How much do you need to spend on a chainsaw?

How much do you need to spend on a chainsaw?

Author
Discussion

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

248 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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I've had a Qualcast 16" 45cc chainsaw for about 18 months now which generally did a decent job given the amount of abuse it received (site clearance and cutting sleepers). However using it at the weekend it developed a fuel leak so I replaced it with a similar model, however that one proved to be garbage, the chain tensioning mechanism was made of plastic and failed several times in a few hours throwing the chain off.

Both have now gone back for a refund and I need to replace it with a Stihl or similar one that is actually reliable. It will be used for site clearance, cutting down trees up to about 18 inches in diameter, the kind of work that isn't cost effective to get a tree surgeon to do. It might go a year without being used but it's probably worth getting something decent. It needs to be light (I am not built like a lumberjack), it needs to be safe (as far as they can be) and it needs to be reliable.

I'd be interested in any recommendations or explanations as to what features come with the more expensive saws.

sparkythecat

7,898 posts

254 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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£79.99 and it comes with a 3 year warranty

https://www.aldi.co.uk/41cc-petrol-chainsaw/p/0640...

paulwirral

3,104 posts

134 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
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I've had a sthil for about 12 years , not used it to death but only ever put the correct mix fuel and chain oil in it , starts every second or third time , I've done a few chains in that time though !

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

248 months

Sunday 24th April 2016
quotequote all
sparkythecat said:
£79.99 and it comes with a 3 year warranty

https://www.aldi.co.uk/41cc-petrol-chainsaw/p/0640...
Looks quite similar to the Qualcast one but if you are using it all day long and paying others to help you it becomes a false economy if it isn't reliable. I think I need something slightly better.

Pip1968

1,346 posts

203 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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I have a Stihl MS260 which is not a bad number. Ideal mid range Stihl for groundwork. I have had it for five years plus and the only thing I replaced recently was the fuel cap (I think the rubber seal had become distorted). I could not get just the rubber washer at short notice so bought an entire cap (~£8).

Incidentally does anyone know where to source just the rubber washer????

You can get a smaller less powerful one which is easier on the wrists if you are doing a lot of work and logging but otherwise would probably stick with something more powerful like the MS260.

Link to reviews: http://www.backyardboss.com/mfg_Stihl/MS260%20Pro....

Stihl MS260 Pro

Weight -10.6 lbs
Engine HP -3.2 bhp
Engine Displacment -50.2 cc
Bar Lengths -16" to 20"
Chain Width -325" or 3/8"

This professional grade chain saw has an excellent power-to-weight ratio and an improved air filter system. Other user-friendly features include side-access chain tensioner, IntelliCarb™ compensating carburetor, view-through fuel tank and toolless fuel and oil caps.

Pip

V8RX7

26,765 posts

262 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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Sub £200 - Husqvara 135 is ideal unless you want to spend a lot more.

I bought one after having cheap saws fail and then spent double that on a 455 for logging - for twice the price it's approx 50% faster.

Edited by V8RX7 on Monday 25th April 10:35

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

248 months

Monday 25th April 2016
quotequote all
Something like this perhaps? I think a 16" bar is probably about right for the kind of things I am cutting.

https://www.worldofpower.co.uk/stihl-ms181-c-be-31...


V8RX7

26,765 posts

262 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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Muncher said:
Something like this perhaps? I think a 16" bar is probably about right for the kind of things I am cutting.

https://www.worldofpower.co.uk/stihl-ms181-c-be-31...
http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/chainsaws/62665-husky-135-stihl-ms181-2.html

You want the smallest bar that will do the job.

The Husky has a bigger engine, slightly more power and so is less stressed (the Stihl boys might argue more efficient)



Pip1968

1,346 posts

203 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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I am sure that will probably be fine for small jobs and limited use. It may be worth bearing in mind that you will be pruchasing a less powerful chainsaw (44 to 38cc) than your previous one and for the trees that are 18" diameter (that is quite a big tree) it will be slightly harder work but also lighter so good for logging.

