 | Home > Off Topic > Chainsaw advice |
 
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| revd Member Since: 20 Apr 2024 Location: England Posts: 183  
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Anything Stihl
Leccy are ok but petrol will obviously run all day |
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8th Feb 2025 10:25am |
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| DAZ110 Member Since: 06 Dec 2007 Location: East Sussex Posts: 2050
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Stihl or Husquarna.
….and a petrol one is definitely more manly!  Last edited by DAZ110 on 8th Feb 2025 10:29am. Edited 2 times in total |
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8th Feb 2025 10:27am |
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| LR Nuts Member Since: 10 Aug 2022 Location: UK Posts: 1215 
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we have saw + splitter + 20ft container. Cut wood stays in container for over 12mths before we burn it.
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8th Feb 2025 10:27am |
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| bankz5152 Member Since: 02 Feb 2017 Location: South London/North Kent Posts: 2192 
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Chainsaws are extremely dangerous. So be careful.
Electric ones are ok but suffer on harder timbers, but much quieter and less maintenance also better for the occasional use. Petrols great for harder timber and long days of cutting. Definitely buy a decent sent of chainsaw trousers or chaps, helmet and glasses + chainsaw boots or steeltoe boots. The majority of injuries are legs, feet & head Gloves arnt needed unless you want some, same for jackets. Always have the blade on your right side, away from you body, never inline with your body. Instagram @defender_ventures Empire Tuning - Agent |
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8th Feb 2025 10:33am |
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| ickle Member Since: 22 Jul 2010 Location: South Vendee Posts: 1822  
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whatever you buy, treat it with the utmost respect, they can have a body part detached in a heartbeat!
Buy a folding saw horse so its held securely at a good height for working. Ear / eye protection is a must would suggest a corded 240v as it will always run, no storage probs with old fuel etc and unless you've other tools that use the same battery, the cordless ones will die if unused. HTH Keith |
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8th Feb 2025 10:41am |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2188 
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some very useful advice, cheers
I suspect initially it will be at least a few days of cutting and then won't be used for for some considerable time / if at all........... what about the various chain sizes?? its mainly dressed trees approx 6-8ft in length / up to around 10" - 12" diameter BUT then there is a very large amount of tree stump "slices" maybe 10" think BUT a couple of foot in diameter min.......... |
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8th Feb 2025 10:42am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17602 
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If you're cutting firewood only and close to a power supply a mains corded saw.is.by far the most sensible option. Remember that chains cut best on green wood (not dry) so try to make sure you cut the wood fresh (and learn to file a.chain).
Buy a reputable make, not a DIY store Chinesium killer. |
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8th Feb 2025 11:49am |
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| jaygti Member Since: 04 Nov 2012 Location: essex Posts: 387 
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Buy Stihl or Husquarna.
Both have their devotees, but ultimately you won’t go wrong with either. I prefer petrol , I love the noise and the smell (I’m weird)😀 But electric ones are ok on smaller stuff. Be careful, and learn how to sharpen the chains, as it’s dead easy, and is safer when they’re sharp. There’s little better than cutting logs on a cold frosty morning 👍🏻 2002 td5 90 county hardtop |
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8th Feb 2025 12:16pm |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1330 
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As others have already said, buy a decent make. "Buy cheap, buy twice"
I bought a Stihl 025 petrol 2 stroke saw around 30 years ago to use for general logging around our small holding. It still runs fine today and gets used probably half a dozen times a year. I started with an 18" cutter bar, but many years ago swapped over to a 16" bar. I found it easier to handle and as most of the timber I am sawing is less than 16" diameter, it works fine. I've always use Stihl branded 2 stroke oil and good quality chain oil. I sharpen the chains myself, which is an easy task and having a sharp chain makes a massive difference to how the saw performs. Last cutter bar and chain I ordered came from Rotatech and I have found both to be very good quality. I also use their chain oil. Some people use engine oil, but proper chain oil is more "sticky" so it stays on the chain and in the bar slot and doesn't fling off as easily. I also have a DeWalt Flexvolt cordless chainsaw which is handy for lighter work such as thinner branches or when I just want to cut down a fence post or two. For that sort of work it is great, but you can't beat the Stihl for anything heavier and for prolonged use. As Blackwolf suggests, if you know you will only use it close to a power supply, then a corded electric will probably do everything you need without the hassle of charging batteries or mixing 2 stroke. Definitely invest in some decent safety gear as well. |
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8th Feb 2025 12:19pm |
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| RFT Member Since: 13 Nov 2010 Location: Cheshire Posts: 685 
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Support the above advice re trousers eye and face protection, chainsaws can and do kill!!
Soil and stones blunt the blades in seconds so watch the wood that is laid on the ground turns it over and clean off any mud. 130 Puma HCPU with an Artica 240LR Demountable Camper |
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8th Feb 2025 12:26pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5804 
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I’ve got Stihl stuff and used to be an approved repairer of it, and I think it’s brilliant kit.
But these days I’d probably go for battery stuff, if not doing anything big, or all day a it. I’ve had 240v one before which is good, and works well if prepping logs for yourself in one place, but like all 240v stuff the wire is just always in the way, getting caught, getting damaged, needing extension leads etc. A battery one is chuck a battery or two on it and getting cutting. No storing of fuel, no carbs getting gummed up, no noise, no servicing. Can be shoved in a shed for a year and it won’t care as long as you look after the batteries which I suggest you stay with a brand of other power tools you use, such as Makita. I’m tempted now to get the Makita saw, but I’ve already got the petrols. |
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8th Feb 2025 12:42pm |
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| Zed Member Since: 07 Oct 2017 Location: In the woods Posts: 3348
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If you were nearer I’d lend you a saw. Unless you are really set on buying one I think you would be better off paying someone to do the job. It’ll be cheaper and they’ll do a better job. Buying a decent saw plus all the associated bits just to leave on the shelf would be a waste of money. If you do buy a saw go into your local specialist garden machinery shop and they will advise a saw that will suit your needs. Generally they will stock one or more of Stihl, Husqvana and Echo. The chainsaw world is full of brand fanboys but for what you need all will do the job perfectly and if you do have a problem or just need advice they will be there to offer support.
I suspect a battery saw would be best for your needs but unless you are using the batteries for other garden tools it would be cheaper to go with 2 stroke. Edit: oh and if you do buy a saw I would definitely recommend taking the Lantra Chainsaw Maintenance, Cross-cutting, Felling, Processing course. WARNING. This post may contain sarcasm. |
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8th Feb 2025 2:46pm |
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| revd Member Since: 20 Apr 2024 Location: England Posts: 183
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You need one like this
(My son is a arborist)  Click image to enlarge |
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8th Feb 2025 4:15pm |
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| v8bob Member Since: 14 Mar 2018 Location: Midlands Posts: 324 
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You can hire them, could well be a better option. I don’t know if they require any proof of capability before hiring them out - they should in my opinion, but no idea on it.
You do need to check the state of any hired gear, we have had them with failed oil pumps, wrong bars etc. they don’t come with chains now, so buy/supply your own. I have a petrol husky, and last year bought a milwaukee battery one. It is just as heavy as a petrol one and does a decent job, but I have only done lopping with it. I have always used the petrol one for cutting up firewood, as it is quite often mixed age since felled. |
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8th Feb 2025 4:53pm |
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