Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Chainsaw recommendation

Post of the year, Mark!

I agree. Very good.

That's some pretty sharp writing there, Mark. Some online writers get paid for their work, and that's definitely worth a few sawbucks, that's for sure.

Thanks for the laughs.

In December of '07 we got hit with a pretty terrible ice storm. The damage took down a significant part of the tree in our front yard.





Pretty much all of the branches you see that are still attached to the tree were actually split and had to be trimmed off. We had a local tree company come out and trim the damaged branches - but they did not clean up the yard of all of the debris. So we were left with a front yard (the area from the pine tree to the black car) covered in about a 4 foot tall pile of pin oak branches. From twigs to about 6-7" in diameter. A mess. The city would take the debris but only if it was neatly piled up on the curb. So we had a lot of work to do to chop up and untangle the mess. It was pretty clear that I needed a chainsaw.

As I had been generally pleased with my indoor Ryobi One+ 18 volt tools (circular saw, drill, etc), already had several batteries and chargers, and really only needed a chainsaw for the yard cleanup, I decided to spend the $79 on their electric 10" cordless chainsaw. I know, lumberjacks will scoff at a puny saw like that.

But that little thing, combined with about 3 charged battery packs, polished off all of the debris from that tree. Easily. Then it helped two co-workers clean up their yards too. I've used it many times since then, for storm cleanup, pruning trees around my property, even chopping down our Christmas tree. It's great. Since there's no gas, it's easy to store in the basement with all of my other electric power tools. With no worries about spilled or bad gas - especially for someone like me who needs a chainsaw about twice a year.

Of course, it certainly can't compete with a $200+ gas chainsaw. If you've got a forest to tend to, you need a 'real' one, no doubt. But it is perfect for simple little around-the-yard cleanup operations for the "city" dweller, with a minimal amount of maintenance and fuss. It's quiet too, so you won't annoy any neighbors. Easy enough to check the chain tension, put a little oil in the self-oiler, and away you go.

So anyways, that's my $.02.

Be sure to use a top quality chain, that is the key - just like speaker wire.

Stihl and Husqvarna are standard fare, and safe bets. I have a few Stihl items, and I'll say that Echo is preferred for me, as I find it starts easier after long periods of non-use. I think they make a chainsaw? The Stihls will drive me near crazy if they sit up a long time. But once they run, not stopping them.

Oh no....

For the coin, some of the Homelite's aren't bad for occasional use...one of my neighbours has had his for 20 yrs(mostly used up at the cottage).

Twenty five years ago, my dad sold his logging / road construction company, but I spent most of my childhood and teen years around loggers. The standard back then was Husky, Stihl, McColloch or Homolite. Stihl and Husky were the favorites though. I think Husky and Stihl are still the top dogs today. I own a Stihl myself, but don't really use it that much. I needed one when I built my home (log home), and that was available. It's a good saw. Damn near cut my leg off with it too, but that was my fault.

Here's a review for ya to read Ricky.....

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/4283685.html

I heat our old farm house with an outdoor wood boiler, cutting about 10-12 cords of wood per year with a Stihl 270. I haven't researched a saw in your price range, but here's a site that will help. http://www.arboristsite.com The Stihl or Husky advice already given is good advice. I went with Stihl as I have a couple of great local dealers with excellent service people. Be safe and get yourself a pair of chain saw chaps, a helmet with viser etc. Chainsaws are pretty unforgiving.