Small chainsaw - Husqvarna, Stihl or Makita ?

[shtu]

McWigglebum4th said:

While stihl and husky are both excellent I'd choose a B&Q crap with a brand new sharp chain over either any day of the week.

As opposed to those blunt, dirty, secondhand chains that brand new Stihls and Huskys are supplied with?

You didn't really think that deliberately-contrary opinion through, did you?

[McWigglebum4th]

shtu said:

McWigglebum4th said:

While stihl and husky are both excellent I'd choose a B&Q crap with a brand new sharp chain over either with a blunt chainany day of the week.

As opposed to those blunt, dirty, secondhand chains that brand new Stihls and Huskys are supplied with?

You didn't really think that deliberately-contrary opinion through, did you?

I should of added the bold bit

Nieghbour has a big commercial 18" bar sthil and it struggled to get through a branch

I turned up with a 10" pruning saw with a brand new chain and it pissed through the same thing in half the time

The chain is hugely overlooked in keep a chainsaw good


Oh and i would never buy B&Q crap

I have a 30 year old husqvarna 50

[shtu]

Ahh, gotcha. Apologies for the harshness then, but I've heard far too many folk saying stuff like,

"ooh, my ebay saw has an orgeon chain so it's just as good as any other saw"

When it's really, really not the case.

[Steve_W]

Do you have a Scats country store near you?

http://www.scatscountrystores.co.uk/our-stores

My local one ocassionally has offers on for chainsaw stuff. I've picked up a couple of spare chains for my Stihl 181 there before.

[Elderly]

Tonsko said:

. If you do go for stihl, advise getting one without the easy start and the easy tensioner. Old school recoil and spanner tensioner will last longer.

Edited by Tonsko on Tuesday 5th August 10:11

Hmmmmmmm....... I recently bought a Stihl 181 with easy start and spannerless tensioner but I worked on the assumption that as the saw will get so little use compared to what it is potentially designed for, the 'sophisticated' stuff should hold up.

[dickymint]

xstian said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

This is one of the things that appealed to me about Stihl. They won't allow retailers to sell there product's unless they have been filled with oil, fuel, started and then the customer is shown how to use it. It's good to see a company is still thinking about customer service, rather than some faceless company sending you a broken chainsaw in the post.

Really?............................


STIHL Logo

STIHL and the Internet

"In the wrong, often unskilled hands, they can be potentially dangerous. This is why we consider the Internet to be an inappropriate forum for the sale of STIHL products. When an Authorised STIHL Dealer sells a chainsaw or any other STIHL product we expect them to have personal contact with each customer. This ensures that the correct product is selected for their particular requirement, an appropriate handover is carried out to provide awareness of safety precautions and the correct use of each tool, at an appropriate level to suit each individual STIHL customer."

Radmore & Tucker’s Policy

As an authorised STIHL dealer, we fully understand STIHL’s stance with regard to remote selling of their products. With that in mind, we will only sell STIHL products where their criteria is adhered to.

Fortunately, because of our substantial distribution network to the trade, we cover a significant part of the South of the UK with our own delivery vehicles. This enables us to prepare, test and hand over product personally to customers within selected post code areas, if required.

With our own delivery service that covers the whole of the South West of England we are able to deliver directly to the following postcode areas on a regular basis: TR, PL, EX, TQ, TA, BS, BA, DT, BH, SP, SN, GL, NP, NPT, CF, HR, WR

We deliver to all these post codes twice a week so items will normally be delivered to you within 5 working days (subject to stock and availability). Of course, you can always visit us in the shop to collect your items in person"

[xstian]

dickymint said:

xstian said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

This is one of the things that appealed to me about Stihl. They won't allow retailers to sell there product's unless they have been filled with oil, fuel, started and then the customer is shown how to use it. It's good to see a company is still thinking about customer service, rather than some faceless company sending you a broken chainsaw in the post.

Really?............................


