the 'todays job' thread

[kram]

On 09/08/2025 at 14:46, Mick Dempsey said:

The really big saws aren’t necessarily quicker through that size wood, a razor sharp 572 or similar will be more use. 

 

21 hours ago, AHPP said:

Like Mick says. 500i is the answer to a lot of arb questions. Even a 661 on the same bar and chain is (or at least feels) slower on smaller wood. I’m aware that might sound like bollocks because displacement is displacement but I’ve just cut about 150 tonnes of 4-40” firewood with a 500i and a 661 on the same bars so feel fairly qualified to comment.

881/3120. Forget it. No point until you’re regularly doing six foot cuts. Too much misery for not enough reward. 

 

50% more power,  but out of the box it will be set up for longer bars with more cutters in the wood, where more torque is needed.

I imagine a larger sprocket, one or two teeth up, would be required to get the chain speed where you'd see the power for smaller stuff.

[Peter 1955]

22 hours ago, AHPP said:

Like Mick says. 500i is the answer to a lot of arb questions.

Every chainsaw mistake I have made has been the same one. Not upgrading far enough. 

When my beloved, and well used 023 needed replacing, I went for a 251. A more horrible, gutless machine I have never picked up. After many years of use, either it's bedded in, or I've got used to it, but the upgrade from that one, my 261 is a delight. And a cause of sorrow.

Sorrow? Upgrade from an 038, also beloved. I was rapidly steered away from the like-for-like 391, thank you all. That left 400 ( old model ) 462, and 500i. The 500i was immediately discounted, because it's far more saw than I could ever justify, isn't it? The 400 was a 20% power increase, and far lighter, no brainer, eh? 

I should have got either of the big ones, no question at all. 

Man who never made a mistake, never made anything.  

[Mick Dempsey]

25 minutes ago, Peter 1955 said:

Every chainsaw mistake I have made has been the same one. Not upgrading far enough. 

When my beloved, and well used 023 needed replacing, I went for a 251. A more horrible, gutless machine I have never picked up. After many years of use, either it's bedded in, or I've got used to it, but the upgrade from that one, my 261 is a delight. And a cause of sorrow.

Sorrow? Upgrade from an 038, also beloved. I was rapidly steered away from the like-for-like 391, thank you all. That left 400 ( old model ) 462, and 500i. The 500i was immediately discounted, because it's far more saw than I could ever justify, isn't it? The 400 was a 20% power increase, and far lighter, no brainer, eh? 

I should have got either of the big ones, no question at all. 

Man who never made a mistake, never made anything.  

The 251 and 391 aren’t professional grade saws, which explains your disappointment in them. 

[Mick Dempsey]

Anyway @kram if you want an 088 in perfect working order for your leylandii jobs I’ve got one. 
I’m coming over in September. 
Where are you in the UK. 
£900. 

[AHPP]

1 hour ago, kram said:

 

 

50% more power,  but out of the box it will be set up for longer bars with more cutters in the wood, where more torque is needed.

I imagine a larger sprocket, one or two teeth up, would be required to get the chain speed where you'd see the power for smaller stuff.

 

You know what. You're absolutely right. I'd keep my eye out for something like a second hand 088, sold by a reputable and sexually magnetic professional.

[Peter 1955]

4 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

The 251 and 391 aren’t professional grade saws, which explains your disappointment in them. 

Neither are 023 and 038, which I loved to bits. I never had a 391, but my son did for a short time, and then he swapped it for a Husky. He still borrows my 400 for bigger jobs though. 😁

[Mick Dempsey]

I was in the market for a 50cc ish saw, I was feeling a bit tight and got persuaded into getting a stihl 271 instead of a husky 550 (or a 261) What a POS! 
I kept thinking something was wrong with it. 
Bit the bullet in the end and got the first of my 550s
Never again. 

[Dan Maynard]

I was more lucky, when in the market for a 50cc ish saw 15 years ago the chap persuaded me to spend the bit extra and get the 261. Still got it.

[flyingjoiner]

Old Christmas tree that went a bit mental.

 

Drop zone was main issue on this one, but nothing broken that shouldn't be😁

[Peter 1955]

Still no piccies, sorry. I promise I will do one day. A house in woodland which is for sale, and client wants it to look more saleable. Cue him hiring a chipper, and me turning up with a van full of pruning gear, and ladders on top. Even with one of his staff feeding the chipper, and one of my mates helping me, there's still a gentle day's work left for tomorrow. There was a lot of walking, and a lot of thin brash to clear, and lots of ivy. 

We had a Greenmech Quadchip 160, which seemed very happy with branches up to four inch or so, but not so much with anything bigger, or the leafy stuff we gathered up, unless we could run a nice branch through at the same time.