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I've been searching around, looking for a chainsaw to buy. I want to be able to cut trees down and into logs and stuff in order to make mountain bike features like bridges and drop offs.
Any NS'ers have a chainsaw they could recommend? Or a brand?
I am looking for a somewhat inexpensive ELECTRIC CORDLESS chainsaw. I want an electric one because they seem way safer than a gas one. I can't seem to find much online, and I don't know what brands are good.
A petrol powered chainsaw has a loud engine, it needs more maintenance and when it heats up you would need to cool it down before refuelling it, it runs the biggest risk when a kickback happens, but it does the job done when you want to shout the proverbial line “TIMBER” but it feels as if your running a hot knife through butter on even some big trees.
is safer for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that it is electric therefore the power output is much less than the double cylinder engine a gasoline powered chainsaw can spew out. This in turn will make sure that if a kickback does happen; it will not produce as hard recoil as with a petrol powered chainsaw. Another is its obvious limitation to its use. Since the machine; and in effect, you; is bound to the wall socket, using it outdoors will be a bit challenging. If you have an extension wire for your electrical cable then that is a plus for you but if you do not, then you are bound by an average of a 100 – foot wire. With this being said, an Electric chainsaw is not ideal for felling huge logs. A great use for Electric chainsaws is for home owners in suburban areas and even urban areas. It is quiet as its motor does not need to eat gasoline every time it is used. Main uses for the electric chainsaw are for everyday home garden and trimming necessities.
I personally think an electric chain saw would be too weak for what your doing... let alone a cordless, I'm pretty sure cordless chainsaws are for like trimming the bushes dude haha.
if your going to be cutting anything big id go gas, although its a little less safe it will get the job done quick and with precautions to using it it would be just as safe as the electric.
As someone whos house is heated entirely with wood, the best piece of advice I can give you is dont get an electric. You will regret it, especially a cordless as you will inevitably end up out in the woods with dead batteries, & have to go back to recharge them.
I am partial to Stihl saws as i have used them my whole life, but Husquavarna is another top brand.
For doing stuff like you mentioned, i would be using my Stihl 026. It is an older model & i dont think they make it any more but it is generally regarded as a very good saw for small tasks. You could look for a used one or im sure they make an equivalent new model.
If youve never used a chainsaw before, i would advise you to take a chainsaw operators course, or at least get someone with experience to show you how.
Also always wear full safety gear: eye protection, ear protection & gloves are the basics, but i feel much safer wearing chaps (Basically chain saw resistant pant cover), steel toe boots & head protection if falling trees.
Are the chainsaws you guys are mentioning safe? Another reason I was looking at electric chainsaws was because I am scared of gas ones. My dad has talked up chainsaws as these really deadly dangerous things and he's opposed to the idea of me owning one.
Are the chainsaws you guys are mentioning safe? Another reason I was looking at electric chainsaws was because I am scared of gas ones. My dad has talked up chainsaws as these really deadly dangerous things and he's opposed to the idea of me owning one.
Any tool is only as safe as its operator. You could do just as much damage with an electric chainsaw if things go badly. Take a training course, wear full safety gear & be cautious & you will be fine. Confidence also comes into play, you need to feel comfortable with the tool or you will make mistakes.
i worked as a sawyer on a wildfire handcrew for 5 years. So I was cutting everyday for 5 summers. My advice is that a chainsaw is a tool. and like any other tool, its an investment. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. A big saw isnt needed as long as you know how to use it. But you will get more out of a bigger named brand
Are the chainsaws you guys are mentioning safe? Another reason I was looking at electric chainsaws was because I am scared of gas ones. My dad has talked up chainsaws as these really deadly dangerous things and he's opposed to the idea of me owning one.
Safer in terms of kickback but weaker. Go with a smaller gas one for sure, just wear safety gear and learn how to use it properly. They're not malicious machines of death when used properly and they're not waiting to jump up and cut you, but they are large handheld saws with no guard so the risks are apparent. I would recommend chaps as well since I know a bunch of people who have cut their knees pretty badly
Save up and buy a saw from a dealer not from Home depot. The saws are expensive but if you take care of them they will last you a lifetime. I bought a Poulan chainsaw when I first started cutting my own firewood and it did not even last one summer. The next year I got a Stihl ms 290 and have never looked back. I would reccomend looking at stihl or husqvarna they both have great reputations. Other equipment you should look into are chaps, hearing protection, a decent set of gloves, eye wear, and a set of files. I also prefer to use pre mix fuel. The premix has no ethanol and has fuel stabilizer. Cutting a gallon of gas is more than you would think and it is not good for the saw to run old fuel or fuel with ethanol.
