What do you use to carry your saw?

[Rearden]

When ya step back and look at all of the crap that we hall into the woods, it's hard to believe there was ever a time when folks just grabbed an axe and got to it. They'd think we were all pussies.

 

[zogger]

If it isn't too rough of terrain

That's kind of key: figuring out if you want a saw case, a tool case, or an-all-in-one container. The latter is fine if it stays in the truck - helps to make sure that you brought everything you might need.

With multiple saws, I lean toward having a tool box with stuff in it for all saws (files, screwdrivers, bar cleaning tools, 2-cycle mix, extra wedges, stump vise, etc.), and a separate case for each saw with the scrench, extra chains, or other saw-specific items (filters, spark plugs, etc.). PPE (chaps, gloves, helmet, first aid kit, extra safety glasses) goes in a duffel. Gas goes separate.

Some other things, like an axe, peavy, rope, etc. also won't fit into a saw case (unless your whole truck or trailer is your saw case).


Philbert

You can always use a wagon to haul a lot of gear from the truck to where you are working if you can't drive right up to the site. I'm a little guy and I know I can load and unload one of those tractor supply wagons on and off a pickup, the kind with the fold down metal sides, all steel mesh. Get it off the truck, load your gear into it, easy hauling to the worksite then in one trip. Empty they aren't bad, and I forget off the top of my head, but seems they are rated for around 1000 lbs? Of course you wouldn't need to haul that much cutting, so it should work. I pull mine one with one hand when it is loaded with the 20 gallon sprayer and a truck battery hooked up to it, so that's some decent weight. One hand because obviously have to be using the sprayer wand with the other hand, lol. Use it to haul your rounds back to the truck as well.

Added bonus on those wagons is you can use the adapter and haul them with your lawnmower/ garden tractor, I guess an ATV as well (don't own one of those, never even drove one)

 

[ShermanC]

When I worked out of an open pickup bed the chainsaw case was good to keep rain, dirt and junk out. But then I got a utility topper to secure everything and to carry more equipment to job sites. I'm now on my third utility topper in seven years and find that chainsaw scabbards are ideal to protect the saw chain.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.881248,-92.116969

 

[SouthernX]

Joe,

I fitted the measures, so that it can take the 365 with the Stihl can, there may be an extra few centimeters left lengthwise. The one board that makes the bottom is 80/26cm, the length of the sides depends on how thick your plywood is. The box is 22cm in height. You might want to get it a bit smaller than that, to make it handier, shouldn't be a problem with a smaller saw/can. I'd recommend that you don't go for plywood that is thinner than 15mm, because you have to put in the screws, and the load weighs quite a bit. It wont get much heavier if you use 19mm boards instead of 15mm. I've used PU glue on all the places where the boards meet, and small angle irons on the corners make it really sturdy. Be sure to attach a broad strap to it, so it doesn't cut your shoulder when you carry it.
I hope this helps you, unfortunately I can't tell you the measures in inches...:msp_wink:

Bernie

 

[AT sawyer]

On the days I don't carry it on my shoulder........

I use my kids.

 

[joeclimbing]

Joe,

I fitted the measures, so that it can take the 365 with the Stihl can, there may be an extra few centimeters left lengthwise. The one board that makes the bottom is 80/26cm, the length of the sides depends on how thick your plywood is. The box is 22cm in height. You might want to get it a bit smaller than that, to make it handier, shouldn't be a problem with a smaller saw/can. I'd recommend that you don't go for plywood that is thinner than 15mm, because you have to put in the screws, and the load weighs quite a bit. It wont get much heavier if you use 19mm boards instead of 15mm. I've used PU glue on all the places where the boards meet, and small angle irons on the corners make it really sturdy. Be sure to attach a broad strap to it, so it doesn't cut your shoulder when you carry it.
I hope this helps you, unfortunately I can't tell you the measures in inches...:msp_wink:

Bernie

Thanks, Bernie!

 

[Philbert]

It wont get much heavier if you use 19mm boards instead of 15mm. . . I hope this helps you, unfortunately I can't tell you the measures in inches..Bernie

2.54 cm = 1 inch 15mm plywood is between 9/16 and 5/8". 19mm is close to our 3/4" plywood. Of course, hardwood plywood tends to be heavier, but stiffer, etc.

I like the inside strap on your box that keeps things from falling over when you remove the saw. Thinking about how to do that with the blow-molded plastic cases without making too many holes in the outside. The way that the PowerBox cases are molded, the inside faces are not a flat surface. Might have to mount a thin strip of wood or metal first.

Philbert

 

[s219]

I used 19/32" 4-ply on my saw box; it's a good thickness and number of plys for this application and won't be too heavy. Use construction adhesive (Liq Nails) on all joints, with finish screws or drywall screws (pre-drill of course).

