Chain Saw

[dicklaxt1]

I guess I'll have to go buy a chain saw today after work (off at 11:30 on Fridays) I missed a couple of more road kills this week because I wasn't packing a chain saw and I syre need to be on the lookout as I need to take a couple of blanks to the retreat next month.
http://wowjoke.com/gif/white/1332.gif

[Limey]

Hey Mr Dicky,
What you gonna get and how much are you gonna spend?
I've been toying with the idea myself but don't know diddly about them except that unless you also buy a suit of armour they can be quite lethal, This is one area that I confess to total ignorance and am looking for sage advice.
I'm not intending to apply major surgery...just something to lop off sturdy branches etc.
Any advice...anyone ?

Cheers Limey

[dicklaxt1]

You are right Limey, they can, like any power tool hurt you, but if you don't abuse and operate them improperly they will not unless it is a freak accident. I have operated them quite a bit , a couple of things to do ......keep the chain properly tensioninoed,always cut down (not up)and have the saw seated against the work while cutting when possible. I also make it a point not to stand directly in line with the chain, they say it is rare when a chain comes back at you but it has happened, I saw the results of such, it wasn't pretty.Some folks like a bow instead of a bar.I prefer the bar,the bow is more versital but the bar is safer.Hey we are not Lumberjacks.

I have had a McCullough,Craftsman,,Stihl and Husquvarna(sp) over the years and guess what the Craftsman cut more wood for mre than any of them so I'm leaning in that direction again. I don't even know if they still sell chain saws but will look today.I'm not up on pricing

dick

[Limey]

Merci beaucoup mon ami,

Looks like I might have to get the Sears card unlocked from the vault called a wallet,.
Sorry to be a pest but what size do you think I could reasonably handle?

And many thanks about safety tips.
If you think I'd be better off leaving chain saws to the pro's then shout. I ain't got much but what I've got I wanna hang on to!!!


Cheers Limey

[volleyheads]

Limey,

I use a 14" Poulan that I got to learn how to use one before I bought a bigger one. It works pretty well. Only rarely do I need a bigger bar. After a while (read: when it dies) I will probably go out and get a 18-20 inch model or so. Probabaly a Husqvarna I would guess, but we shall see.

Best Regards,

Bill

"If it is worth doing, it's worth overdoing"

[dicklaxt1]

For our needs 16 or 18 Inch is adequate and that size will also cut a lot of firewood if you are into that . I am also going to check the local pawn shops, if I find one that starts on the 1st or 2nd pull and doesn't rattle i may go that route,

dick
http://wowjoke.com/gif/white/1332.gif

[Sonny Edmonds]

My prefeance has been the Husky's for a number of years now. FWIW.
Husky came up with a gear driven oiling system a long time ago (now) that is driven off the sproket.
No turny of the chain, no messy on the floor. I routinely "kick" the chain lock with my forward paw when I am done with the immediate use or setting it down. (I leave it idleing.)
Both of the Husky's I've had have been really great saws. I had a little Poulan 14-16" for limbing work as a companion to my 36" Husky and it was a great 1-2 punch for firewood work. (Commercial firewood)
Personally I belive I would avoid Sears. They used to be made by McCoula in the past.
I had a big McC years and years ago and it was a beast, but it had huge balls.

Whatever you fellers get, get a 12 volt sharpener as well. Everytime you gas and oil the saw, take 5 minutes to touch up the cutters. Just a light lick on them.
You'll be happy hackers that way. And you'll learn it gives you a close in inspection of the business end of the tool, and a break for your body as well.
When your done for the day, you aren't. Clean her up with an air hose, clean the air cleaner, give the chain a final lick with the sharpener. Don't forget to blow out the clutch/sproket area as well.

If it's going to be a while till you expect to use it agian, dump the gas back in your fuel can. I don't run mine dry (out of gas) for storage. I don't like doing that because it also runs it out of oil as well. Kapeash?

And never, NEVER, loan it out. I never loan mine. Period. Mine only comes with one operator, ME. That way I don't have a F. U. saw the next time I need it.

