Any chainsaw enthusiast out there?

[ryan.s]

Just purchased my first chainsaw, an echo cs346 off of ebay. I haven't received it yet but can't wait. In doing some research on chainsaws for this purchase I stumbled on to a whole new world of chainsaw collectors/enthusiast. I never new people were so into chainsaws.

I guess living in the suburbs of southern california i really don't need a gas powered chain saw but what the heck, i figure i might have some fun with it, i mean get some good around the house use out of it. Love buying tools what ever they may be.

If you own a chainsaw chime in with what you got and how you like it.

Any words of wisdom will be appreciated as well.

[Stan]

Stihl and Husqvarna... Stilh 'Farm Boss' is a nice one for around the house.

[SARGE..g-47]

"Any advice"?..... ryan

Yep... Read the manual on operation.. techniques and safety about 10 times before you crank and use it and never.. never.. never.. start a cut leaning or off balance in general. If you think you've seen "kick-back" on a tablesaw, it's sissy compared to what a chain saw with you attached to one end can do.

I've been using a chain saw since I was about 12 years old. I don't mean to sound like a party-pooper, but I would give some careful thought to the statement about "having some fun with it".

A chain saw is a very powerful and capable tool that can labor hard all day long. But, like any high powered tool, it can become a very dangerous tool if the operator does not treat it with utmost respect, use common sense and has no regard for proper operating procedure which include technique and safety.

Have fun... well, after the serious work is done and the saw is shut down! :>)

Regards...

[ryan.s]

"Any advice"?..... ryan

Yep... Read the manual on operation.. techniques and safety about 10 times before you crank and use it and never.. never.. never.. start a cut leaning or off balance in general. If you think you've seen "kick-back" on a tablesaw, it's sissy compared to what a chain saw with you attached to one end can do.

I've been using a chain saw since I was about 12 years old. I don't mean to sound like a party-pooper, but I would give some careful thought to the statement about "having some fun with it".

A chain saw is a very powerful and capable tool that can labor hard all day long. But, like any high powered tool, it can become a very dangerous tool if the operator does not treat it with utmost respect, use common sense and has no regard for proper operating procedure which include technique and safety.

Have fun... well, after the serious work is done and the saw is shut down! :>)

Regards...

Thanks for the advice. Trust me, I'm all about safety and respect any sort of power tool - any tool for that matter. I will have the user manual memorized before I even put gas in the saw. The fun comment was more geared towards being able to purchase another tool. Will be using it mostly for trimming trees in the yard, cutting some firewood and possibly rough cutting some lumber for woodworking.

Edit : I had an inncident with some hand chisels last year and have been extra careful what ever the tool I'm using. Lesson learned.

[Stan]

An addition to the warnings. Watch the environment for them 'gotcha' situations. When living in New Hampshire, I was out cutting some firewood. One of those hot muggy days where yer sweating like crazy and uncomfortable as all get-out, but trying to get a couple more loads out of the woods anyways.

Wasn't watching where I was standing (not something I would normally do much of anyways) and didn't realize I was standing over a ground wasp nest until the conclusion hit me that the the uncomfortable feeling in the area of my privates was not from it being overly hot outside.

Looked down and had 4 of 'em stinging away with more reinforcements coming. Dropped that saw like a hot potato and took off outta there. The saw finally ran out of gas about 30 minutes later and after the wasps settled down a bit without the vibration of the saw, was getting doctored with baking soda paste in the meantime, I went back with the gas can to fill up the saw, albiet somewhat slowly and rather with a bowlegged swagger.

Needless to say, I had some extra gas in the can for my 'friends'.

[Pappy]

I have a small electric for quick trims and a 16" Poulan for working away from a power source.

Added advice...get 1 or 2 extra chains. When one starts to dull, swap chains and get it sharpened. When the chain starts to produce sawdust rather than wood chips, it is dull and dangerous.

[Hellrazor]

I have a Stihl 029 Farm Boss with an 18" bar. I wouldn't trade it in for anything else. I've used a lot of different saws and I think this is the best so far.

[crokett]

I have a Stihl Farm Boss with 18" Bar. I got it as a Wedding/Bday/Xmas gift. One of the top 3 presents I've ever gotten. Get an extra chain or two for yours.

