Life Chainsaw Question - Page 3

**Donger** · 05-20-2015, 08:29 AM

I bought a "chainsaw" to assist me in cutting down a large bush that died over the winter. It had some pretty substantial branches that I didn't want to cut by hand, so I purchased a "chainsaw." It's just a 10 inch electric model:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Remington...C983/203556953

I put oil in the little tank and went to town on the bush. Unfortunately, I didn't read that one has to manually press the oil button before each cut to lubricate the chain. So, the chain is now completely dull. I got a replacement chain that I think fits, but I'm not completely sure.

Does anyone have any hints or tips on how to put the new chain on without issues? I have the manual (which I've now read...) and it looks pretty straightforward, but this thing gives me the creeps.

The wife "suggested" that I pay someone to do this task, but I'm frugal and kind of wanted to try myself anyway. Obviously, she was right but I'm not going to let her know that.

Thanks.

frankotank · 05-20-2015, 10:33 AM

I'll never use a chainsaw again. never.
many moons ago I was cutting a tree out of a chain link fence. was cutting a thick limb that unbeknownst to me had some of the chain link in it....it had grown around it. hit metal....chain broke....and I felt the chain fly past the right side of my face. I felt the air move it came so close.

man oh man. that was close. never again.

**penguinz** · 05-20-2015, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankotank

I'll never use a chainsaw again. never.
many moons ago I was cutting a tree out of a chain link fence. was cutting a thick limb that unbeknownst to me had some of the chain link in it....it had grown around it. hit metal....chain broke....and I felt the chain fly past the right side of my face. I felt the air move it came so close.

man oh man. that was close. never again.

I have hit fencing several times in this same situation. never had this happen. How old was the chain?

**srvy** · 05-20-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankotank

I'll never use a chainsaw again. never.
many moons ago I was cutting a tree out of a chain link fence. was cutting a thick limb that unbeknownst to me had some of the chain link in it....it had grown around it. hit metal....chain broke....and I felt the chain fly past the right side of my face. I felt the air move it came so close.

man oh man. that was close. never again.

That would be scary. Chain brake and guard? I know a guy I work with was putting in landscape RR tie timbers and using a chainsaw when the chain broke. He hit some steel in the tie chain guard worked though. I have never had a chain brake but have gut plenty stuck that I had to cut free with above ditch bank blade.

KINGPIN CHIEFS FAN · 05-20-2015, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Amazon. Free shipping (well, Prime anyway) and no taxes. And I didn't have to deal with people.

* Edit - It was $79.88

That's not near as bad, good luck with your chain replacement.

**Donger** · 05-20-2015, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankotank

I'll never use a chainsaw again. never.
many moons ago I was cutting a tree out of a chain link fence. was cutting a thick limb that unbeknownst to me had some of the chain link in it....it had grown around it. hit metal....chain broke....and I felt the chain fly past the right side of my face. I felt the air move it came so close.

man oh man. that was close. never again.

Shit.

tooge · 05-20-2015, 11:04 AM

My rules on buying tools. Never buy a crappy brand. Always spend extra to get the better tool within the brand.

Chances are that you will need a "chainsaw" again at some point in your life. That POS didn't make it past one bush. I'd return it, tell em it broke, and then spend another $150 (on top of the $99) and get a good mid level Stihl saw. I've got two that I've had for 15 years. Sharpen the blades once a year. Run oil through per manufacturers instructions, etc.

I've never understood why people try to save money on a tool that they may use the rest of their lives, even if only a few times, by purchasing crap. No offense Donger. You didn't know.

A crappy microwave? sure/ chainsaw? nope

**Donger** · 05-20-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooge

My rules on buying tools. Never buy a crappy brand. Always spend extra to get the better tool within the brand.

Chances are that you will need a "chainsaw" again at some point in your life. That POS didn't make it past one bush. I'd return it, tell em it broke, and then spend another $150 (on top of the $99) and get a good mid level Stihl saw. I've got two that I've had for 15 years. Sharpen the blades once a year. Run oil through per manufacturers instructions, etc.

I've never understood why people try to save money on a tool that they may use the rest of their lives, even if only a few times, by purchasing crap. No offense Donger. You didn't know.

A crappy microwave? sure/ chainsaw? nope

The saw is fine. The chain isn't because I didn't follow the directions on oiling the chain.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-20-2015, 11:08 AM

For a lot of people that don't/won't use tools very often, there is always the rental option, although not all HDs offer it.

We used to have a Stihl weedeater/brush saw with a wearable strap and two handles that was perfect for an operation like yours. You could pop the head off and put a circular saw blade on it. That thing was badass.

Pablo · 05-20-2015, 11:15 AM

My FIL bought something similar to what you have from Harbor Freight on a whim. We cleared out six or seven truckloads of tree tops from his big yard with it and the thing worked great.

It was a corded electric deal, and there were no lubrication issues, but it was really a neat tool that did a great job. I was very skeptical the thing would do the job at first. I'd consider buying one after using it if I had a bigger plot to maintain like he does.

Brock · 05-20-2015, 11:19 AM

Nothing wrong with buying cheap pieces of crap if you're going to use them once every few years. I have a nice husky because I use the hell out of it.

**srvy** · 05-20-2015, 11:47 AM

We have a collection of Jonsered, Husky and Stihl in various bar lengths. Basically what a crew chief preferred they take a lot of abuse because so many dont care. All three take a lot of maintenance and generally finicky. before when our company was small we had an old Sears and old homelite and they are every bit the equal of the ones mentioned above. The average home owner doesnt need that kind fire power in fact some dont need at all due to the danger factor involved. You dont know what your doing a chainsaw can bite ya in a hurry.

