Chain saw

[persistent king]

Was chatting to my mate tonight (mentalnurse) and mentioned I was thinking about getting a chain saw to cut wood for my log burner as logs are getting more expensive to buy and harder to get hold of. He advised me to get some advice from people who use them like Maddave etc before I jump into it as I've never used one before.
are they easy to use? Would you recommended a petrol or electric one ? Is there a Cretan one easier to use etc Or would you advise not getting one at all if you are using it for just cutting fire wood , I haven't a clue to be honest , any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ozzy1977]

If you don't have a clue then a chainsaw isn't really for you, get trained and ppe then get a saw

 

[dwardo]

There are some cracking manual saws on the market like the big silkies and even just a fresh bacho blade in a good size bow saw.
I am biased as they are noisy orrible dangerous things but a necessary evil if you are doing wood in serious bulk. If you can stick to manual then it saves having to don boots, goggles, helmet, chainsaw pants and jacket every time you want to cut wood.

 

[TheWoodsman]

I would say petrol just for the fact they have a lot more oomf and i have never enjoyed using the electric ones, as for ease of use its just personal preference i prefer stihl up in a tree and husqvarna on the ground. Hitachi make a relativley cheap easy to use hobby style top handle saw which ive used on more that one occasion and anything up to a medium sized thigh it copes with fine.

 

[persistent king]

How much should I spend for a half decent one for what I need

 

[TheWoodsman]

As for PPE since your only cutting fire wood your not gonna need chainsaw trousers and expensive boots, Just some sort of face guard id recommend and normal steelies.

 

[persistent king]

Cheers woodsman , no I won't be climbing trees with it haha

 

[TheWoodsman]

How much should I spend for a half decent one for what I need

Pick something up for around 150-170

 

[persistent king]

What's ppe by the way ?

 

[Firebow Swagger]

Electric wont cheese off your neighbours as its a bit more quiet , But buy a good one with a good motor ...you get what you pay for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZbMbxUImbI other than ppe ...this is the best thing I have got chainsaw related so much safer standing up to saw and you wont hot the earth and blunt the saw..I got mine off ebay for £20

 

[TheWoodsman]

I've used something similar to this many times and is fine for casual firewood. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hitachi-C...arden_GardenPowerTools_CA&hash=item20d5f4aab3

 

[Firebow Swagger]

Personal protective equipment .PPE ....gloves, face shield, steel boots , chain saw trousers, ear defenders etc

 

[ozzy1977]

Not wearing protective trousers when using a chain saw is simply stupid, is saving £50 worth loosing your life??

 

[TheWoodsman]

What's ppe by the way ?

Personal Protective equipment

 

[persistent king]

Electric wont cheese off your neighbours as its a bit more quiet , But buy a good one with a good motor ...you get what you pay for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZbMbxUImbI other than ppe ...this is the best thing I have got chainsaw related so much safer standing up to saw and you wont hot the earth and blunt the saw..I got mine off ebay for £20

Thats a handy piece of kit

 

[ateallthepies]

I recently plunged into the world of chainsaws, got a little 12" Stihl. I wanted one with a gurt long blade but the bloke in the shop talked me out of that

Steve

 

[Firebow Swagger]

Makita make some nice electric chainsaws around that price range.

 

[TheWoodsman]

Cutting firewood is a rare occasion when it is permitable in my eyes mainly because your using a small saw (cant kick back to well) and your legs shouldnt really be in any danger zone anyway, most US foresters just wear good ol jeans

Not wearing protective trousers when using a chain saw is simply stupid, is saving £50 worth loosing your life??

 

[Wayne]

I regularly use my Sthil MS261. It's a great but of kit that sees some hard use.


If you're going to get a saw then you need a decent helmet with ear defenders and face guard. Class 2 trousers and boots.

I strongly advise getting your CS 30 Cross Cut and maintenance ticket.

 

[Firebow Swagger]

It depends what sort of person you are

If you have no neighbours of they don't mind noise.
But also how much will you look after it , Ive bought saws in the past that have been left in the shed so long the petrol has evaporated, and the leftover oil residue has blocked up the carb,.... so if you are gonna use it lots,Mix the fuel correctly, clean and empty it then its gonna be left for a long time..then get a petrol

If you are kinda lazy, and just want it for random jobs. and only want it for home/garden use ,Go with electric

the replacment chains are the same for each . the main advantage to a petrol is mobility.( but you will still need to fill a chain oil tank for both machines to lubricate the cut )