First chainsaw?

[Matt83]

Hi,

 

Firstly, let me introduce myself, my name is Matt and after 12 years of working in an office I took a very generous severance offer at the end of 2011 with the mindset of changing my career path completely. I've been spending some time with a friend who has his own landscaping business and am really keen on becoming a tree surgeon.

 

I have enrolled on a training course to gain my CS30/31 and plan to gain some work experience before moving onwards with other certificates. I've a list of PPE that is required for my course but I'm unsure as to which Chainsaw to purchase, would anyone be able to offer any suggestions? I don't want to spend a massive amount but want to ensure I have a piece of kit that is reliable.

 

Also, would it be of more benefit to take my friends chainsaw to the course as opposed to a brand new one? I only ask because it seems strange to take a new chainsaw to a course that teaches you about maintenance, I'm concerned that if I were to take a new one there might be some aspects of cleaning/sharpening that won't be required and I'd rather ensure I get to give everything a go.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Matt

[spudulike]

Take a friends saw and save some cash:thumbup:

 

Usual suspects are Husqvarna 346XP and Stihl MS260 - both will do the job, many will sway one way or the other, IMO the 346XP is the better saw but not without it's weak areas but generally a highly respected saw.

[Rich2484]

New or old as you will still get taught the same as everyone else, they will still make you sharpen it. Clean it and go through the proceedurs on it.

[lee74]

Hi Matt

 

When I did ny CS30/31 anotherr gut on the course brought along a brand new Makita and myself had a old Stihl 026 that I borrowed from work but we were all shown the same things, cleaning, sharpening etc.

 

I would save some cash and borrow one for the course then ask around and see what people favour saw wise.

 

As spud says you cant go wrong with a Stihl Ms 260 or Husky 346xp, stopped making the Ms260 now though been replaced by the MS261 and I think the 346xp is being replaced soon as well so better be quick if you decide on the 346.

 

Got a MS260 myself:001_smile:

[daveclark890]

Your instructor may be able to provide you with a saw, thats what I did for my 30/31. Kinda got stiffed cos he had used it the weekend before so the whole thing was filthy and the chain needed a good sharpen.

 

This link is to the saw I bought after discussion with several choppers and my instructor and a couple of shops:

http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chain-saws/Petrol-chain-saws-for-forestry/21775-130-MS-261 - Groundbreaking 2.8kW Petrol Chain saw

 

This is the 1 I had recommended and this is also the 1 I bought after my 30/31 course.

[spudulike]

Your instructor may be able to provide you with a saw, thats what I did for my 30/31. Kinda got stiffed cos he had used it the weekend before so the whole thing was filthy and the chain needed a good sharpen.

 

This link is to the saw I bought after discussion with several choppers and my instructor and a couple of shops:

http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chain-saws/Petrol-chain-saws-for-forestry/21775-130-MS-261 - Groundbreaking 2.8kW Petrol Chain saw

 

This is the 1 I had recommended and this is also the 1 I bought after my 30/31 course.

 

The link doesn't work and working on a dirty saw is what it is about, if you want a challange, try cleaning an MS200T that has had 5 years of chip and bio oil baked on to its internals and cylinder cooling fins plus a nice bit of pine resin on the casings...dried of course. That is how they generally come in:thumbdown:

No point in sharpening a sharp chain - reckon your instructor probably did you a favour really but may not have felt like it at the time!

[GardenKit]

The link doesn't work and working on a dirty saw is what it is about, if you want a challange, try cleaning an MS200T that has had 5 years of chip and bio oil baked on to its internals and cylinder cooling fins plus a nice bit of pine resin on the casings...dried of course. That is how they generally come in:thumbdown:

No point in sharpening a sharp chain - reckon your instructor probably did you a favour really but may not have felt like it at the time!

The real world!

[WorcsWuss]

As above, MS261 [my preference] or the 346XP... I have a feeling the Stihl may be a bit more expensive though...?

If you can afford to buy a saw for your course go for it, it makes sense to be taught on the machine you'll be using.

Same goes for all the other gear, if you've set your heart on doing this throw yourself into it and do it right, but make sure you research everything fully with one eye on how you might want to go in the future.

 

Before you spend anything spend a week or two crawling round this site and watching videos on you tube to get an idea of what can be done and what kit it's done with. For instance, if you're intending to climb, you just as well make sure you get appropriate boots, trousers & headgear straight off, rather than buying ground equipment which needs upgrading in a few months when you start climbing....

[SAM66S]

Go for the 346xp i had a ms260 & after using 1 swapped to husky ground saws after 8 years of using stihl i were that impressed! Like others have said borrow 1 for the course. If you take a new saw you wont get the full benefit of it but remember to take paint brushes or toothbrushes foe cleaning

[daveclark890]

MS 261 - Groundbreaking 2.8kW Petrol chain saw

 

This link works.

 

I know our job is about getting dirty kit clean so it can be used efficiently again! I am a squaddy and we have to do that with our rifles too, it was just a steep learning curve for some one who has never touched a saw.