Tony wrote:
Looking to buy a new chainsaw. How do the low end home owner type
Stihls hold up? I'm not normally cutting firewood, but it seems a few
75 foot trees close to the house have to come down each year so I can
sleep at night. Lets say I cut down about 5 trees a year with diameters
from 12" up to 18", up to 75' tall. Is a low end model with an 18"
chain enough? I'd definitely like one with the newer easy to adjust chain.

I have been using a crapsman/paulon? and the only thing I hated from the
start was adjusting the chain. I bought it for $50 about 10 years ago
at Sears as a refurbished unit someone returned. It always starts in
1 or 2 pulls no matter how long it sits. I'm going to spend $18 on a
new clutch part, the side with the chain sprocket is worn. It'll be
nice to have as a backup for when I screw up and let a chain on a new
saw get pinched.

If anyone remembers I asked about fixing the crapsman recently when the
bolts that hold the bar and chain started pulling through the plastic
case. I fixed that problem and I'm happy with that fix. Two bolts to
remove the muffler was all it took to gain access to the bar bolts and
for my repair. I got two bolts a little longer than the originals and
welded a plate connecting the two bolt heads together (spaced properly
so they would fit in again). It seemed to tighten up nicely but was in
the way of the muffler, so I then heated the bolts and plate to where
the plastic case was melting and snugged the bolts up again. It worked
GREAT and it's possibly stronger than new!

A Stihl is a Stihl. There is no such thing as a "LO-end" Stihl.
There's no such thing as a "home owner type" Stihl. So yes, go for the
Stihl saw that meets your budget and needs. Always use the Stihl oil in
the fuel AND on the bar and you won't be disappointed.

s