What chainsaw?

[Muncher]

I need to pick up a chainsaw (or two) tonight for clearing a pretty large garden. Most of the trees are small, less than 3 inches in diameter and we have a bigger chainsaw for the more chunky trees.

Needs to be as cheap as possible, but needs to actually do the job without falling to bits, but importantly I need to be able to pick it up tonight so I am probably limited to B&Q, Screwfix and Toolstation or similar.

Any suggestions?

[nyt]

Screwfix have an £89 petrol and a £59 Electric.

http://www.screwfix.com/c/outdoor-gardening/chains...

Not personally tried either so no recommendation.

Don't forget protective gear

[Nimby]

Aldi were selling the 16" Oregon mains-powered one for half price at £28 a few weeks ago.

[Simpo Two]

The probem I found with a cheap electric chainsaw was the blade. Not many teeth (maybe to reduce the power needed?), and they went blunt quickly. When I had it fitted with a proper blade by a bloke in an agricultural shop the difference was astounding.

[Carl_Spackler]

Have you though of hiring a decent one from HSS or Brandon hire?



They'll give you all the safety clobber too, to stop you removing a limb or two.





(ha, got all the two, to , too's in and didn't even finch)

[Muncher]

I think I have found a decent candidate in the Qualcast one from Homebase, it seems to get pretty good reviews everywhere and is reduced to £90.

The garden is far too big for a mains powered one and so overgrown the lead would be a pain. My brother in law is making progress at the moment with a Stihl one, which he picked up from Gumtree today almost brand new as the buyer got it but was too scared to use it.

[Muncher]

Picked up two of the Qualcast 40cm chainsaws from Homebase yesterday for £90 and today they are both still working in the hands of my brother in law, who is infamous for killing tools. (He killed his chainsaw yesterday and the brand new Stihl one that replaced it, plus a 3 tonne digger. If something survives a day in his hands it is a good bit of kit!)

[Lanby]

Simpo Two said:

The probem I found with a cheap electric chainsaw was the blade. Not many teeth (maybe to reduce the power needed?), and they went blunt quickly. When I had it fitted with a proper blade by a bloke in an agricultural shop the difference was astounding.

There are lots of reasons a chain will blunt quickly, but usually it's down improper use by the user!

[andy43]

B&Q petrol and Aldi 'lectric here - both supplied with Oregon chains and bars, I use Stihl chain oil, only use Oregon replacement chains and have no problems with premature wear as far as I can tell.
If you regularly hit the ground/soil under a log, or let it cut without any oil in the reservoir, that's when the teeth will wear out quick.
Aldi one reduced to £28 is an absolute bargain - I would have bought a spare at that price.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Have you looked at a reciprocating saw. Safer and can work at height. Used mine loads since I bought it - been brilliant. Its an Erbauer and was on offer when purchased. If you have a larger chainsaw this may be the answer. Even Mrs FFG has used it. She would NEVER use the chainsaw.
FFG

[Muncher]

We have two of them, they're just too slow for the volume of stuff we are cutting and they don't rwnd to work very well on things that are not held rigid. I agree they are safer though. We made decent progress today so hopefully will be all done tomorrow.