[Rodney]

My wife gave me the go ahead to buy a small chainsaw. No particular brand in mind yet, just a small, cheap, and most likely used saw in the 16 to 18" bar range. I prefer Husqvarna and Stihl but budget constraints will most likely prevent that.

We have a hedge of Leland Cypress in the back and side yard that is out of control. My opinion is they're a poor choice for suburban yards. They just grow too big. Anyway, one of my first and most likely my biggest job will be to trim them down to a more manageable size.

We have a lot of maple around here plus a few other decent hardwoods. I intend to use the saw to start cutting some of my own wood for handle and shank blanks. It will also enable me to cut shanks that are suitable for one piece crooks when I find them. I'm thinking the suckers that grow from maple stumps might be a good source. Not an easy thing to cut out sections of stumps with hand tools.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited and thought I would share. I'll post a couple pictures when I get it.

Rodney

 

[Sean]

Nice good luck with your purchase. You might be able to get some good wood for projects.
I was in the market (used) and picked one up a few weeks ago. Craftsman 46cc, $70.

 

[Rodney]

I finally got my saw! A combination birthday/Father's Day gift from my wife & daughter.

I haven't had a chance to fire it up yet. It's a refurbished Poulan Pro 42cc saw with an 18" bar. Refurbished but looks like it was ran maybe once. I just hope it runs as good as it looks.

Rodney

 

[Rodney]

I got my chance to run the saw earlier today. I cut a couple smaller about 6" diameter white oak crotches- both rip and cross cut- and trimmed our dogwood tree in the front yard. The saw started easily and worked well. The saw will pay for itself pretty quickly in handle material and general pruning around our yard.

I don't think I'd recommend it for heavy use all day every day but it works well for what I want it to do.

No pictures yet. the batteries died on the camera as soon as I turned it on.

Rodney

 

[Gloops]

Spotted thi pic of a garden seat done by a chainsaw carver - found it rather amusing

 

[dww2]

Cheeky!!

 

[sickelstix]

I am considering a battery powered chainsaw for cutting saplings for sticks. Not sure how long the battery will last. What do y'all think?

 

[MJC4]

Not too familiar with battery chain saws I suppose anything with a lith-ion battery would hold up well for light work. I have seen others use a battery sawzall for trim work, worked well and can be still used for other applications besides tree work.

I have an Echo with a 14" bar for most of my yard work. I can upgrade to a 16" bar if I need too but so far a 14" takes care of all the trim work required on our 1 1/2 acre of suburban lot.

 

[sickelstix]

I am thinking of considering one, probably a battery powered Stihl. I believe Santa will think I've been good enough. I do a lot of my gathering from an atv. Might be handy and light.

 

[Rodney]

So far the main use of my saw has been for handle material and a few turning blanks for shanks. For sticks for shanks I mainly use my loppers or a small hand saw. Light and easy. If you're mainly on an ATV a chainsaw might be useful for sticks

Rodney

 

[LilysDad]

 

[JRSC]

I guess I'm cheap/resourceful. I have a Craftsman chainsaw but it's aggravating to start sometimes. All I use is my trusty Bahco Laplander. It handles pretty much every one of my sawing needs. I duct tape it to sticks to reach tall limbs lol. I really need one of those (I don't know what you call them) chainsaws on a pole.

 

[Rodney]

I don't use mine for smaller sticks for shanks. A set of loppers takes care of 99% of that job. I use the chainsaw for larger logs for handle material and turning blanks. I use mostly crotch sections for the grain.

 

[badalley]

I don't use mine for smaller sticks for shanks. A set of loppers takes care of 99% of that job. I use the chainsaw for larger logs for handle material and turning blanks. I use mostly crotch sections for the grain.

I also don't use mine for smaller logs. I used to file my chain but lately i was thinking to buy a sharpener. How do you care for your chainsaw?

 

[Rodney]

I just use a file. If I was sharpening a lot of chains I'd look at a sharpener but for the relatively small amount of cutting I do there''s no need for it.

So far the only maintenance mine has needed is an air filter.

 

[Brown_16]

Hey sickelstix,

I think electric chainsaw is more preferable for me. As, every product has its own drawback. So, If someone ask to choose between; I won't choose that battery powered chainsaw.

Thanks,

Brown E.