Recommend me a chainsaw
Discussion
I must admit I have a bit of a tool fetish and as some of you may know am looking to build a new house on a plot I have in Surrey. The thing is need to clear some very ugly and in some cases sick trees from the plot. Hiring a chain saw actually gets expensive over a few days so I am looking to buy one.
I am a very practical and hands on guy but the first question I have is, is it safe for me to wield one of these devices and second if it is OK what should I be looking for and how much should I pay?
I am a very practical and hands on guy but the first question I have is, is it safe for me to wield one of these devices and second if it is OK what should I be looking for and how much should I pay?
price can vary, size of blade, size of engine. Pistonheaders love either Stihl or Husqvarna, anything else and your not serious! personally I love my Stihl gear. Get some protective gear, i'm looking at a pole saw, i'm a clumsy git and need at least 6 foot of metal pole between me and a blade!
Depends on whether you will have need of a chainsaw after you have cleared the site, and then whether you want a petrol or electric chainsaw.
I bought an electric chainsaw from Aldi @ 49.95, that was nearly 2 years ago, broken down and replaced 3 times, but with a 3 year guarantee has not cost me a penny to replace, with the company sending a courier to both collect and replace the same.
I nearly forgot, that chainsaw/s has cut down and pruned nearly 40 trees, hundreds of pallets etc. etc., best purchase I have ever made.
I believe B&Q had recently a similar offer of a 49.95 chainsaw.
I bought an electric chainsaw from Aldi @ 49.95, that was nearly 2 years ago, broken down and replaced 3 times, but with a 3 year guarantee has not cost me a penny to replace, with the company sending a courier to both collect and replace the same.
I nearly forgot, that chainsaw/s has cut down and pruned nearly 40 trees, hundreds of pallets etc. etc., best purchase I have ever made.
I believe B&Q had recently a similar offer of a 49.95 chainsaw.
For a couple of days of hacking, followed by occasional use, you could go for one of the Chineese '5200' machines. These are widely cloned and sold as 'no brand' machines by Amazon, Aldi, home shopping channels and so on, but they're actually not too bad and once you work out that they're all essentially the same machine, spare parts are a quick click on ebay.
I've had mine for a couple of years - used for pollarding willows and chopping logs and it still starts and runs fine. It's certainly powerful enough for the job and a new chain keeps it cutting nicely.
As for safety - make sure you're not balancing on things, be aware of backlash and what the tree or branch is likely to do once it's cut, and wear proper safety gear (gloves, trousers, boots and helmet/face protection). You can probably do a one day/morning safety course locally if you want to be sure, and to get some advice on effective use of a chainsaw.
Chainsaws can be singularly ineffective on lightweight scrub, so before you start, clear everything down to solid wood with a good strimmer, bow saw and lopper.
I've had mine for a couple of years - used for pollarding willows and chopping logs and it still starts and runs fine. It's certainly powerful enough for the job and a new chain keeps it cutting nicely.
As for safety - make sure you're not balancing on things, be aware of backlash and what the tree or branch is likely to do once it's cut, and wear proper safety gear (gloves, trousers, boots and helmet/face protection). You can probably do a one day/morning safety course locally if you want to be sure, and to get some advice on effective use of a chainsaw.
Chainsaws can be singularly ineffective on lightweight scrub, so before you start, clear everything down to solid wood with a good strimmer, bow saw and lopper.
Another vote for Stihl.
The also seem to sell quickly secondhand for good money. Whilst they are not cheap in the first place, if you find you have no ongoing use for it once you have done the job, you should be able to sell it and recoup a large part of your outlay. Having said that, once you have owned and used one, I suspect you will be reluctant to let it go.
The also seem to sell quickly secondhand for good money. Whilst they are not cheap in the first place, if you find you have no ongoing use for it once you have done the job, you should be able to sell it and recoup a large part of your outlay. Having said that, once you have owned and used one, I suspect you will be reluctant to let it go.
costsmonkey said:
Another vote for Stihl.
