Best and worst chainsaw?

[ultrarunner]

I’ve seen several 2-stroke ruined with straight gasoline as well as a 10 hour new Kubota straight gassed…

Now my brother thought he lost his engine in his 68 Mustang but turns out he yanked with diesel and no damage done.

 

[John_Mc]

Think I mentioned that I work part time at a Kubota dealer who also sells Echo's and you'd be amazed the number of saws that come in for warranty and the owners straight gassed them. Echo nor Stihl nor anyone else warrants stupidity.

In my case, the stupidity was lending my brush cutter out to someone while we were involved in a group work day clearing trails and a landing. I showed him my can of fuel and instructed him that he was not to refuel from ANY can other than that, regardless of what anyone else told him about the fuel they brought.

Of course, he refueled it from the can someone brought for their log splitter. It actually ran through most of that tank of straight gas, though he mentioned it seems to not have much power toward the end.

 

[Oaktree]

I work part time at a Kubota dealer who also sells Echo's and you'd be amazed the number of saws that come in for warranty and the owners straight gassed them. Echo nor Stihl nor anyone else warrants stupidity. First thing you do with any saw that comes in for repairs, warranty or otherwise is drain the fuel tank and see what is in it. The public generally flogs saws.

I had to bring mine in for a warranty repair only a couple months after I bought it. Dealer told me that some saws had the wrong size jets making them run really lean, and mine was one of them. He also recommended I use 40:1 mix instead of the recommended 50:1. No problems since.

 

[OzarkChris]

On the topic of sharpening...
I used to take my chains to a local place to be sharpened.

I do have to ask how much you actually use your saw after this statement.

When I was about 5 - 10 years younger (before I was retired), when I went out to cut wood I would take 4 freshly sharpened chains with me (that I had sharpened the evening/night before) so I could get back to work quicker than if I had to stop & sharpen. Over a period of a week, that would be 24 chains I had sharpened - that if I didn't sharpen them, would really eat into my profit margin and have me buying many more chains so I could send them out.

Please don't take me wrong, I am NOT saying sending chains out to be sharpened is a bad thing - God knows, I still get quite a few to supplement my retirement! What I am trying to convey however, is that it might be better to sit down with someone and let them show you how easy it is to sharpen your own chains - most folks will do it for a good meal. Files are cheap, and even for beginners it shouldn't take more than 15 - 20 mins to sharpen anything that has less than a 30 inch bar/chain. Plus, as you stated, using a power grinder/sharpener can cause loss of temper if you (or your sharpener) aren't sharpening correctly with that piece of powered equipment!

Just my curiosity raising up again!

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[Paul_M]

I believe it’s the other way around: the echo is rebranded Shindaiwa

 

[arrow]

I believe it’s the other way around: the echo is rebranded Shindaiwa

Echo ( Kioritz corp) bought Shindaiwa. They are now called Yamabiko corp.
Everything they make looks like one another including their back pack blowers, hedge and string trimmers, brush cutters, etc. . I’ve set up a ton of these and there is no difference with the exception of the name tag.

 

[arrow]

What is a stratifed motor?

Also, has anyone converted a 262XP without a decompression valve to one that has the valve? Mine can be a horror to start, with very painful snap back if you aren't careful. I switched to one of the Stihl Elastostart handles which helps a lot. Mine is circa 1990 before the decompression valve, and I think I'd have to replace the whole jug to convert.

First. A stratified engine is an engine that uses two fuel richness mixtures. At first, a dense fuel charge is utilized near the spark plug to help ignite a more lean mixture in the rest of the chamber. This charge is sort of layered and thus called stratified.
Secondly, never did a 262 but did decompress a 55 which is another high compression engine.
As long as you have a boss on the right side of your engine, it’s a matter of placing the piston at its bottom point and then drilling into this boss with a tap to insert the decompression valve. After tapping this hole, you need to drill through it. Use about a 1/8” hole to access the combustion chamber. Blow any findings out through the spark plug hole. You then screw in the valve and you should be good to go.
Have forgotten the tap size but go by the threads on the valve itself. It’s a very easy job if you have the boss.

 

[arrow]

I’ve seen several 2-stroke ruined with straight gasoline as well as a 10 hour new Kubota straight gassed…

Now my brother thought he lost his engine in his 68 Mustang but turns out he yanked with diesel and no damage done.

I had one of those. It was a 428 Cobra Jet that l put 102 octane in when Sunoco sold this at the pump.
Wondering how diesel got in there unless all the pump handles were green.

 

[arrow]

I do have to ask how much you actually use your saw after this statement.

When I was about 5 - 10 years younger (before I was retired), when I went out to cut wood I would take 4 freshly sharpened chains with me (that I had sharpened the evening/night before) so I could get back to work quicker than if I had to stop & sharpen. Over a period of a week, that would be 24 chains I had sharpened - that if I didn't sharpen them, would really eat into my profit margin and have me buying many more chains so I could send them out.

Please don't take me wrong, I am NOT saying sending chains out to be sharpened is a bad thing - God knows, I still get quite a few to supplement my retirement! What I am trying to convey however, is that it might be better to sit down with someone and let them show you how easy it is to sharpen your own chains - most folks will do it for a good meal. Files are cheap, and even for beginners it shouldn't take more than 15 - 20 mins to sharpen anything that has less than a 30 inch bar/chain. Plus, as you stated, using a power grinder/sharpener can cause loss of temper if you (or your sharpener) aren't sharpening correctly with that piece of powered equipment!

