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#1
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
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 |
#2
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
"robb" wrote in message
m... 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. For just this task I had earlier a 16" Husqvarna and then a 20" Poulan, both of which were troublesome (and one died). Five years ago I bought (used) a 14" Stihl which does more work, is lighter thus easier to handle, and starts and runs trouble-free. -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada) |
#3
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
"robb" wrote in message m... 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 This is a troll, right? Best and cheap cannot be used in the same sentence. Except by me. Steve |
#4
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
"robb" wrote in 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 ? 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. Do you want to buy one saw or two? If the answer is one, buy a Stihl or Husq. The alternative is to buy a cheap saw now and the good saw after you get frustrated with the junk and buy a good one next time. If you want a Homelight, look in the wood near me where I tossed it after it did not start again.. |
#5
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
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. Avoid Poulan, Homelight. Probably Ryobi too. You didn't ask but avoid Sears too. Maybe, Poulan Pro & Blue Max,not familiar with either. Consider Stihl, Echo & Husqvarna ________________ I would like to stick to lower end prices. Is there a best of the cheap ? Yes. Go look at Stihl... http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/?g...FYEj7AodJ2qwcA and try out the product selector link. Stihl makes saws for varied uses but regardless of the use type, their saws are superior. Regarding bar length, you probably don't need 18" - 20" for what you want to do. A 14" bar can cut a very sizeable log - up to almost 28" - and a shorter bar means a lighter and easier to use saw. In 2004 we had a bunch of hurricanes and wound up with 100s of tons of trashed oak debris. I bought a 14" Stihl and there was very little I could not cut; for the too large stuff I bought a longer bar & chain but rarely use them. -- dadiOH ____________________________ dadiOH's dandies v3.06... ....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico |
#6
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
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. |
#7
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
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 |
#8
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
"Me" wrote in message eb.com... Don't cut off your hand. My old German father always used to say "Buy it right, once.". Buy a Stihl. Dick in Ferris, TX |
#9
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
Dick Keats wrote:
"Me" wrote in message eb.com... Don't cut off your hand. My old German father always used to say "Buy it right, once.". Buy a Stihl. Dick in Ferris, TX How about a Sachs-Dolmar? That's a German saw too, and I believe they are a little cheaper than a comparable Stihl. -Bob |
#10
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
Gil wrote:
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... (Slaps head). You're absolutely correct on the size of an acre. 43,560 sq ft, or a square 208 ft on a side. Therefore, depending on the configuration of the plot, to use an electric chainsaw the lumberjack would need an extension cord of about 300'. If the plot was one foot wide and 90,000 feet long, he may need an extension cord some seventeen MILES in length, but that's hardly likely. Still, to be prepared... |
#11
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
On Sep 24, 7:05*am, "HeyBub" wrote:
(Slaps head). You're absolutely correct on the size of an acre. 43,560 sq ft, or a square 208 ft on a side. Therefore, depending on the configuration of the plot, to use an electric chainsaw the lumberjack would need an extension cord of about 300'. If the plot was one foot wide and 90,000 feet long, he may need an extension cord some seventeen MILES in length, but that's hardly likely. Still, to be prepared... Save all the math...and cord...buy a generator! |
#12
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
"HeyBub" wrote If the plot was one foot wide and 90,000 feet long, he may need an extension cord some seventeen MILES in length, but that's hardly likely. Still, to be prepared... Main problem with electric cars. Cars no problem, but 250 mile cord was. Steve |
#13
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
on 9/24/2011 8:05 AM (ET) HeyBub wrote the following:
Gil wrote: 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... (Slaps head). You're absolutely correct on the size of an acre. 43,560 sq ft, or a square 208 ft on a side. Therefore, depending on the configuration of the plot, to use an electric chainsaw the lumberjack would need an extension cord of about 300'. If the plot was one foot wide and 90,000 feet long, he may need an extension cord some seventeen MILES in length, but that's hardly likely. Still, to be prepared... There's also the DC to AC power inverters that can be hooked up to the car to run the electric chainsaw. You just have to drive the car close to the work site. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY In the original Orange County. Est. 1683 To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
#14
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
willshak wrote:
on 9/24/2011 8:05 AM (ET) HeyBub wrote the following: If the plot was one foot wide and 90,000 feet long, he may need an extension cord some seventeen MILES in length, but that's hardly likely. Still, to be prepared... There's also the DC to AC power inverters that can be hooked up to the car to run the electric chainsaw. You just have to drive the car close to the work site. It would take a pretty big inverter. 400W to 600W is a nice size inverter to keep in your truck for powering lights and stuff like that, but it wouldn't pull even a tiny saw. Those little Remington electric chainsaws you can buy for less than $100 will get the job done, but boy do they suck to use (I have one.) Very uncomfortable to hold, and they don't have an oil pump. The oil is gravity-fed. All the time. Including when the saw is in storage. I have some professional non-safety chains for another saw that just happen to fit the Remington; I should put one on and see if that makes it less of a pain to use. Stihl makes several electric saws (MSE-180, MSE-220, etc) as do other pro saw makers. That might be a good option. One good thing about an electric is you can use it indoors. -Bob |
#15
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
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#16
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
On Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:07:38 -0400, "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 When my 30 year old Poulan bit the dust I bought a small Echo like Home Depot sells. It's about a 14" bar length. The thing I don't like about it is that it uses a much narrower chain then the poulan did which has made it very easy for the chain to come off at the slightest twisting of the bar while cutting if there is even the least amount of looseness in the chain. Never had the problem with the Poulan. So if I was in the market again I'd pay attention to the chain width. Othr then that the Echo seems fine for my occasional use. |
#17
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
On Sep 25, 5:28*pm, wrote:
*I find a full tank works just fine from year to year, as the tank on the Remington is SEALED. Maybe you have a longer cutting season than most?! B^) |
#18
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:45:01 -0700 (PDT), Bob_Villa
wrote: On Sep 25, 5:28Â*pm, wrote: Â*I find a full tank works just fine from year to year, as the tank on the Remington is SEALED. Maybe you have a longer cutting season than most?! B^) There have been yearswhere it has not even been started, much less used a tank of fuel - and it still started the next year. |
#19
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chainsaw reccomendation or advice ?
On Sep 28, 5:13*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:45:01 -0700 (PDT), Bob_Villa wrote: On Sep 25, 5:28*pm, wrote: *I find a full tank works just fine from year to year, as the tank on the Remington is SEALED. Maybe you have a longer cutting season than most?! B^) * There have been years where it has not even been started, much less used a tank of fuel - and it still started the next year. Oh, see the smiley at the end...maybe he was trying to be amusing! he he |
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