I'm going to kick a bee's nest here I think... but its a conversation that needs to be had from time to time. And that is why modify a perfectly good new stock saw? Reason this is on my mind is this winter I've had that conversation a lot with guys who pass through my farm. Mostly with guys who have their own logging outfits or farmer types who like myself have to do a lot of cutting.
First... I have to confess I like tweaking my saws. its a derivative of being in some form of motorsports for as long as I can remember. Can't do the dirt bike thing any more and since I do a lot of saw work, that modus operandi is now applied to my personal saws. Its fun, a hobby, and some social aspects for the GTG community I guess. From the results I get on the video channel there are quite a few who do the same thing for the same reasons. I get it. AND I will continually advance my state of the art because it's what I do. As I learn and add dimensions to the hobby, I will share that experience with those interested. STILL under the umbrella of a hobby that just happens to make the real work on the farm more enjoyable.
But back to the real world. Most of the true professional's I've crossed paths with this winter have a completely different set of priorities. They have folks they hire, provide tools to get work done, and those tools need to start, cut, and continue that cycle for as long as possible in all conditions imaginable. None of those folks I have talked to have any interest What so ever of taking those tools to a state outside of manufactures warrantee's number one, and to place where variables have been added that MIGHT make them less useable or fail in the extremes in weather or other conditions. They may just have to run dirty...or in the snow in extreme cold....and things we wouldn't normally require of a hobby saw. To those folks "modded" saws are ridiculous. A clean filter, tight and sharp chain, and different weights of bar oil is as far as they will go. They will take what ever their dealer recommends to stay within warrantee boundary's and go with it. Because if a saw fails, the warrantee is part of the cost structure.
And then there are the small operators. They do like a more snappy saw both from a production perspective and because they at some point have enjoyed their craft and are interested in the equipment they use. Similar to the "personal" saw for the bigger operators.
So the question is....how relevant are modded saws? Out side of this little cyber bubble called arboristsite? Of the pro's out there, how much of the production work gets done with these one off monsters we have created? How many are simply trophies or bling for GTG's
For me, when I really have to work, I can tell you I'm less and less interested in large displacement loud saws with too much compression to start easily. The saws I use are getting smaller and lighter. And the ones I pick up for a long day are the ones easiest to use and easiest on my back... But I do like taking older or underdog saws to a higher performance level for chits and grins. AND they do get wrapped into the work cycle as well... but that's my hobby. Not something that makes sense in the real world.
Just curious on your collective thoughts.
