Which Chain Saw?

Cupie · Guru

Which Chain Saw?

Whenarewethere · Guru

I put a new blade in a rusty old bow saw. I had forgotten how good these are. If you pace yourself & there is not too much work, less things to go wrong than a chainsaw!

Possum3 · Guru

The post you are referring to was a test of the Ozito (battery) electric thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65212947/ozito-36v-chainsaw-review-vid-included/
Personally I prefer the Stihl.

Cupie · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
I put a new blade in a rusty old bow saw. I had forgotten how good these are. If you pace yourself & there is not too much work, less things to go wrong than a chainsaw!

Thanks ... Yep .. got one of those but my 78 YO rarely used arms aren't really up to using it on anything serious and I am like a bull at a gate .. a finisher who finds it hard to pace myself.

dabbler · Guru

I decided on a Dewalt cordless 54v. It lives in the ute for camping and comes out for home pruning/clear-up. There are two models in Oz, mine is the larger of the two. There are a few chainsaw buying reviews doing the rounds but be aware they are US-based and don't fully reflect the market here. The Dewalt is more expensive than a petrol job like the Stihl but convenient for me as a travelling saw (it matches my orher tools). It's also big enough to do anything around the home that doesn't require a professional. Trade Tools recently had a special running on a bundle including this saw.

Cupie · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
The post you are referring to was a test of the Ozito (battery) electric thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65212947/ozito-36v-chainsaw-review-vid-included/
Personally I prefer the Stihl.

Excellent .. Thanks for that.

Makes a good case for the higher V Battery CS.

I too favour the Stihl. But the 5yr warranty looks good.

On the other hand I love the sound (& smell) of the 2 stroke CS. LOL

Cupie · Guru

dabbler wrote:
I decided on a Dewalt cordless 54v. It lives in the ute for camping and comes out for home pruning/clear-up. There are two models in Oz, mine is the larger of the two. There are a few chainsaw buying reviews doing the rounds but be aware they are US-based and don't fully reflect the market here. The Dewalt is more expensive than a petrol job like the Stihl but convenient for me as a travelling saw (it matches my orher tools). It's also big enough to do anything around the home that doesn't require a professional. Trade Tools recently had a special running on a bundle including this saw.

Thanks.

Dewalt is a brand that I like too.

54V sounds good.

I'll have a look at Trade Tools.

edit ... Those DeWalt Flexvolt CSs look the goods, but the price may go against them ... I already have a blower vac so that part of the bundle doesn't suit. To buy the skin+batt+charger separately is very expensive. More than the bundle.

-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 27th of May 2019 05:45:26 PM

Whenarewethere · Guru

Cupie wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
I put a new blade in a rusty old bow saw. I had forgotten how good these are. If you pace yourself & there is not too much work, less things to go wrong than a chainsaw!
Thanks ... Yep .. got one of those but my 78 YO rarely used arms aren't really up to using it on anything serious and I am like a bull at a gate .. a finisher who finds it hard to pace myself.

We're all supposed to be doing weight lifting these days so we are actually a bull at the gate!

Bush walker · Veteran Member

I bought an echo 35cm chain saw about 3yrs ago and I have been very impressed with it. It starts very easy and has been trouble free. its also made in Japan so it is quality make Being only 35cm its good when I travel in the van as it does not take up too much space

Cupie · Guru

Thanks Bush Walker. I'll check them out too. Another iconic CS Brand.

Plain Truth · Guru

We were up on the Murray late April early May,this lot of wood was cut with a friends Ego battery chainsaw.

I don't know what size battery he has,but it is a very impressive chainsaw.

Inland_Sailor · Veteran Member

I"ve one of these from Bunnings:

www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-58v-4-0ah-brushless-chainsaw-kit_p3381254.

The kit gives you the chainsaw, battery and charger. The latter you can use with any of the AEG 58v power tool skins.

I use mine now as my basic saw. A full charge lasts about the same as a full tank of 2 stroke in my 62cc chainsaw.

Eaglemax · Guru

If you dont go electric and want petrol the cheapies at $99 theteabouts will do the job and are very light to lift.

