Chain Saw Chat

19-01-2020 10:16pm

A rock, a hole and a hard place I reckon. Don't like any of those options really. Take no offence but I'll say what I'm thinking.

If you're cutting old decking and floorboards, I wouldn't be using a chainsaw at all if there's a chance you're going to be running into nails or broken off screw heads, old electrical clips and whatnot. And there is, absolutely, more a likelihood in fact.

If you're planning on using old deck boards for floorboards for firewood, that's not a great idea either depending on what soft of fireplace/stove and what they were treated with. Some right nasty stuff gone into those sorts of boards over the years. But you'll know yourself if that's a risk or not I suppose.

I think I'd get rid of the boards and go buy some firewood ready to split and stack with the money instead, if that's what you need. Better way to spend time and money IMHO. And if you're asking about those saws, and forgive me if I'm wrong, I'd guess you don't have the fairly sensible safety gear to go with a chainsaw. If so then it's all a bit of a bad idea. You'll end up with a pain in the arse with all of it, a saw you won't get a lot for if you decide you've had enough, a few wasted days and wrecked chains or worst case an injury. All for a bit of ****e firewood.

Live up to your name and don't be at it. There's better ways to get rid of some old boards and to get a bit of firewood going.

GY A1 · 19-01-2020 10:55pm

A chop saw be safer for that sort stuff

Dont Be at It wrote: »

Hi all, following on from previous discussion on a saw for ~€250. Have a shed full of old floorboards and decking etc for cutting up.
On the Stihl/Husqvarna front there seems to be 3 options at that price level.
Stihl MS 170 - €230
Stihl MS 180 - €250
Husqvarna 135 - €250.

The 2 x Stihls have a chain gauge of 0.043", which I've read (on this forum and elsewhere) can be a little on the light side.
The Husqvarna is 0.050", which is obviously better but still not the 0.063" you get on bigger saws. Also the Husqvarna has a bit more power in it.
What are folks opinions on the above options?
Cheers,

SmartinMartin · 20-01-2020 12:00am

I use a chop saw for boards and stuff, mounted on a stack of pallets. Far safer hitting a nail with a clamped in blade than with a chain saw.

Dont Be at It · 22-01-2020 9:25pm

Thanks for the feedback, guys.
The issue with the nails had crossed my mind alright. Plan was to mark the timber before cutting it (tedious, I know).
Fair point re getting rid of it and buying firewood with the chainsaw money, but there's probably 2 skip's worth which would cost 5 or 6 hundred.
Chop saw could be the way to go so..thought it'd be too much for one... Also, liked the idea of having a saw around the place for odd jobs, etc but maybe that's fanciful thinking.

SCOL · 23-01-2020 11:20am

Chain saw is probably the quickest option, I cut up pallets for my stove with the Sthil 250 handy and light, I hit an odd nail with
off cut but I can sharpen the blade.

Cheap handy and quick.

stock> · 23-01-2020 8:13pm

SCOL wrote: »

Chain saw is probably the quickest option, I cut up pallets for my stove with the Sthil 250 handy and light, I hit an odd nail with
off cut but I can sharpen the blade.

Cheap handy and quick.

If it has a blade it not a chainsaw................................chainsaws use a chain to cut that runs on a guide bar..................................................................

SmartinMartin · 23-01-2020 11:30pm

I beg to differ. The chain contains loads of little blades which can certainly be sharpened.

stock> · 23-01-2020 11:59pm

SmartinMartin wrote: »

I beg to differ. The chain contains loads of little blades which can certainly be sharpened.

referred to as cutters not blades.....................................

SmartinMartin · 24-01-2020 1:04am

They're referred to as teeth. They are indeed blades.

SCOL · 24-01-2020 10:51am

SCOL wrote: »

Chain saw is probably the quickest option, I cut up pallets for my stove with the Sthil 250 handy and light, I hit an odd nail with
off cut but I can sharpen the blade.

Cheap handy and quick.

Sorry lads, I should have said "sharpen my chain" you probably need to replace
the blade on the saw.

Beaubeau · 25-01-2020 1:14am

Hi

Looking at a used stihl ms 341 are they any good
Just gonna be used for firewood

bassy · 25-01-2020 6:58pm

hi all just bought a wee little stihl 181 chainsaw,anyone on here have one and so what do you think of it?.

Thepillowman · 25-01-2020 8:20pm

Beaubeau wrote: »

Hi

Looking at a used stihl ms 341 are they any good
Just gonna be used for firewood

Should be fine have used a ms361 a few times great saw think they are much the same.

