The chainsaw thread...

[cat in january]

Great photos there Hood26. In general we have smaller trees out East

[Hood26]

It’s the best saw to loan that pesky neighbour who’s always asking to borrow your tools and is slow to return ‘em. Hey bud, here try this homelight- it was my father’s favourite saw!

That’s awesome. Yeah I really want one just for nostalgia and a wall hanger. Most the old Big Macs got turned into go carts.

XXXer, you aren’t wrong about the No chain brake being dangerous. They also vibrate like crazy. Grandpa had terrible carpal tunnel and when my dad and uncles started working he wouldn’t let them have one for that reason. They moved over to the Husky 2100, another insanely priced collectible now too. One uncle had to be difficult and for a Stihl just to be ornery. Grandpa hated Stihls and hated working on them even more.

Thanks Cat in Jan for the compliments. I will see what other old pics I can dig up. See if I can find any action shots of the 2 man’s my great uncle and grandpa ran in the 50s.

[XXX-er]

It’s the best saw to loan that pesky neighbour who’s always asking to borrow your tools and is slow to return ‘em. Hey bud, here try this homelight- it was my father’s favourite saw!

my skibro told me he thot chain brakes weren't necessary until that day he almost ate the bar ... went out and bought a modern saw with a chainbrake

[climberevan]

I sold my Stihl MS361 a couple of years ago for nearly what I paid for it in like 2005. My needs don't include a saw that big anymore.

I did want something small and easy, so I picked up the newest model Makita with the dual 18v batteries. It's absolutely perfect for my current needs. I cut down an 8" tree and broke up the trunk and limbs today and it didn't even flinch, and the batteries still show a full charge. It will be excellent for trail work, especially because it's much quieter than an ICE saw.

[jmedslc]

I sold my Stihl MS361 a couple of years ago for nearly what I paid for it in like 2005. My needs don't include a saw that big anymore.

I did want something small and easy, so I picked up the newest model Makita with the dual 18v batteries. It's absolutely perfect for my current needs. I cut down an 8" tree and broke up the trunk and limbs today and it didn't even flinch, and the batteries still show a full charge. It will be excellent for trail work, especially because it's much quieter than an ICE saw.

I’m kinda getting on the same train. Just wondering if the 10,14 or 16 makita will work best for my moderate homeowner needs.

[XXX-er]

there are gas vs E chainsaw compro's on youtube that will show ya the difference and what to expect

[climberevan]

Further testing shows that this thing is a beast. You can totally bury the 14" bar and it has enough power to keep going. I cut this ~26" log and halfway through another one on one set of 5AH batteries. This is a very uncommon use case, but that log was blocking one of my backyard gravel roads. I suspect 2 batts will be enough for a lot of regular downed tree clearing, but I'll prob bring a second set just in case (i have a lot of Makita tools so batts are plentiful).

[jmedslc]

I just picked up the 16" and had it out today for a trial run. I made about 5 cuts through a couple large (~18-22") spruce logs and some big aspen. The tool stopped frequently in what i presume to be 'overheat' or 'overload' protection mode and killed the first round of batteries within maybe 15min. i put another set of batteries in and tool stopped so frequently with the two battery lights blinking (again, overload mode?) and i was done for today.

maybe the big logs are too much? i read somewhere that the guy was getting 100 cuts through smaller logs on a single set of batteries. based on this first test, i don't think this saw will meet my needs, which include frequent bucking up 12" or larger logs for splitting.

[Bronco]

I just picked up the 16" and had it out today for a trial run. I made about 5 cuts through a couple large (~18-22") spruce logs and some big aspen. The tool stopped frequently in what i presume to be 'overheat' or 'overload' protection mode and killed the first round of batteries within maybe 15min. i put another set of batteries in and tool stopped so frequently with the two battery lights blinking (again, overload mode?) and i was done for today.

maybe the big logs are too much? i read somewhere that the guy was getting 100 cuts through smaller logs on a single set of batteries. based on this first test, i don't think this saw will meet my needs, which include frequent bucking up 12" or larger logs for splitting.

I’ve used a Milwaukee 18v saw to fall and limb a bunch. Even with the 12ah battery they just dont work that great for bucking. I’ll put a few on the ground with the battery saw and use my gas saw to buck them up.

[Cruiser]

Gotta really make an effort to keep the battery saws running at high rpms cuz they just don't have the juice to recover the way icers do when you really get them deep into a log and bog em down

[bourbonisgood]

Gotta really make an effort to keep the battery saws running at high rpms cuz they just don't have the juice to recover the way icers do when you really get them deep into a log and bog em down

Agreed. But I’ve had much better luck than jmedslc with my Ego cs1800. On a single charge, I’ve managed to buck approximately 1/2 cord of dry red fir/tam 12-16” diameter on numerous occasions. Lately, I just set my wife loose limbing with the Ego saw while I do most of the felling and bucking with more powerful gas saws

[jackstraw]

I just picked up the 16" and had it out today for a trial run. I made about 5 cuts through a couple large (~18-22") spruce logs and some big aspen. The tool stopped frequently in what i presume to be 'overheat' or 'overload' protection mode and killed the first round of batteries within maybe 15min. i put another set of batteries in and tool stopped so frequently with the two battery lights blinking (again, overload mode?) and i was done for today.

maybe the big logs are too much? i read somewhere that the guy was getting 100 cuts through smaller logs on a single set of batteries. based on this first test, i don't think this saw will meet my needs, which include frequent bucking up 12" or larger logs for splitting.