Spare parts list:
At least one spark plug.
A spare chain or 2.
Some extra stones for your 12 volt grinder.

ONLY use bar oil for the bar. It has a stringy, clingy property to it.
Used car oil and regular oils are a no-no. :(

This is just some tips from a feller who's been running one or another of these tools for over 30 years now.

And if you'll be carrying it aroud in your truck for that occasional road kill, get a hard case and secure it.
Treat it like a fine tool, and it will be one. :)

:D

Sonny Edmonds
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/
God Bless America !

[volleyheads]

Sonny,

How goes the sharpener thing? I have been working on a stockpile of chains until I take the whole bunch to get sharpened, but always more than willing to it myself, especially if it is easy.

Best Regards,

Bill

"If it is worth doing, it's worth overdoing"

[Sonny Edmonds]

Bill,
I belive Oregon is the last to make these.
What it is is a high speed motor with a collet and a guide.
You chuck up the correct stone for your chain and eyeball the angle guide line and gently grind each tooth on one side, then reverse for the others.
Just enough to remove any dull area on the cutter.
The chain brake comes in real handy for this as well to stabilize the chain.

Another tip:
Make sure the cutters on the right side of your chain are as close as possible in length to the left side cutters.
If not, the chainsaw will curve in the cut because one side is cutting more aggressivly the the other.
A 6" ruler with 1/64th" markings is close enough for checky.

:D

Sonny Edmonds
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/
God Bless America !

[dicklaxt1]

Well I bought a little 14" Poulan for $99, couldn't pass it up I'll just have to ring cut those big road kills http://wowjoke.com/gif/white/1332.gif

[Sonny Edmonds]

Hey Vern!
What's 14 x 2 ?
Plenty big enough for scouting and a little campfire wood when the boat drifts to shore 'cause the motor quit, right?
Good choice!
Poulan..... American Made, and proud of it!
I'm going to make a post to all us turners, budding and advanced.
Here she comes. :7

:D

Sonny Edmonds
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/
God Bless America !

[Limey]

Only I could go out with the strict intention of buying a Poulan chainsaw and a Craftsman Mower and come back with a Poulan Mower and a Craftsman chain saw.
Main reason being that the Craftsman C/S has a Chain Brake and all the others didn't.It seemed to be a good feature and as the Salesman in Sears didn't use any pressure to sell me the "home" brand I took the plunge. It's a bit heavier than the Poulan 14" that they had but doesn't feel too unwieldy.
I like the plastic case..gonna take that into a bar in Brooklyn and see the crowds scatter..looks just like a Bugsy Malone effort.
It's got an 18" bar and meters the bar oil in. They probably all do but armed with your info Mr Sonny, I hope that it is going to do the job... On top of which I met someone today who has 36 acres of land with a lot of clearing to do so I might get some good learning practice as well as some lumber.
I will try and have a bucking good time...no I read the manual and it tells me that this is the expression for cutting up fallen logs !!!
Stay tuned this is going to be a bit like the recent posts on getting a lathe .

Cheers Brmm! Brmmm! putter putter Limey

It's going to rain tommorrow so I'll just fire it up in the garage and see what I can hack.....Only kidding.

[dicklaxt1]

http://wowjoke.com/gif/white/1332.gif You might even find a berle or burle or #####or however? Thats a good choice in my eyes and I'msure it will pay for itself, it really already has with that 36 acres lined up.

Good Bucking Luck

dick

[volleyheads]

Liey's english, they call them Burrs. Add it to the Limey dictionary we need to get published :)

Best Regards,

Bill

"If it is worth doing, it's worth overdoing"

[Marilyn]

One thing you may want to remember, if you use one of those electric hedge trimmers that look like bitty chainsaws AND you use a green extension cord to plug it in AND you have the cord draped around the bush you are busy trimming... you get to buy your husband a new (AND BRIGHT ORANGE) extension cord! :( Oops... I wondered where the smoke was coming from about a second before the trimmer died...

[Sonny Edmonds]

:D

Sonny Edmonds
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/
God Bless America !