Home and Auto I Want a New Chain Saw! - Page 3

**gblowfish** · 05-02-2019, 07:40 PM

Hey guys: Had a great big limb fall in my backyard a couple nights ago during one of the storms. Think the tree got hit by lightning. Anyway, I have a really old 16" gas 2-stroke Craftsman chain saw that's seen better days. Got it out tonight, it ran for about three minutes then conked out. Think the carb is dirty. I have arthritis in my shoulders, so pulling and pulling on a rope is real bad for me. Looking at lithium battery chain saws. Looked at Oregon, DeWalt and the Lowe's house brand. Any advice from current owners? Anything you really like or don't like about them?

**Lzen** · 05-03-2019, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Some of the worst accidents happen with those electric and lithium battery saws. They dont have the clutch (chain brake) that bogs down like a gas chainsaw. The chain with gas saws get caught in clothing and clutch shuts down before to much damage is down normally. The electric rip right on through jeans until you let off. Talked with Asplundh Tree crew they said they wont use them because they will nip you bad right through safety chaps.

Probably easy fix at a lawn mower shop. You can get a pretty good Kobalt cheap or poulan. But for the money id spring for a Echo they are just as good as a Husky or Stihl at a cheaper price. Lowes carries them but can be had cheaper at ebay or Forestry Supply online. Use the pre mixed premium fuels they sell right next to saws or non ethanol gas if you can find it. The 10 percent ethanol gas kills lawn equipment.

Well that is interesting. I didn't know the lithium ones don't have a clutch. I bought an battery powered Kobalt pole saw last year when it was on a daily special. I already had a battery for it from the Kobalt trimmer I had bought on a daily special the previous summer. Just got out and used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Trimmed a bunch of the neighbor's tree branches along the fence line that were hanging over my garage roof. Works like a champ. But I guess that wouldn't be the problem you described since it is a pole saw. But perhaps I will think twice about getting a regular chain saw that is battery powered. I currently have one that is electric that plugs in since I don't live in the country.

RedRaider56 · 05-03-2019, 08:43 AM

Following. My poulan gave out after 17 years. Trying to decide whether to buy a new one or see about getting this one fixed

ChiefBlueCFC · 05-03-2019, 08:44 AM

tmax63 · 05-03-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Some or those old Craftsman chainsaws were really good quality made by Dolmar, Jonsered, Macculloch and homelite. Real quality in the day especially Dolmar. What you have may be better than what you can buy now could be good to check out what is wrong.

What he said. My brother and I have a heavy old Craftsman for over 20 years and we can't wear the SOB out. Never leave gas in them and stay away from ethanol is right on. Chains are more important than brand of saw.
For cutting a few limbs in the yard get whatever you want, they'll all do that. If you use one more than 2-3 times a year spend the money and get a Stihl or Echo.

**Renegade** · 05-03-2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRaider56

Following. My poulan gave out after 17 years. Trying to decide whether to buy a new one or see about getting this one fixed

My dealer said it would be cheaper to replace my Pollan than repair. My was very low end though

**gblowfish** · 05-03-2019, 09:00 AM

This is what I bought:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-6...70X1/301326323

12 months no interest. Was $381 with tax, deliver to my business in Lenexa Tuesday.

i'll check out repair places for the old Craftsman. I think the carb is clogged. I just don't have the skill or patience for small engine repair.

**notorious** · 05-03-2019, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

This is what I bought:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-6...70X1/301326323

12 months no interest. Was $381 with tax, deliver to my business in Lenexa Tuesday.

i'll check out repair places for the old Craftsman. I think the carb is clogged. I just don't have the skill or patience for small engine repair.

They go through chain oil faster than our gassers, but many they are nice.

Get you a few extra batteries. They are expensive but worth it.

Holladay · 05-03-2019, 09:16 AM

A nice way to judge the chain sharpness other then it doesn't cut worth crap. Look at the wood shavings as they come out of the saw. If they look like saw dust...bad blade. If they are decent sized shavings...sharp blade.

GloryDayz · 05-03-2019, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Jeez, I didn’t know electric saws were dangerous. I picked up a Dewalt 12” 20 volt for 115 and it has cleaned up our farm which has been something neglected for 5 years.

