Husky 181 any good?

[Daniël Bos]

I'd like to be able to do some milling, as I have a few nice straight-ish oaks to come dowm and a barn to build. I've been looking at buying an ex-mod 181, as they're in plentifull supply. I've never used a 181 though, what are they like? Also, have any of you guys bought ex-mod saws, and how were they?

 

Thanks, Daniel

[18 stoner]

25 years ago was an excellent saw!

 

I would say it would struggle with a mill to be honest, unless you were only working with small mill.

 

The AV's were never too great on them either, so combined with using it on a mill it would definately give you pins and needles after a couple of tanks of fuel!

[spudulike]

Big, heavy, bulletproof, powerful, generally in really good nick as the army rarely uses them - great reputation!

[Daniël Bos]

Am I right in thinking it'll have some good ole'fashion grunt?

It won't need to do much so not that bothered about the vibes, but it can soon be cheaper than hiring a mobile mill and heaps more fun to do.

 

How much would a decent one be worth?

[18 stoner]

That about sums them up!

 

Not sure what a good one is worth, but I have a worn out one on the shelf if you wanted it. Think it needs a piston at least and has no bar.

 

I got it for parts for my 281 but never took anything off it.

 

They are a heavy beast, I remember using them stem cleaning larch stands in the 80's. I now have shoulders bigger than Arnie!

[Chris Sheppard]

we had one (though there is a possibility it could have been a 288) on one estate and it was a bit of a pig to start at times but once going it wasn't bad.

 

one thing i do remember with it though was that it used to not be able to clear the chips fast enough at times and would clog.

 

Seen those MOD ones on ebay and can't help thinking the guy is a bit optimistic on pricing

[spudulike]

we had one (though there is a possibility it could have been a 288) on one estate and it was a bit of a pig to start at times but once going it wasn't bad.

 

one thing i do remember with it though was that it used to not be able to clear the chips fast enough at times and would clog.

 

Seen those MOD ones on ebay and can't help thinking the guy is a bit optimistic on pricing

 

I won't tell you how much mine cost - needless to say it was a fair bit less than £450:laugh1:

[Daniël Bos]

Thanks guys, I might keep an eye out for one then. I wasn't going to go for an ebay one as they do seem a bit much but keep an eye on the various release tenders.

I would have though weight won't matter that much for milling?

And regarding the chip clogging, If I were to use it solely as a milling machine I could "adapt" the side cover to get improved chip flow I think.

[Charlieh]

what size timber are you looking to mill, I have milled with my 372 and i wouldnt want to mill above 18-20" with that as it was hard on the machine.

[hplp]

You can get a good 084 for roughly £400 off ebay (thats what I paid for the last two Ive had) and thats probabily your best bet I would recommend.

Nothing compares to abit of power!

 

H