Advise on 1st Chainsaw for home use

[Steven1210]

1 hour ago, Stere said:

Also  would consider the cordless makita or stihl

Hi Stere i have a lot of bosch 18v pro kit, and about 10 batteries to go with it, which is great as most times im in places with power, if i need to charge a battery.  The batteries look to be quite expensive for the chainsaws mentioned, and thats going to push me well over £200 as I would need a few batteries if in the wood, whereas 2 stroke will be easier in that situation I think.

[AJGard]

I have a used MS261 with 16" bar for sale, ive had since new so know its been looked after. DM if you want more details 👍

[Khriss]

Little Husqy or cheap chinese 99er,  doesnt sound like yr gonna wear it out. Careful with yr petrol mix an you will have yr moneys worth. K

[Steven1210]

1 minute ago, Khriss said:

Little Husqy or cheap chinese 99er,  doesnt sound like yr gonna wear it out. Careful with yr petrol mix an you will have yr moneys worth. K

Probably use it maybe every few months just to chop a few logs, then axe split them.

[Haironyourchest]

I got one of the Lidl €99 specials, as a loaner and beater saw. Alloy crankcase and all. It's been really good! Leaks chain oil something savage though.

[Steven1210]

1 minute ago, Haironyourchest said:

I got one of the Lidl €99 specials, as a loaner and beater saw. Alloy crankcase and all. It's been really good! Leaks chain oil something savage though.

Thats what puzzles me, I get the whole get what you pay for etc, my home av kit is mega money, but I use it 7 days a week, and have been on a long upgrade path over 15years.

 

I know this is a pro forum and I bet you guys have mega money pro saws, (which would be a waste for my limited use)  But some of the reviews are ok for the 99quid saws, and some are utter garbage.

 

I guess im worried they may be unsafe? Crap? (like a chainsaw is a safe tool, lol)

 

PS - I really appreciate the time you guys are spending in replying by the way!

[Khriss]

Embarrassingly the two chinese saws i got given, work better than some of the works saws i were offered. K

[carlos]

i have used a lidl saw once, was ok, bit plasticky but i ithink when you take it to be repaired they may not be able to get the parts for it, plus they often put too bigger bar on their saws so by the time you have bought a shorter bar and better chain you would be better of getting one of the small stihl or husky saws people have mentioned.

i think going second hand is ok if you know about saws and engines but if you dont, go new at least you have a bit of warranty for piece of mind. 

[Haironyourchest]

2 minutes ago, Steven1210 said:

Thats what puzzles me, I get the whole get what you pay for etc, my home av kit is mega money, but I use it 7 days a week, and have been on a long upgrade path over 15years.

 

I know this is a pro forum and I bet you guys have mega money pro saws, (which would be a waste for my limited use)  But some of the reviews are ok for the 99quid saws, and some are utter garbage.

 

I guess im worried they may be unsafe? Crap? (like a chainsaw is a safe tool, lol)

 

PS - I really appreciate the time you guys are spending in replying by the way!

Yeah, some are garbage. The Lidl ones are ok. As long as the chainbreak works and the chain tensioner works, that's as safe as any saw can be (and fuel cap doesn't leak, obviously). 

 

Where casual users go wrong is maintenance. You got to use Aspen or good fresh petrol and really good 2-stroke oil (HP Ultra). Clean out the clutch area after use. Emty tank and idle the carb dry after use. Know how to clean air filter without letting crap fall in the carb intake. Learn to tention chain properly, file chain properly, etc etc etc. There's so much more to keeping a saw in running order than a strimmer or similar.

 

[Dan Maynard]

Yes, unsafe. Think it was Rough Hewn who posted a test video a few years ago, the cheapest saws have things like chain brake handle snap far too easily.

A good secondhand saw from someone you trust may be a good option, the 261 is a different league to those smaller saws in cut speed.