LIDL Electric chainsaw ?

ART6 wrote: »

I'd say any of them would be fine for home use, but a note of caution: Chain saws are very dangerous indeed and people have killed themselves with them when they weren't used to them. If it slips or cuts through the workpiece and hits your leg, you will be minus a leg before you can blink. Professionals wear overalls that have thick padding on the legs that will jam the saw if it hits there, and steel toe capped boots to protect their feet. If you haven't used one before, read the instruction manual and do exactly what it says;)

Thats one of the issues I have with electric saws, due to the way an electric saw works it has huge torque and chainsaw safety pants which stall petrol saws don't work very well on electric saws.
It is unlikely that you will cut your leg off, you are far more likely to cut a hole in yourself and bleed out.
Steel capped boots are a very good idea though.
I think Lidl had chainsaw boots on offer a while back worth checking out.

I bought and returned one today for various reasons, the main one being I value my own safety and hands and after a near amputation of 2 of my fingers I boxed it u and sent it back. The torque is dangerous as with the electric motor it is releases by a trigger button making it jump which is far from smooth. The chain left the running belt 3 times so I had it checked by a friend who works for a local tool hire company.He laughed at me but reset it and gave it a few practice saws but with exactle the same effect.

I followed my intuition and his advice and got rid of the thing asap. I am not LIDL bashing because they do have a great range of products for good value products but "DIY'ERS beware this is not a safe item to buy". As Art6 said please use extreme caution with this product.

Regards
Builditwell

niceirishfella wrote: »

Thanks Builditwell,

Give the electric one a wide birth.
However, when the petrol "florabest" chainsaw comes back into stoack and on offer in Lidl - snap it up.
It's made by Husquevarna and a bargain!
I'll be keep me eye out for one.

It is not made by Husky, it is made in the Italian factory which produces McCulloch and the cheap Husqvarna saws 142 etc.
It is a reasonable saw but not what I would call a bargain.
How do you get parts for it? Mail order?

Nobody seems to have raised an eyebrow at the 14K price tag on the chainsaw in the linky :eek: Typo or is it Ultra special?

niceirishfella wrote: »

CJ - calm down, breath in and out.
I'm saying and stand by what i said "what I was told" - don't shoot the messenger - and regardless of who makes it,its meant ( I'm told,geddit)to be good for the price and I'll take that advice from the person i know in the trade and not a faceless person on an internet forum using a dead politicians name, trying to brow beat me down with a "I know it all and you're wrong styleeeeeeee" End of.;) LOL

Firstly I am calm.... just taking my medication
Secondly good man, go and buy the saw, just don't cut your leg and bleed out.
I couldn't give a monkeys whether you think I am trying to brow beat you or not, what I do care about is accuracy of information.
You have provided nothing but "a mate told me that this saw is a husky"
Anyone else reading this thread that thinks the Florabest is a Husqvarna think again, it ain't orange and it ain't a husky.

Lidl are selling their Florabest petrol chainsaw from Monday, €100.
http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20090831.p.Florabehainsaw
I was going to get a McC for €175 in B&Q but I think I will get this instead. It's got good HP and a longer blade, and costs less.
The chain sharpener is €25.
http://www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20090831.p.Florabeharpener

Any opinions?

For me there is only one brand for a chain saw and thats Stihl. Bought mine about 5 years ago, its a MS 180 I use it every year for getting in my winter wood supply. Its starts everytime even if its been lying idle for say 3 months. I use the Stihl file set to keep the chain sharp. Maintainence is easy an basic and if I really have a problem I can go back to the dealer and his workshop to sort it.

I was so happy with Stihl I bought the petrol domestic strimmer plus they're electric hedge trimmer. :):)

CJhaughey wrote: »

I wouldn't get one of those electric sharpeners they will reduce the lifetime of your chain considerably, learn to file and you won't look back.

Good post CJ re the sharpening this a good video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qhwQy8jTHg&feature=related

I think I paid €225 4 years ago here in Belgium and its paid me back many times, very handy kit.

Cutting down trees takes a bit of thinking especially if you're close to electric wires and/or houses but thats another story.

All I can say I'm very happy with my MS 180.:):):)

Gautama wrote: »

After doing a bit of research I've decided that "you pay for quality"! In that case I may give Florabest a skip.

Also, I did some googling and there are a number of posts where people have had trouble finding Florabest parts.

I have an electric McCullock that I haven't used that much and it's given me no problems. However, I need a petrol one so I may buy a Husquvarna or a Stihl.

Where's the best place (in the Dublin area) to buy one? If memory serves I can't recall seeing one in Homebase or B&Q. Am I better off going to Atlantic or Woodies, or a Builders Providers like Brooks?

I look at it like this, you probably need a 30-40cc saw for small work nothing bigger than 16" dia. Can you sharpen and maintain your own saw? clean the Airfilter? If you can then buy from Ebay. If you aren't sure and need to be walked through the process, find a good local dealer either Stihl or Husky.
There are a few good dealers around but also a lot of them are just interested in getting money out of your wallet and into theirs.
I wouldn't buy from those big stores they will be not much cheaper than a dealer and give as much backup as an Ebay seller.

Stihl look at MS181-211
Husky 435-440 not the 235 series.

They are much cheaper in the UK.