[Doug Jones]

I'm not real sure what a chainsaw enthusiast is. But I do truly enjoy my two Stihls one being the "Farm Boss" with an 18" and 20" bar, the other a smaller one with a 16" bar. I also have a 14" electric for in shop use.


Safety, safety, safety

[mater]

I have a couple of Stihls but I hardly ever use them anymore but in times pass I used them a lot. Guess I am not an enthusiast.

[Doug Jones]

I have a couple of Stihls but I hardly ever use them anymore but in times pass I used them a lot. Guess I am not an enthusiast.

Bag them up and ship'em to me. I'll be sure to give them some good workouts.

[SARGE..g-47]

I realized your excitement Ryan as anyone getting their first would have, but Stihl (.. :>) ..) wanted to get you back down to earth before the fact that it can be volatile if mis-used. And in the same breath, I will say that is joy to have and operate if used with all things considered.

Like several of the guys, I use the Stihl. It has a well written manual with proper operating and cutting procedures. If whatever saw you get doesn't, google and I'm sure you will come up with Do's and Don'ts and general rules for keepin' er tween the lines of the road.

Be aware of what "pull-in" and "push-back" means and how to avoid the pinch that causes them b-4 they happen. Achieving balance b-4 the cut and watching where you step to get to the task with that saw running are very important. Before you attempt anything twice as large as the bar down the road with an advanced "plunge cut", hang out with some lumber-jacks and ask questions first. The tip of the bar touching the intended irst is not your best freind for sure! .. :>)

Regards for a safe relation-ship...

[ryan.s]

I have a couple of Stihls but I hardly ever use them anymore but in times pass I used them a lot. Guess I am not an enthusiast.

Would you seriously consider sellin em? Maybe trading one for a brand spanken new nailer?

[Warren]

Stihl. Only Stihl. Advice? A well maintained machine with a sharp, well tuned chain is fairly safe. You also need a couple of felling wedges and a heavy maul. A helmet with good hearing protection are also necessary. I wear chaps when using the bigger, more unwieldy saws. Should wear them all the time but, I do have a streak of laziness, deeply ingrained. If you remove the tip on the end of the bar so you can do deep cuts in big trees, be doubly aware of the threat of kickback.

Before felling a tree, think it through. Where you anticipate dropping the tree and your escape route. If necessary, clear the escape route of under brush and anything else that will impede your rather, rapid, gazelle like sprint when things go horribly wrong. I always prefer to make all the felling cuts at chest level and take whatever is required of the stump after dropping the tree. This saves the back and makes my cuts a little better.

If I am going to cut a stump near ground level I use what I call my "dirty chain" to save wear and tear on good chain. It's sharp, but it's near the end of its useful life.

Remember, some trees will never fall where you expect them to. Old, gnarly trees can explode or jump upwards and twist on you. For dead trees I like to drill a hole and see what's inside. When a tree that is eaten away inside, full of powder, beware. The tree has little or no internal strength and may come down while you are making the face cut.

On anything large I prefer to leave a fair sized hinge, clear the area of tools and stuff and use the wedges to finish the felling. There are times when you are wearing hearing protection and concentrating on the saw and will not hear or see the tree start to fall. Using wedges allows you to hear and see when the tree starts to topple. Felling wedges are plastic, bo not use splitting wedges.

A sharp, well tuned saw with a 16 or 18 inch chain will bring down about any tree. It just requires more, well-placed cuts than a 30+ inch saw.

The only people allowed within the radius of the falling tree whould be you and, should you require, someone on line, the handler. Ideally, pullies should be used to keep everyone out of the anticipated fall line.

I strongly recommend practicing on smaller trees so you can learn to place the falling tree in a safe, clear area. And you can begin to learn to process the feedback from the saw and tree.

Two pieces of advice: The time for a beer is after the chains are tuned or sharpened; and the saws put away for the day. Check the bar and depth gauges each time you sharpen. A well tuned chain will do most of the work and insure that your cut is straight.


I learned from a logger with many years experience. I would suggest you go to http://forestry.about.com and reading up. I read up at the start of every season.

[Tom Slick]

get yourself the proper sized chain file and use it often. you'll be a happier guy if you keep the chain sharp. anytime you touch dirt with the chain your blade will be instantly dull. if you have to push the chain through the material the chain is dull. when falling trees make sure you have your excape route planned. wear the best hearing protection you can find and saw chaps aren't jsut for cool looks.