 

[MGoBlue]

Here's mine:

 

[hardpan]

OhioGregg

That rig makes a lot of sense to me. My firewood trailer is very similar. I pull it with a 1950 8N that is a little older than me and if the wood is much over 2' diameter I quarter it to load and then hit it with the hydraulic splitter when I get home. Now if your picture also had a Golden Retriever in it nosing around for mouse nests and chipmunks I would start getting a little spooked.

 

[OhioGregg]

OhioGregg

That rig makes a lot of sense to me. My firewood trailer is very similar. I pull it with a 1950 8N that is a little older than me and if the wood is much over 2' diameter I quarter it to load and then hit it with the hydraulic splitter when I get home. Now if your picture also had a Golden Retriever in it nosing around for mouse nests and chipmunks I would start getting a little spooked.

LOL, Well, There used to be a yellow lab that pretty much did the same thing. He's been gone quite a few years now. Come to think of it. I bought this 8N. Shortly after loosing him.


Gregg,

 

[zogger]

You win!

On the days I don't carry it on my shoulder........



I use my kids.

--you win so far in the thread, saw slaves!

Tell them that's their new name....

 

[GASoline71]

I use this...

Gary

 

[Rearden]

'm kind'a fond of "My Subjects"

 

[R2D]

I pack a saw where ever I go now. Its the 56cc efco 156. The case I use is identical to the Husky power case only it is a black "Tanaka" case. I was looking for a case on ebay and all the Husky "power box" cases were getting bid on, going for 30+ dollars. So I found a Tanaka case and it looked identical. I bid on it and won.....$6.83! Very good case.

 

[Philbert]

The case I use is identical to the Husky power case only it is a black "Tanaka" case. . . . I found a Tanaka case and it looked identical. I bid on it and won.....$6.83! Very good case.

Good deal on that. PowerBoxes go for about $40 in orange. Northern Tool sells a black one for $30. I see all these cheap, big box store saws, and Sears saws, that come with a plastic case, and figure that the cases probably survive the saws. But I never see them at garage sales. Must get thrown out with the saws?

I'll tell you one downside to cases. My brother had some work done on his house. Sometime later he went to use his saw and found the case empty. He was pretty sure that the contractor took it, but he didn't know about it till it was too late to do anything. He saw the case in the garage and assumed that the saw was still in it. Maybe we need clear cases?

Philbert

 

[R2D]

I'll tell you one downside to cases. My brother had some work done on his house. Sometime later he went to use his saw and found the case empty. He was pretty sure that the contractor took it, but he didn't know about it till it was too late to do anything. He saw the case in the garage and assumed that the saw was still in it. Maybe we need clear cases?

Philbert

Here's another downside: It takes much more room in my cargo area than if I was just throw the saw in without the case!

Upside: It keeps all my sawing stuff in one place!

Guess that evens it out for me.

 

[zogger]

Same thing happened to me!

Good deal on that. PowerBoxes go for about $40 in orange. Northern Tool sells a black one for $30. I see all these cheap, big box store saws, and Sears saws, that come with a plastic case, and figure that the cases probably survive the saws. But I never see them at garage sales. Must get thrown out with the saws?

I'll tell you one downside to cases. My brother had some work done on his house. Sometime later he went to use his saw and found the case empty. He was pretty sure that the contractor took it, but he didn't know about it till it was too late to do anything. He saw the case in the garage and assumed that the saw was still in it. Maybe we need clear cases?

Philbert

Wasn't a chainsaw, but a reciprocating saw. Contractors doing some work, well after they are gone, I go to get my saw...empty case. Can't prove they got it, but seeing as how they were the only other hooman beans around, I'd say it was pretty darn suspicious.

 

[joeclimbing]

2.54 cm = 1 inch 15mm plywood is between 9/16 and 5/8". 19mm is close to our 3/4" plywood. Of course, hardwood plywood tends to be heavier, but stiffer, etc.

I picked up some 3/4 " plywood, glue, and corner reinforcements tonight. I ended buying an entire sheet, so I'm thinking of making 2; a larger one for the 372xp which will accommodate the whole saw and a second smaller one for the 260 with the bar stick out the front, to be carried in.

Joe

 

[Philbert]

I'm thinking of making 2; a larger one for the 372xp which will accommodate the whole saw and a second smaller one for the 260 with the bar stick out the front, to be carried in.

I used to work at a summer camp where they made full boxes for the old McCulloch chainsaws we had out of 3/4" plywood. They were like small coffins with hinged covers. Since there was so much extra room, we filled them up with gas and oil and . . . but we never moved them very far. They worked well to store and protect the saws in the shop. Last summer I stopped by on a visit, and one of the boxes had long outlived the saws. Almost 40 years old. It had an MS250 in it now, but the box still had the 40:1 mix ratio for the old saws painted on the cover.

Philbert