School me on chainsaws

[ramminghard]

Looking to pick up a chainsaw this year for camping and maintenance of a small property. I know nothing about chainsaws, how many cc's are really needed, bar size, etc. The research I have done so far has me leaning towards an Echo or Husqvarna. Would like to keep it under $400 with a case if possible.

What are some features I should be looking for? Is a 16" bar enough or is it worth it to spring for the 18"? What is a decent motor size? Anything else to pay attention to?

[codetrap]

Don't apply the spinny chain thing to your flesh, and you'll be ok. /End_Lesson

[hedge]

I like Stihl saws, but Husqvarna and Echo are good too. something around 50cc is good enough for doing firewood but not too heavy. If you can afford it, spring for the professional level such as a Stihl MS261, to fit under the $400 I'd probably go with the 271.

http://www.equipmentexpress.ca/chainsaws_med.htm

[AndyL]

I love my stihl...

But camping - I take a crappy old refurbished poulan pro. Really it's not going to be treated nice on the usual camping scenarios - best just to run a cheapy... Mines on it's 4th season, bring a L of pre-mix, L of bar oil and a spare chain.

14" bar is usually enough... The rare occasion you get something thick - just requires a little more work (how often do you see 28" thick wood?

[ExtraSlow]

14" is fine for camping.
I have a crafstman, and it's been great. Only gripe is it has some kind of gimicky tool-less chain tightening system, and it's a peice of junk. I would rather have to break out the tools than deal with that. Still, It cuts me enough wood with minimal hassles. About once a year I find wood that's more than 14 inches thick at the base, so I walk to the other side of the log and take a second cut. That's not a big hassle.

[ramminghard]

Thanks for the tips! Any shops in Calgary come close to the prices they have in the US or should I wait for my next trip to Montana to pick one up?

[sr20s14zenki]

Go to princess auto, they sell them pretty cheap there.

hey, lookie whats on special

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8317109/Chainsaws/14-in.-Poulan-Chainsaw

[Maxt]

Check in person at equipment express, sometimes they have pretty good in store deals.
I bought a Stihl 291 from them and the guy threw in a stihl gas weed trimmer and a case of 2 stroke oil.

[fiveowed]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-power-tools-Stihl-MS170-Chainsaw-16-W0QQAdIdZ426423622

[heavyfuel]

Last paragraph at the bottom lol (http://www.texaschainsawmassacre.net/FAQ.htm)

Leatherface knew how to pick a chainsaw lol

[Supa Dexta]

Most all wood cut is done with a 16" bar on the east coast. I run a 361 with an 18" bar and people think its a big saw.. lol

Stihl is like an exotic compared to a kia, over a poulan or craftsman. The low end huskys arent that great nowadays either.

[GTS4tw]

I would recommend getting into an older, pre-emissions saw. The new entry level name brand saws from either of the big 2 are not much better than Poulan, Homelite, etc. You can buy the low end Husqvarna at Canadian Tire now, and that is a direct reflection of quality.

I run a Husqvarna 372xpw as my bucking saw and it is a beast, tons of power and not too heavy. However that is extreme overkill for what you are looking to do. I used a mcculloch that I bought from the pawn shop for $50 as my camping/daily carry chainsaw and it was awesome until it siezed last year. Now I am looking to replace it with another beater, I really like Poulan Pro as a good cheap saw. They review well on sites like arboristsite.com and those guys know their saws. You can also buy them at Princess Auto, so the warranty will be honored, unlike crap from Canadian tire. If I cant find one at a pawn shop, thats what I will do.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/GTS4tw/CuttingtreesinGarnetValley026.jpg

[e31]

http://1.media.collegehumor.cvcdn.com/9/f/collegehumor.ccc64c8980d55e7b9e0f4f1fe40d657e.jpg

[Graham_A_M]

I wish I took pics of our old Husky 150cc one with a 36" bar. I went as Leatherface for Halloween a few years ago with that covered in fake blood, and strapped to my back.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

It was awesome.