Which chainsaw?
Discussion
We bought the Stihl ms171 last week . I think its a good entry level chainsaw, I personally would not want to go much bigger as a novice. Maybe its a bit more than you want to spend, think we paid about £165, but it will last much longer and be more reliable than anything from Homebase.
Funnily enough we bought it beacuse we had a job that involved cutting 9x4 timbers to build two large planters for a school. I have been using it all week and it has been great, no problems. Its now living in my garage and will be used for firewood and around the garden, very managable.
Go and pick up the Stihl 2009 catalogue (some great photos in it), you will soon be convincing the wife you need a new strimmer, hedgecutter and blower!
Funnily enough we bought it beacuse we had a job that involved cutting 9x4 timbers to build two large planters for a school. I have been using it all week and it has been great, no problems. Its now living in my garage and will be used for firewood and around the garden, very managable.
Go and pick up the Stihl 2009 catalogue (some great photos in it), you will soon be convincing the wife you need a new strimmer, hedgecutter and blower!
Edited by astroarcadia on Saturday 16th May 08:34
We bought a cheap and cheerful 2 stroke one from b & Q, a few years back when our big one packed up and we needed to cut sleepers there and then. It was aout £60 and did the job and does little fiddlely bits around the garden but nothing too horrendous. We cut about 8 sleepers up before the chain was knackered but found it wasn't worth mucking around with a file when a new chain was about £8! It won't ever cut up oak trees but will do what you need by the sounds of it.
mrsxllifts said:
We bought a cheap and cheerful 2 stroke one from b & Q, a few years back when our big one packed up and we needed to cut sleepers there and then. It was aout £60 and did the job and does little fiddlely bits around the garden but nothing too horrendous. We cut about 8 sleepers up before the chain was knackered but found it wasn't worth mucking around with a file when a new chain was about £8! It won't ever cut up oak trees but will do what you need by the sounds of it.
That's what I was leaning towards. I've got a Stihl strimmer and it's a fine bit of kit, but a base chainsaw from them is three times the price of a boggo one from B&Q - and also smaller and less powerful. Tuna said:
mrsxllifts said:
We bought a cheap and cheerful 2 stroke one from b & Q, a few years back when our big one packed up and we needed to cut sleepers there and then. It was aout £60 and did the job and does little fiddlely bits around the garden but nothing too horrendous. We cut about 8 sleepers up before the chain was knackered but found it wasn't worth mucking around with a file when a new chain was about £8! It won't ever cut up oak trees but will do what you need by the sounds of it.
That's what I was leaning towards. I've got a Stihl strimmer and it's a fine bit of kit, but a base chainsaw from them is three times the price of a boggo one from B&Q - and also smaller and less powerful. Tuna said:
theboyfold said:
I'm hoping to pick one up from them tomorrow to chop up a few sleepers I picked up today. I'll let you know which I get and how I get on
Is it hard to type after you've chopped your fingers off?
So not sure when I can pick one up now...
Got to echo what has already been said, Stihl MS170 is a great chainsaw, I have one and I am really impressed with it.
Must also agree with what has already been said regarding the sleepers, if you are cutting sleepers definitely a good circular saw is the way to go, I always cut them like that, do one side, turn over and do the other, much easier, and a much cleaner cut.
Must also agree with what has already been said regarding the sleepers, if you are cutting sleepers definitely a good circular saw is the way to go, I always cut them like that, do one side, turn over and do the other, much easier, and a much cleaner cut.
I cannot recommend Stilh enough.
I have been using chainsaws for years and am currently running a 15" Black & Decker electric for light jobs and noise sensitive times, a 15" Husqvarna petrol and a 20" Husqvarna Petrol for the larger jobs.
I cannot tell you how much I regret not getting a 15" Stihl a year ago when my last 15" Husqvarna died. Its not much more money and the quality is a level above.
If you want something quick and dirty then an electric one will cost you about £50 and come with a nice 2 year warranty. (currently on my 4th :-)) If you want something for your grand kid's to inherit and not have to maintain it in the mean time get a Stihl
I am currently replacing all my garden tools with Stihl when they fail and all my DIY tools with Bosch Professional when they die.
I have been using chainsaws for years and am currently running a 15" Black & Decker electric for light jobs and noise sensitive times, a 15" Husqvarna petrol and a 20" Husqvarna Petrol for the larger jobs.
I cannot tell you how much I regret not getting a 15" Stihl a year ago when my last 15" Husqvarna died. Its not much more money and the quality is a level above.
If you want something quick and dirty then an electric one will cost you about £50 and come with a nice 2 year warranty. (currently on my 4th :-)) If you want something for your grand kid's to inherit and not have to maintain it in the mean time get a Stihl
I am currently replacing all my garden tools with Stihl when they fail and all my DIY tools with Bosch Professional when they die.
Edited by eddie1980 on Wednesday 20th May 13:37
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