Buying a Chainsaw

Author
Discussion

spydersingh

Original Poster:

697 posts

216 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
It has come to that time in my life where I need to buy a chainsaw. I have a few gardens to tidy up and have a variety of bits to cut ie trees and branches. I've done the standard google search for reviews etc and I'm set on a petrol chainsaw but am a bit unsure/confused for which brand to go for. Any recommendations? I've also come across a Black & Decker Cordless one as well, anyone have that? Cheers!

crmcatee

5,700 posts

228 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
Stihl.

And don't forget to get the safety trousers and head gear and gloves.

Coco H

4,237 posts

238 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
husqvarna or stihl - mine have to be industrial

Sixpackpert

4,566 posts

215 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
Stihl.

smifffymoto

4,583 posts

206 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
Husqvarna

thehawk

9,335 posts

208 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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Most important thing is to get some training and never use it alone when inexperienced. They are incredibly dangerous tools.

GreatGranny

9,161 posts

227 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
thehawk said:
Most important thing is to get some training and never use it alone when inexperienced. They are incredibly dangerous tools.
+1

Never use a chain saw unless you have training, the right equipment and NOT on your own.

This goes especially for petrol ones.

I've a couple of relatives who are trained tree surgeons and even they have come close to a nasty accident after 20 years experience.

It not a boys toy.

funkyol

1,816 posts

220 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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"I'm gonna make it part of youuuuuuuuuuu"

Hyperion

15,279 posts

201 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
If you want the best and have money to burn, then Husqvarna or Stihl. But to be perfectly honest, for light garden use an el-cheapo unbranded jobbie from B&Q will be more than adequate.
Forget rechargeable or electric - they'll be rubbish (not powerful enough) and far too quiet to be any fun wink

Mojocvh

16,837 posts

263 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
thehawk said:
Most important thing is to get some training and never use it alone when inexperienced. They are incredibly dangerous tools.
+2,IMO it's not just the chainsaws but people having no training in their application.
Even fallen trees will kick back when cut up and this is the most overlooked danger point.

rhys27

321 posts

200 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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husky

UncappedTag

2,102 posts

186 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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I rented mine from Argooose wink

kambites

67,643 posts

222 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
Useful things but as above, they do require a certain amount of respect. There are few, if any, other power tools where so much can go wrong so quickly. If you think about what you're doing and what the likely outcome of a kick-back would be on every cut you make, you wont go far wrong.

Unless you have a lot of stuff to cut, a good hand saw will do the job just as well anyway. I bought mine when I had about fifteen largish (20 foot I suppose?) trees to cut down and it was only just worth it, even for that.


Mine is a cheap make bought from B&Q and it seems to do the job well enough. Only problem is that it's a bd to start when it's been sitting for a while.

Edited by kambites on Monday 9th March 12:47

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

240 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
I bought a Mountfield petrol chainsaw from B&Q. It was listed at arouned £280 but was reduced to £160. It's fantastic. I did alot of my large weeping Willow tree plus a fair bit of a Beech tree. If it's for your garden then there's no point in spending loads on something that you'll use only 2-3 times a year. It also has a kick-back cut-out as a very good safety feature.

Edited by Silver993tt on Monday 9th March 12:49

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

218 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
I've got a Ryobi chainsaw from screwfix, it's not used frequently enough to warrant me buying something like a Sthil, but is good enough for what I wanted.
As everybody else has already said dont forget to buy all the safety kit and if possible get some training

kambites

67,643 posts

222 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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I wouldn't even consider one without a chain brake thing for when it kicks back. Can you even buy them without anymore?

normalbloke

7,471 posts

220 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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Perhaps buy second hand Husky,Stihl, or Jonsered.Have seen all three going fro reasonable money on fleabay,and you'll sell it on with no loss afterwards,unless you want to keep it,and start modifying/tuning it.....

Obi Wan

2,085 posts

216 months

Monday 9th March 2009
quotequote all
funkyol said:


"I'm gonna make it part of youuuuuuuuuuu"
I raise you





Edited by Obi Wan on Monday 9th March 13:01

dealmaker

2,215 posts

255 months

Monday 9th March 2009
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Don't listen to anyone else - buy a Stihl - it will stil be growing strong when we run out of trees and oil!

Those cheap and nasty DIY shop specials are like toys in comparison.