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Chainsaws...which one

Caleb

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
I need to pickup a chainsaw for up at our cabin. Having never used one, I know nothing about them. I'll be using it for firewood, clearing small areas, I'd also love to be able to strap it to my bike for clearing trails in the early season. What do you guys recommend, what features should I look for (either to avoid or must haves), etc?

Thanks

Semi-related, I need a good axe. Would a good one from Home Depot or Lowes be recommended or should I look for something else?
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I have a Husqvarna, would prefer a Sthil. ;)

I have a Gerber axe that I really like, we use it to split firewood for the house and shop. It sees a lot of action and it's been great.
 
jmaxj

jmaxj

This sucks!!!!
Location
were ever i feel i need to be.....
I used the crap out of stihls for 12 yrs. Never had any major issues. And by used the crap out of I mean I had 3 that was used daily 14-20hrs a day non stop. Had a craftsman and a husqvarna once and they didn't make it a week. I even had two that were dropped about 50ft out of trees and after switching out the bar they fired right up and kept going. I'll never use another brand of saw again.

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk
 
jeeper

jeeper

I live my life 1 dumpster at a time
Location
So Jo, Ut
I run 2 craftsmans and a freebie home lite saw. Been happy with them all. They've seen more use than you will ever give one at the cabin, but not nearly as much as a pro would use them.
Good gas and good oil makes all the difference in reliability for mine. They sit for months at a time, cheap oils gunk them quickly. Last week I had a hard time getting all 3 to run (used a different oil the time before and then let them sit)
I will be using ethinol free fuel from now on also.
 
frieed

frieed

Jeepless in Draper
Supporting Member
Location
Draper, UT
I have a Stihl and am happy.
That said, gas is important.
Mavericks new station in Draper at Minuteman Drive and Highland Drive has "Clear 88" at all pumps (88 octane, no ethanol, blue pump handle) and that is all I feed my yard equipment.
I've replaced/rebuilt a few carbs due to ethanol damaging the diphragms.
 
Jinx

Jinx

when in doubt, upgrade!
Location
So Jordan, Utah
We play with bigger sthils and love them for all the reasons above.

That being said we have got dad a husquavarna when he didn't want to play with the bigger saws anymore and when taken care of it does pretty good.

Not a sthil but not bad by any means.

I hate a saw that won't stay running or you always have tinker with.

Side note. In addition to good gas and oil keeping your chain out of the dirt goes a long ways to keeping it sharp.
 
moab_cj5

moab_cj5

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
The Village of Kay
I have a Stihl, and before that I had a Poulon Pro. The Stihl's deliver great power to weight ratio, are super reliable, and are some of the best saws on the market. For occasional use, and to carry on your motorcycle, I would recommend at 16 or 18 inch bar. I would also look for a saw with an easy adjustment chain tensioner, and the Stihl easy start feature. They are awesome for an occasional use saw.
I really love my Stihl. If your interested, I'll get you the model number I have (don't recall off the top of my head).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Caleb

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
:cool:, thanks guys. Looking at them more, I may just end up with two saws :D. Most of the ones that would make sense around a cabin seem to be a little heavy for throwing on a bike. I like that Farm Boss. Seems like it's not over the top for what I'll be doing with it. Then I'm also looking at the MS 201 T C-M for on the bike. Seems like a decent saw, small and not too heavy.
 
Jinx

Jinx

when in doubt, upgrade!
Location
So Jordan, Utah
Unimog said:
Hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but what do you guys do about chain sharpening? DIY, Have a shop do it, or just buy a new chain?
Click to expand...

DIY or new chain.

We usually keep a spare chain or two on hand when working just in case, then sharpen when the time allows...
 
Jinx

Jinx

when in doubt, upgrade!
Location
So Jordan, Utah
Caleb said:
Semi-related, I need a good axe. Would a good one from Home Depot or Lowes be recommended or should I look for something else?
Click to expand...

it really depends on what you are doing with the axe.

If you hiking with it and chopping down Christmas tree, you can't go wrong with a Eastwing or Gerber.

If you are keeping it at the cabin to split wood, I would lean you towards a Splitting Maul http://www.stihlusa.com/products/hand-tools/axes/prosplitmaul/

or a splitting wedge/wood grenade and sledge hammer combo. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200576433_200576433
 
nnnnnate

nnnnnate

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
WVC, UT
I bought the Stihl splitting axe this spring and am pretty impressed with it. I split a trailer full of wet logs I got off ksl. I manage to break heads off of my tools so I was happy that this one has a metal guard to help protect the handle. Its heavy though and like Jinx said this isn't something you'd want to haul into the woods. I think its perfect though for the side of the house to get wood stacked.

After talking to my brother earlier this year we are planning to get a permit to bring wood out of the Uintas. For $30 you can get up to 10 cords, I doubt we'll bring down more than two or three but I enjoy splitting it and it'll be nice to have some drying out at the house that will be easy to load up for quick trips.
 
J

Jeepj667

Active Member
I bought my first chainsaw last year for use at my cabin. I went with a Stihl ms 251 Wood Boss. I really like the saw it runs great and haven't really had any problems but it is apparently an odd ball. I have had a hell of a time finding new chains an a new bar for it locally. Had to order both off Amazon. I could find bars/chains for the 250 all over but not the 251. My cabin is in Mt Pleasant and the wheel in the end of the bar started seizing up. We checked Do it Best, Tractor Supply, IFA, and the Stihl dealer in Ephraim with no luck.
We just got back from a month at our cabin and left a pile of rounds 20ft wide 22ft long and 4-5ft tall all cut with this saw. It has an 18" bar but I dropped a couple 24"+ diameter dead standing Aspen with it.
 
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