Mike Harding · Guru

Go with the Stihl with a 14" bar, it will be perfect for your requirements and is light and easy to use also servicing and parts are readily available. Additionally, $250 is a good price.

At this stage in battery development I would avoid a lithium powered saw and they are far too expensive compared to a petrol saw. Also lithium batteries have a finite life ie. they begin to die from the day they are made regardless of use so can be a very expensive way of powering seldom used items... such as a chainsaw.

MH - camped in forest on the bank of the Murray south of Robinvale, Vic

Cupie · Guru

Thanks all for the insightful responses.

I'm getting close to a decision & my thinking is along these lines ...

I think that a battery CS is the most practical but I would go for a high V (say58v) Lithium model. eg the Bunnings AEG or even a Trade Tools DeWalt FlexVolt. The issue here is the high cost (circa $650/$699) for what will be a tool that is used a few times a year.

The price of the highly regarded Stihl MS170 ($249) with a 14" bar makes it an attractive proposition & well within my budget.

So, I'll drop in on a local Stihl agent this week & discuss the options with them. The family is gathering at our place this Sunday to welcome us home after a 3 month trip, so I'll run it past my Son & SIL. Then of course there's the next door neighbour who has a 'lifetime' of using CSs, so I'll get his views too.

A decision is close thanks to all the great input from you people. Thanks once again.

daffyfrancis · Senior Member

I have had a Sthil 009 with 14" bar for about 30 years & it has & still does cut all our camp fire wood - also have had a Sthil 047 with a 24" bar since 1978 & it has cut all our home woodheater logs up until 3 years ago - I bought a chinese saw with a 24" bar on Ebay for $130 delivered ( less than the cost of a replacement oil pump for the 047) & it has so far cut approx. 35 tonnes of logs, still going strong & looks like it will outlast me smile

David

Moose2 · Senior Member

Cupie ... when my old 20+ year old Husqvarna died last year I bought a baby Yukon petrol unit for under $100 delivered. Bloody hell it's a great little saw...certainly surprised me. I bought it for a specific job and it it died after that I wasn't too concerned but it just keeps on going. Have had to tighten up all screws and bolts but apart from that it was a fantastic buy. Has a 10" bar and it so light and easy to use. Not super powerful as you'd expect from a 25cc motor but it gets the jobs done.

For the record I also have an EGO cordless (56v) - great saw; a professional model Stihl (about 52cc ) and a 50cc Ryobi from Bunnings. The Ryobi is pretty ordinary in comparison to the Stihl but is a fraction the cost.

The EGO is for camping trips and touring.

The others I use on our small farm.

If you want cheapish, light and easy to use and you don't want to take it traveling get a small petrol unit. If you want to take it traveling as well then the convenience and no smell cordless ones would be the better choice.

denmonkey · Senior Member

hey Cupie,

which route did you go ?

I did a follow up video to that comparison one above when I was over at a mates place taking down some big stumps.
My conclusion at the end of the day was, if you're looking to do hard stuff or a full days work, stick with a petrol saw.

For fire wood collection (reasonable amounts) or for around home, I'm still grabbing the battery saws. Just much quicker, cleaner and more convenient to use and pack away.
of course travelling in the car, its a now brainer.

if you need more that about 45 minutes out of it at any one time, petrol wins. Just top up and keep on going.

Can't complain about my experience with the Ozito's thus far, but have heard good things about the 56v ego's as per moose's post above.
That's one that keeps getting bought up to me when others ask me about the ozito.

Most I've interacted with since doing the video who have got themselves a battery saw all seem to be pretty happy with them as a rule.

Just check the weights of the battery units, they can be heavier than you think if this is an issue for you.

you won't even miss the smell of petrol in the car ...trust me :)

cheers Brett

Cupie · Guru

denmonkey wrote:
hey Cupie,

which route did you go ?

I did a follow up video to that comparison one above when I was over at a mates place taking down some big stumps.
My conclusion at the end of the day was, if you're looking to do hard stuff or a full days work, stick with a petrol saw.

For fire wood collection (reasonable amounts) or for around home, I'm still grabbing the battery saws. Just much quicker, cleaner and more convenient to use and pack away.
of course travelling in the car, its a now brainer.

if you need more that about 45 minutes out of it at any one time, petrol wins. Just top up and keep on going.