STIHL Logo

STIHL and the Internet

"In the wrong, often unskilled hands, they can be potentially dangerous. This is why we consider the Internet to be an inappropriate forum for the sale of STIHL products. When an Authorised STIHL Dealer sells a chainsaw or any other STIHL product we expect them to have personal contact with each customer. This ensures that the correct product is selected for their particular requirement, an appropriate handover is carried out to provide awareness of safety precautions and the correct use of each tool, at an appropriate level to suit each individual STIHL customer."

Radmore & Tucker’s Policy

As an authorised STIHL dealer, we fully understand STIHL’s stance with regard to remote selling of their products. With that in mind, we will only sell STIHL products where their criteria is adhered to.

Fortunately, because of our substantial distribution network to the trade, we cover a significant part of the South of the UK with our own delivery vehicles. This enables us to prepare, test and hand over product personally to customers within selected post code areas, if required.

With our own delivery service that covers the whole of the South West of England we are able to deliver directly to the following postcode areas on a regular basis: TR, PL, EX, TQ, TA, BS, BA, DT, BH, SP, SN, GL, NP, NPT, CF, HR, WR

We deliver to all these post codes twice a week so items will normally be delivered to you within 5 working days (subject to stock and availability). Of course, you can always visit us in the shop to collect your items in person"

Another example of Stihl trying to use decent and reputable suppliers then. Again a much better service than ordering online and getting a broken product through the post.

[dickymint]

Tonks - ill post a photo of my new Ms-211 C later - you might kick yourself for not looking harder

[captainzep]

Tonker, only just seen this, -I agree with you about the faff regarding Stihl. I understand their corporate responsibility intentions but I want the best price and this means an internet purchase leading to a man in a van delivering it. Hence I've just bought a new Husky.

Of more relevance is the fact that my new Husky is upgrading from my 236, which I've owned for a couple of years now. On balance it's done what's been asked of it. Felled a few small to medium trees, limbed and logged bigger trees that had been felled by pros -and cross-cut loads of firewood on the saw horse, (I have a big store for me and being a charitable sort, now build up winter stores for my Mum and the Mother-in-law. So whilst it's a weekend tool, it's gone through a fair few tonnes).

I do have a couple of quibbles and things to look for though, hopefully this will be of use.

-Muffler, the bolts that hold this onto engine gradually worked a bit loose whilst I was sawing (hence I didn't notice) and quickly fractured the thin recessed metal sleeves they sit in so the muffler was nearly hanging off. Husqvarna wanted £50 plus VAT for a replacement -as you have to buy the whole assembly when this happens. I eventually found a $2 2nd hand part from the US on ebay which has been fine -but keep an eye on this and check/re-tighten regularly.

-Cylinder cover (top cover) -the screws holding the top cover in place screw into little brass inserts set within the plastic. These inserts have recently ceased to grip and have enlarged the holes they sit in so that the cover would shake loose. Maybe I didn't tighten them has much as I should have but this was disappointing. So far superglue has fixed this but just be aware.

-Chain tensioning screw. I'm not overly ham-fisted but this seats on plastic and recently the plastic broke, hence I've had to tension by levering the bar and tightening with the bar nuts. I could buy a new clutch cover -but it's a big costly lump of plastic and chain brake.

Above all, I'm satisfied with what it's done so far but I've realised that despite the Husky name it's not going to last forever. In hindsight the extra £20 or so spent on a 135 may have been better. To be honest though I've gained a hunger for a bit more power and the flexibility of a longer bar, so meet the new arrival...



It's a 550XP, paid for by woodburner vs central heating savings!

[RedLeicester]

captainzep said:

Above all, I'm satisfied with what it's done so far but I've realised that despite the Husky name it's not going to last forever.

That's the fundamental difference between the consumer and farm/contractor/pro ranges of both Stihl and Husq - yes they're still a cut above the B&Q dross, but there's an awful lot of plastic and cheaper combined bits instead of single components. They're good, but not as good as their bigger brethren.

[andy43]

RedLeicester said:

captainzep said:

Above all, I'm satisfied with what it's done so far but I've realised that despite the Husky name it's not going to last forever.

