $15 for sharping the chain if removed from bar?

 

[Toyboy]

Yes, that is definitely understood . We purchased with the 20 " bar/chain installed on it and we ordered the 18" bar which will be in tomorroew, 18 chain was purchased today. Perhaps the confusion was when I said he was planning to swap out to the 18 and put the 20 up for when (I think if) he needs it. There is another authorized service/repair location in town, Tractor Supply,(just not sales) I may contact them to see what they charge. And yes, correct 15 to sharpen if we bring in off the bar, if we bring it in on the bar its higher, but I didnt get that price. I also thought it sounded high. Lucky for me, he doesnt mind sharpening on his own. Me, Id go nuts doing that

Keep it out of the dirt and you won't have to sharpen that often. A sharp chain will cut a lot of wood before needing touching up.
Excellent choice also of saws also, and buying the premix fuel is a great idea IF your only going to use the saw occasionally throughout the year.
I've got the feeling that you folks are not new to chainsaws so all I can say is enjoy your new saw. Take care of it and you'll be able to pass it on to the next generation if there is one. LOL

 

[Egon]

On a contrary note touch up the chain every tank or two. That way you will cut a lot more wood.

 

[Randy Gann]

Congratulations on the new saw. Do take the time to check out Baileys Online for all your related equipment. They sell safety PPE, axes, wedges, anything you could need. You mentioned $15 for chain sharpening. At Baileys you can purchase a 72 drive link full chisel chain for $18.

 

[PILOON]

Over the years I've owned a number of chain saws, from early Cobra, a few Mac's Homelight's and now a powerful Jonsered turbo.

All to say my everyday favorite is my little Stihl 009 !

That was a pawn shop buy for a mere $40.00, (etched codes suggested it was mere months old).
I suspected an arborist quit the trade as it was one of 4 that the pawn shop had.
(The hook to hang from a belt kind of confirmed that)
He apologized in that he had no gas for me to try it out but I bought based and compression and general overall condition.

Ok, it is a noisy little beast but what a work horse.
One downside is that it has no anti vibration technology but for my casual use I don't see a problem, besides I already suffer from Renaud syndrome.

Local arborists have offered me serious $$'s for it but no sale.
It always starts on second pull (slow first to 'prime').

Heck I recently hired a guy to cut/trim trees (LOL getting a bit aged) and he offered to take that 009 for the day's efforts.
NOPE! it's a keeper.

One secret is that I know how to sharpen, I like minor 'touch ups' every 2nd tank fill plus occasional raker trimming as required.