Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire tell me about chainsaws

I almost brought up the gas thing, highwayman. But it usually starts a fight on here

I refuse ethanol in everything, especially small engines. If ever a day comes that ethanol can be brought to market without adding to the national deficit I may consider burning it. But probably not as it destroys seals and gaskets and other important stuff.

Screw ethanol.

A great idea, since ethanol will destroy/stretch the diaphram in the fuel pumps of two-stroke engines in short order.
Premium fuel (or avgas if you have access to it) are the best thing you can do for any two stroker you have these days. With MTBE being outlawed, regular or mid-grad gasoline can be expected to have a shelf-life of 30-45 days without a quality storage additive. I use PRI-G in all of the gas I buy, whether it be in the vehicles or in a can.

I run premium, non ethanol doped fuel in all my two stroke equipment.

I use seafoam to treat my gas.

Cleanest 'working' saw I've ever seen. Must be the 'before' pics.

Yep!

Too clean.

That handful of shavings is prolly from an old beat up 50cc Stihl.

False advertising?

ps

We should have known...
Pics from one of the members who caught....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zey8567bcg

This is what works for me: I cut a few cords of firewood each year and find that a 28" bar saves my back because I don't have to bend over as far using it. With my back, that is a big deal.

I just traded in an 8 year old Stihl MS460 and got a new Stihl 362R. There were never any problems with the MS460, I just wanted a lighter saw that would still run a 28" bar. The 362 is a couple pounds lighter than the 460 was, and I can really tell the difference. It's also the lightest Stihl that can use a 28" bar. It costs $720 with the wrap handle.

I also invested in an Oregon lightweight bar a few years ago (I bought it for the 460 and it fits the 362, so I'm using the same bar as before)that has an aluminum center in it that balances better than the all steel bar and of course, is lighter. They're expensive, but well worth it to me. They run about $150 now, I think.

For chain I run 3/8", Full Comp, Round Chisel, in .063 gauge. I find the 3/8 will cut anything I put it into without going to the larger 404, and the .063 gauge bar doesn't fill up with wood like an .050 gauge can if I cut soft/wet wood. The Full Comp chain has more cutters than Skip (that's why they call them full and skip)and I think it stays sharp longer and cuts faster. Full Skip is best for soft wood and wood that swells (like cedar), where you need the extra space between cutters to haul chips.

I would run round teeth because it can stay sharp longer if you get into dirt, but Stihl doesn't make it in 3/8",.063 gauge.

I have a little Stihl 210 that I use if I stick my bigger saw, for some limbing, and to throw in the truck when I go somewhere. It's got a 16" bar and it's really cute, but if I had to use it to cut all my wood, I'd buy a heatpump. Like some guys have said though, a smaller than 28" bar works fine, if your back is in better shape than mine.

Don't know much about chainsaws, but my 25 year old Partner died, and a new ignition coil is $50-70, so I'm looking for a replacement. What I've read here has been very helpful indeed. So, thanks everyone.

What I found by reading owner reviews is that Homelite, "home grade" Poulan and Craftsman are strongly disliked by people who own them. based on that, my guess is that they are brands to avoid.

Pioneer/Partners were good saws- I'm still running Pioneers that my grandfather bought back in the early 1970's. Can't kill them. You should be able to find a coil for your Partner for a lot less than $50, google it and you'll find a lot of places that still have surplus parts for them. If it has been that good of a saw (and most were), fix it when you get around to it and keep it for a backup.
You're right on the box store saws. The advice in this thread is sound- you can't go wrong with a pro-grade Stihl or Husky. They are worth what you pay.

i have husky 372 wih 24 inch bar cut around 15 cords per year. works great the biggest thing youll want to learn is how to sharpen your chains correctly. you can have a great day in the woods with a sharp chain. or a misarable one with a dull chain. good luck. joe

Dad has been dead now since 1997, and I have no idea how log h had this saw prior to that, but I'm guessing close to 20 years. It is a Husqvarna 61. Great saw! Starts good, runs good, and cuts like a hot knife through butter.

And for you guys that feel the need to lean on a saw to get it to cut better, keep the rakers filed right, and let the saw do the work - otherwise, buy an axe.

I heat with wood and burn 4-6 cord a year. I have no problem with my Stihl MS270 Wood Boss for cutting 6 or so cord every year.

I'd say Stihl or Husqvarna. Don't pick yer saw with I think this will do the job I need but by I know this will do the job. A bit more saw is better than a bit less saw.

Another Husky 61.. Great saw, too bad we can't get them here.

Pretty chips; it looks like plastic . I've never cut wood that color...I've never seen wood that color. What is it?

I'm not sure of the model #, but that 61 looks exactly like a model of Jansered that is sold in Canada. I have a friend that runs a small-engine and outboard shop up there in n.e. Ontario that sells Jansered (among many other things) and he said there are several model of Jansereds and Huskys available there that aren't in the US. Could this be one of them?

Some crazy jungle tree, maybe Peruba Rosa, maybe something else. Those chips oxidized to beige in just a few hours.

I don't know about the Jonsereds, but these 61's are made in Brazil Husqvarnas that are not available in the US, as it's a long discontinued model. Still a good saw. If they started remaking 288's, I'd smuggle one in for sure..

I run Huskys and my dad runs Stihls. If I was going to choose between the two I would base the choice more on the quality and proximity of a local dealer, whether it's Stihl or Husky.

The saw in the picture is a Husqvarna 268. It's an older model that I doubt is in production any longer. It's a lot like the Husky 272/372 saw that has something of a cult following. The x72's hit a sweat spot on power, weight, and price that appeals to a lot of folks.

I heard a rumour that Stihl no longer makes their saws but is having them made in China. I have no idea if this is true as the source is not always reliable. I would find out before making the choice to buy one.