Quiet, easy to handle with one hand, no vibration. Even my wife uses it.

That's one of the main reasons we got ours. But like I said, the extension letting you trim branches "up high" is just swell...

**gblowfish** · 05-03-2019, 09:46 AM

Fixing the old Craftsman from small engine repair place would be about $100. Think I'll just put it on Craigslist for next to nuthin.

GloryDayz · 05-03-2019, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Fixing the old Craftsman from small engine repair place would be about $100. Think I'll just put it on Craigslist for next to nuthin.

Many moons ago I gave my old gas one to ye 'ol LSHS shop teacher, he used it for good...

**gblowfish** · 05-03-2019, 10:42 AM

Second to not using cheap gas in any gas powered lawn equipment. It killed the carb in my one year old Ryobi pressure washer last year. The guys at King Small Engine in Independence told me not to use Stabil over the winter in gas either. That's even worse than old gas. They just said buy fresh premium, avoid ethanol and try not to let things like lawnmowers or pressure washers sit around all winter with old gas in them.

kepp · 05-03-2019, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threebag02

I only use Stihl saws. Never a problem

This. I have the MS 250 model and its been phenomenal. I believe they have an "easy start" option now.

**gblowfish** · 05-03-2019, 12:21 PM

I've had good luck with DeWalt stuff, so for the limited use this is going to get (I'm NOT a lumberjack) it should be fine for just doing stuff around the yard.

**srvy** · 05-03-2019, 12:31 PM

So has it charged up yet for its first maiden voyage?

05-02-2019, 07:40 PM
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16856178 VARSITY	I Want a New Chain Saw! Hey guys: Had a great big limb fall in my backyard a couple nights ago during one of the storms. Think the tree got hit by lightning. Anyway, I have a really old 16" gas 2-stroke Craftsman chain saw that's seen better days. Got it out tonight, it ran for about three minutes then conked out. Think the carb is dirty. I have arthritis in my shoulders, so pulling and pulling on a rope is real bad for me. Looking at lithium battery chain saws. Looked at Oregon, DeWalt and the Lowe's house brand. Any advice from current owners? Anything you really like or don't like about them?
Posts: 41,023

05-03-2019, 08:43 AM	#32
RedRaider56 MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin, Texas Casino cash: $870400	Following. My poulan gave out after 17 years. Trying to decide whether to buy a new one or see about getting this one fixed
Posts: 7,320

05-03-2019, 08:44 AM	#33
ChiefBlueCFC Veteran Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: KCMO BABY Casino cash: $7940410	__________________ WE FIRED BOB SUTTON
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05-03-2019, 09:00 AM	#36
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16856178 VARSITY	This is what I bought: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-6...70X1/301326323 12 months no interest. Was $381 with tax, deliver to my business in Lenexa Tuesday. i'll check out repair places for the old Craftsman. I think the carb is clogged. I just don't have the skill or patience for small engine repair.
Posts: 41,023	1 0

05-03-2019, 09:16 AM	#38
Holladay Veteran Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-520	A nice way to judge the chain sharpness other then it doesn't cut worth crap. Look at the wood shavings as they come out of the saw. If they look like saw dust...bad blade. If they are decent sized shavings...sharp blade.
Posts: 4,041

05-03-2019, 09:46 AM	#40
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16856178 VARSITY	Fixing the old Craftsman from small engine repair place would be about $100. Think I'll just put it on Craigslist for next to nuthin.
Posts: 41,023

05-03-2019, 10:42 AM	#42
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16856178 VARSITY	Second to not using cheap gas in any gas powered lawn equipment. It killed the carb in my one year old Ryobi pressure washer last year. The guys at King Small Engine in Independence told me not to use Stabil over the winter in gas either. That's even worse than old gas. They just said buy fresh premium, avoid ethanol and try not to let things like lawnmowers or pressure washers sit around all winter with old gas in them.
Posts: 41,023

05-03-2019, 12:21 PM	#44
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16856178 VARSITY	I've had good luck with DeWalt stuff, so for the limited use this is going to get (I'm NOT a lumberjack) it should be fine for just doing stuff around the yard.
Posts: 41,023	1 0

05-03-2019, 12:31 PM	#45
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $-2338750	So has it charged up yet for its first maiden voyage? __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 25,967