Why are chain saws & mowers so crap!
Discussion
Beats the life out of me - I bought a new petrol chain saw yesterday, nothing special but then I only had a small tree and saplings to chop down. One day of use and the chain's already getting blunt and the motor won't start. If we can send cameras to Venus & Mars to take photos we should be able to make a poxy bloody 35cc two-stroke that works! 
Look, no offence but don't buy cheap tat.
Buy second hand good quality stuff if you can't afford (or don't want to spend) enough for new good quality stuff.
I've got a stihl 4 stroke chainsaw that I bought 2nd hand for 200 quid. It's awesome. I bought a brand new honda 4-stroke brushcutter which cost 400 quid but it's really good. My FiL has an electric brushcutter which cost less than 100 but is crap.
I've got a 2nd hand Stiga mulching mower which will do my 3 acre paddock in 2 hours, no matter how long the grass. It cost me under 2k.
I had a test hire of a brand new 6k ride on Iseki mower which couldn't do nearly as well as my old stiga.
Buy second hand good quality stuff if you can't afford (or don't want to spend) enough for new good quality stuff.
I've got a stihl 4 stroke chainsaw that I bought 2nd hand for 200 quid. It's awesome. I bought a brand new honda 4-stroke brushcutter which cost 400 quid but it's really good. My FiL has an electric brushcutter which cost less than 100 but is crap.
I've got a 2nd hand Stiga mulching mower which will do my 3 acre paddock in 2 hours, no matter how long the grass. It cost me under 2k.
I had a test hire of a brand new 6k ride on Iseki mower which couldn't do nearly as well as my old stiga.
I bought a Aldi electric chainsaw for £49 five months ago. Starts every time, so far I have reduced in height 15 x 40ft conifers, 10 copper beach trees, cut countless number of logs up, and apart from buying new saw blades for £6, been the best electrical/ hand tool I have ever purchased.
To the OP I would possibly check the blade is on the right way, or the tension is right for the same, and to improve starting/running check or change fuel.
To the OP I would possibly check the blade is on the right way, or the tension is right for the same, and to improve starting/running check or change fuel.
Yes I know you get what you pay for but I only had a few trees (9" dia at the base) to chop up as log'o. I agree I should have got something better qulaity 2nd hand. Ah well, my wife was on at me about doing something in the garden this weekend instead of playing with my cars, watching the Grand Prix and the football on Sky. And... it was an impulse buy. All the same you'd think they could make something as simple as a two-stroke that starts! Job done now but I had the plug out twice to clean it and had to re-tension the chain twice. Probably Chinese, they should stick to take aways. 
Cheap chainsaws are a complete waste of money. If you plan of using it more than once then you need to buy something decent. If you only want to use it once then hire one. I have 3 stihls (200T, 260, 660) and would think they justify their higher price tag.
Edited by richyb on Saturday 3rd April 21:03
euroboy said:
I bought a LIDL special lawn mower last week.
Self-propelled with a Briggs and Stratton motor. 3 yr guarantee as well. Works like a charm, cost €170 which is bloody bargainous for NL!
Anything else you're finding expensive in NL?Self-propelled with a Briggs and Stratton motor. 3 yr guarantee as well. Works like a charm, cost €170 which is bloody bargainous for NL!
I'm finding eating out a bit silly, a bowl of curry and rice comes to £25. Most other stuff is sensible though.
richyb said:
Cheap chainsaws are a complete waste of money. If you plan of using it more than once then you need to buy something decent. If you only want to use it once then hire one. I have 3 stihls (200T, 260, 660) and would think they justify their higher price tag.
Make sure it comes with a decent chain and bar too; Oregon for name recognition, other brands are as good. no-name chain isn't worth the hassle, decent stuff costs little more and lasts so much longer. And as above, buy a file and give the chain a quick going over after every couple of tanks of fuel. Oregon publish a how-to guide on their website covering how to sharpen and adjust the chain, saw maintenance and general safety.Edited by richyb on Saturday 3rd April 21:03
I got a cheap Ryobi from screwfix 3 years ago and it has been excellent. Only gets probably 20 hours use per year, but does all out trees and mainly used for chopping up firewood.
Needed a new chain this year as I damaged it sawing through some nails (!) so I got an oregon one from ebay for a tenner and it is awesome copared to the old one.
For my use it is perfect, the motor start very well, and so long as you dont overoil the petrol, it has got soem decent grunt too. It is a 14 incher (ooer) and was less than £80 on special.
Needed a new chain this year as I damaged it sawing through some nails (!) so I got an oregon one from ebay for a tenner and it is awesome copared to the old one.
For my use it is perfect, the motor start very well, and so long as you dont overoil the petrol, it has got soem decent grunt too. It is a 14 incher (ooer) and was less than £80 on special.
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