Lots of good advice posted so far. As everyone has noted, absolutely do not buy an electric saw. You would be better off using a bow saw than an electric saw away from the house/power supply.
I own a Stihl MS361:
and a Stihl 021:
I'm partial to Stihl, but Husqvarna also makes a quality saw. It is basically the Ford vs. Chevy debate, in chainsaw form. Do not buy a crappy Poulan or other cheap saw. Don't buy from Home Depot. Go to a local forestry supply store, talk with the knowledgeable salespeople, and essentially get fitted for a saw. As someone else mentioned, a saw is an investment. It is a serious tool. You will need help learning to use it properly, sharpening the chain (or you can take it to the forestry shop and they will sharpen it for you, usually $7), and general maintenance. View buying the saw at the local shop as both an investment in the saw and in the store, as they will be happy to help you over the lifetime of your ownership.
I recommend you get a pair of Kevlar chaps. If the saw hits them, it instantly binds, saving your legs. They are also nice when pushing through brush, and for other assorted tree-related activities. I have a pair of these Stihl chaps and use them every single time I use a saw:
You will also want hearing protection and eye protection. Get a quality pair of leather boots, preferably with steel toes. If you are felling large trees, get proper instruction in making the different cuts, dealing with the possible "kick," how to prevent the saw from binding and how to handle it when it inevitably binds anyway. Chainsaws are an amazing tool, and it feels pretty awesome harnessing the raw horsepower in your hands. They do have severe consequences, which can happen in a second. Treat them with respect, get a quality saw, and it will serve you well for many years.
electric is absolute horse shit. maybe even try with a handsaw to start--really makes you know the worth of a serious machine. much cheaper too.
otherwise, stihl or husqvarna for sure. you can get a nice smaller one that's cheaper/easier to use. get to know someone who knows them and can show you proper maintenance and usage. using chainsaws is a serious endeavor and technique is imperative to safety. they also have a relatively large amount of required upkeep, which should be a gratifying experience, not a chore...feels great to give it a nice sharpening! they're also a great intro to engines in general...good stuff to know.
Better yet, find a friend's dad who has one to show you and let you try it out. Or you can definitely rent them. check out a local hardware store if you can't figure out where from.
I will buck the trend. I've had both gas and electric chain saws. Right now I have a 14" bar Remington 110VAC. I've had it for ~6 years or more. Keep the chain lubed, and sharp and it'll cut just fine. Let the motor cool between cuts.
It's not great, and it's not for massive trees but I've cut some moderately large things down. Just take your time. Rare, almost unheard of kickback unless you twist the blade while cutting. It's a good starter saw, but if you need to cut stuff bigger than 8" or so, get a gas one.
Chaps chaps chaps. Can't stress enough how important they are. I would have a few cuts on my legs if it wasn't for them. Also absolutely must you have steel cap boots. You sometimes get surprisingly close to you feet when your limbing trees.
Get a stihl or a husky. Can't go wrong them. Would have to get a big saw seen you would probly be only chopping little trees. Also get a mitt for saw. It stops your hand coming off the top handle when you get kick back.
Don't just jump in the deep in with chainsaws. Get some one to show you the ropes first. You get used to kick back eventually. Always scary the first time but once you know what it feels like it's not that bad. And don't drop start your saw, your just asking for your leg to get cut off.
Most importantly safety first.
