The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: alang on December 02, 2017, 07:33:56 pm

Title: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: alang on December 02, 2017, 07:33:56 pm
I'm needing to get myself a chainsaw and whilst an electric one around the garden would suffice, it wouldn't work for when I'm out and about. Will only occasionally need to fell a tree below 15" dia

So I'm looking at getting a petrol chainsaw (after doing my NPTC ticket), and I've sort of narrowed it down to three makes and models.

Stihl MS211 C-BE
Mcculloch MS35S (Husqvarna components)
Husqvarna 345

Anyone used these or have others to look at?
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: Rupert the bear on December 02, 2017, 09:09:37 pm
Personally I would go for the Husky, lots of dealer back up. The saw its self is easy to start and quite powerful , have taken down +/- 20" ers .
Dont forget the gear, a set of wedges and plety of spare chain.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: alang on December 02, 2017, 09:28:42 pm
Oh I'd defo have the gear. Engineer by trade so H&S is a must.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: pgkevet on December 02, 2017, 11:04:28 pm
If only for ocassional use then I'd go cheap and wait until  lidl will doubtless be doing a chainsaw offer again towards spring. I've got a big stihl I traded up my small original one for (got some big trees here) which gets way too heavy for the smaller jobs. Rather than shell out for another expensive saw I bought a cheapo lidl 'gardenline' one and it's always been an easy starter, plenty of power for those smaller jobs and has an nice easy spannerless chain tensioner on it. Lidl stuff comes with a 3yr warranty too.
It's how well you keep the chain sharp that has more to do with chainsaws than brand names.

..as someone who had a near miss the one day he got lazy (shredded the jeans but left me unmarked) I totally agree with PPE.. gloves, trousers, sleeves boots etc.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: Womble on December 02, 2017, 11:55:52 pm
I can't comment on how good the Lidl ones are, but I would say that a chainsaw is one tool where it's worth spending the money for quality. My friend bought a cheap chinese Husqy copy from ebay, and I'll be honest, I won't go near the thing!  Although it looks much the same as mine, the broken chain catcher for example is just made of plastic, whereas the one on my saw is metal. Also in practice, when we're out together, he definitely seems to spend more time swearing and getting oily than me!  Just saying!!  :)

Several of the good manufacturers do 'homeowner' saws which would be a good bet for occasional use. They're still good quality, but just have a bit less vibration damping and are a bit heavier than the professional quality saws.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: arobwk on December 03, 2017, 12:01:00 am
I'm with pgkevet on cost, especially if for occasional use. 
I'm not convinced that the premium brands (Stihl & Husqvarna in particular) can still justify their very premium prices.  I don't have a chainsaw, but have other relatively modern Husky & Stihl gear - I'm far from overwhelmed!  My fav' & most reliable bit of kit is a cheapo Tondu multi-tool!   
If it must be a Husky chainsaw, I would mention friend's experience of his recent new saw "out of the box":  it would not fire up no matter what. I seem to think 'twas supplier who eventually advised him to take out plug and tip it over to empty cylinder: whatever, that is what he did and a load of oil drained out.  Fired up fine after that!   
[Actually: friend's new chainsaw might be a Stihl rather than Husky - either way, if it won't fire up out of the box ......]
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: arobwk on December 03, 2017, 12:31:54 am
...... Several of the good manufacturers do 'homeowner' saws which would be a good bet for occasional use. They're still good quality, but just have a bit less vibration damping and are a bit heavier than the professional quality saws.

I would go with that as a reasonable value-for-money bet  e.g. McCulloch (as just one branding example).
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: macgro7 on December 03, 2017, 09:46:37 am
I 've used something called COBRA at work and it was rubbish.
Bought the cheapest model of Husqvarna for £120 and it's brilliant. Much better quality for the same price. I used to to fell trees, chop them down for firewood. I ve done three van loads of logs with it last year.

If you are buying a chainsaw there are only to brands in the world that are worth buying from - Husqvarna or Stihl. Don't even look at anything else!
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: bloomer on December 03, 2017, 02:47:11 pm
I have the still ms211 c be


I love it, I started with a b and q homelite which I used for occasional large gardening projects for years but it was never great...
When we moved here with 1/2ish acre of overgrown woodland I treated myself to a better saw, most of what I cut is 20 to 30 year old sycamore so it's mostly only about 12inch at the stump even if it's 30ft tall, I run a 16 inch bar for cutting and logging.
I have once used it to take down a 20inch plus Oak trunk for a friend and with a new chain it managed but was pushing it really.


