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Chainsaw for camp firewood

C

collecter

Joined
Aug 21, 2002
Messages
1,083
Today I pulled out my chainsaw that was in storage for over a year and the chain was seized as well as the wheel at the tip of the bar. The chain might break loose but the wheel in the bar is seized beyond saving. I guess the coastal salt air did what it does best!

Anyway, while searching on-line for replacement parts I learned that my saw is rated for 50 hours of use. I haven't used this saw very much and it still looks pretty nice but wow only 50 hrs! The saw is a Husqvarna 136, their basic entry level saw.

I liked it because it's light weight and all I really need it for is cutting fire wood for camping. Today I bought the shorter 12" replacement bar instead of the 14" that it came with. I wanted the 12" bar ever since I bought the saw several years ago so I guess finally got my wish.

So, camp firewood chainsaws, what's your preference brand, size, etc.?
 
I've got a Stihl Farmboss, I believe it's an 032 with a 16" bar. My grampa left it to me. It's bigger than I would have bought but he used it in his timber business and I'm never at a lack for power. It's a beast and probly has lots and lots of hours on it but it runs great.
 
Stihl or Husqvarna. I've run both and each have their strengths and things that make you want to throw them in a wood chipper.

Strange as it may seem, I don't like anything less than an 18" bar. Seems to be the sweet spot for me and balances well on the saws I am accustomed to using most. Spent most of my hours on a chainsaw running Stihl 260s.
 
My favorite "inexpensive" small yet very capable saw is the Husqvarna model 435. Refurb units can be had for 150.00 over the net and mine is a go to limbing and travel saw for me.

For a few years I had only one saw- Stihl 044- big nasty and did it all.

Bill
 
I have a Stihl with a 20" bar and it works fine --- However, I have a 20+ year old, cheapy, box store saw with a 14" bar that works great, also.

The short bar is fine for my usage because we cut wood (mostly) to use in a wood-burning stove and 10-12" dead and dry Lodgepole Pine is what we target.

Last year @ Elk camp, we used a 14" Stihl with good results.
 
I like the Echo CS400. Mine has given excellent service for several years now. When I go 4X4 trail riding, it always goes along. Many a time, I have had to cut trees that had fallen across remote trails, blocking them.
 
Thanks for the replies. I love chainsaws. To me they Big bushcraft blades with an engine!

I got bad news today, the bar & chain I ordered are out of stock and apparently they no longer make a 12" bar that fits my saw. They had to issue a refund :-(

I couldn't find a 12" so I ordered a 14" combo that may or may not fit. The picture on the packaging lists my model but the husqvarna fit chart doesn't specifically saw it fits.. So I'm confused :-(

Does anyone know if the difference between a husqvarna HL-180-52 bar and HL-280-52?

The fit charts lists the model 136 for both the small mount 1 (AO42) and for small mount 2 (KO95). I think the 1 in the 280 refers to mount 1 and the 2 in 280 refers to mount 2....confused yet? See fit chart http://www.choochooparts.com/eBayStore/2008_Bar_Chain_Applications.pdf

If anyone here can guide me in the right direction I would very much appreciate your help.

Thanks,
 
Sthil Farmboss goes with me on every Wilderness outing. Been in windstorms when downed trees block my egress to home and needed removed. Works great for falling and bucking several cords every summer for heating the home in the winter. Watch em as Sthil puts them on sale occasionally.
 
Stihl 028av that is 20 yrs old. I had the small stihl180 and hated it. Ut would never run worth a damn with the small epa carbon. Soldit bought a echo single hand limb saw and it is awesome. The 028 for
big jobs ans the echo for trimming and limbing.
 
Husky 372 w/ 24" bar--A beast!--Not something that I would have bought but you cant look a gift horse in the mouth!--KV
 
Husky's have their following, no doubt, but I've always stuck with Stihl. I really appreciate that you have to go to a Stihl dealer, not a big box store if you want a Stihl. I bought my first 044 twenty-four years ago and it still runs great.

If you're going to store gas for any length of time, here's a trick. Go to the local general aviation airport and by av-gas. It's called 100ll (low lead), and it's an ultra-pure leaded gasoline that won't spoil for at least a year. Smells good when you burn it, too. It works great in all small engines, but don't burn it in anything with a catalytic converter, as the lead will plug it up.
 
I ordered from Baileys. I spoke with their customer service rp who was very helpful.

I don't anticipate needed another bar for a long time but I'm glad to have them as a resource. Thanks for finding them.

Bar size - why bigger?

I ordered a 12" bar but the advice I got from a local dealer was to go longer rather than shorter. I obviously didn't take their advice and my reason is that I know I won't need to cut anything bigger than 12" especially considering my use is strictly for camping/fun. I figure why get a tool that will take up more space and that's bigger than I know I need.
 
No Jonesred love in this thread? All of the echo equipment I've used (trimmer and blower) have been pretty good, but as far as I understand, they buy all of their engines from someone else. (although I'm pretty sure its one of the better mfgs.)
As for why they would recommend a 16", they probably recommend that to everyone, longer chains to sell maybe, or maybe they get lots of guys come back in a year buying a bigger saw, so they try to save folks the trouble and tell them to start bigger.
My dad used to have this old homelite saw that would start on the first pull every time, for the first tank of fuel in a day. it was weird, no matter what was done to it, it would run great for the first tank worth of fuel, then refuse to run. he got it cheap (free probably) because of it, but it made a great city-boy saw. big and mean enough for anything you could imagine, but no good for someone who needed to cut more than one tree. We bought him a jonsered 670(iirc) to replace it a few years after moving to the farm, and it cut a lot of firewood (wood fired outdoor boiler system, and drafty house)
 
Your needs are a saw that takes up little space and cuts wood up to 8-10" across- your saw and 12" bar are just fine. a longer bar is nice for reach and not bending over so far but 4" is little difference. Baileys are good saw folks.

LOL! I had a Jon 2159 - they ARE dead sexy. Just a Husqvarna with upgraded body work. I "think" echo uses Zenoah engines but don't hold my feet to the fire over it. Great engines and Echos gets high marks for $$ value for small saws. I miss my old saws like my 044 but I could go on forever with a small one like my Husqvarna 435 and larger one like my 365XT or a 372XP.

Bill
 
What's the part with the teeth that bolts to the body beside the bar? My saw looks like it was designed to accept one but it didn't come with it. It would up the sexy of this saw.
 
collecter said:
What's the part with the teeth that bolts to the body beside the bar? My saw looks like it was designed to accept one but it didn't come with it. It would up the sexy of this saw.
Click to expand...

We called them dog teeth, but they probably have a different name. If you use them make sure your chain is sharp and use the oiler a little more often. 50 hours is a long time if you are only using it a few hours a year. Stihl seems to be the go to brand around here.
 
Bo T said:
We called them dog teeth, but they probably have a different name. If you use them make sure your chain is sharp and use the oiler a little more often. 50 hours is a long time if you are only using it a few hours a year. Stihl seems to be the go to brand around here.
Click to expand...

I looked up dog teeth and found the term "felling dog" which found the term "bucking spur spike"...$11.99 with free shipping and it's on it's way to my house. Almost as fun as building an AR!

Thanks,
 
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