The amount of poor information in this thread is ridiculous. Don't go jump into the woods with a saw unless you are taught how to correctly handle a saw. "Kickback" as everyone else is saying can be avoided by staying away from the top quarter of the tip, but it will happen eventually. Keep your thumb wrapped around the bottom of the handle, not sticking outwards like most people do.. I am partial to stihl but their new electronic carbs are shit. If you can find an older one in good shape you'd be better off. Husqies nuts always loosen up and in time they start leaking chain oil. Someone in this thread said they use premix, that's a good idea if you won't be cutting every day. If your saw is gonna sit, empty the fuel it'll break down the rubber components over time. When you hit a rock you might as well stop cutting, you're only going to push on the saw and that's when you cut yourself. The saw should do the work, learn to file or have 3 or 4 chains and know how to change them. You're dumb if you don't use chaps, ear muffs are probably smart as well. There's so much more but this is already a block of text. Seriously don't just jump into cutting trees if you don't have someone to guide you.
electric is absolute horse shit. maybe even try with a handsaw to start--really makes you know the worth of a serious machine. much cheaper too.
I've used a hand saw a for a very long time and have become very crafty with them if I do say so myself. This is why I want a chain saw now, because it's extremely hard to cut against the grain, and very tiring to cut up multiple logs for a big features
Six.0.Tree-skiThe amount of poor information in this thread is ridiculous. Don't go jump into the woods with a saw unless you are taught how to correctly handle a saw. "Kickback" as everyone else is saying can be avoided by staying away from the top quarter of the tip, but it will happen eventually. Keep your thumb wrapped around the bottom of the handle, not sticking outwards like most people do.. I am partial to stihl but their new electronic carbs are shit. If you can find an older one in good shape you'd be better off. Husqies nuts always loosen up and in time they start leaking chain oil. Someone in this thread said they use premix, that's a good idea if you won't be cutting every day. If your saw is gonna sit, empty the fuel it'll break down the rubber components over time. When you hit a rock you might as well stop cutting, you're only going to push on the saw and that's when you cut yourself. The saw should do the work, learn to file or have 3 or 4 chains and know how to change them. You're dumb if you don't use chaps, ear muffs are probably smart as well. There's so much more but this is already a block of text. Seriously don't just jump into cutting trees if you don't have someone to guide you.
I'm totally going to take a safety course, and use a ton of protection. I am terrified of chainsaws. The incredible power they can put out is just crazy. I'm not just saying "Oh huy boy ima run into the forest with daddy's 22in chainsaw and fell some logs". I'm looking for something to cut up fallen trees into sick features for a downhill track i'm building. Totally doing my research right now
Maybe too late, but may be it's will be useful for someone. I found great reviews about chainsaws models in 2019 - https://bestchainsawadviser.com/. I found there all categories that have this thread, but structured and easy reading format. Aslo check prices, because rarely price at amazon different from start price tag
Are the chainsaws you guys are mentioning safe? Another reason I was looking at electric chainsaws was because I am scared of gas ones. My dad has talked up chainsaws as these really deadly dangerous things and he's opposed to the idea of me owning one.
Look around at brand new chainsaws like Husqvarna (I can't spell that shit), they will be much safer than older ones with more ease of use features
I've been searching around, looking for a chainsaw to buy. I want to be able to cut trees down and into logs and stuff in order to make mountain bike features like bridges and drop offs.
Any NS'ers have a chainsaw they could recommend? Or a brand?
I am looking for a somewhat inexpensive ELECTRIC CORDLESS chainsaw. I want an electric one because they seem way safer than a gas one. I can't seem to find much online, and I don't know what brands are good.
I got one of these for the same reason you would, and it seems to work alright, maybe not as fast as some gas chainsaws but it works for some decent sized trees and logs.
and no, im not paul bunyan
I heat my house with wood and I stick with a Stihl 361. Can’t beat it. Heard good things about Husqvarna especially their easy start saws. As far as electric saws go I’ve always been turned off by them until recently, Dewalt is making a 60v brushless cordless saw after doing some research it’s actually pretty damn powerful. But it’s also something I wouldn’t take out in the woods with me to cut firewood with but it sounds like a great saw for around the house or even in your situation carrying out in the woods to drop a few trees. I would still recommend a gas saw but electric saws are growing.
Go on craigslist and buy a used Stihl saw. If you dont know how to tune it up yourself, take it to your local dealer and have them go through it. The saw will last you the rest of your life (I got mine from my last boss and its older than me). Regardless of how good the electric stuff gets it will always have a short lifespan due to the properties of electric motors, not to mention the batteries alone cost more than a gas saw.