That doesn't sound right to me. Something is off.

[climberevan]

Yeah, see my experiences with the (newer model?) of that Makita saw above. I cut for way longer than 15 mins in that story on one set of 5ah batteries.

[bodywhomper]

Zero experience operating a battery saws. But the first thing I think of: is the chain sharp and properly tensioned?

[NBABUCKS1]

have the same makita. it is fantastic for limbing. When i'm falling a bunch of trees with my wife she can limb and buck small stuff with that and ins't scared of it...she won't touch the gas saws.

[summit]

Looking at the Ryobi 12" 18V for removing downed trees from trails... thoughts? 5 to 14in dead lodgepoles, some aspens...

[jmedslc]

yeah i thought one set 5ah batteries would last much longer than 15-20mins, but admittedly i had higher expectations and pushed it to its limit on the first day out. i got the makita cause i use makita tools and needed some batteries and the package with 4x5ah batteries, double charger and saw for $400 was a reasonable course of action to keep all the tools running here.

i am gonna hold onto the makita for now and continue using it for smaller limbing felling and quick jobs. i'm also gonna run a side by side comp with the dewalt. i'll just continue using the stihl gas saw for bucking the big logs.

no experience w ryobi, but neighbor says his EGO does better than my initial impressions of the Makita. of course their products have their own 56v system so it's not really apples to apples i guess. ie: EGO saw says equivalent to a 40cc gasser while makita=32cc.

anyway, always good to check in on this thread - lots of experience here!

[jackstraw]

I've used Ego and I have the Milwaukee. The Milw is better imo. I have a bunch of Milw tools so I use all the different Amp hour batteries depending on what I'm cutting. I only use it for mtn bike trail work, so I'm never cutting up fire wood, although I've cut for a few hours and I've ripped down long ones to flatten a log ride. The thing has been damn good, but definitely not the same balz as a gas powered. But the ease of electric is so nice.

The random sideways pic...idk

[Beaver]

2001ish i bought a used Husquvarna Rancher 61. I used it to cut many cords of wood for my primary heat source for 16 years. It was mostly trouble free. The fuel line cracked in the tank and it picked up a bunch sawdust crap and plugged up the carb once. I took it apart, cleaned it out and bolted it back on. I went through a few chains, cleaned lots of bike trail with it but generally no maintenance.

5 years ago it wouldnt start. The spark plug boot had ripped and i figured my spark might be shorting to ground. New boot and new coil cost the same amount so i bought a coil. Still no start. Looking closely i noticed the carburetor fuel line barb was bent. I touched it and it broke. Try to find a replacement fuel line barb local small engine shops were fucking useless. "Nope, you can't buy that part, I'll sell you a carb for $100" i threw all the parts in a box and ignored my saw for years.

A couple weeks ago I finally decided i needed my saw so i ordered a new csrb for $28. I bolted it on and proceeded to flood my saw. I pulled the plug and introduced fire to dry things up, put it back together and it kicked on the next pull. 5 minutes later and a couple tweaks of the carb and my saw was sitting on the floor idleing like new.

Now its time to clean up some shit.

[bodywhomper]

Woot!!!

[bodywhomper]

I installed a carb kit and new air filter in my ms361 and retuned the carb. The saw has a modified muffler. I used this tinman’s saws video for guidance on how to tune a carb. It was amazingly helpful. Previously, I used less helpful text descriptions with short audio clips. I now realized that I’d previously been running too rich at both ends, full throttle and idle. Also feel pretty empowered to tweak the jets as the weather changes or in different wood type/size with less questioning of myself.

https://youtu.be/2j9JyA49cv8

[Percy Rideout]

Got an MS310 that cuts about two cords a year for winter heating purposes.

I sharpen my chains with a round file (properly sized) and flat file, but looking for a better (quicker) way. Anybody else like their sharpening tools and recommend their preferred process?

Cut about 1.5 so far this year, and my 3 chains are all dur for a sharpen.

[XXX-er]

i got a filing jig that does an awesume job but its not any faster just better, it would be hard to justify a sharpening machine for 2 cords of wood a year

[Percy Rideout]

i got a filing jig that does an awesume job but its not any faster just better, it would be hard to justify a sharpening machine for 2 cords of wood a year

Yeah fair enough. I know you canucks cut some big ass trees.

Guess ill just buy a 12 pack and go to town for Thursday Night Football.

[zion zig zag]

The Stihl 2 in 1 sharpener is fast and accurate. Sharpens the chain and lowers rakers in one stroke and gets the angles right.


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