The also seem to sell quickly secondhand for good money. Whilst they are not cheap in the first place, if you find you have no ongoing use for it once you have done the job, you should be able to sell it and recoup a large part of your outlay. Having said that, once you have owned and used one, I suspect you will be reluctant to let it go.
And another vote for Stihl. Mines 20+ years old, and as good as new.The also seem to sell quickly secondhand for good money. Whilst they are not cheap in the first place, if you find you have no ongoing use for it once you have done the job, you should be able to sell it and recoup a large part of your outlay. Having said that, once you have owned and used one, I suspect you will be reluctant to let it go.
Be careful, they do bite very hard if you f
k up, slice your femoral artery, then remove your bks for fun.On the other hand...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbMvxLRdpm0
Anything serious needs petrol power. Stihl and Husqvarna are the best brands, McCullough and Makita are good too, Ryobi and DIY-store noname own-brand ones are probably best avoided. There are so many ways to seriously hurt yourself, so take the time to read all about chainsaw use and wear protective gear.
My workplace is surrounded by a tree plantation which comes in handy for wood for the stove..The Stilh MS181 is all that you are allowed without a certificate ,so they tell me and thats what i ended up with..Brilliant machine .
Had it for 3 years and only had to change chains.
Use it nearly everyday.
It will cut through a 14" trunk with ease.
Bought all the safety gear(i was so scared of it at first) ,but never used it..The shop gave sensible advice and instructions.Kick back doesn't happen with the proper stihl chains..Cut to the side of you rather than holding in the middle so if it downslides away from the cutting it doesn't slice your thighs.
Its all in the instruction book from new. My job entails using safety toe caps anyway which is sensible.
I would never buy a secondhand one personally.
At around £200 it will be the best tool you will ever buy!
Had it for 3 years and only had to change chains.
Use it nearly everyday.
It will cut through a 14" trunk with ease.
Bought all the safety gear(i was so scared of it at first) ,but never used it..The shop gave sensible advice and instructions.Kick back doesn't happen with the proper stihl chains..Cut to the side of you rather than holding in the middle so if it downslides away from the cutting it doesn't slice your thighs.
Its all in the instruction book from new. My job entails using safety toe caps anyway which is sensible.
I would never buy a secondhand one personally.
At around £200 it will be the best tool you will ever buy!
I recently bought a new Stihl chainsaw. Although it does what I need (chopping wood for woodburner), I wouldn't say it's particularly well made. Bits of it look quite fragile and wouldn't stand you dropping it on the floor. I think it was about £170. Maybe the people above have ones that were £400+ or made in the 70's, but just be aware that the cheaper ones aren't as bulletproof as people always suggest.
My safety lesson at the shop consisted of the man saying...
"Be careful wi' that, thur bloody danedruss!!" [/Bolton]
My safety lesson at the shop consisted of the man saying...
"Be careful wi' that, thur bloody danedruss!!" [/Bolton]
We have got a Sthil at work, not sure of the size but it isn't a huge one.
Been going for a few years and never lets us down, we have the chain sharpened or changed every year.
We never bother with all the safety gear, just be careful with it and don't try drinking a brew at the same time.
Been going for a few years and never lets us down, we have the chain sharpened or changed every year.
We never bother with all the safety gear, just be careful with it and don't try drinking a brew at the same time.
As mentioned in prev post
Stihl is the one to go for
they are dangerous things , you want the clutch and snatch protection to work if you need it
you want blades that dont wear and strech after first rev up
you dont want it to stall or fall to bits when you are using it .
Stihl blades will re-sharpen others are like putty after they are shaved.
So another vote for stihl
Stihl is the one to go for
they are dangerous things , you want the clutch and snatch protection to work if you need it
you want blades that dont wear and strech after first rev up
you dont want it to stall or fall to bits when you are using it .
Stihl blades will re-sharpen others are like putty after they are shaved.
So another vote for stihl
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