Go with a middle of the road Husq or Stihl, something for home/farm work. Stihl makes the farm boss I think, that'd probably work well for what you are looking for. You're all getting me excited for my summer job. Can't wait to get that Husqvarna 562xp back in my hands.
I went with the #3 pick on that site because I wanted a gas powered one. It's only about $150 and has worked great for me...would consider that somewhat middle of the road.
They also have some higher end options up in the $400 range, but that was may more than I wanted to spend.
Milwaukee 20 volt saws all with an aggressive blade. Easy to pack around and depending on the length of blade you can cut up to 12" easy enough. Have used one the last few seasons to help clear trails on the dirtbike, granted if we come across a larger tree it requires an actual chain saw but for smaller tree trunks this works great.
Dougie_FreshLook around at brand new chainsaws like Husqvarna (I can't spell that shit), they will be much safer than older ones with more ease of use features
i used to work at sears and husqies were returned to us a lot bc ppl didnt like them
Battery chainsaws: great for lawn work. They have no torque.
I got a Husky 365 18" bar, 10 years old, heavier than lead but that thing can tear through 3 feet of Pacific NW Cedar. 1100$ value
There is now so much better on the market that its kinda dumb these days.
Safety first man; make sure you wear the right PPE and a brush cut course can help preventing slashing your leg in the middle of nowhere
Electric ones are cheap and break easily, get a good gas powered one by Husqvarna or Stile. Go to a Ace Hardware or Sears if any are still open near you for a good deal.
Ok....first things first. I was a Sawyer on a wildland Fire helitack Crew, and currently work trail crew. I do this for a living and can give you some advice. Firstly get a saw course. I don’t care if it costs you money, or you don’t have the time...go get one. Even just a one day course. The fact that you even brought up electric saws for the type of work that you want to do shows me that you don’t have too much experience and your kind of lost. A saw course will teach you the basics of operation, maintainence, and safety. If you don’t have this you could get really hurt, maim,or even kill your self.
Secondly the Husky 365 is the best saw made by man. I don’t give a flying fuck what anybody else says, it just is. I’ve seen them run in -40C no issues to +30C no issues. Hell I’ve seen a rookie drop a saw under water, fully submerged for 30 seconds and she started with two pulls. Shot a straight stream of water right out of the exhaust. They are super easy to start, run, and fix. They have great torque for pretty much any size tree your likely to encounter. Pair is with a 20 inch bar, full wrap, and double dogs and you have the ultimate saw.
All this does come with one downside. She’s heavy. Probably 5lbs heavier then the comparible Stihl. Also it’s a very hands on saw. No auto tune carb, or bar auto tensioner. I like those things, but to the jobber it might be a pain in the ass.
Also get all the associated gear. Bucket with visor and muffs, chaps, steel toes, gloves, wedges, and a fallers axe.
Again, the biggest point I want to make is GO GET TRAINED before you even buy a saw. That’s the most important.
MLBOk....first things first. I was a Sawyer on a wildland Fire helitack Crew, and currently work trail crew. I do this for a living and can give you some advice. Firstly get a saw course. I don’t care if it costs you money, or you don’t have the time...go get one. Even just a one day course. The fact that you even brought up electric saws for the type of work that you want to do shows me that you don’t have too much experience and your kind of lost. A saw course will teach you the basics of operation, maintainence, and safety. If you don’t have this you could get really hurt, maim,or even kill your self.
Secondly the Husky 365 is the best saw made by man. I don’t give a flying fuck what anybody else says, it just is. I’ve seen them run in -40C no issues to +30C no issues. Hell I’ve seen a rookie drop a saw under water, fully submerged for 30 seconds and she started with two pulls. Shot a straight stream of water right out of the exhaust. They are super easy to start, run, and fix. They have great torque for pretty much any size tree your likely to encounter. Pair is with a 20 inch bar, full wrap, and double dogs and you have the ultimate saw.
All this does come with one downside. She’s heavy. Probably 5lbs heavier then the comparible Stihl. Also it’s a very hands on saw. No auto tune carb, or bar auto tensioner. I like those things, but to the jobber it might be a pain in the ass.
Also get all the associated gear. Bucket with visor and muffs, chaps, steel toes, gloves, wedges, and a fallers axe.
Again, the biggest point I want to make is GO GET TRAINED before you even buy a saw. That’s the most important.
