chainsaws

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Euroford

Trad climber

chicago

Topic Author's Original Post - May 16, 2007 - 05:24pm PT

i dunno why, but for some reason i thought i remebered seeing chainsaws discussed on the taco at some point in time, so i figured it would be worth asking for some advice.

so on our last major mountain bike trailbuilding project we lugged out 14 18v dewalt batteries and STILL ended up resorting to the bowsaw for several cuts.

no more amature hour for me. i want to bring some horsepower.

i've never bought or owned a chainsaw, my experience with them is strickly limited to whatever my dad happened to have in the garage, which was probobly whatever happened to be on sale at sears sometime in the last 20 years.

i don't need to cut anything large diamter, this is pretty much limited to cutting up 10" dia or less deadfall logs for building ladder bridges and jumps.

so, in order of importance: reliable, lightweight, powerfull, good gas milliage, reasonable price.

any recomendations?

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

May 16, 2007 - 05:29pm PT

If possible, get some training in how to safely use a chain saw. They're dangerous puppies. Training may also provide enough experience and knowledge to allow you to decide which saw is the best for your purposes.

Quite a lot of safety and protective equipment may be required in addition to the saw.

Euroford

Trad climber

chicago

Topic Author's Reply - May 16, 2007 - 05:32pm PT

thanks, i checked all of the local universities and none of them offer a course in chainsaw operation. i guess i'll just have to wing it on my own.

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

May 16, 2007 - 05:35pm PT

Call local parks departments, or tree services, and find out what they do for training. Perhaps a community college or technical school may have something, or even night school.

feelio Babar

Trad climber

Sneaking up behind you...

May 16, 2007 - 05:36pm PT

only one worth buying....A Stihl.

lamadera

Trad climber

New Mexico

May 16, 2007 - 05:38pm PT

Stihl,Husquavarna or Echo. Don't buy a Homelite from Home Depot, you will regret it. Forget the training, fire that thing up and cut some wood.

Euroford

Trad climber

chicago

Topic Author's Reply - May 16, 2007 - 05:45pm PT

any reason i should choose an echo or a husqvarna over a stihl?

i ask becouse i've heard husqvarnas are very good, but i don't know of a local retailer where i could get one. stihls are available anywhere. echo i've never heard of.

any good min. horsepower recomendations? i want it to be light, and the material i intend to cut should be easier, but i'd rather not have to fight it.

spyork

Social climber

Land of Green Stretchy People

May 16, 2007 - 05:47pm PT

2 man whipsaw. If you're not burly now you will be...

pud

climber

Sportbikeville

May 16, 2007 - 05:47pm PT

Everyone knows that chainsaws aren't very forgiving to novice mistakes.
Rent a gas chainsaw with a 15-20' bar from home depot and start cutting fire wood at home.
Look on the internet for basic safety rules/operation.
Use eye protection and gloves.
If you plan on operating a chainsaw in the woods, far from emergency help, you should be experienced at it and adept at first aid as well.

Prod

Social climber

Charlevoix, MI

May 16, 2007 - 05:49pm PT

Hey Euro,

Stihl is the way to go for sure. There are some other good ones out there Huskivarna, for example, but you can find Stihl parts and service centers anywhere. I build custom homes in N Mich, and have done 4 full scribe homes in the last 10 years. My guys go to saw is always the Pro 260 for a gas saw. That may be a bit much for what you are looking for but at 11 pounds it is a work horse. Costly though.

I'd send customer support at Stihl a email and see what they recommend for your use.

Get the plastic case, extra chain, a good saw tool, and a rat tail file. Nothing worse than trying to cut with a dull chain.

Just my 2cents

Prod

feelio Babar

Trad climber

Sneaking up behind you...

May 16, 2007 - 05:52pm PT

Spend the time learning to properly sharpen a a chain and it will last a very long time...as long as you don't pull a n00b and rock it.

Ran an 046 with for years as a Hotshot.Never let me down...under the worst conditions all the time. But also being cleaned and maintained like a weapon.

