On 23/09/2011 5:39 PM, HeyBub wrote:
robb wrote:
I have done the google searches. Now the internet is filled with 50/50
conflicting advice and reviews.

Does anyone her have experience with the big retailer brand gas
powered chainsaws ?

I am looking for probably 18"- 20" gas powered chainsaw to clear and
thin out some under brush, saplings, scrub oaks, limbs and
occasional downed trees from my parents wooded property ( there is
about 2 acres of overgrown wooded area they want cleaned up ) .

So, i was looking at the big box DIY stores and i see Homelight,
Poulan, ECHO, Stihl, Blue Max, Ryobi, Poulan Pro, Husqvarna with
prices from 149 - 499.

I would like to stick to lower end prices.

Is there a best of the cheap ?

thanks for helpful replies,
robb

I suspect you're considering "cheap" because of the anticipated, rare, use.

If I'm correct, consider an electric chain saw (and 200' of extension cord*,
possibly home-made). Unlike 2-cycle gas tools, an electric tool will not
rot, decay, or develop festering carbuncles if left sitting unused for a
year. Electric tools are binary - like a computer. They either work, or they
don't. Gas-powered tools are analog: there is a wide range of functioning
(works, mostly works, sometimes works, works only in the dark of the moon or
a high tide, doesn't work, etc.).

Build yourself a tote-box to carry the saw. Leave room for a quart of oil,
spare chain, and the tools necessary to replace/tighten the chain.

---
An acre is a square about 70' on a side. A 200' extension cord should reach
almost all of a two-acre plot. You may need a modest generator if there is
no electricity available.


No to be picky, but you guys must have 'small' acres where you come
from. Up here, an acres measures just slightly over 208' on a side.

But, I agree with your comments about the saws. My first one was a
Homelite which lasted all of about a year and a half, or about six cords
of wood. Scraped it, bought a Stihl 290 and it just keeps on going, and
going, and...

Gil