Advice on Purchasing a New Chain Saw

[dougand3]

+1 on go to a good dealer. Any new little saw with a purge bulb, that has been tuned properly, will be easy to start. Go to Stihl dealer, hold saw and ask questions. The MS170 is a tiny saw at 30cc but you describe 6" diam is biggest you'll cut. Will be more than enough.

 

[USMC615]

Just did a google search and there is a dealer, for both brands, 10 miles from me... same place I bought my mower.

In an under-$200 range, what is the lightest, easiest to start, and least maintenance saw? Ease of starting the #1 priority. ;-)

I would go the MS-170 or MS-180 route all day long if the dealer is 10 miles away. You won't regret the purchase. They're very easy to start and will handle the cutting you described for its use, all day long. Again, don't forget the pre-mix purchase to double the warranty if you decide to go this route.

 

[USMC615]

Here is the reply from the eBay seller:

They are both the same specs for Husqvarna. One is a Husqvarna chain the other is an off brand chain that works with Husqvarna and is the proper size for this chainsaw. We included the second chain just as an extra but if you don't want it I can send you just the Husqvarna 16" chain. Both are brand new and both fit this size bar for Husqvarna. Thank you and hope this helped.

What do you think?
I think we've decided a new one would be the best bet.

I wouldn't fool with this saw at all...knowing now you've got a Stihl and Husky dealer very close to you.

 

[Sid Post]

In an under-$200 range, what is the lightest, easiest to start, and least maintenance saw? Ease of starting the #1 priority. ;-)

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/homeowner-saws/ms211/

This would be a better saw for you but, finding it for less that $200 OTD is going to be hard.

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/homeowner-saws/ms170/

Assuming your sales tax exempt for farm use, this one will leave enough left over to buy a bunch of oil and some extra chains while staying within your $200 budget. Get some 63PS chain and some protective gear to go with it though, being a newbie some safer chain might be a better idea.

 

[Scablands]

I will add a +1 to going to the effort of finding a good local dealer. Look for the one that has all kinds of saws and equipment that customers bring in for maintenance. That's your shop. Stihl, Husky, Dolmar, Echo, Makita all make nice equipment.

The Stihl MS170 is on sale for $159, and even pro arborists think it's a nice saw.

 

[TNTreeHugger]

The Stihl MS170 it is!
Now all I need is to muster the courage to go buy one.

Thank you, so much, for the great advice.

 

[USMC615]

The Stihl MS170 it is!
Now all I need is to muster the courage to go buy one.

Thank you, so much, for the great advice.

Check your PM in your Inbox...

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

Last advice, MS 170 way to go. Intstead of 2 cycle oil, opt for Motomix to extend your warranty. It's premixed ethonol free, has long shelf life and keeps good in tank. Leaving old gas in a saw can gum up carburetor. The Motomix is a foolproof way to go. You don't mix and don't have stale gas or ethonol problems. Your saw will thank you with easier starting. A Stihl dealer will help you with starting and operating instructions. Let us know what you get. Good luck!

LoveStihlQuality

 

[Scablands]

Last advice, MS 170 way to go. Intstead of 2 cycle oil, opt for Motomix to extend your warranty. It's premixed ethonol free, has long shelf life and keeps good in tank. Leaving old gas in a saw can gum up carburetor. The Motomix is a foolproof way to go. You don't mix and don't have stale gas or ethonol problems. Your saw will thank you with easier starting. A Stihl dealer will help you with starting and operating instructions. Let us know what you get. Good luck!

LoveStihlQuality

Yes! Motomix is your friend. Run it and you and your new saw will have a long, happy relationship together.

 

[ANewSawyer]

Looks like they have the saw picked out, I would suggest this: http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/dewalt-dccs690m1#topoftabs
But it is way out of your price range. So forget that!!!

Make sure you buy saw chaps: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/chain-saw-protective-apparel/wdcttrchaps/ and get the dealer to fit you with a helmet: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/head-and-face-protection/sfhs/ Stihl brand isn't necessary, get what fits YOU.

Here is why you want these safety items:

Every time you think about starting that saw, put these items on. I may come across as harsh but I am looking out for you safety like somebody looked out for mine when I was STUPID!!! Still may be... But that is another topic.

Second, there are lots of excellent resources on the internet. Google the BC faller training standard and US forestry service manual. They are both free and a great place to start. Stihl and Husqvarna both have videos on youtube. Be safe, it is a lot cheaper than getting fitted for a new head. That isn't a joke. People are killed an injured every day by these things we call chainsaws.

 

[TNTreeHugger]

Motomix does sound like a good thing especially since it would probably take me six months to use up a tank-full of gas.
Thanks for the info.

 

[TNTreeHugger]

Looks like they have the saw picked out, I would suggest this: http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/dewalt-dccs690m1#topoftabs
But it is way out of your price range. So forget that!!!

Make sure you buy saw chaps: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/chain-saw-protective-apparel/wdcttrchaps/ and get the dealer to fit you with a helmet: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/head-and-face-protection/sfhs/ Stihl brand isn't necessary, get what fits YOU.

Here is why you want these safety items:

Every time you think about starting that saw, put these items on. I may come across as harsh but I am looking out for you safety like somebody looked out for mine when I was STUPID!!! Still may be... But that is another topic.

