Chainsaws....

[91stranger]

Nice saw Rusty, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with it and won't regret it. I don't think you did too bad for a new saw at all. Good saws aren't cheap but they are less problematic no matter what everyone else tries saying. If you're like me you want to be able to just grab the saw and get to work and not have to worry about issues. Like I said before I won't even bother taking tools with me whenever I go cut wood because it never needs worked on. The tool-less gas/oil caps are nice too. Never realized how nice they are until you go to open the cap on another saw and realize you need a damn screwdriver or pliers lol. haters.

 

[Grumpaw]

Why don't you guys ditch the small stuff and get something "manly".....

 

[8thTon]

Nice saw Rusty, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with it and won't regret it. I don't think you did too bad for a new saw at all. Good saws aren't cheap but they are less problematic no matter what everyone else tries saying. If you're like me you want to be able to just grab the saw and get to work and not have to worry about issues. Like I said before I won't even bother taking tools with me whenever I go cut wood because it never needs worked on. The tool-less gas/oil caps are nice too. Never realized how nice they are until you go to open the cap on another saw and realize you need a damn screwdriver or pliers lol. haters.

Lol, if you only knew how much abuse Stihl takes for those dammed flippy caps on other forums. Typical German engineering - why use 1 part when 5 will do? Lots of guys have worn a tank of oil down their leg thanks to those!

 

[Shran]

I think ya did fine. I'm a Stihl guy so I obviously approve... sounds like you will use your saw quite a bit more than I use my MS-180 and I was pretty sure I had mine pushed to its limits, I think you did the right thing buying a bigger one. Do they still give you a longer warranty if you buy the Stihl oil with the saw? They did on mine, got an extra year or two I think...not that I needed it but it was nice.

To the Poulan haters - I will say that having rebuilt a couple dozen saws of all brands, I have nothing against them. I feel like air filters are the #1 cause of failure on cheap saws. Stihl, Husky, Echo, etc have good filters... some of the cheapo ones just have a little piece of foam and of course you end up with a scored piston and very little compression and you're pissed. Apart from that they are all very similar! Homeowner saws are ALL built cheap these days.

FWIW my collection includes several Stihls, Husky 372XP, Mini Mac (McCulloch), Poulan Micro XXV, Homelite XL2 w/ 10" bar, and a Craftsman cordless. I like them all...especially the little ones... clearly

 

[Uncle Gump]

@8thTon it doesn't matter what you know or have done with a chainsaw... your crow just isn't going to be black enough. I am grateful you have some knowledge with my saw... I may be asking some questions in the future.

@rusty ol ranger congrats on the new saw... I will be curious to hear your thoughts after you've put some time in with it. There will most likely be a new saw in my future if and when I ever get back to northern Michigan.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well i took it out today...ran just over a tank of fuel through it, cutting enough to put a pretty decent load on my dads 94 S10....heres my impressions...

1- It starts eaiser then any saw....ever. Lock the trigger, full choke, yank 3 times, part choke, fires. Remarkable.

2- Smooth as silk. Ran it about 45 minutes straight and was not feeling a thing. Big difference from the mcculloch.

3- Its got power. But unlike my old mcculloch or even husky i learned quick i couldnt lean on it to cut faster....the little 35cc stihl rips as long as you let the saw do the work, so it is a little slower then the big 50cc's im used to but overall it never felt overburdend in anything big.

So far im very impressed. Gonna go out saturday and cut a shit ton. Im looking forward to it.

 

[91stranger]

From my experience, leaning on saws means your chain is dull. The weight of the saw should be all that is needed to cut through wood. I'd get a full chisel chain since it probably came with a semi-chisel chain.

 

[Shran]

From my experience, leaning on saws means your chain is dull. The weight of the saw should be all that is needed to cut through wood. I'd get a full chisel chain since it probably came with a semi-chisel chain.

Full chisel chains are not necessarily available for every saw nor are they necessary, and for the homeowner/inexperience operator they are not nearly as safe to use since the potential for kickback is much greater. It's a matter of the right tool for the job... no need to use a sledge hammer when you're driving picture hanger nails into sheetrock ya know...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Full chisel chains are not necessarily available for every saw nor are they necessary, and for the homeowner/inexperience operator they are not nearly as safe to use since the potential for kickback is much greater. It's a matter of the right tool for the job... no need to use a sledge hammer when you're driving picture hanger nails into sheetrock ya know...

In my parts computer the note that nobody can see that isn't looking at the computer for full chisel chain is "NOT FOR WEEKENDERS!" so if I am on a parts run or something the book keeper will be less likely to send somebody home with more chain than they are expecting.

 

[sgtsandman]

Why don't you guys ditch the small stuff and get something "manly".....

If I was doing competition or cutting down trees in the Northwest, sure. Most times, the 20” saw I have is enough or more than enough.

 

[Shran]

The Stihl standard low profile, low kickback chain I have on my MS180 is PLENTY for that saw, I think if I had a more aggressive chain I'd be running into issues of an underpowered engine. I have a little more aggressive chain on my Husky 372XP, but that thing is a BRUTE... aftermarket big bore 76cc saw that I intend on using on a sawmill for slabbing logs at some point.

 

[Dirtman]

My brother in law has a pulan from tractor supply and I hate that thing with a passion. Even new it never worked right.

 

[8thTon]

My brother in law has a pulan from tractor supply and I hate that thing with a passion. Even new it never worked right.

When it comes to saws, no matter the brand or model someone has one that hates the damn thing ‘cause it never worked. Usually the reality is it worked pretty well the first and last time they used it 8 years ago, and has been sitting with that fuel in it since.

 

[Dirtman]

This was one of those blister pack saws that hang on the shelf, i used it when it was new. You had to rev it hard before laying into even a tiny peice of wood. Im sure pulan makes good stuff, but the cheapo saws from box stores suck... a year later running nothing but tru-fuel in it and it still bogs down if you tilt it sideways before getting it to full speed or before hitting wood. And in sappy pine it gets gummed up quick and stalls.

Im by no means a good wood cutter but my old crappy homelite that I rarely use will shred compared his pulan.

I don't cut wood at my place, i get it delivered in rounds and split it. My brother in law cuts his wood/trees.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

When it comes to saws, no matter the brand or model someone has one that hates the damn thing ‘cause it never worked. Usually the reality is it worked pretty well the first and last time they used it 8 years ago, and has been sitting with that fuel in it since.

Funny you said that...

I got a sthil FS45 weedwacker that broke the driveshaft (and i think needs a clutch) and it sat for the last 2 years, same gas, etc.

I pulled it out, pumped the primer and 3 pulls it fired right up.