Remember...a clean saw is a happy saw.

As in life...ALWAYS know where the tip is gentlemen.

EDIT: Kevlar chaps are good for piece of mind...but the first thing they show you on a shot crew, is a 2x4 wrapped in chaps...rev that Stihl up, and it will go through them in a hurry. No joke. Of course if you have your finger off the throttle...it may bind in time to save you some meat.

If your saw is properly tuned and lubed...you should never need to lean on cut...should pull itself through the cut real sweet like. cut smart. cut safe.

Josh Higgins

Trad climber

San Diego

May 16, 2007 - 05:54pm PT

Kevlar chaps..... GREAT for chainsaw use. My step brother hit those chaps so many damn times! I only did once, after 20 hrs of chainsaw work in 2 days. I was exhausted and just not paying attention. SOOO glad I had the chaps!

My impression back when I was young and doing work for my dad was that it's important to keep the blade sharp if you want to have an easy time of it. We would sharpen the blades at least once a day on a long day and suddenly it was like butter....

Josh

ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber

San Francisco, Ca

May 16, 2007 - 05:57pm PT

Here's my two cents: Husqies and Stihls are the only way to go. They will cost you more but will save you SO much time because they always start and run. As between the two, it's sort of like a Chevy/Ford thing where people feel strongly one way or another. I've run both brands and both have their minor ups and downs. I have never heard of a chainsaw class outside of the work place. So: always hold the saw with both hands with your thumb wrapped around the top bar; always cut with the saw fully reved up; don't lean directly over the saw (so that if it kicks back it does not fly into your face); keep the chain sharp- if you touch dirt or anything else that dulls the chain, stop what you are doing and sharpen or change it; do not touch anything with the tip; wear eye and ear protection. Occasional cutting of wood up to 10" should not require more than a light to medium duty saw.

ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber

San Francisco, Ca

May 16, 2007 - 05:58pm PT

Feelio- what crew?

TradIsGood

Happy and Healthy climber

the Gunks end of the country

May 16, 2007 - 05:59pm PT

Husqvarna 51. Owned that for about 10 years now. Use it several times / year. Wooded lots. Lots of dead stuff on the ground or standing.

Fast, lightweight, easy to start and maintain.

Been through at least 3 chains.

One year we had a pile of wood almost the height of a minivan by 150 feet long.

Not sure what the current corresponding model is, but you can't go wrong with this. Only one I have ever owned. Not a professional.

Learn how to use it. Main thing is you do not want the wood to pinch closed on it. That means sometimes you will cut from above, sometimes below on horizontal stuff. Works best if you have someone to help position / move, etc. Plus you want somebody else around for safety. Keep it sharp. Having spare chains makes this easier. Vertical stuff, you really need to think about how/where to drop it - wind, obstructions, etc.

lamadera

Trad climber

New Mexico

May 16, 2007 - 06:01pm PT

Stihl is a fine saw. Get a 45-50 cc, 18-20 inch bar, and it should weigh around 10 pounds. You will be able to cut most anything within reason.

Mighty Hiker

Social climber

Vancouver, B.C.

May 16, 2007 - 06:06pm PT

You'll also need to learn the following song.

The Lumberjack Song (Monty Python's Flying Circus)

I'm a lumberjack, and I'm okay.
I sleep all night. I work all day.

Mounties : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees. I eat my lunch.
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shoppin'
And have buttered scones for tea.

Mounties: He cuts down trees. He eats his lunch.
He goes to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he goes shopping
And has buttered scones for tea.

Chorus : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees. I skip and jump.
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing
And hang around in bars.

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He skips and jumps.
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing
And hangs around in bars?!

Chorus : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.

I cut down trees. I wear high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie,
Just like my dear Papa

Mounties : He cuts down trees. He wears high heels,
Suspendies, and a bra?!

Chorus : He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.
Yes, He's a lumberjack, and he's okay.
He sleeps all night and he works all day.