Chainsaw Advice

B

Bruise Lee

Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
363
I really need to buy a chain saw. I have trees all over my property, and a lot of branches are over the roof of my house, touching the roof, etc. This goes for my garage, which is a separate structure, too. I can't even open my back door without pushing a bunch of branches out of the way!

Every morning I have squirrels, even a possum sometimes, jump up on the roof over my bedroom and wake me up! I figure trees this close are also a fire hazard, and can damage my house. It also gets quite windy here at times, so I figure if I can trim some weight off these trees (the biggest is a eucalyptus which is maybe 70 ft high?), it would be a good thing. Plus, less leaves and branches means less wind resistance, too.

Having said that, I've never actually operated a chainsaw before, so I know basically nothing about them. I have a pruning pole with a saw at the end, but I'm hopelessly outgunned by the trees here.

I think the biggest diameter of branch I'll have to cut is around 7".

Any advice? Model recommendations? Any web sites to check out?

Thanks in advance!

Bruise
 
Don't get a Craftsman. SWTSMBO bought me one and it is a piece of crap. Difficult to start, hard to keep running and just generally not the saw one wants to deal with. I know I can make them fix it but every time I go to sears it costs me money when I buy tools I did not realize I needed, until I see them.
 
stihl and husquavarna are the sweetest saws I have used...EVER...get one with a 12" bar...that's all you need for even serious work. I have used a "husky" to cut stuff upto 24" in diameter
 
The Stihl brand of saws is top notch. I was introduced to them in the fire service, and have used them successfully in common and extreme conditions. For your purpose, I believe a 16- or 18-inch bar should be sufficient.

Best of luck,
~W
 
Stihl is good. Homelite is good too. I know more than one person (including my dad) that have gotten very good results with Homelite.

Chris
 
Husqvarna would be an excellent choice if you want one that will work hard and last. I own a Husqvarna, and a 20 year old red Craftsman with a 16" bar that cranks on the second pull, but the Husq is my first choice when I need to cut.

However, Poulan works pretty good if you want an inexpensive saw for light duty, and will work just fine for your occasional use.

Never owned a Stihl, but I have never heard anything bad about them.
 
I'd go for the Stihl too. I have one with a 14" bar and it's proved itself to be pretty tough. They do an Easy Start model which I would recommend if you have never used a chainsaw before. Anything with a 12"-14" bar will be plenty for what you describe.

I also recommend getting yourself some safety equipment (visor, protective gloves, boots and some ear defenders.) As far as safety equipment goes I recommend Husqvarna's stuff, very nice.

Good luck, and stay safe...
Hellz
 
Husqvarna has been my first choice. I have several pieces of Husky equipment, none of which have ever disappointed me. Stihl is a close second.

Some advise, FWIW.

Do not buy the biggest saw you can, but buy one larger than you think you need. Trying to force a saw to do something it is underpowered for is dangerous and inefficient. Get, and more importantly always use safety equipment, including chaps. There are no minor chain saw accidents. Get quality instruction from someone who actually knows what they are doing. Technique is critical in properly and safely using a saw. Learn to sharpen the teeth: dull saws are just as dangerous as dull knives.

bd
 
The only real chainsaw advice I'd offer is not to give one to a guy from Texas wearing a hockey-sorta mask.
 
I would recommend a Husqvarna, one of the 300 series with a 16 or 18" bar should do you fine.
 
Stihl or Husqvarna

More money now...less headaches later.

For a little less money, an Echo will do a decent job as well.
 
My qualifications for giving this advice:

> Live in a timber town...
> Spent 4 years fire trailing (cutting down trees and brush for fire fighting in the woods)
> Spent 3 years logging....
> Have 2 brothers, lifetime loggers...
> Come from a long line of loggers....
> Have owned just about every saw imaginable...
> Use wood heat (which requires cutting firewood, yes w/Chainsaw
> Little bro is a chainsaw mechanic.

Okay, with that I say this: The Husky or the Stihl. Either one, it don't matter. Both are fantastic. I own a Stihl now, but only cuz I got a real good deal on it. (Read free.) Damn nice having loggers in the family. If you decide you want to sell the saw later, only a Stihl or a Husky is gonna command any resale.

My qualifications for giving the rest of this advice:

> Just about lopped my arm off last summer cutting down a holly tree.
> Have seen flesh ripped from several relatives...
> Same as above on numerous friends...
> Watched the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Scarface too many times to count.

Being so further qualified, I offer this: Use every bit of safety equipment that is recommended in the owners manual. This will include chaps, sturdy gloves {not those cotton jobbies, I mean REAL gloves), eye protection, ear protection, and suitable sturdy footwear. No sandals or sneakers here, folks. The chainsaw is an unforgiving monster. I've had it kick back, throw chains, spit debris, dislodge from my grip, and basically attempt to defraud me of blood and body parts. There is no room for carelessness or mistakes, it will foul you up in a hurry. This of course goes without saying as well: Get some instruction on how to use it.

Now, even with the horribly terrifying warning label I just scrawled on the side of it, the chainsaw ranks right up there with the spork as a must have tool around the house. Dang nice to have 'em around.
 
A chain saw is like a portable, gas powered bandsaw? Will cut through anything quick with the right blade and through a lot of stuff quick (like limbs) even with the wrong blade?

Did I hear right, some of these are two stroke motors?

Can you get bigger carbs and port the heads hehehe...?