That's the fundamental difference between the consumer and farm/contractor/pro ranges of both Stihl and Husq - yes they're still a cut above the B&Q dross, but there's an awful lot of plastic and cheaper combined bits instead of single components. They're good, but not as good as their bigger brethren.

I was talking to a landscaper last week - he's getting disillusioned as all the major brands now build down to a price in the lower end of the range which is a shame as long term they'll lose their reputation. He was looking at spending serious money on replacement machinery to get the reliability he's used to.
I have a £70 B&Q special - one of the small percentage that actually start and run properly according to the internet. Apart from a couple of chains and regular cleaning it's been faultless but does vibrate a bit. It's lasted 3 or 4 years and roughly 10-20 cubic metres of logs so far - when it breaks I might look at a used pro saw.

And anyway, with an oregon chain mine's just as good as a £700 Stihl
<runs>

eta Proper Stihl chain oil - never run it dry! quality synthetic 2 stroke oil and proper branded chains are the way to go imho, regardless of saw manufacturer

Edited by andy43 on Thursday 7th August 10:09

[longshot]

captainzep said:

To be honest though I've gained a hunger for a bit more power and the flexibility of a longer bar, so meet the new arrival...



It's a 550XP, paid for by woodburner vs central heating savings!

You'll have fun with that.
I've had one for a few years now and it is a great performer.
It can be a pig to start when it is hot though. Perhaps they have ironed that out now.
I notice that they have upgraded the oil ad fuel caps.

[captainzep]

longshot said:

You'll have fun with that.
I've had one for a few years now and it is a great performer.
It can be a pig to start when it is hot though. Perhaps they have ironed that out now.
I notice that they have upgraded the oil ad fuel caps.

Thanks, I've only put the bar on so far, haven't tried starting it yet -but have read about a few hot start issues on arbtalk.

With the bigger bar/more power I'm wondering about trying to bolt-on a small Alaskan saw mill. I've got access to a felled oak trunk and a nice long pine trunk. A few rough planks or some rough shed siding would be handy. I may buy a smaller 15/14" bar for day-to-day log cutting, amazed that a 50cc saw with 18" bar weighs little more than my old 38cc 236 with a 14" bar...

[longshot]

That's an 18" bar is it. I thought it looked big.

I opted for a 13" on mine. It makes it very easy to work with.
After using a 13" for so long, I think an 18" would feel like I was flailing about with a broadsword.

I'm in a wood drought at the moment. Need to get some soon or we're going to be screwed this winter.

[dickymint]

So then - ordered online £280 delivered the following day - what's all this talk about no delivery and retail prices

[captainzep]

longshot said:

I'm in a wood drought at the moment. Need to get some soon or we're going to be screwed this winter.

I've been fortunate this year, mother-in-law has been clearing building plots so several big ash/pine trees down and grandmother had a big oak down. Hence my little 236 getting a bit, tired. Lots of work:



...but my woodstores have been filling up and it's all seasoning nicely:

[longshot]

That makes ours look like a very meagre affair at the moment.

[BFG TERRANO]

Dealt with a few tree surgeons lately, all seem to have husqvarna

[Elderly]

I have had a Husqvarna ride on mower for years, which I have been very pleased with.

Recently I had a small problem which required an extremely simple fix
by virtue of replacing a simple tension spring.

The story grew, but enough said that their customer service as I found it was far worse than trying to contact and deal with BT .

[dickymint]

For the record (so i'm told) Stihls policy of only selling over the counter has nothing to do with health and safety. It has everything to do with It's large network of smallish dealers who complained about the big boys discounting online and bagging the profits, leaving the small boys to pick up the scraps on the warranty work!

Secondly I have already proven that it's possible to get a very good discount AND next day delivery on Stihl chainsaws. I can assure you that the young girl from Royal Mail that delivered mine didn't have a clue what was in the box let alone how to instruct me on its assembly and use. I doubt if She could operate an electric strimmer