I need a chainsaw

[SAWYER]

I have a few trees and limbs I need to cut and have been looking on craigslist for a chainsaw, any suggestions? I want a good brand like a Stihl or similar and dont mind paying a couple hundred for a used one. Any particular models/brands I should be looking for?

 

[twinrider1]

You mean you aren't really a sawyer?

 

[LevelSea]

Used Stihl MS290.

 

[LTC8K6]

Stihl.

Husqvarna if you can't get a Stihl.

 

[SAWYER]

I posted an ad on craigslist and someone called me with a Husqvarna 372xp with 20" bar and they are asking $400

 

[pcgeek11]

How big are the trees?

I recommend for a home use ( occasional ) the Husqvarna 440 would be better price to value. That is what I have and it works great and has never failed me yet.

For someone that will use it more often a Stihl would be a better choice.

 

[SAWYER]

Not real big, the biggest limb may be a foot, most 6"

 

[NutBucket]

How much volume are we talking? Anything less than 5 I'd honestly consider just using a sabre saw.

 

[ManyBeers]

a sawzall with pruning blade would work well too.

 

[RLGL]

Stihl MS 180.
I have one, it is all you need
New it was 240.00 in 2011

 

[SAWYER]

I found a Stihl ms170 for $100, not sure if I should buy it though. It is the cheapest I have found so far

 

[SearchMaster]

I have a Husky 55 and absolutely hate it. It throws chains constantly. It's been serviced twice in the last five years (about the same number of times I've attempted to use it) but it still sucks to use.

I bought a refurb electric chainsaw for under $30 from vminnovations.com and it has been flawless. Obviously I can only use it when I'm within extension cord distance but for smaller stuff it's very handy. Plus it weighs about half as much as the Husky which is nicer to carry around. To be fair, I have a large property but it has access to electric outlets all over.

An electric is not the solution to all problems but most of the trees that fall on my property are tall pine trees that are rarely more than a foot in diameter. If you do go gas, I'd recommend a Stihl - all my friends who use theirs a lot are very happen with them. I wish I had gone that route.

 

[MtnMan]

I found a Stihl ms170 for $100, not sure if I should buy it though. It is the cheapest I have found so far

Make sure it runs and buy it, it is all you need for your needs.

 

[SAWYER]

It is in a pawn shop, they said I could start it up and check it out

 

[KIAman]

If they are small branches, i'd go with an electric chainsaw. Super easy maintenance and easy to use.

 

[Thump553]

Got any rental places around you? It may be worth it just to rent for a day or so-chainsaws are pretty high maintenance and odds are you will hardly ever use it. You will need extra chains, sharpening system, safety gear.

Weight is very important-go for as light as possible that will still do the job. A 20" bar is overkill (and overweight) for what you need-get a 16 or 18. Stihl and Husky are the best brands generally-nearly everyone else is an also ran.

I suggest you go to HD/Lowes, pick up a few different models and see how they feel to you-also check out the prices on chains, bar oil, tools, etc.

The last saw I got was a Husky sold by a rental place. Good saw, very good deal-after I essentially rebuilt it, replacing all the rubber bushings, etc. Worked great for over a decade after I got it. The only reason a saw should throw a chain is something is out of adjustment-the operator should be checking chain tension fairly often-they stretch with heat and use.

Electric chainsaw good cheap alternative but I doubt it will handle a 12 inch tree-at least not without a lot of struggle-which is a bad thing with a dangerous tool.

 

[pcgeek11]

One other thought. IF you are not meticulous about mixing oil/fuel ratio get the premix gasoline sold by Lowes and Home Depot in the correct ratio with no ethanol.

If you mix your own only use non-ethanol gasoline and make sure you get the correct mix ratio 40:1 or 50:1 or what ever is required.

Ethanol = Death for small engines

 

[Subyman]

If it is only for this one use then just get a bow saw.

 

[WHAMPOM]

If you can do it all on a weekend, just rent a chainsaw.

 

[SAWYER]

I was talking to my neighbor and asking him opinions on saws(owns a construction company so I figured he might have some insight) and told him I was thinking of buying a Stihl 170. He said no need he had one I could use, it is the same model I was going to buy. I used it yesterday and that little thing was perfect for my use, I was so impressed I will probably still buy that one from the pawn shop.

 

[DrPizza]

If there's a chance that you'll have to do a decent amount of cutting - let's say, more than 1/2 a tank of fuel - then you will want a saw that has vibration isolation. I'm not familiar with the Stihl 170, so I don't know if it has it or not. I do know that with some entry level chainsaws, e.g., Poulan crap, after a little while of use, your hands start getting all tingly feeling due to the amount of vibration. I switched from a cheap chainsaw with a 20" bar to a Husqvarna with a 16" bar - the Husqvarna has a bigger engine, is able to cut through more wood without getting bogged down, and I can cut for hours without my hands getting that horrible feeling.

 

[edro]

Just go to a Stihl dealer and buy a brand new $180-300 saw.
No reason to buy a used one.
Talk to the dealer and ask what they recommend.
You will have a warranty.

 

[SAWYER]

Does this look like a tree that should come down?

 

[natto fire]

I was talking to my neighbor and asking him opinions on saws(owns a construction company so I figured he might have some insight) and told him I was thinking of buying a Stihl 170. He said no need he had one I could use, it is the same model I was going to buy. I used it yesterday and that little thing was perfect for my use, I was so impressed I will probably still buy that one from the pawn shop.

This is what I was going to suggest. I grew up in a fairly rural area, and borrowing tools like this was very common. I have used Stihl's 026, 088, MS362, MS261, and MS190t. I have used an Echo and Husky (forget the model numbers) but I have mainly been exposed to Stihl, and they always treat me right. I don't remember anything particularly bad about the Echo and Husqvarna I borrowed, but they just didn't feel like the Stihls I am more used to.

I usually am felling and bucking hardwood trees. If you are mainly just pruning, it might be worth it to consider a cordless sawzall with pruning blade. Another option is a cordless chainsaw, Greenworks and Stihl has that covered as well.

 

[SAWYER]

After using this Stihl I am getting one