Just kidding.

The ones the EMS folks use to free folks from cars and broken homes (here in earthquake country) are truly amazing.

I don't have a need for a Chainsaw, but I can appreciate their usefullness as a cutting instrument.

jmx
 
The untapped knowledge of this forum never ceases to amaze me. I'd like to thank all of you who took the time to post a response to my inquiry.

Sounds like Stihl or Husqvarna is the way to go.

I must admit, though, I am rather fond of my arms and legs. I'm a bit hesitant to operate something which, I quote from a different web site, "is the most dangerous appliance any household will ever own."

Just where can you get chainsaw lessons in Los Angeles? Of course, I want to avoid the gunshop commando types:

"Yeah, when I was back in the "Nam, I chopped down a 200 ft. palm tree with my Ka-Bar. They used to call me Agent Orange."

Are there any safer alternatives to consider that will cut back lots of tree branches? The only one I can think of is hiring someone to do the job.

Bruise
 
If you pay attention to what you are doing and use the proper equipment, you can use a chainsaw safely. Since you are not talking about cutting up multiple cords of wood, throwing chains and the like is not likely to happen assuming you keep the saw properly maintained. I call it common sense, others call it luck.

I grew up on a farm and have no where near the experience some of the semi-pro wood cutters around here do but, I came through my childhood without any serious harm. Just like riding my motorcycle, I used good judgement in its use and maintained it in good working order. No scars, broken bones, burns, etc... the same cannot be said of my friends and one sister who used a total lack of common sense or consideration for safety in an attempt to rid the human gene pool or her existance on my motorcycle :( .

I have used my fathers Homelite and would not recommend it to anyone except the really financially strained who must have a chainsaw they rarely use.

I have no experience with the Husky' but, the Stihl ... ahhhhh ... one sweet machine :D . The newer models have good safety features (including little vibration compared to most saws). Keep all the safety devices in place and in good working order, replace the chain often (avoiding excessive wear and throwing chains) and, have it "tuned" up ocassionally by a qualified chainsaw mechanic. If you use it when you are rested and stop before you get tired, I would not be overly concerned about hurting yourself. Use good boots, gloves, ear and eye protection, etc. and you should be able to use the saw without fear, still need respect, but not fear.

Now, for the economics and other issues. Do you really want to own a chainsaw and spend your time this way? How much would it cost to have someone else, who is properly insured in case a tree falls and damages your house, come out and to the job while you sit inside in heated (or air conditioned) comfort sipping a beer, cup of coffee, etc. while they dangle off a tall ladder to cut a branch?

Go play safe now ;)
 
This is one you won't find in your Husky or Stihl catalog or in your local shop.

PG3_gog_STIHL_timber_Osh29.jpg



Anybody have an old dirt bike around that the motor's still good? :D
 
I spent 4 years working as a landscaper, and from what I have seen the best saw for your money is en Echo CS-300 or CS-340. I say this because they have plenty of power to do what you need, they are light and nearly indestructable. I have dropped them out of trees, seen it run half under water, covered in mud, and still work. And best of all, especially if you will only need to use it occasionally they are cheap. They can be had for only about $200.

I would also recommend that you stay far far away from the Crafstsman saws. As stated they are impossible to start and once started hard to keep running. Another brand I would recommmend you stay away from is Red Max. We bought one and it wouldn't work right from the day we bought it.

A quck question, how are you planning on cutting the limbs above the ground? You state that some are hanging above your house. When I cut trees I would usuallly do it by climbing in the tree, and tying up any branches that hung over anything. They must be secured so that when they fall they don't hit anything, but can be easily lowered to the ground. Trying to catch a cut branch just as it is breaking free is real dangerous, and sure to get you hurt.
 
Jmxcpter, ya had me chuckling from the get go. We even have a trailer park next to a bowling alley here. No kiddin'. ;)

My dad had an old Homelite when we were kids. It ran and ran and ran. My co-worker was looking for a used chainsaw, so my dad sold him that old Homelite. It is still going today. I dunno if they still build 'em like they used to, but you know the old adage. He never gave it any hard use, though, and little bro says they are a nightmare to work on. They are also nowhere near as comfortable to run as a good Stihl.

You could get by with something less expensive, but for the extra cash you get ALOT more saw with the Stihl and the Husky.
 
Here's some advice no one has given, but you have mentioned yourself. Figure out what you want done, then get a quote from a tree service. Depending on what you are doing, hiring it out may be cheaper than a saw. If it's bigger trees your want to cut down, the saw may only be the first of your problems;i.e, how do you cut down a tree with this thing? :eek: or, how do I get up there to cut those limbs? :confused:

It's good to want to do things for yourself, but sometimes it's cheaper in time and money to hire a professional.
 
I agree with the Stihl recommendations and all the safety advice.

One thing I would recommend is going to your local library and seeing what books they have on saws. I found one in our library that gave all sorts of good maintance and use advice that was great to have BEFORE I decided to purchase. I am fairly certain the book was:

Barnacle Parp's ChainSaw Guide
Walter Hall

Most of the people I have cut wood with do not trouble themselves much when it comes to saw maintance...they spend about half their time working on the saw, then nearly burning it up because they never once sharpened the chain. I always take the time to clean my saw up after use and make sure the chain is ready to go.

If you decide to buy.....

NEVER lend your saw to anyone EVER EVER.
 
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