Chain Saws

[Hovannes]

Tomorrow I get to play with my chain saw, cutting up a bunch of 4" diameter Palos Verde limbs to fit into the green can.
I have a Stihl MS 250 which is light and the perfect size and more than powerful enough for my homeowner chores.
I really enjoy using it!

Does anyone else here get joy from their chain saw?

 

[verporchting]

Nope. Shovels neither. Nor weedwhackers, concrete trowels or soldering irons. No. Huh-unh. Nein. Nyet.

 

[Singularis]

I got a brand new MS 250 just last week, as it happens! I am just starting to love it now that I am having luck starting it up. At first, it was quite frustrating getting it started. It was probably a user error, but I found some forums indicating that I wasn’t the first to have the problem. I removed the the spark plug to resolve the flooding nearly a dozen times. But I think I finally got ‘er figgered out at last. I almost vented about the whole debacle here on this forum but thought better of it. I see now that I’m not the only pipe smoker who’s been a little preoccupied with chainsaws lately. ?

 

[irishearl]

I no more love my chain saw than I do my lawn mower. Though, the chain saw is electric and easier to use.

 

[warren]

I enjoy the results of my work but, the work no. There is the satisfaction of eyeing a tree, noting the lean, setting the cables and such then, seeing the tree fall exactly as planned. The hard work, limbing, setting the pullies, threading the cable, and snaking the tree out of the woods is a right piece of work also. But, after felling, limbing, snaking it out, cutting into proper lengths there is the early evening beer. Seasonal "beetle kill" in my part of the world means a few days to a week every summer killing the dead trees. The older I get, the more troublesome it seems. I have threes saws so I don't have to change bars, 14- 24inch bars.

I would offer this advice to neophyte/weekender saw drivers, tune (sharpen) the loop every gas refill, easier than waiting until your back is sore from forcing the saw. And don't forget the depth gauge. A lot of recreational users have no clue about the depth gauge. A sharp saw requires only guidance, no forcing, it'll pull itself through the wood.

Enjoy I suppose if that's your idea of recreation.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Chain saws are extremely dangerous. I’ve done more than my share of chain saw work, I’d prefer to hire someone to do it. Please be careful.

 

[sablebrush52]

Does anyone else here get joy from their chain saw?

Not since I disposed of it after dismembering the bodies.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Does anyone else here get joy from their chain saw?

It, the 4 cycle trimmer, the bush hog, and the zero turn mower; yes very much yes. All Husqvarna.

 

[mortonbriar]

I love my 3 chain saws, especially since I picked up an Alaskan mill a year or two ago. My biggest saw is a 36" husqvarna from the 80's and I have been cutting a bunch of slab with it, very satisfying!

I second @warren about the sharpening, I keep multiple sharpened chains so I don't have to tune them midday, but will sharpen them all before the next outing. Safer for the user and better for the saw and tree.

 

[Eye-level]

Homelite Super EZ...metal case so it doesn't break when you drop it. Arguably the best little indestructible saw ever made.

 

[daveinlax]

Here in SoAZ Palo verde’s are a weed that “we” deal with a loper and pitch fork. I use my vintage Stihl for cutting up dead trees and landscaping at my home in Wisconsin. I’m way more comfortable felling trees with a bulldozer than a chainsaw.

 

[mawnansmiff]

When I lived on the farm I bought an 18" Husqvarna and that thing was worth its weight in gold.

We had about 3 acres of well overgrown willow and having a large woodburner in the sitting room made buying the husky a no brainer.

That saw cut many many tons of wood and believe it or not I sold it for almost the price I paid for it to a guy who wanted to carve trees with a chainsaw!

The only issue I had with it was when ticking over on the ground, if the fuel was about to run out it would suddenly start to run due to the enriched mixture. Otherwise a super machine.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[elessar]

So the section of trunk was too big for your crane to pick you say…. Nothing a couple tanks of gas can’t handle.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Chain saws are dangerous and mine is similar to yours but with a 20" bar. I used mine to cut fallen wood for the wood stove. I used a file after and during use. Be careful.

I've gone to this fuel for 2 cycle tools.
TruFuel 50:1 Pre Mixed Fuel (6-Pack) 6525638 (homedepot.com)

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I can't say that it brings me joy. I have an orchard that I have to do some severe pruning, and the occasional cutting of tree off of my truck or house.

I've gotten to really like my electric chain saw, because it has the first real brake that I've ever used on a saw. When I let off of the button, it actually stops immediately, unlike my Stihls. This has saved me some blood, especially when using the thing while standing in a peach tree.

 

[kschatey]

I have a Stihl MS290 and it has seen a lot of use, but I prefer to use it only when absolutely necessary. Chain saws are definitely dangerous. The Stihl has not been used in awhile and needs some maintenance. I have been deal hunting for a smaller electric chain saw to be used for small work such as limbs larger than the pruners can handle. I love the Stihl power when needed, but get tired of dealing with fuel mix, spark plugs, air filters, etc. and I rarely need the power and size of the Stihl.

 

[pappymac]

Last year I decided to go battery powered and found a good deal on a Ryobi that uses a 40 volt battery. It came in handy for helping to clear fallen trees from friends yards after the hurricane last year. Mine is a 16 inch. It worked so well that I went back and bought a Ryobi weed eater and blower.

Unlike a good pipe, chainsaws don't deliver on joy for me.

 

[Peter Peachfuzz]

My wife worked the ER in her younger days.. We don't own a chain saw.

 

[tbradsim1]

When you get old this is what you can handle!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

View attachment 141198
When you get old this is what you can handle!

That looks like exactly what I need for orchard work. I need to check that out.
Do you own one like this, Brad? Does it brake as soon as you let off the trigger?

When I was using a 2 stroke, I would often just drop it when I had to quickly swing to another branch to keep my balance. Scary stuff.