Can anyone recommend a cheap GAS chainsaw?

[ManBearPig]

So let's say I go cheap at $200, what would you recommend then? Or if I spend that much, should I just spend less at like $100-150?

Thanks, looking forward to felling some of these shitty trees. Which I'll take pictures of so you can are what im talking about, they're small by many standards but not tiny.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

You can get a new entry level 14" Stihl MS 170 for around $180

http://www.stihldealer.net/productd...9_b5bbb1b6eee1-cmp-DEF-vcd-_nedrareeya4a.aspx

 

[ManBearPig]

Okie dokie, here are pics of the trees. The first one is small, the others appear larger than i thought.

Is there any recommendation for blade size? The bases arent that big.

 

[sdifox]

number 2 is a big tree...and I don't think you have any tree cutting experience.

 

[Texashiker]

.and I don't think you have any tree cutting experience.

He just needs to be able to run really fast

 

[ManBearPig]

Haha, nah my brother's gonna do it, fuck that! I just want a nice chainsaw so we can keep it around.

 

[Bryophyte]

Two of those 'trees' are just shrubs. I only see one picture that possibly warrants use of a chainsaw.

 

[ManBearPig]

Should i get this Stihl? My parents said that's alright. My brother (and apparently bryophyte) say 14" is plenty. Would that cut those trees? Would you recommend anything over it in that price range?

Two of those 'trees' are just shrubs. I only see one picture that possibly warrants use of a chainsaw.

I knew these trees wouldnt be considered trees to a lot of people, heh.

 

[ManBearPig]

night crowd bump

 

[BoomerD]

Should i get this Stihl? My parents said that's alright. My brother (and apparently bryophyte) say 14" is plenty. Would that cut those trees? Would you recommend anything over it in that price range?


I knew these trees wouldnt be considered trees to a lot of people, heh.

A 14 inch bar should be PLENTY for what you have to deal with. If you buy the Stihl from a real saw shop, (like in your link) be sure to ask them to teach you how to operate and maintain it properly.
I don't really want to read a "I cut my arm off with my new chainsaw. Should I put a band-aid on it until I can see my doctor, or should I go to the emergency room?" thread...
They're not all that complicated to operate...but, like most power tools, there are definite "dos and don'ts," and ignoring many of those can be dangerous to you...and bad for the chainsaw.
Ask them about chain tension, bar & sprocket oil and grease, (looks like that one is an automatic oiler) keeping the chain tension is important...and as you cut, the bar and chain warm up...and the chain will stretch...and loosen up. If you don't already know, ask them about mixing the gas for the engine.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Picture #2 is a large tree. Fell it wisely.

 

[Texashiker]

Should i get this Stihl? My parents said that's alright.

Its a Stihl, of course its going to be alright. My Stihl has an 18 inch bar, and its a workhorse.

If the blade is a little short, finish the tree up with an axe.

One thing though OP, is this your first tree? If so, I recommend you get a friend over to help you out. Felling a tree is nothing to play with.

One guy I used to work with, he and his brother-in-law were cutting some trees down. The brother-in-law turned his back to do something just as the tree started to fall. The tree landed right on top of him. From what I was told, the guys head was driven between his feet - he died instantly.

 

[ManBearPig]

Thanks for the advice guys. While I'll probably use it sometime, my brother who has experience with chainsaws is going to use it for those trees. I was just tasked with buying the saw (my brother actually recommended a stihl in the first place lol). Definitely want to keep my head.

Interesting you mention chain tension though boomer--the newer version of that saw has something called Quick chain adjustment that this one doesn't have for like $20 more. I'll ask the shop about all that stuff you told me about too, thanks.

 

[BoomerD]

Your brother? WTF? If YOU buy a chainsaw....YOU gotta use it. It's in the book of Man Rules.

 

[ManBearPig]

Your brother? WTF? If YOU buy a chainsaw....YOU gotta use it. It's in the book of Man Rules.

Well I got shit for my small man cave and was told I wasn't a man lol. Damnit, guess I'll have to cut some shit up then.

 

[BoomerD]

Well I got shit for my small man cave and was told I wasn't a man lol. Damnit, guess I'll have to cut some shit up then.

A small man-cave is still a man-cave...unless you let a woman design it...

 

[ManBearPig]

Looks like I'll have to delay my purchase for a little while since I had to buy some other stuff that failed unexpectedly...fuck.

 

[BoomerD]

I hate it when the otter stuff fails...what are the otters supposed to do without their stuff?

Shit happens, life goes on. (hopefully)

Your trees will be there waiting for you...

 

[MovingTarget]

Depending on where you live, a good chainsaw can be a invaluable investment.

We've got a Stihl Farm Boss that's been a tank.

Damn straight. Hurricane season is upon us! :thumbsup:

 

[sdifox]

redneck solution. tap a hole and stick quarter stick of dynamite in it.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Rent one, rent one, rent one.
If you just gotta have one to man up your tool shed, buy one at a pawn shop.

 

[ManBearPig]

I hate it when the otter stuff fails...what are the otters supposed to do without their stuff?

Shit happens, life goes on. (hopefully)

Your trees will be there waiting for you...

Whoa buddy, now no one knows what you're talking about.

Also, im not renting one since my dad doesn't wanna rent one. I'm thinking either the stihl ms170 or ms180. The 180 has easy start, but I'm not sure how useful that is and I think it's an add on so it'll be more expensive than stock.

 

[Howard]

How many trees? You know anybody that'll do it for you?

And if you do do it yourself, please take EVERY safety precaution.

 

[BUTCH1]

I'm serious, get a cheap electric, they'll handle a few shitty trees and none of the mess with a gas chainsaw.

That's what I got, a craftsman electric, fine for smaller trees and trimming..

 

[BUTCH1]

Damn straight. Hurricane season is upon us! :thumbsup:

Funny in 2004 news stations were telling people "chainsaws are dangerous, now is not the time to use one"...right, I had the tops of 2 pine trees sitting in my backyard WTF would anyone do, cut 'em up by hand? LOL..