Learn to sharpen chains quickly and regularly in the woods as well as on a bench, sharp chain is your best friend on any saw...
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: Glencairn on December 03, 2017, 04:28:29 pm
I went off the Husqvarna line up after they started making all except the professional line in China.

I bought a new Echo a couple of years ago and that ticked all the boxes once I'd adjusted the carburettor.

Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: alang on December 03, 2017, 04:29:23 pm
Cheers everyone. The McCulloch has got some good reviews and is a decent amount cheaper than it's parent company, Husqvarna, and Stihl models. Butihave to admit being a Stihl man as i lived in Germany for a few years andi mostly saw Stihl there.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: Glencairn on December 03, 2017, 04:39:34 pm
As I understand it you have to buy a Stihl face to face as they have a policy on not selling them mail order.

They had a very comprehensive line up in Highland Industrial Supplies so they might be worth a look.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: alang on December 03, 2017, 04:44:05 pm
They had a very comprehensive line up in Highland Industrial Supplies so they might be worth a look.

That's where i got the Stihl brochure from. The guys in Elgin have been very helpful.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: macgro7 on December 03, 2017, 04:53:46 pm
As I understand it you have to buy a Stihl face to face as they have a policy on not selling them mail order.

They had a very comprehensive line up in Highland Industrial Supplies so they might be worth a look.
It depends from which supplier you are buying. To buy a top handle chainsaw you have to show your certificate and buy in person.
Stihl are more expensive than husqvarna in the UK but in some places (sweden) it's opposite Lol
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: Glencairn on December 03, 2017, 05:11:47 pm
It depends from which supplier you are buying. To buy a top handle chainsaw you have to show your certificate and buy in person.
Stihl are more expensive than husqvarna in the UK but in some places (sweden) it's opposite Lol

No suppliers can post Stihls:
https://www.mad4mowers.co.uk/page/stihlpolicy (https://www.mad4mowers.co.uk/page/stihlpolicy)
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: macgro7 on December 03, 2017, 06:10:43 pm
Oh I didn't know that!
There's plenty of stihl suppliers around though!
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: arobwk on December 03, 2017, 06:29:47 pm
There's plenty of stihl suppliers around though!

Despite an earlier post of mine questioning the value of high priced premium brands, I do have to admit that support is a factor to be considered, especially if one is not into DIY repairs and sourcing spares independently.  (They are still over-priced though!)
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: stufe35 on December 04, 2017, 09:20:30 pm
I bought the smallest in the range about twelve years ago now, the stihl ms 180, or it might be 170 , with a 14" bar.  It has been used for general fire wood cutting and felling trees, none massive obviously.  It is light easy to use and reliable.  I once for got where it was and it got bulldozed into a huge heap of brash with my jcb and lived on !

I also bought one of these to use it in  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/06062-Metal-Chainsaw-Log-Saw-Horse-Stand-Holder-Clamp-For-Sawing-Logs-Saw-new-/371456790566?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/06062-Metal-Chainsaw-Log-Saw-Horse-Stand-Holder-Clamp-For-Sawing-Logs-Saw-new-/371456790566?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10)

I have found it invaluable and much safer when logging.  A few firms make them.  In twelve years I have twice needed a larger saw for when full mature trees blew over and needed logging, Even then it was only for the biggest bits of the trunk, I just borrowed one from a farmer friend....you can hire. In my experience 99% of what you do only needs a small saw. The light weight is your friend when you use one for a few hours.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: alang on December 05, 2017, 03:54:25 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I've sort of made my mind up to get the McCulloch for now and 'upgrade' should i need to. Although i'd love a Stihl.

I've sorted out the helmet, gloves, boots and trousers. Just need to sort out my NPTC ticket when funds allow. Safety is everything when using kit like this.
Title: Re: Petrol chainsaw for firewood
Post by: stufe35 on December 05, 2017, 04:14:12 pm
If you google 'chainsaw safety video'  you will find any amount of videos on youtube to sit and watch for free.  For home use in sensible hands as you clearly are I believe this would be quite adequate- or at least after watching them I think you would be able to make the judgement yourself whether you are comfortable to get on without further training given the type of work you know you are going to tackle.

Expensive qualifications are needed For use in the work place, to cover the employer.