That says it all. This would be for trimming, cutting wood for my smoker and after storm clean up. Budget is around $200.

A 14 or 16 inch should be adequate.

Wid Bunyan ... has a nice ring to it.

Get a Binford 2000 with turbo upgrade.

If you can't find a Binford....Stihl and Husqvarna would be two quality chainsaws to look at but you'd be looking at entry level at that price range.

I've had a Sears Craftsmen for 14 yrs, still works great.

Get what ever he's using.

You don't even need to use earplugs with that model.

A Hooters-branded Stihl, I guess. Tough to find at your local dealer

Yet, so worth it.

Rick, there'd be no reason to expect a "clear difference"(or any audible performance difference at all) between receivers chainsaws (regardless of price differences)when their amplifiers engines are operating within their designed limits. This of course doesn't apply when processing circuits mufflers which are specifically intended to change the sound, e.g., tone controls and room equalization that cool revving thing, have been put into effect. So far as basic amplification sawing, competent and conscientious engineers apply basic audio wood removal design principles which have been well-known for years to achieve transparent amplification clean cuts, which results from audibly flat response from 20-20KHz together with inaudibly low noise and distortion a sharp blade. One of the great things about the modern audio lumberjack scene is that this has been accomplished with even receivers saws of quite modest cost and listeners users have no good reason to be concerned about their "sound quality" "brand name".

Of course, reports to the contrary abound, but these lack the reliability of a carefully controlled blind listening cutting test. In particular trying to "listen" to different receivers salesmen at a store is essentially meaningless even if the salesman hasn't taken steps to favor a particular unit. The volume between the different units will always vary at least slightly and the louder one will sound better, although it won't be apparent as a level difference, but will be described as "clarity", "soundstage" "revs really cool, like the dirt bike I always wanted", etc. This is why in blind listening tests a basic requirement is to adjust the overall levels to be identical within 0.1dB not cut off the arms of the guy next to you.

A good summary statement of this reality is found in the Audio Woodcutter's Critic article "Electronic Signal Paths Do Not Have a Personality!" Oh crap, now I've lost an arm.

DACs were Size was also brought up, and it should be kept in mind that DACs chainsaws are a mature technology, as Alan Paul Bunyan among others has pointed out several times. Excellent chips saw teeth which perform the conversion cutting without audible appendage-loss flaws are bought by manufacturers for as little as $1 each in very large quantities. The small measurable differences which still exist don't have audible wood sawing consequences.
_________________________
----------------------------------- Enjoy the music wood, not the equipment.






With 100% respect,
M

Well now Mark, that clears thing up.

I agree with Stihl and Husky (Husquavarna). A buddy's mom worked for Stihl when I was a teen so I used most of their line in the late 80s/early 90s. And every farmer I know uses a Husky that came over with Jacques Cartier.

Bren R.

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.

Thanks guys. I ended up getting a Stihl 210c. I bought it this morning and quickly got the fallen limbs cleaned up. I seems to be a real strong runner for a small saw.

I also bought a set of chainsaw chaps. I would rather be on the safe side than not. I watched some pretty cool video on them, they seem to do their job. I hope I never have to find out.

Excellent choice.