economy chainsaw

EddieWalker · Feb 16, 2007

deerefan said:
My only problem is the two bolts that hold the bar tight are stripped

Can you just rethread the bolts to another size?

AlanB · Feb 16, 2007

I have one of the 14 Poulan's, have been real happy with it. I let it sit last year with fuel in it (something I try not to do) and it is gummed at the moment sitting quietly while waiting on me to fix it. (it is probably 10 years old and has been abused by the way)

While I was in Lowes one day, sitting out front they had a lot of "repaired" equipment. I got a Husky Rancher just out of the repair shop for $75. It is much nicer then the Poulan, and has kind of taken some of my urgency out of fixing the Poulan.

I do like the 16 better then the 14, but the 14 did everything I needed. (also the husky 16 has a lot more motor which is probably biasing my decision)

SPYDERLK · Feb 16, 2007

AlanB said:
I have one of the 14 Poulan's, have been real happy with it. I let it sit last year with fuel in it (something I try not to do) and it is gummed at the moment sitting quietly while waiting on me to fix it. (it is probably 10 years old and has been abused by the way)

While I was in Lowes one day, sitting out front they had a lot of "repaired" equipment. I got a Husky Rancher just out of the repair shop for $75. It is much nicer then the Poulan, and has kind of taken some of my urgency out of fixing the Poulan.

I do like the 16 better then the 14, but the 14 did everything I needed. (also the husky 16 has a lot more motor which is probably biasing my decision)

Many are recommending Poulan and I am tempted. I have their pole saw and its good. A major inhibiter to me going toward more of them tho is the repeated reference in this thread to them and other saws gumming up. I have several Homelites- XL2, Super2, and a 330. The youngest is 15Yrs. They are usually ridden hard and put away wet - mostly with fuel in them. None of them have ever failed to start. Even after sitting for, in acouple cases, years.

Are youalls saws really that temperamental??!
larry

SnoFalls · Feb 16, 2007

I'll add in here ...

My "economy" is a Poulan "wild thing". Never have a problem starting never gummed up. About 8 years old now and still runs good.

Thing I like about the Poulan is around here there are many of them out there, so I see them in garage sales craigslist all the time and can get "parts". For $5 I got one that doesn't run (I only got it for the chain and spare bar). Another at $20 was a runner and chain (they managed to bend the bar) ...

My other saw tho is a Stihl 044

SELKIRK · Feb 16, 2007

One of my friends that runs lawn crews only buys the cheapo's due to the fact that they all get stolen within a year or two. But the first thing he does is get a good chain (stihl,etc) for them. He says they cut 100% better that way.

Jstpssng · Feb 16, 2007

SPYDERLK said:
Many are recommending Poulan and I am tempted. I have their pole saw and its good. A major inhibiter to me going toward more of them tho is the repeated reference in this thread to them and other saws gumming up. I have several Homelites- XL2, Super2, and a 330. The youngest is 15Yrs. They are usually ridden hard and put away wet - mostly with fuel in them. None of them have ever failed to start. Even after sitting for, in acouple cases, years.

Are youalls saws really that temperamental??!
larry

The age is why your saws aren't as temperamental. To accomodate environmental issues, carburetors on newer small engines don't tolerate old gas as well as they used to.

Turbys_1700 · Feb 17, 2007

stumpfield said:
I know the topic is economy chainsaw. You might want to look for a used stihl or husky. They are about the same price as a brand new economy saw in the same size. I got them for about half the price as a new one. The used stihl/husky will out perform and out last a new economy saw. Just a sugguestion.

Soundguy,
I was gonna suggest the same thing and Stumpfiled beat me to it. You may have a pawn shop close buy and you may be able to get a slightly used heavier duty unit for the same price as a lighter duty one. I bought my Lincoln buzz box that way. Paid $125 for it as it had hardly been used. I've had it for over 5 years now and nothing but great results.

turnkey4099 · Feb 17, 2007

deerefan said:
Soundguy, we are in a similar boat. I have a McCulloch 3516 that is great. <snip> and it is getting difficult to find chains for it b/c McCulloch is no longer made. <snip>

I have seen that in other places. Chains for chain saws are not brand specific, i.e., a Stihl chain will fit a Mac, or any other brand as long as the guage is correct. Just go to any place that makes chains to order and they will make you one or buy from the net. Even my local Ace store now makes chains. They only need the gauge and driver count plus the type (brand/cutter design) of chain you prefer.

Harry K

Soundguy · Feb 18, 2007

I'm trying to do away with a tether. if I use an inverter, I'm stuck with still toting 100' of power cord thru the woods.. or a smaller cord and then toting a battery and inverter around.. neither of which I'm looking forward to.. thus.. the gas chain say. besides.. for the price of a good 1k or 2k inverter.. I can pretty much buy the economy chainsaw.. etc.