Thepillowman · 25-01-2020 8:22pm

bassy wrote: »

hi all just bought a wee little stihl 181 chainsaw,anyone on here have one and so what do you think of it?.

Should be ok for small jobs have a 180 that I got for free very handy for fencing.

bassy · 28-01-2020 12:08am

wheres the best place for value to buy chain oil ?.

Nekarsulm · 28-01-2020 2:25pm

bassy wrote: »

wheres the best place for value to buy chain oil ?.

Local place, Clarkes of Cavan, have it for sale at €15 a gallon, or two for €20.
Probably not get it much cheaper than that?

bassy · 28-01-2020 3:03pm

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Local place, Clarkes of Cavan, have it for sale at €15 a gallon, or two for €20.
Probably not get it much cheaper than that?

I live in kilkenny,so cavan no good to me lol

Sami23 · 28-01-2020 3:05pm

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Local place, Clarkes of Cavan, have it for sale at €15 a gallon, or two for €20.
Probably not get it much cheaper than that?

Any good value website it could be got at that price I wonder ?

bassy · 28-01-2020 6:39pm

Glanbia Co op 5 litres oil for €16.95

Thepillowman · 28-01-2020 9:12pm

Any good motor factors should have it, last time I bought it think it was around 49 euros for 20 litres.

bassy · 28-01-2020 9:13pm

guys is 100ml 2 stroke enough for 5 litres petrol.

Melodeon · 28-01-2020 9:35pm

bassy wrote: »

guys is 100ml 2 stroke enough for 5 litres petrol.

That's 50:1, which is the standard mix for pretty much everything these days.

blackbox · 28-01-2020 10:12pm

Melodeon wrote: »

That's 50:1, which is the standard mix for pretty much everything these days.

Older machines commonly require 25:1. i.e. 100ml in 2.5 litres. It's usually embossed on the filler cap.

bassy · 28-01-2020 10:18pm

ive just bought a stihl 181 so I think the 50:1 ratio is ok with the 181?.

Genghis Cant · 29-01-2020 12:07am

Sami23 wrote: »

Any good value website it could be got at that price I wonder ?

I got bar oil from Donegans in Bailebourogh in Cavan.
http://www.donegan.ie/product_info.php?cPath=64_311&products_id=2223

5l for €12. I've got it online off them , excellent service, and I've also collected it off them when passing, if I'm up that country.

hempel · 02-02-2020 1:32pm

Any1 have a battery dewalt chainsaw thinking of buying 1 as spare saw have dewalt tools so can swap the batteries.

niallam · 04-02-2020 8:54pm

hempel wrote: »

Any1 have a battery dewalt chainsaw thinking of buying 1 as spare saw have dewalt tools so can swap the batteries.

Plenty of YouTube reviews.
A few great reviews on the Husky battery saws by some climbers I have followed for years on IG

243bigbang · 08-03-2020 8:55am

Hi all. I bought a husqvarna 254xp with intention of fixing it if needed. I'm new enough to fixing saws so I brought it to a shop to find out what was wrong as I tried getting it going and failed. Was told the bottom end needs attention and the piston is slightly worn aswell. My question is does the crankshaft need replacing aswell as the bearings? If the crankshaft needs replacing where would you get one. Couldnt find one anywhere online. If you grab the clutch and wiggle it slightly you can see piston moving up and down which I was told shouldn't happen.? Does this mean crank is gone or would all the bearings need replacing.

Thepillowman · 08-03-2020 9:03am

243bigbang wrote: »

Hi all. I bought a husqvarna 254xp with intention of fixing it if needed. I'm new enough to fixing saws so I brought it to a shop to find out what was wrong as I tried getting it going and failed. Was told the bottom end needs attention and the piston is slightly worn aswell. My question is does the crankshaft need replacing aswell as the bearings? If the crankshaft needs replacing where would you get one. Couldnt find one anywhere online. If you grab the clutch and wiggle it slightly you can see piston moving up and down which I was told shouldn't happen.? Does this mean crank is gone or would all the bearings need replacing.

Hard to answer that without going in deeper if bearings haven't spun on crankshaft it should be ok. Also outer race might be loose in the crankcase or might just be play in the bearings. If you move clutch sideways from front to back of saw is there much movement.

243bigbang · 08-03-2020 9:21am

Thepillowman wrote: »

Hard to answer that without going in deeper if bearings haven't spun on crankshaft it should be ok. Also outer race might be loose in the crankcase or might just be play in the bearings. If you move clutch sideways from front to back of saw is there much movement.

Yes if you move the clutch forward to backwards there is play. That's what the shop told me was the problem. They said there shouldn't be.

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