TLO · 05-20-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

I've actually got two guys outside right now cutting down a few Aspen trees that died. I went out there and showed them my chainsaw. One guy just stared. The other tried, and failed, to stifle a laugh. I came back inside.

You sure it was your chainsaw you showed them?

**Donger** · 05-20-2015, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

You sure it was your chainsaw you showed them?

I don't have anyone else's chainsaw, so yes, I'm pretty sure it was mine.

seclark · 05-20-2015, 12:00 PM

ran my stihl across my left knee cutting brush several years ago. 30+ stitches and painful as the nurse cleaned sawdust & oil out before the sewed it up.

still have it. but someone else can use it besides me. **** that.

you're braver than I, donger.
sec

bobbymitch · 05-20-2015, 02:55 PM

Well, now that you have been educated on the use of your new toy, let me comment on storage. When you are done, drain the bar oil reservoir, and store the saw on a piece of cardboard box. If your saw is like mine, the bar oil will slowly leak out.

05-20-2015, 08:29 AM
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $9819900 VARSITY	Chainsaw Question I bought a "chainsaw" to assist me in cutting down a large bush that died over the winter. It had some pretty substantial branches that I didn't want to cut by hand, so I purchased a "chainsaw." It's just a 10 inch electric model: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Remington...C983/203556953 I put oil in the little tank and went to town on the bush. Unfortunately, I didn't read that one has to manually press the oil button before each cut to lubricate the chain. So, the chain is now completely dull. I got a replacement chain that I think fits, but I'm not completely sure. Does anyone have any hints or tips on how to put the new chain on without issues? I have the manual (which I've now read...) and it looks pretty straightforward, but this thing gives me the creeps. The wife "suggested" that I pay someone to do this task, but I'm frugal and kind of wanted to try myself anyway. Obviously, she was right but I'm not going to let her know that. Thanks.
Posts: 182,457

05-20-2015, 10:33 AM	#31
frankotank I like 'em mustard & biscuits Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Hill Casino cash: $10011076	I'll never use a chainsaw again. never. many moons ago I was cutting a tree out of a chain link fence. was cutting a thick limb that unbeknownst to me had some of the chain link in it....it had grown around it. hit metal....chain broke....and I felt the chain fly past the right side of my face. I felt the air move it came so close. man oh man. that was close. never again. __________________ A naked American man stole my balloons.
Posts: 6,787

05-20-2015, 11:04 AM	#36
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $3484112	My rules on buying tools. Never buy a crappy brand. Always spend extra to get the better tool within the brand. Chances are that you will need a "chainsaw" again at some point in your life. That POS didn't make it past one bush. I'd return it, tell em it broke, and then spend another $150 (on top of the $99) and get a good mid level Stihl saw. I've got two that I've had for 15 years. Sharpen the blades once a year. Run oil through per manufacturers instructions, etc. I've never understood why people try to save money on a tool that they may use the rest of their lives, even if only a few times, by purchasing crap. No offense Donger. You didn't know. A crappy microwave? sure/ chainsaw? nope
Posts: 15,329

05-20-2015, 11:08 AM	#38
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $7919572	For a lot of people that don't/won't use tools very often, there is always the rental option, although not all HDs offer it. We used to have a Stihl weedeater/brush saw with a wearable strap and two handles that was perfect for an operation like yours. You could pop the head off and put a circular saw blade on it. That thing was badass.
Posts: 74,860

05-20-2015, 11:15 AM	#39
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North da River Casino cash: $1469356	My FIL bought something similar to what you have from Harbor Freight on a whim. We cleared out six or seven truckloads of tree tops from his big yard with it and the thing worked great. It was a corded electric deal, and there were no lubrication issues, but it was really a neat tool that did a great job. I was very skeptical the thing would do the job at first. I'd consider buying one after using it if I had a bigger plot to maintain like he does.
Posts: 40,869

05-20-2015, 11:19 AM	#40
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Nothing wrong with buying cheap pieces of crap if you're going to use them once every few years. I have a nice husky because I use the hell out of it.
Posts: 47,314

05-20-2015, 11:47 AM	#41
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1121250	We have a collection of Jonsered, Husky and Stihl in various bar lengths. Basically what a crew chief preferred they take a lot of abuse because so many dont care. All three take a lot of maintenance and generally finicky. before when our company was small we had an old Sears and old homelite and they are every bit the equal of the ones mentioned above. The average home owner doesnt need that kind fire power in fact some dont need at all due to the danger factor involved. You dont know what your doing a chainsaw can bite ya in a hurry.
Posts: 24,694

05-20-2015, 12:00 PM	#44
seclark MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: nemo Casino cash: $1139900	ran my stihl across my left knee cutting brush several years ago. 30+ stitches and painful as the nurse cleaned sawdust & oil out before the sewed it up. still have it. but someone else can use it besides me. **** that. you're braver than I, donger. sec __________________ "Mr. seclark. Wrong for gravy, wrong for jelly, wrong for biscuits." -rj "If every Planeteer who was disliked by another Planeteer stopped being a Planeteer we wouldn't have any Planeteers." -rj
Posts: 13,408

05-20-2015, 02:55 PM	#45
bobbymitch Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Midwest coast Casino cash: $9893512	Well, now that you have been educated on the use of your new toy, let me comment on storage. When you are done, drain the bar oil reservoir, and store the saw on a piece of cardboard box. If your saw is like mine, the bar oil will slowly leak out. __________________ This is the place where brilliant minds assemble to willfully pool ignorance with questionable logic in order to reach absurd conclusions.
Posts: 655