economy chainsaw

[Paddy]

Sound Guy,

I have owned two Poulans over the years. They start well. Most times I can start on one pull if I can push the choak in quick enough!

If you don't already have one, get a Dremal and the correct grider tip to keep it sharp.

 

[N80]

I have a 20 year old Homelite that I love. My dad gave it to me after he'd used it for years. He now has an expensive Stihl that to me seems heavy and awkward and is often fussy and (it seems to me, complicated) to start. With the little Homelite you put the choke on, give it a few pulls, turn the choke off and give a few pulls and off you go. It is light, feels cheaply made and is underpowerd, but it goes and goes and goes and is so easy to work on.

I'm not knocking the expensive brands, I'll probably get one when the Homelite dies, but for what Chris wants to do, and most of the things I normally do, these cheap little saws are just fine.

 

[Soundguy]

my 010 stihl will out last those disposables 3:1 or more.

so instead of buying a disposable from wally world twice, buy a decent saw once.

I'm glad your expensive saw works for you. I'm looking for an economy one. I pretty much feel that for the light use I have for it, and the good amount of maint it will get.. that it should last a while.

I've been making do just fine for over 10ys with an electric job.. still runs great...

I've got plenty of exp babying old equipment.. just look at my tractors..

Soundguy

 

[SPYDERLK]

Quote from Soundguy: I've been making do just fine for over 10ys with an electric job.. still runs great...


So you dont want to use an inverter?
Larry

 

[1bush2hog]

Soundguy -

It might be a good idea to upgrade your chain on whatever economy saw you decide to go with.

Sounds like the 14" Poulan will work for you - If not return it within 30 days and try another

 

[stumpfield]

I know the topic is economy chainsaw. You might want to look for a used stihl or husky. They are about the same price as a brand new economy saw in the same size. I got them for about half the price as a new one. The used stihl/husky will out perform and out last a new economy saw. Just a sugguestion.

 

[turnkey4099]

I'm glad your expensive saw works for you. I'm looking for an economy one. I pretty much feel that for the light use I have for it, and the good amount of maint it will get.. that it should last a while.

I've been making do just fine for over 10ys with an electric job.. still runs great...

I've got plenty of exp babying old equipment.. just look at my tractors..

Soundguy

Very sensible viewpoint. From your description of useage, any of the big box stores saws should do you just fine. I would go with Poulan but that is just a case of brand recognition. I use professional saws for making wood and have been doing so for 30 years. Yes, the cheap saws should be looked at as throwaways - not worth fixin for any serious problems.

The big problem with your described use is the care and that applies to the expensive saws as well as the cheap ones.

Rule number 1 - Unless you will be using it in a few days (say up to a week or two) NEVER put it away with fuel in it. That is asking for the carb to to get gummed up. Dump the fuel and then run until it quits.

Rule number 2 - go with rule number 1.

Harry K

 

[smitesmash]

I have a polan/Craftsman that I used a lot for a while. It was great for the first three years, the fourth year however, a 15ct screw stripped out a hole in the plastic frame, and now the handle doesn't stay attached.

If this is something just to have on hand, I'd say go for it. However if you are going to use it regularly, one day it will fail and you will have to replace it.

 

[thatguy]

I have rebuilt and/or replaced the oil pump several times and the recoil mechanism once, but it still runs well. Jay

OT comment

Reminds me of an old joke I heard once.. A man was showing his old ax to some ppl and told them how it had been handed down from generation to generation for many many years and it had only had the handle replaced 3x and the head 2x...

LOL

 

[slowrev]

Soundguy, I have had a poulan pro 16" saw for 5 years. I cut about 20 pickup loads of wood a year. Only problem is I have worn out a couple of bars, several chains and the little sproket thingy on the clutch ($8).
The pro series are better, chromed cylinder and such.

I have an older poulan that someone gave me, was beat to cr#p and told it was junk. Put new fuel lines and a carb kit in it and it does great now.

I also have an old poulan weedeater that is over 20 yrs old and still going strong.
Ben
Take you pick, but for the price and function non pros would find it hard to beat a Poulan.

Two saws are handy when you get one bound up