Just my curiosity raising up again!

Most of the cheap grinders spin too fast at around 3600 rpm. The ones we have at the shop spin at 1800. You can thwart the heat somewhat with a grind wheel crayon.
We now use the $26,000 Franzen chain grinder which is totally automatic. We get $12 to sharpen chains.

 

[Quaffer]

This electric saw does a good job. I have not yet used it long term, but has been very handy around the sawbuck ...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-56-volt-20-in-Brushless-Battery-6-Ah-Chainsaw-Battery-and-Charger-Included/5014702033

 

[lman]

I found this saw in my Dad's barn after he died. I remember when he used it, I was just a kid. It seems like the thing weighs about 25 lbs. I think it was made in the 50's. I haven't seen it run in about 50 years but it seemed like the chain ran slower than the saws I use.

 

[arrow]

This electric saw does a good job. I have not yet used it long term, but has been very handy around the sawbuck ...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-56-volt-20-in-Brushless-Battery-6-Ah-Chainsaw-Battery-and-Charger-Included/5014702033

I love the Ego stuff. Same battery for everything.
I use their most powerful hand held blower which is equivalent to my B-59 Stihl gas type.
I have their push behind mower as well. Does 7 tenths of an acre on one charge.

 

[JeepHead]

For real work, I hate any sort of battery powered outdoor tools. I invested in a Milwaukee chainsaw years ago and regretted it. It sits and never gets used because if I need a quick and light saw that gets the job done, I grab the 2511T. I then stupidly bought the largest Ego leaf blower last summer and again, instantly regretted it. It's good for blowing out the garage or clippings off the sidewalk but that's about the extent of it. I have learned my lesson on battery powered outdoor tools. I won't be buying another....

 

[ultrarunner]

For real work, I hate any sort of battery powered outdoor tools. I invested in a Milwaukee chainsaw years ago and regretted it. It sits and never gets used because if I need a quick and light saw that gets the job done, I grab the 2511T. I then stupidly bought the largest Ego leaf blower last summer and again, instantly regretted it. It's good for blowing out the garage or clippings off the sidewalk but that's about the extent of it. I have learned my lesson on battery powered outdoor tools. I won't be buying another....

A good size oak dropped across the drive and I had my Stihl AP saw and was amazed I was able to clear the drive even being the 16" bar required 2 cuts for the 24 inch part.

The pole saw is also great for clean up as the blower... all AP and no complaints other than the initial outlay...

Plus I can legally operate in my jurisdiction...

 

[walhondingMF]

I do have to ask how much you actually use your saw after this statement.

When I was about 5 - 10 years younger (before I was retired), when I went out to cut wood I would take 4 freshly sharpened chains with me (that I had sharpened the evening/night before) so I could get back to work quicker than if I had to stop & sharpen. Over a period of a week, that would be 24 chains I had sharpened - that if I didn't sharpen them, would really eat into my profit margin and have me buying many more chains so I could send them out.

Please don't take me wrong, I am NOT saying sending chains out to be sharpened is a bad thing - God knows, I still get quite a few to supplement my retirement! What I am trying to convey however, is that it might be better to sit down with someone and let them show you how easy it is to sharpen your own chains - most folks will do it for a good meal. Files are cheap, and even for beginners it shouldn't take more than 15 - 20 mins to sharpen anything that has less than a 30 inch bar/chain. Plus, as you stated, using a power grinder/sharpener can cause loss of temper if you (or your sharpener) aren't sharpening correctly with that piece of powered equipment!

Just my curiosity raising up again!

I only cut firewood (need about 4 cords a season for myself) and trade some for work at times. My usage can be heavy for a period of time and then be a month or so until I touch the 562 again. My ms 170 gets used quit a bit because its so convenient or if I am processing wood in the shed.
The cost of sharpening did drive me to learn how to sharpen myself. I have a few of the devices (granberg sharpener and the 2 in 1). I've been "teaching" myself, along with some help from youtube, and I don't think I am bad at free handing.
I agree with you that, if you just put a little time in it at first, sharpening your own chains is very efficient. Just watch a few Buckin Billy Ray videos and you"ll pick up on it quick.

 

[JeepHead]

A good size oak dropped across the drive and I had my Stihl AP saw and was amazed I was able to clear the drive even being the 16" bar required 2 cuts for the 24 inch part.

The pole saw is also great for clean up as the blower... all AP and no complaints other than the initial outlay...

Plus I can legally operate in my jurisdiction...

I could see a battery operated pole saw being useful only because you aren't cutting much. It's typically just a quick cut or maybe a few and you're done.

 

[arrow]

For real work, I hate any sort of battery powered outdoor tools. I invested in a Milwaukee chainsaw years ago and regretted it. It sits and never gets used because if I need a quick and light saw that gets the job done, I grab the 2511T. I then stupidly bought the largest Ego leaf blower last summer and again, instantly regretted it. It's good for blowing out the garage or clippings off the sidewalk but that's about the extent of it. I have learned my lesson on battery powered outdoor tools. I won't be buying another....

Blew out my entire yard with my Ego blower.
The 765 cfm one.

 

[ultrarunner]

I could see a battery operated pole saw being useful only because you aren't cutting much. It's typically just a quick cut or maybe a few and you're done.

Yep... quick limbing up to get my annual fire clearance.

I have 3 gas saws... top handle Echo which is great and 2 MS with 18"

One reason for my battery move besides the ban on some gas equipment is not being able to purchase pure gas at the pumps.