Pip

V8RX7

26,765 posts

262 months

Monday 25th April 2016
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I missed the 18" dia - if there are a few and you're logging them then I'd go for a bigger bar / saw.


Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

248 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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The guys that I hire chippers and stump grinders from are recommending the Husqvarna 236 over the 135. It's slightly heavier but they say its performance is much the same as the 135, but a lot cheaper and to get anything significantly better is a lot more money. The 236 is only £140 at the moment.

RC1

4,096 posts

218 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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ive just ordered a husky 435 for light occasional domestic duties

V8RX7

26,765 posts

262 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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Muncher said:
Husqvarna 236 over the 135. It's slightly heavier but they say its performance is much the same as the 135, but a lot cheaper

to get anything significantly better is a lot more money.
I don't know if they have changed the specs but when I bought my 135 (2yrs ago) everyone recommended it above the 236 - however I think the 236 was only 20-30 cheaper back then rather than the £50-60 it is now.

A quick look at the spec doesn't show much but I see the "teeth" are missing for logging - I presume you can add them - might be worth checking the torque figures.

Yes - £400+ for a significant step up.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

248 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
quotequote all
What do the logging teeth do?

The 135 is £190 and the 236 is now £140. The chap said they had brought the 236 back at a lower price to kill off the likes of Ryobi at that level.

V8RX7

26,765 posts

262 months

Tuesday 26th April 2016
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Muncher said:
What do the logging teeth do?
They are handy when cutting logs or for felling, they dig into the wood and offer enough resistance to the saw rising in the cut to allow for a little more aggressive sawing with a lot less effort.

guindilias

5,245 posts

119 months

Wednesday 27th April 2016
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Normally called "Dawgs" in the US - and you just know you really want a Stihl 880 - with a 10" bar. biggrin
I have one with a 36" bar, and it goes through anything at light speed!
Also, the best chain I have ever found, and use nothing else since, is Stihl RSC - a very aggressive chain, not anti kick-back or anything, needs a bit of power to pull it, but cuts super-fast and lasts a good while before it needs a touch of the file.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

248 months

Wednesday 27th April 2016
quotequote all
guindilias said:
Normally called "Dawgs" in the US - and you just know you really want a Stihl 880 - with a 10" bar. biggrin
I have one with a 36" bar, and it goes through anything at light speed!
Also, the best chain I have ever found, and use nothing else since, is Stihl RSC - a very aggressive chain, not anti kick-back or anything, needs a bit of power to pull it, but cuts super-fast and lasts a good while before it needs a touch of the file.
I want a saw (and chain) that is most likely to keep all my limbs intact at the end of the day!

guindilias

5,245 posts

119 months

Wednesday 27th April 2016
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A day's use with an 880 would likely render your limbs useless - it does mine, it's VERY heavy!
But I'd go with the RSC chain any day on any saw, it is fast and aggressive, but that means less time cutting and so less fatigue - plus if you get a log that just will not split, you can lay it down and saw it lengthways, which also gives you loads of "noodles" to light the fire with!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2PtW_Xc6zg

dickymint

24,096 posts

257 months

Thursday 28th April 2016
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guindilias said:
A day's use with an 880 would likely render your limbs useless - it does mine, it's VERY heavy!
But I'd go with the RSC chain any day on any saw, it is fast and aggressive, but that means less time cutting and so less fatigue - plus if you get a log that just will not split, you can lay it down and saw it lengthways, which also gives you loads of "noodles" to light the fire with!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2PtW_Xc6zg
I just use a Dremel to grind the rakers down lower.

CorradoTDI

1,432 posts

170 months

Saturday 30th April 2016
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Muncher, just saw this on FB from Ernest Doe...

  • Stihl Demonstration Day at Framlingham **
Pop in on Wednesday 4 May for our Stihl demonstration day which runs from 9am until 3pm. Experts from Stihl will be giving free demonstrations and basic maintenance training, plus there are free refreshments, free parking and 15% discount off our fantastic range of Stihl equipment and accessories. We look forward to seeing you :-)