On 14/05/2021 10:14, John Rumm wrote:
I did wonder a bit what you wanted a 20" bar for!
up buying:
A Stihl MS-180 saw with 14" blade
Yup nice saw. About 1.4 kW output, so plenty for a 12" to 14" bar.
Ignorance!
For logging and general garden maintenance I have always found the 14"
bar to be more that adequate without needing to resort to plunge cut
techniques.
5 litre chain oil
Plastic fuel can
5 litres petrol
Chainsaw file kit
Helmet
3 x 100mm two stroke oil
I usually get the Stihl 1 litre bottle with the measuring chamber on the
top which makes it easy to make up a litre at a time at whatever ratio
you require. (but then again I don't usually make up a gallon at a time
- and not all my tools need the same oil
etrol ratio)
3 round chainsaw files
Did you get a flat one for filing the rakers?
It was a kit with the thing for testing the height of the spurs and a
file for filing them. Also a thing for cleaning the bar. And a thing for
getting stones out of horses' hooves. Allegedly.
TBH, having got the electric sharpener, I have given up with files - the
the difference in cut performance is so marked compared to what I had
been able to achieve by hand in the past.
I've always used an electric sharpener but my guru despises them almost
as much as he hates homosexuals, black men, and anyone wearing a suit.
Incidentally the new saw is such a pleasure to use. It absolutely
flies through hardwood and needs very little physical effort on my
part. A revelation after the electric one.
In reality, the electric one has much the same (possibly even slightly
more) power, but is possibly less well balanced.
Agreed.
The main improvement
will be likely down to a really sharp[1] chain, and probably better bar
oiling. (good oilers make them cut much better IME)
[1] Not only sharp, but with the rakers height filed low enough to allow
the blade edge to actually get adequate bite into the wood. I once spent
a frustrating time with what was a theoretically sharp chain, not making
much progress, and getting very fine sawdust like chips. Only after
filing the rakers (angle grinder!), was cut performance restored, and
the feeling of "ah, just like a real one!"
The gadget I mentioned above is calibrated and the recommendation for
this machine is 0.65mm.
I'm glad one person at least is prepared to have a helpful discussion
about this rather than just sniping and nit-picking.
Bill