Can't complain about my experience with the Ozito's thus far, but have heard good things about the 56v ego's as per moose's post above.
That's one that keeps getting bought up to me when others ask me about the ozito.

Most I've interacted with since doing the video who have got themselves a battery saw all seem to be pretty happy with them as a rule.

Just check the weights of the battery units, they can be heavier than you think if this is an issue for you.

you won't even miss the smell of petrol in the car ...trust me :)

cheers Brett

Which way did I go?

Nowhere yet.

I dropped in on the local Stihl dealer today. I was hoping to clarify the issue but the opposite was the case.

His opening statement was that they (the MS170 14" & their entry level Li battery model) were not hardwood saws! Both OK for green wood & small (branch size) firewood. Showed me the range of chains from the ones on the mini Boss models through to the big professional models & explained the differences. Recommended that what ever I choose, be sure to get a sharpener ($50) & perhaps a spare chain. He came across as a very honest & helpful guy.

BTW he said that if I were to leave the saw in the shed & come back in 6 months to use it, the battery model wins hands down It will be sure to start first go, but it was only a 50/50 chance with petrol models.

Baz421 · Guru

My 18V tools are Ryobi,,, so I bought a Ryobi 18V electric to use same batteries. Cuts hardwood great,, 150mm no problem,,, just like my Stihl,,, just need to sharpen chains as required.

My Stihl MS170 I think 14" bar,,, over 12 years old,,, easy to start.

IF you buy a Stihl petrol suggest you don't buy a spare chain - the reason being when the chain is stuffed buy a new bar and chain THE NEXT SIZE UP IN WIDTH (not bar length) is far better than the original skinny (width) chain, as it doesn't jam in the cut as easily.

Good luck in choosing.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Cupie,
You don't want the one that a traveller was using recently in the National Park near Paradise Waterhole (Paluma/Mutanee, Nth Qld) as it would have been interesting if a ranger turned up.

Cupie · Guru

Baz421 wrote:
My 18V tools are Ryobi,,, so I bought a Ryobi 18V electric to use same batteries. Cuts hardwood great,, 150mm no problem,,, just like my Stihl,,, just need to sharpen chains as required.
My Stihl MS170 I think 14" bar,,, over 12 years old,,, easy to start.
IF you buy a Stihl petrol suggest you don't buy a spare chain - the reason being when the chain is stuffed buy a new bar and chain THE NEXT SIZE UP IN WIDTH (not bar length) is far better than the original skinny (width) chain, as it doesn't jam in the cut as easily.
Good luck in choosing.

Thanks for the tip re the spare chain. I'll certainly follow that advice.

..................

W. No I certainly wouldn't gather wood in a NP.

.........................

Moose & David ... If I wanted a bigger saw I think that I too would take a chance with one of the cheapies or something in between like one from BBT. Probably 90% of my use will be just pruning trees in my suburban block so a 14" bar might be about right. I'd be a danger to myself with a bloody big powerful 24" monster.

If my 4yo Stihl hedge trimmer is anything to go by then starting shouldn't be a problem as some including the salesman suggested. It starts easily every time.

.........................

blaze · Guru

I reckon a skip tooth chain is ideal on a low powered saw
cheers
blaze

Mike Harding · Guru

>His opening statement was that they (the MS170 14" & their entry level Li battery model) were not hardwood saws!

Rubbish: as far as the MS170 is concerned. Certainly it's a domestic rather than a commercial saw (and priced accordingly) but I have cut stacks of hardwood with my Stihl MS018 (older model of the MS170) and it's currently cutting redgum here on the Murray.

You don't need a sharpener - for the amount of work your saw will do a file with guide will be fine and you don't need a spare chain.

Starting: For the past two years my MS018 has not been used but a couple of months ago I fired it up for the first time, with the original two-stroke fuel and it ran agfter the usual four or five pulls of the rope - no problem.

Personally, I'd find another dealer.

Blaze: my excellent $25 Ozito (23cc and 12" bar) uses a full skip chain and it works very well on all types of wood - quick to sharpen too.

