The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: juliem on November 19, 2015, 06:46:46 pm
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I am quite fed up with giving away good wood because I haven't got a petrol chain-saw and end up by offering free logs for clearing up fallen trees etc. I' ve got an electric chainsaw but it can't cope with a lot of seasoned wood I have.) Friends (including a health and safety inspector) keep telling me petrol chainsaws are dangerous and not to be used by 50plus ladies .
So if I bought a good "still"....would I have enough "umph "to start it. I have resorted to a key start for my petrol lawnmower..Would they be too heavy for me to handle?
Can anyone recommend an electric chainsaw which would cut oak logs easily.....?
It's only for occasional use. Storing the logs at the moment because oil is so cheap.
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Long answer as lots to think about.
A petrol chainsaw is a dangerous beast without appropriate training and safety gear.
Even a lightweight stihl will struggle with seasoned oak, but will munch through it green so it needs logging as soon as it falls and then seasoning in smaller pieces.
An Ms211 will cost around 380quid and can be started with 2 pulls easily... Whether 50 year old woman easy I don't know as I'm a 39 year-old bloke but it is by far the easiest of all my petrol tools to start...
In short would it do the job...Yes.
Would I recommend you did it, no not without proper training...
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My oak is about 4 years old so that accounts for the electric chainsaw not being able to make any impression.
Sometimes we get contractors cutting trees down for the electricity poles by us and they are always willing to cut things down as a one off.....but logging is another matter.
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My big stihl saw has a decompression button on it so it's actually easy to start despite the engine size...just quite heavy to lift :roflanim: .
But as someone who had a near miss this year when i was too lazy to go put the PPE on for just one cut (as in it shredded the jeans but didn't mark me) I'm a convert to wearing the full kits for any job however quick or easy.
I also did a review early this year on a cheap Aldi chainsaw..it's light, easy to start, has a low kickback bar on it and quite recommended except I have had the chain tensioner loosen itself once and the chain come off and get chewed (took some filing of burs to recover it). Whether thats a one-off incident only time will tell.
The other thing is you need sharp chains and some folk have trouble leeping them sharp and even
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I think my electric is from Aldi..about 10 yrs old ..always leaking oil but only put old oil in it anyway.The chains do loosen... last year had a new chain put on it done at our local Telford Farm Machinery store...it cost £20 ...but soon wore down.I have got a set of those sharpening blades...never really used them.
Just wondered if thats as good as it gets?
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If your not keeping the chain properly sharp it doesn't matter what saw you have it won't work.
For general logging the chain needs sharpening after even as little as an hours use...
For Felling it's sharpened every time I fill the fuel tank so 30-40minutes of run time...
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Any sharp petrol saw that runs is no doubt fine for your purposes. I'm a lightweight (10st) and use lightweight saws - they work fine. I have two small saws one Stihl and a toolstation knock off, plus a big brutal Husquvana. I never use the Husquvana tbh! My favourite saw is the toolstation one. It is the lightest and starts easily enough.
Its a bit of a knack getting them sharp so you need to look into that and also, I find they start and run much happier with the 2-stroke mix on the slightly light side (ready to be shot down on that one!). No one will disagree I am sure that full PPE must be worn, I've a big pair of metal boots and chainsaw trousers etc you get used to wearing them
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Thanks for all the advice.Have checked U tube and plenty of advice on sharpening my electric chainsaw.Had a mature pampas tree come down in my garden few days ago and I need to sort out.
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When i first bought this farm I also watched a lot of utube vids on chaisaws and sharpening. It takes practice but best is to watch the proper tree guys do it.. they keep the process simple and quick.
A good bench vice makes it easier for a beginner and importantly thos chainsaw files don't last many sharpenings at all. Also if both sides of the chai aren't kept even then the saw will cut at an angle..don't fight the angle it cuts at - it just makes everything tae longer.
You should have soemwhere local to get the chain resharpened after a few DIY goes if it's really getting messed up..or can end by post to soemwhere like http://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/ (http://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/)
A spare chain can save time too if you really ground the saw or hit fence wire/ stone in a trunk.
If nothing else a spare new chain is a good way of judging how well you did your own sharpening.
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If its for occasional use its not worth the expense purchasing a decent saw , fueling and maintaining it getting the PPE and learning how to use it properly. Get a tree surgeon or some one experienced with good kit to cut the stuff up, cheaper and quicker IMO.
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wondering how the Ladies Land Army in the 2ND WW managed to cut trees down.....what kind of equipment did they have then?
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http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205200070 (http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205200070)
In case anyone wanted to know how they cut down trees.....
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stihl MS818 with "ergo start" it's a small saw, but i have been amazed with what i have felled and logged with it. Ergo start VERY easy to start. My 5 year old would have the pull to start it, (don't worry, i won't let her use it until she is at least 6 ;D )
The key is a sharp chain. I buy new rather the sharper old ones, chains are £12 online.
Goes without saying, get proper trousers, gloves, boots an hard hat with visor and ear defenders.
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Can I have your old ones?
