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Post by willowgirl on Apr 11, 2021 13:36:55 GMT
The floozy wants a new toy! Numb isn't really up to cutting firewood anymore and I hate starting a pull-start gas model. Grrr!
I'm not felling redwoods here; mostly just cleaning up fallen branches and smaller-diameter stuff; probably chopping up some pallets too.
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Post by Jolly on Apr 11, 2021 14:19:06 GMT
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Post by Jolly on Apr 11, 2021 14:50:40 GMT
Now, if you watched all that, let me say this...A gas-powered Stihl 170 would be my choice over every one of the electric saws. That model Stihl is my limbing saw and it's not that hard to start. Use good gas always mixed with Stihl synthetic 2-stroke oil and run your saw dry before setting it up. That way you won't have carb problems.
PF picks the Echo as the best electric.
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Post by joebill on Apr 11, 2021 19:40:32 GMT
I'd have to agree about the 015 stihl gas model over any electric I have ever seen, especially using it on small brush and stuff like that, for one reason only.
Any electrics I have seen throw chain at a slower speed than the gas models, and on a bigger log a rough cut is not a big deal except it wears out the operator. When cutting brush and light stuff, though, a slow chain speed makes the cutters grab the stick instead of cutting it. You wind up pushing harder on the saw trying to make it cut....problem gets worse, loss of control is always dangerous.
I'd suggest keeping the saw indoors in winter so it is already half warmed up and will start up in a couple or three cranks, Always pull the trigger all of the way back for top speed when cutting small sticks, make sure you keep the chain SHARP, meaning if the cutting edge has a silver band on it looking at the top, you need to file it some more, and do not reduce the heights of the sdepth gages on the chain very much at a time.
It will cut slick as glass.....Joe
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Post by willowgirl on Apr 11, 2021 21:30:38 GMT
You guys don't understand! I cannot start a pull start; I just can't. (I can't back up a trailer, either.) At this late stage in life, I don't want to conquer my shortcomings; I just want to pop in a battery and go.
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Post by willowgirl on Apr 12, 2021 0:42:14 GMT
Jolly, I did watch both videos. Thanks!  |
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Post by joebill on Apr 12, 2021 5:11:40 GMT
Not a problem, willowgirl. Cut your sticks and skids with a circular saw...( we used to call them skill saws) and to hell with the chain saws. You can also do a lot with a table saw. Just do not mistake a chainsaw of any type as a safe alternative for cutting brush. It ain't. One popular joke has the governor of Oregon putting a 6-pack on the tomb of the unknown sawyer on certain dates. NOT really a joke. I opened up my hide from ankle to thigh with the side of a chainsaw bar while being VERY CAREFUL years ago, and when I got home I had a call from Mom telling me my uncle was dead from the same tool. All the best to you.....but unless you are lucky beyond measure, use something other than a chainsaw. There are plenty of options....Joe |
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Post by willowgirl on Apr 12, 2021 12:07:48 GMT
Joe, we do run a lot of our firewood through a circular saw. Even those can hurt you if you're not careful, lol. IIRC, years ago Numb had a chunk that kicked back and caught him the ribcage, broke a couple of ribs. (He has been hurt so many times in so many places that sometimes I forget which scars were from the wreck, lol.) Right now we have a huge dead walnut tree out at the farm that I'd like to take care of. We can make the big felling cuts with the gas saw, but there will be a lot to limb up and I'd really like a battery-op saw to take care of it. There are also lots of limbs next door leftover from the trees Mom had cut down last fall. Every time I drive past that pile, it calls out to me, lol. I hate having to pester Numb to start the saw for me! And he's not really up to doing that kind of work anymore. I'm super-cautious by nature; I don't like getting hurt, lol. My second husband would never let me run a chainsaw; he always said he preferred his wives with 10 fingers and toes, lol. He'd buck up all the wood and I'd do all of the splitting and stacking. I always figured I did my fair share that way so I didn't mind not running the saw. I'm not a hero. Numb always split everything by hand (blargh) but last fall he splurged on a brand-new woodsplitter. So we have a pretty nice set-up here now, or will after I get myself a girly saw! |
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 12, 2021 13:47:39 GMT
willowgirl, Assuming you do get an electric saw, keep in mind what's been said here. Run it full speed at all times, no half measures even on what you might consider "small stuff".
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Post by daw on Apr 12, 2021 13:54:46 GMT
Walnut does a good job of sooting up the chimney.
My own opinion is that it is poor choice for heat.
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Post by joebill on Apr 12, 2021 17:13:46 GMT
If you have a big old walnut tree, you might get that sawmill guy to re-open for just half of the wood from that tree and cut up the rest for firewood for you.
Largely depends on how scarce the trees are around there. In some locations and times, they would nearly swap their soul for a big walnut tree, but that was long ago and far away, so I dunno about there and now.....Joe
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Post by farmrbrown on Apr 13, 2021 0:45:52 GMT
willowgirl , this is only a suggestion I'm throwing out there after reading your posts, but................ have you considered a good battery operated sawzall instead? I don't like them as much as others do (using them for darn near everything that needs cutting) but I know they come in handy for the jobs you described as well as some you and Numb might encounter around the homestead. I can't say if it would be any safer or easier than a chainsaw because ALL saws can slice off a body part if you aren't careful. But you could try one for yourself and decide based on your own strength and comfort level.
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Post by Ozarks Tom on Apr 13, 2021 2:09:10 GMT
willowgirl, farmrbrown, Has a good point. I hadn't even thought of a Sawsall, but with a 7" bi-metal blade they'll cut just about anything with no kickback.
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Post by Jolly on Apr 13, 2021 2:21:15 GMT
If you have a big old walnut tree, you might get that sawmill guy to re-open for just half of the wood from that tree and cut up the rest for firewood for you. Largely depends on how scarce the trees are around there. In some locations and times, they would nearly swap their soul for a big walnut tree, but that was long ago and far away, so I dunno about there and now.....Joe Walnut lumber is awfully pretty... |
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Post by farmrbrown on Apr 13, 2021 3:02:39 GMT
willowgirl , farmrbrown , Has a good point. I hadn't even thought of a Sawsall, but with a 7" bi-metal blade they'll cut just about anything with no kickback. LOL, I've used one in a pinch before. They aren't bad for lopping off limbs and doing the quick and dirty jobs without dragging out the "right tool" like pruners or hedge trimmers. But a week ago my neighbor came over with his Sawzall to get a good sized limb that fell off in my yard for his weekend firepit gathering. It was 8-10" in diameter, at least 20 ft. long. I always make sure he gets my help because he's had 5 or 6 major back surgeries and lucky to be still walking. It took him a little longer than a chain saw would have but he did all the cutting by himself with no problem, keeping the logs small enough for him to handle. |
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