Cupie · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
>His opening statement was that they (the MS170 14" & their entry level Li battery model) were not hardwood saws!
Rubbish: as far as the MS170 is concerned. Certainly it's a domestic rather than a commercial saw (and priced accordingly) but I have cut stacks of hardwood with my Stihl MS018 (older model of the MS170) and it's currently cutting redgum here on the Murray.
You don't need a sharpener - for the amount of work your saw will do a file with guide will be fine and you don't need a spare chain.
Starting: For the past two years my MS018 has not been used but a couple of months ago I fired it up for the first time, with the original two-stroke fuel and it ran agfter the usual four or five pulls of the rope - no problem.
Personally, I'd find another dealer.
Blaze: my excellent $25 Ozito (23cc and 12" bar) uses a full skip chain and it works very well on all types of wood - quick to sharpen too.

Yes Mike, I think that you are right. I'll drop in on another dealer who is actually a bit closer to home.

The sharpener that I was referring to is in fact a file in a guide.

Your starting experience is in line with mine on my ageing Stihl hedge trimmer.

The MS170 is the current favourite. I just can't justify the extra cost of the battery models, for the undoubted convenience when travelling.

Finally .. Thanks all for your time & valuable knowledge & guidance.

-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 30th of May 2019 07:28:02 AM

Cupie · Guru

blaze wrote:
I reckon a skip tooth chain is ideal on a low powered saw
cheers
blaze

Bloody hell, I'm learning a lot here .. Thanks.

Followed up on a lot of redneck USA sites and finally picked off this posting .. many of the others were way over the top . As in so many things, every one has an opinion. Who knows which is right. But at least now I have some idea of what a skip chain is. I might be able to drop the term in a discussion over a campfire sometime and enjoy the reaction. BTW, the second last paragraph agrees with your comment WRT low powered CSs.

Hi hillbilly

The advantage to skip chain is theoretical for just about anyone bucking and felling hardwood less than 3' dbh. Ripping and milling may be different.

The idea behind skip is that it allows more room between the cutters for chip clearance, but unless you are running bars 36" or longer in bar buried cuts or cutting very resinous softwoods which have more of a tendency to bunch up the chips, I don`t see the advantage. In fact as a counterpoint, chains prepared for racing are typically standard sequence based on the fact that getting more cutters through the wood produces more chips and a faster cut.

Being a yankee, I have no bars longer than 34", and frankly see no difference in cut speeds between full skip and full compliment, bearing in mind that my powerheads have adequate power to pull those long bars in bar buried cuts. If the powerhead were less powerful a skip chain might be in order.

Semi skip doesn`t seem to be available to me so I figured that it had gone the way of the dinosaurs.

Kiwi-as · Guru

Hi Cupie, I travelled 7 yrs wit h a $100 Ozito. Done the job admirably. We brought our van and Landcruiser back with us to NZ, so also have said chainsaw with us, and still going strong. Chain is almost worn out with hitting a few nails, and sand that the ants seem to love to carry up dead trees. Only other maintenance was replacing fuel lines.

blaze · Guru

Just see if you can pick up a 090 sthil, 13hp of brute strength. You can then sit on your 20 tonne pile of firewood, next to a camp fire and tell all the boys you have the biggest and best in camp as you use 2 hands to lift your stubby cause your arms are so tired. Dam they are a beast biggrin
cheers
blaze

Chris61 · Senior Member

Hi Cupie,

I have a Stihl MS170, I bought it when they were $400, they dropped to $300 about a month after initial purchase and now they are $250. Very happy with my choice, although a cheaper price would of made me feel better. I am on my third chain and so far no problems. I used it on redgum on our trip north last year no problems at all, although termite mud is very hard on the chain. I have needed to double cut to block off larger trees, although I do try to limit to 300mm or less as it is much easier on me and the chaisaw.

I bought a 250ml marked plastic jug from Bunnings and acquired a 5ml and 10ml syringe to mix up 2 stroke mix from generator petrol. 5ml of oil in 250ml is 50:1. I use 7.5ml, just to be on safe side. I just mix up the 2 stroke mix as I need it. 250ml is a tank full, works well.

Chris61 · Senior Member

double post

-- Edited by Chris61 on Wednesday 29th of May 2019 08:28:17 PM