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Well I'm 50 something and only 5ft 3ins and I manage a small stihl petrol chainsaw quite easily. In fact I love it! ;D It goes through logs and small trees like a hot knife through butter. It does take me a few goes to get it started but it's not really a problem. I did a one day course when I first got it which was well worth the money. Needless to say PPE is a must.
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How about upgrading your ten year old aldi for a nice new electric stihl and some spare chains so you can swap when one becomes blunt. Then send them in for sharpening to your local dealer.
They are very capable and you will find yourself being able to cut much more wood. Especially with a sharp chain and I suggest using proper oil, it's not that dear and lasts ages.
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Thanks for the suggestion...I've made no decision yet as it's such a mild winter and oil is so cheap..so I'm allowing wood to accumulate in the barn.I get quite protective about my logs and do begrudge burning decent wood....prefering to save it for harder winters maybe to come.
I've discounted the stihl oil as don' t really see me using it enough.Even considered the lithuim battery ones...watched videos on u tube (usually Americans claiming they can cut anything) but can't believe they can be powerful enough...although my hedge cutter has been a revelation.(I use to severer the wire with the previous electric hedge cutter!!)
I have resolved to try and get out and about in the New Year
and find somewhere that sells the stihl electric..
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Julie,
Old oil is bad on 3 counts.
1. It isn't designed to do what your using it for so your chain will overheat and blunt faster.(and be more likely to snap and cause you injury)
2. It is carcinogenic- and full of all sorts of other nasties- and remember its flying out of the back of the saw with the saw dust all over you and your clothes.
3. Proper chainsaw oil is biodegradable so breaks down in the ground- old oil isn't- it contaminates the ground.
Overall old oil is a false economy and a danger to your health and your safety and the environment.
I urge you to buy yourself some proper chainsaw oil, --I live on a 10 acre small holding and have the smallest petrol stihl saw --- I do the usual bit of pruning , cutting up the odd tree or branch that falls, in all I do enough cutting to keep our log burner going all winter, and I don't get through a 5 litre can in a year. Its really not an expensive hobby.
Heres a link to the stihl electric chain saw http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chainsaws-and-Telescopic-Pole-Pruners/Electric-chainsaws/22287-150/MSE-170-C-BQ.aspx (http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chainsaws-and-Telescopic-Pole-Pruners/Electric-chainsaws/22287-150/MSE-170-C-BQ.aspx)
There is a more powerful model too, you'll find it on the same site.
Hope this helps.
I also have one of these...it turns logging with a chain saw into a much easier safer operation...would work really well with an electric saw. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rhyas-Chain-Saw-Mounted-Sawhorse-Horse-Mount-Holder-Log-Wood-Trestle/351485589687?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33843%26meid%3D2ca8e76162a0468db00da4d751158e8b%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D10%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D221964932184 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rhyas-Chain-Saw-Mounted-Sawhorse-Horse-Mount-Holder-Log-Wood-Trestle/351485589687?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33843%26meid%3D2ca8e76162a0468db00da4d751158e8b%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D10%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D221964932184)
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I probably have some chain saw oil somewhere...always get mixed up between the oil for the petrol lawn-mower/and chainsaws.The labelling of these oils in B Q is never very specific.
It's just my old electric chainsaw leaked oil ...and someone gave me a load of old oil which I use to keep it topped up with. I..(.I've even also used it to put on the bottoms of fence posts...)....but I won't anymore...
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My mum came over today to show me her battery electric stihl - to be honest it was awesome - battery lasts about half an hour.
Unlike a petrol chainsaw it doesnt 'wobble' off down the yard when you put it down. Be great for a bit of 'guerilla' chainsawing - cleaning up after loggers have been in as its so quiet.
The blade is really thin, its light, its very torque'y',
I was very impressed - but they are about £600 :(
Barry
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Hmmmmmm....... Half an hour isn't very long to clear a fallen tree, even a small one. And you can get a good petrol chainsaw for £600.
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I was on about electric mains powered ones which are a lot less than £600 and don't have the battery time issue.
Obviously only any good if the timbers near a power supply.....I didn't really need to mention that did I !
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I am thinking about getting myself a Mountfield Freedom48 Cordless 16" chainsaw. About £150, plus another £150 for a 4Ah battery (but you can use that in their other Freedom48 tools)
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Although I have a husky chainsaw, I'm a recent convert to Oregon "accessories". I like my "powersharp" (just google it) a lot more than I like sharpening chains by hand and I love my easycut saw horse, what a time saver. I certainly don't sharpen the chain every tank full! Good lord, I'd be spending more time sharpening than cutting. As long as you can avoid the mud and are lucky to miss any nails, I can log around 3+ cubes of hardwood between sharpening. The newer pico chains on the small chainsaws are also great, much less chip to clean up.
And (ahem) after almost 35 years of using a chainsaw I've finally bought some proper (Oregon!) chainsaw trousers. I find that I'd getting so much wiser with age that I only need 20 or so people tell me I'm a complete idiot before I get the message :)