Chainsaw for a newbie

[Tom Wallace]

I'm considering getting a chainsaw to help manage some pieces of wood that are very difficult to split. I've never used a chainsaw in my life. I'm pretty handy, though, and am quite comfortable using a reciprocating saw, circular saw, miter saw, etc.

The immediate task I'd use the saw for is breaking apart some difficult pieces of plum wood. These are often crotch pieces that are 12" thick or more. My maul just bounces off these pieces, can't get a split started to insert a wedge. Can't find a weak spot in them either. Unfortunately the guy who cut this tree down often cut diagonally, which makes it even more difficult to split. A chainsaw would allow me to easily correct those cuts I think, as well as for noodling them to get them into smaller pieces which I could then split with an axe.

What's a good chainsaw for this? I typically split rounds that I have delivered. I don't plan on felling my own trees, as I don't have a vehicle capable of hauling wood and that's not likely to change. I see a lot of people say good things about Stihl, Husqvarna and Echo. But I have no idea what model I need or what bar size I need. My hunch is that I'll need at least an 18" bar for noodling rounds that may be up to 18" tall.

 

[ewdudley]

If it's possible for you to get by only needing to cut a slot to get a wedge started from time to time, then maybe a used electric chainsaw off Craigslist would do the trick. Just learn how to keep one sharp and it would do the job nicely. Not needing a chainsaw at all would be best, from a safety point of view, not that an electric chainsaw is any safer than a gas one. I'm just saying an electric one might be the most economical and easiest to maintain for your purposes.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

A great home owners chainsaw is the echo 18 in at the Home Depot for $299.....

 

[mainemike]

A great home owners chainsaw is the echo 18 in at the Home Depot for $299.....

Also from home depot it the poulin pro 20" for 199. I love mine

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

Noodling requires a really sharp chain and plenty of power. I've been doing a lot of noodling lately of red oak rounds. My saw choices are 50cc and 60cc. 50cc gets 'er done, but 60cc is much more efficient for noodling. My point is noodling is not a typical crosscut like bucking firewood. Usually you're cutting with the grain so the more power the better. If that is going to be the majority of your cutting then this is something to keep in mind.

 

[Tom Wallace]

Thanks for the tips, all. I'm leaning towards the Poulan Pro 50cc 20in model. The 60cc models are all significantly more expensive, and it seems like the 50cc should be adequate for my needs. I'll also need to invest in safety gear before using it. I know I'll need the chaps, helmet with visor and probably ear protection. Do you all also use steel toe boots when using a chain saw?

 

[mainemike]

Thanks for the tips, all. I'm leaning towards the Poulan Pro 50cc 20in model. The 60cc models are all significantly more expensive, and it seems like the 50cc should be adequate for my needs. I'll also need to invest in safety gear before using it. I know I'll need the chaps, helmet with visor and probably ear protection. Do you all also use steel toe boots when using a chain saw?

Good call. Keep it sharp and run the right fuel and it should treat you right

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Idk, I heard from someone, all you do with poulan is keep pullin and pullin...
Get what you want and be happy...

 

[KD0AXS]

If it's just for occasional use, I'm sure the Poulan will be fine. If you're going to be using it a lot, I'd get something better.

If you have a Tractor Supply nearby, you might want to check out the Jonsered 2255 Same saw as a Husky 455 Rancher but it's red. They have it on sale for $349.

http://m.tractorsupply.com/en/store/jonseredreg;-cs-2255-chainsaw-carb-compliant

I'm also in the market for a decent saw for an upgrade from my little 14" Poulan. I'm leaning towards the Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf.

(broken link removed)

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

Before you purchase online or at a big box store, be sure to check out a local dealer or two of the big name saw brands. There's a lot to be said about having strong dealer support. I don't know what I'd do without my local Stihl dealer. Between the fast service, the knowledge he has, the used saws he resells that were traded in, the dead saws he buys and resells for parts or refurb.. I could go on and on but hopefully you get the point.

 

[KD0AXS]

Before you purchase online or at a big box store, be sure to check out a local dealer or two of the big name saw brands. There's a lot to be said about having strong dealer support. I don't know what I'd do without my local Stihl dealer. Between the fast service, the knowledge he has, the used saws he resells that were traded in, the dead saws he buys and resells for parts or refurb.. I could go on and on but hopefully you get the point.

I'd definitely prefer to buy from a dealer. In the case of the Echo I'm looking at, it looks like Home Depot is selling them at MSRP so I can probably get the same price at a dealer anyway.

The only problem I really have with dealers is that they seem to only work bankers hours. I go to work long before they open in the morning, and they're closed by the time I'm done working. Makes it kind of hard to buy from them.

 

[Tom Wallace]

Thanks all, I believe there's a Stihl dealer near my house. I'll check them out.

 

[Tom Wallace]

Thanks again for the tips all. I've settled on the Husqvarna 450E 50cc with 20in bar. I found a good deal on it here: http://www.vminnovations.com/Produc...-20-Inch-Bar-50-2cc-Gas-Powered-Chainsaw.html using a 10% off coupon code they give if you sign up for an email newsletter. Total was $312 with free shipping and no tax. Was tempted to buy it from Amazon since I have Prime, but Amazon charges 9.5% sales tax to Washington residents, which added around $33 in tax. So I save around $65 buying from this other place, but I won't get it until next week.