Thread: show us your chainsaws

So I borrowed a mate's Stihl MSA 220 C to see how it would go pruning and thinning, and I can now see what everyone is talking about regarding these electric saws. Despite needing a solid 40 minutes with the file on the bar and chain, and unblocking the oiler slot and hole, once I had it not sawing in circles it was brilliant.

So...with the National fieldays around the corner, and hopefully some good deals on the day what thoughts do those of you that uses these regularly have, for whats best. Stihl/Husky? Small or large versions? Will most probably use on 5 to 6 year old pines, up to 200 dia, but usually around 100 dia.


TIA

Originally Posted by XR500

So I borrowed a mate's Stihl MSA 220 C to see how it would go pruning and thinning, and I can now see what everyone is talking about regarding these electric saws. Despite needing a solid 40 minutes with the file on the bar and chain, and unblocking the oiler slot and hole, once I had it not sawing in circles it was brilliant.

So...with the National fieldays around the corner, and hopefully some good deals on the day what thoughts do those of you that uses these regularly have, for whats best. Stihl/Husky? Small or large versions? Will most probably use on 5 to 6 year old pines, up to 200 dia, but usually around 100 dia.


TIA

Pick your tool for the job. Battery saw for a few cuts when you just need it done, petrol for a lot of work and match the size and weight of saw to the job. Biggest issue with battery saws is you can never have enough chargers and batteries, and the buggers end up being more hassle and weight and parts for the convenience of not having petrol! For a little job of a few cuts where you won't need three batteries the cordless saws are gold. No petrol and oil loafing, no mixed fuel going stale if you don't use it quickly enough, etc etc. But, the cordless saws use smaller bars and chains which is annoying as you end up with another size of files etc. That's the best thing about petrol, you can run a small bar on the 60cc size saws but 3/8 size chain same as the 70-90cc size range saws. Much less sharpening kit required...

Originally Posted by No.3

Pick your tool for the job. Battery saw for a few cuts when you just need it done, petrol for a lot of work and match the size and weight of saw to the job. Biggest issue with battery saws is you can never have enough chargers and batteries, and the buggers end up being more hassle and weight and parts for the convenience of not having petrol! For a little job of a few cuts where you won't need three batteries the cordless saws are gold. No petrol and oil loafing, no mixed fuel going stale if you don't use it quickly enough, etc etc. But, the cordless saws use smaller bars and chains which is annoying as you end up with another size of files etc. That's the best thing about petrol, you can run a small bar on the 60cc size saws but 3/8 size chain same as the 70-90cc size range saws. Much less sharpening kit required...

Jeez I don't know how I manage to lug around 3 sizes of sharpeners (I use the Sthil ones on everything) much less cope with the mental anguish of inventorying the spare files and chains . . . .

I do run 3 batteries but the only time I've ever gotten to the third battery in the same day was . . . Well never unless I forgot to charge. That's doing rail work, cutting both sides of each post and both ends of 200x75 macro - we do 32 rails a day (I have a special round posts/two square rails style that is popular round here). Tree work is different, but I can fill the 1.6x3.6 cage trailer to its max with one battery on trees like 300mm at the base cherry's etc.

I've been running my Sthil 200 for 5 years now, when I got it the balance of the Husky equivalent was poor, and the Makita worse. I think the latest Husky feels a lot better . . . But I won't run a tool (or rifle haha) that isn't properly balanced and "feels right" in the hand.