Soundguy

SPYDERLK said:
Quote from Soundguy: I've been making do just fine for over 10ys with an electric job.. still runs great...

So you dont want to use an inverter?
Larry

Soundguy · Feb 18, 2007

Since I've owned a brigs engine.. i learned that rule #1. A brigs carb will gum up if you look at it wrong.. etc.

I've got some other gas powerd tools.. like a weedeater featherlite.. I've been doing good taking care of them.. I don't see the economy saw as being much different. Just keep it shard, bar oil filled and the gas mix correct and stabilized for added safety..

Soundguy

turnkey4099 said:
Very sensible viewpoint. From your description of useage, any of the big box stores saws should do you just fine. I would go with Poulan but that is just a case of brand recognition. I use professional saws for making wood and have been doing so for 30 years. Yes, the cheap saws should be looked at as throwaways - not worth fixin for any serious problems.

The big problem with your described use is the care and that applies to the expensive saws as well as the cheap ones.

Rule number 1 - Unless you will be using it in a few days (say up to a week or two) NEVER put it away with fuel in it. That is asking for the carb to to get gummed up. Dump the fuel and then run until it quits.

Rule number 2 - go with rule number 1.

Harry K

Soundguy · Feb 18, 2007

For the extreme limited duty I plan.. I really really doubt it will die in a few years.

My time? it's worth plenty.. but then.. I like maintenance.. That's why i own 11 tractors that need to be touched an babied every now and then to run ( all antiques but 1 )

Soundguy

hazmat said:
Do you really want to replace it after a couple year's use?

Whatever you choose, make sure it has an inertial chain brake (not just the paddle operated one). It will trigger the brake in a kickback situation (in theory anyway).

You mention giving it "good maintanance" - what's your time worth? For $80 difference, just gas and go.

I'll probably get blasted for spending someone elses money, but I'm just trying to save him potential pain later...

mudcat · Feb 18, 2007

I've had a poulan wood shark for 8 years with no problems.

SPYDERLK · Feb 18, 2007

Soundguy said:
I'm trying to do away with a tether. if I use an inverter, I'm stuck with still toting 100' of power cord thru the woods.. or a smaller cord and then toting a battery and inverter around.. neither of which I'm looking forward to.. thus.. the gas chain say. besides.. for the price of a good 1k or 2k inverter.. I can pretty much buy the economy chainsaw.. etc.

Soundguy

Understood. We only use 25' typically, and drive tractor close to work. But its still a tether. From what Im hearing on this thread about what people go thru to keep their saws running, for gas, I will probably be sticking with my old Homelites. In 30yrs of three saws, all of which still strart and run fine, I have had to do no maintenance other than bar,chain, sprocket changes - and occassional adjustment of mixture screws. Maybe the new ones are bad, but the old ones dont mess with you.
larry

Soundguy · Feb 18, 2007

I went to TSC today to brows and see what pres/ day sale tuned up. Found they sold the poulan wild thing with 18" bar for the same price as the 16" bar.. so, I got the P- wt, 40cc eng and 18" bar.. came with a case.

Picke dup a gallon of bar oil, and a pack of oil mix, and it's very own 1g gas can to mix the fuel. Also grabbed a new blade file and , most importantly, a set of husqavarna chainsaw chaps...

Soundguy

shvl73 · Feb 19, 2007

I have the 18" one as well. It seems to work well and for the last three years has always started well, even with old gas. As long as I keep the chain sharp, it cuts well. I just touch it up with a file.
For your use, I think you'll be happy with it.

the_sandman_454 · Feb 19, 2007

A friend of mine has a Poulan 16" saw, which performed nearly flawlessly alongside my Sthil 460 when helping clear a couple of acres of his land for a house and pond. The longevity of that little Poulan surprised me. My parents have a couple of different Poulan saws, which I've had decent luck with...

slowrev · Feb 19, 2007

Soundguy said:
Since I've owned a brigs engine.. i learned that rule #1. A brigs carb will gum up if you look at it wrong.. etc.

I've got some other gas powerd tools.. like a weedeater featherlite.. I've been doing good taking care of them.. I don't see the economy saw as being much different. Just keep it shard, bar oil filled and the gas mix correct and stabilized for added safety..

Soundguy

I use the Poulan/weedeater oil and have never had a weedeater or Chainsaw gum up.
Now I do have a Troy built tiller I forgot to put Stabil in the gas and it is gummed up awating cleaning.
I now use Stabil in all my utility engine gas, year round.