Cheap-and-cheerful chainsaw?

OzJavelin · 14-09-2006, 04:18 PM

Anyone bought a small, cheap chainsaw from Bunnings or the like? I'm looking at cutting branches and whatnot (not whole tree trunks) and wondering which makes or models are the good ones and which ones I should avoid?

Gunns · 14-09-2006, 04:31 PM

I got a McColloch one from Bunnings for $200 on special with a 14inch chain bar, and have thrashed it, cutting trees and sleepers. Take it camping, saves taking the firewood with me. Have not had a problem in the 6 months I have had it.

nugget378 · 14-09-2006, 04:33 PM

I have owned stihl and huskqvarna,although bigger models than your looking at,I have found the husky's to be better...

rodderz · 14-09-2006, 04:40 PM

Stihl and Husky I have found most reliable too and most power for their size.... me personally would not touch the el cheapo models for things such as that, in the past I could of saved money and time by buying better stuff

If it's only for a day or so hire a 14" chainsaw for around $160 per day, just check over it 1st some hire tools are well worn

GreenMachine · 14-09-2006, 04:43 PM

I'd buy a 2nd hand 16" Stihl for the price of a new cheapie... Stihl are awesome quality - mine's 15 years old now and still goes hard...

pb02 · 14-09-2006, 04:48 PM

I agree. Get a Stihl or Husky second hand. I use both and would agree with the above comments. My Dad had a Stihl 14" for 20 years and it still runs and works well.

rapidxr6 · 14-09-2006, 05:47 PM

I own 2 stihl chainsaws a 034-14inch bar and a 086-32inch bar

: now whos braggin.. Both were bought second hand, The 034 was only 12 months old when i bought it i have only replaced an air filter, chain brake ring and many chains in the 8 years i've had it. The 084 was an ex-pine fallers work horse, just been fully rebuilt after he traded it in, Was only 18mths old and was serviced by local Stihl dealers every 3 months, paperwork to prove. I've had her for 7 years. Picked it up for $1150 and got a pair of chaps half price. Alo a good deal on setting it up with 404 chain and 32 inch bar since she only had and 25 inch on it when bought. Havn't replaced a thing on it yet! I went in there prepared to buy a brand new BIG chainsaw i was lookin at spending around $2500. Work out nice for me.
At work we have 5 chainsaws on site they are all stihls. Got away from huskies years ago. Sick of sending them to the shop!

crusher · 14-09-2006, 05:51 PM

If your going to buy through Bunning, which I wouldnt for a chainsaw Id go to a proper saws and mower shop as they usually run training days and can give you all the other stuff you need ie cleaning tools and files and whatnot, then make sure you talk to someone who actually seems like they know what there doing or dont talk to anyone at all. lol

Stihl or Husky are probably the way to go. All the new ones have kickback swtiches which are pretty damn important. If you decide to go for a second hand one, which isnt a bad option if its not going to be used heaps or if its still fairly new, then make sure it has a kickback switch. I wouldnt go near one if it didnt. Just a safety thing.

And dont just go for a huge one cos it looks cool and you may chop some large things. We only have a smallish one, cant remember the actual size, but its good enough to chop through some pretty big stuff. If you look after it and service it after you use it and sharpen the chain and so on they perform just as good if not better than the larger ones.

Doctor Sodways · 14-09-2006, 07:48 PM

Whate state are you in?

I got my chainsaw for $10 from bunnos, its not what you know its who you know. lol

rodderz · 14-09-2006, 07:56 PM

The better name saws have better feaures too, particularly in safety, i remember one cheapo brand i used once where the chainbrake hardly even worked, and the chain tension screw was in that bad a place you had to disassemble it to adjust it

Spend a few more hundred and get a better one, as others have said he you look after it, it will last years

jd dad · 14-09-2006, 08:09 PM

Have got a small Homelite that I resurected a while back and its bang for buck is great. Have cut tree limbs, old Power Poles you name it, great little saw. Had an Oleo Mac years ago, wasnt a bad one either

uranium_death · 14-09-2006, 08:57 PM

For cutting branches, also buy a specialised pruning saw. For dense bush a chainsaw will be unable to reach certain areas.

We have a chainsaw but never use it as we find the manual labour from a pruning saw to be far more satisfying. It's also quieter.

OzJavelin · 15-09-2006, 10:39 AM

Thanks for the info gents .. I checked out Bunnings last night and thought that a 40cm, 40cc would be about my limit for capacity to control/hold for extended periods. I'll probably wander off to a specialist store today and see what they say ..

xr8edute · 15-09-2006, 01:03 PM

Go for a Husqy mate or even better go to a Husqy dealer and ask them about a 36cc Poulan Pro. Make sure it is the yellow and black poulan PRO not the green cheapie Poulan. There is a big difference.

They are cheaper than the entry level husqy and are a far better engine. Chain adjuster better. Thats where i'd be spending my coin anyway.

By the way I am a little biased as i am a husqy and poulan pro dealer.

Cheers

DanXR6T · 15-09-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapidxr6

I own 2 stihl chainsaws a 034-14inch bar and a 086-32inch bar

: now whos braggin..

I used to have an 024, 026, 034, 066, 084, and later an 088. The 088 also used to drive a 48" bar on occassion.... Most now sold because I no longer do anything in timber.

Anyway to the original poster - buy a Stihl or Husqvarna, although my experience lends itself towards a Stihl. Don't run them lean, especially an older Husqvarna. And keep them sharp, and take the raker teeth down regularly.

However it depends on what you are intending on cutting. I also have a Honda Brushcutter with a chainsaw circular blade type thing and it will happily rip through limbs up to two inches round.

Also please get some safety lessons if you aren't experienced, too few people realise how dangerous they can be, at least smaller saws won't kick back anywhere near as hard as a large saw.

Dan.

XPcoupe · 15-09-2006, 09:32 PM

I got a $89 special electric chain saw from Bunnings. I have cut down 5 trees and pruned heaps with it. I would say I have got double what it's worth out of it. will buy another if this one dies.

460cixy · 15-09-2006, 09:54 PM

i gotta husky 2100 complete with expansion chamber ported inlet and exaust jetted and bored carb with choke plate removed. build by my father and engeiner from husky for chainsaw raceing. its only downfall is explodeing flywheels from excesive rpm husky or Stihl nothing else compares. personaly i prefere the husky but find the handles are allways too small for your boot when starting but you can live with that