Chainsaw advice - what to buy?

We used the Stihl 009 for our firewood up Cape york, wonderful saw. The Huskies tend to be tempermental, but great once going.
The best advice i could give would be to wash the saw down once you've used it to cut anything green, acidic tree sap is a killer on the magnesium and that was the only issue we had. Never lend it to anyone, if they injure themselves, you'll be sleepless for weeks.
As much of a drama as it seems, ALWAYS use your safety gear, full face sheild, muffs and covers. Trust me on this, as i learned the hard way.
They are fun to use, and save alot of manual labour, as you've obviously worked out, but you can't be too cautious with a chainsaw!!!
Enjoy your new toy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 29dinosaur

Stihl or Husky - both excellent.

---

yep

As somebody has already said whatever you buy make sure there is a local repair place that will service it. That way you know they should be able to get parts for it.

The biggest local specialist in Orange has a sign saying they wont work on certain brands (particularly the one's from Bunnings).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andrewpv01

<snip>
The biggest local specialist in Orange has a sign saying they wont work on certain brands (particularly the one's from Bunnings).

---

As the buggers are disposable anyway and you probably can't get parts, or at least parts and labour to make repair viable.
With the brands that make pro saws, everything is available as a spare if needed, although even their cheaper consumer stuff uses cheaper manufacturing techniques like clamshell construction of the crankcase/cylinder rather than a separate barrel and crankcase.

Re: Chainsaw courses..... a lot of places when you buy a saw now offer training with it. I realise not all do but it may be worth looking in to that. So, if you have choice of more then one dealer it may be worth asking if any of them do it.

OK guys - Got the Stihl and it went through the tree that I urgently needed gone like a hot knife through butter.

The saw itself came with a Stihl promotion pack (just got lucky there) - so they gave me a Stihl instructional DVD, a set of Stihl earphones (called Defender BTW!), Stihl gloves and Safety glasses and the full case to put it in. Plus they threw in a chain sharpener and bottles of Stihl 2 stroke oil and chain lube.

They also service it for free after 1 month.

The bloke at the local Stihl dealer gave me the heads up on how to use it - it was very easy to start and tension the chain, which i needed to do as soon as I began to use it - and as I said - it made a big job very easy.

I'll still ( no pun intended) look out for any actual chainsaw coarse - but the handbook and DVD are fairly informative.

Thanks for all the suggestions - and NM - the mulcher is next!

...and then let me know when I can come and pick up some mulch too ;)

Ressurrecting (sp) an old thread here.


I have been offered a Husky 357XP for (i think) a good price. Was bought to replace a stolen Stihl and hardly used as the chap went out and bought a replacement Stihl with insurance money.

Is only 3 years old and casing looks like new. Is asking 1/2 new price and was wondering if it is a good buy. Would i be better lashing out a little more money and getting a new one tho? This one starts fine, runs well and cuts well.

We are moving to a bigger block soon and will need it to cut small trees and also some for firewood.

Hope the brains trust can help

Ta

Chris

If you are being offered it for half price ish, then I would take it.

The US retail on these is $689.

hmmm... i have the instructions and original reciept so know what he paid...... might have to have another chat with him soon.

Chris