Second, there are lots of excellent resources on the internet. Google the BC faller training standard and US forestry service manual. They are both free and a great place to start. Stihl and Husqvarna both have videos on youtube. Be safe, it is a lot cheaper than getting fitted for a new head. That isn't a joke. People are killed an injured every day by these things we call chainsaws.

Most excellent advice... I hadn't thought of any of this safety gear - wearing this will definitely reduce the fear factor of using a chain saw!
Question on the chaps in the demo - when the fibers shred and bind in the saw, what kind of damage does it do to the saw and is it easily repairable and able to restart?

 

[ANewSawyer]

I forgot another thing: a good set of steel toed boots, if you cut a lot or at the very least good boots with plenty of traction/deep tread. You don't want to slide on the mud with a chainsaw in your hand. Your safety gear will run more than the saw, but you don't want the alternative. If you want to know why all this gear is needed, ask there guys here for some pictures of their saw injuries. Not for the faint hearted, heck some of them will make the stout hearted puke.

No, I don't believe that the fibers should cause any permanent damage to the saw. You just have to untangle the strands, from the chain, clutch and bar. Believe me, any damage potential to the saw is better than damage to you!

I am not going to say fear but a very, very healthy respect of any chainsaw is a good thing. A very good thing.

 

[Scablands]

Most excellent advice... I hadn't thought of any of this safety gear - wearing this will definitely reduce the fear factor of using a chain saw!
Question on the chaps in the demo - when the fibers shred and bind in the saw, what kind of damage does it do to the saw and is it easily repairable and able to restart?

The fibers just bind up the chain. You just have to disassemble the saw, remove them and it will be OK. Whatever happens to the saw is better than what would happen to you. The chaps are maybe $70 and well worth the investment. The Stihl brand are even machine washable.

We don't want to scare you away from anything, but the safety equipment is necessary, affordably priced, and it works. It saved my best friend from getting cut. Please keep us posted on how it goes and share your adventures.

 

[Sid Post]

Safety chaps, gloves, and a helmet with ear protection is no JOKE.

Chainsaws can hurt you really badly faster than the blink of an eye. Or put another way, safety gear is cheaper that a trip to the ER to sew parts back on and stop the bleeding.

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

Looks like they have the saw picked out, I would suggest this: http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/dewalt-dccs690m1#topoftabs
But it is way out of your price range. So forget that!!!

Make sure you buy saw chaps: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/chain-saw-protective-apparel/wdcttrchaps/ and get the dealer to fit you with a helmet: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/protective-and-work-wear/head-and-face-protection/sfhs/ Stihl brand isn't necessary, get what fits YOU.

Here is why you want these safety items:

Every time you think about starting that saw, put these items on. I may come across as harsh but I am looking out for you safety like somebody looked out for mine when I was STUPID!!! Still may be... But that is another topic.

Second, there are lots of excellent resources on the internet. Google the BC faller training standard and US forestry service manual. They are both free and a great place to start. Stihl and Husqvarna both have videos on youtube. Be safe, it is a lot cheaper than getting fitted for a new head. That isn't a joke. People are killed an injured every day by these things we call chainsaws.

The Stihl USA site under info has chainsaw operating and safety videos.

LoveStihlQuality

 

[GrassGuerilla]

Most excellent advice... I hadn't thought of any of this safety gear - wearing this will definitely reduce the fear factor of using a chain saw!
Question on the chaps in the demo - when the fibers shred and bind in the saw, what kind of damage does it do to the saw and is it easily repairable and able to restart?

Forget damaging the saw, think about the damage saved to your leg? As in life threatening, bleed out in under two minutes femoral artery damage.

 

[BGE541]

Forget damaging the saw, think about the damage saved to your leg? As in life threatening, bleed out in under two minutes femoral artery damage.

A cut to the femoral on a human can cause death in minutes... and that's if it's cut by something sharp like a knife, scalpel etc not gashed open by a chain rendering it incapable of attempting to close on its own... buy the chaps.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

a lot of good thoughts, advice and opinions in this thread. overall, the replies imo are kinda interesting. well, imo. I am by choice not commenting on this saw or that saw... although I do have my opinion(s)...

but speculation aside, I can give you one bit of advice and this is a fact! you would be wise to take it, too. and not just imo... as in fact.

get this book! start here! read it for a working knowledge of its content and subject... then educated and informed... then... begin your quest for a saw that will help you. if you want my opinion... I do not feel $200 is a good budget for a good saw. my sthihl dealer is a very large exp'd shop, sales and repairs... all kinds of OP-E equipment... and they wont sell the MS-170 deal!

http://www.amazon.com/Homeowners-Complete-Guide-Chainsaw-Confidently/dp/1565233565

this is an excellent book. 8 1/2 x 11... paperback, a rock solid book on the subject of chain saws for the homeowner. you can consider getting it thru local library system or buying a copy as it is both informative and a good reference...

even if all the advice and opinions are rock solid... they are speculative at best. this book is not speculative. it is cheap, and it is factual.

good luck and best wishes for successful arborist activities and wood cutting...

ps: every thot of a b/f with a chain saw... ?

 

[MountainHigh]

Some great advice on this thread.

Here's one of the free instructional videos available on Youtube


Enjoy your new saw, safely.