Glocks and Chainsaws...Their Evolution

[WAYNO]

Okay, some geezers like me don't like plastic guns. Reluctantly, I must admit that some of them perform as they're designed, and enough time has evolved that I'll also reluctantly admit that maybe they'll withstand the test of time.

Bear with me on this. My backhanded compliment is not the feature of this thread. Chainsaws are.

Just yesterday I gave away my very first chainsaw that I bought in 1977. An old Mac 10-10. All metal, heavy, over-powered for the 16" blade it came with, and very loud. But it still starts and runs as well as it did 30+ years ago. And although it starts as well, let me say it starts with the same difficulty as it did the day it was new. If ya don't know the procedure it'll break your finger tendons. So...I figured it was time for a modern chainsaw. Two years ago, I bought a new chainsaw from sears. Has the tool-less chain adjuster that just never keeps the chain tensioned as I'd like. Then with the little narrow kerf chain and bar, the chain is pinched during routine cutting that a wider chain would have not been bound up in. The visible exterior of this chainsaw is almost entirely plastic. I've never liked this saw.

Now, enter Stihl. Bought one yesterday.

Three times the price of it's big-box store competition. It's unbelievably easy to start, and it's got the wider chain which I prefer. And the visible exterior other than the bar, is 100% plastic.

Just like with guns, I'm forced to bend with the times. Anybody have any real experience with the all-plastic Stihl chainsaws, and can ya tell me you've used yours for many years and it operates as perfectly as the day it was new?

WAYNO.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have 5 stihl chainsaws and have had them for years.
One of them has been on a chainsaw mill for many years and has run full out its entire life.
It still starts and runs fine.
The only time one of them won't start is after it has set for a year or so.
Then with a good tune up they run again.

Over the years I have had quite a few brands and some are very good but now I will only buy Stihl.

 

[Jim Puke]

You did good and Stihl saws have had plastic exteriors for years and years...but they have metal where it is needed. You don't cut with the plastic...it is mostly, just for looks. :lol:

 

[welder]

My 025 is the best money I ever spent on a chain saw. Mine runs as well as the day I got it and has worn out several chains and bars through the years. I swore off the junk brands and spent the coin and never looked back. The plastic is tough and other than regular maintenance it's needed nothing. Dealer support on these saws is great too.

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

Used Stihls for 20 years of wildland firefighting and they always worked (unless I screwed up).

 

[graygun]

I have a MS 170,the smallest Stihl,but have only used it a few hours so far. I expect it will last as well as the more expensive ones they make. Tensioning is done with a screw driver. I don't have a need for a large saw.

 

[WAYNO]

Thanks fellers for your replies. :mrgreen:

As far as the screw adjustment for the chain tensioning, or the tool-free adjuster... I hoped for the one that uses tools, but I also wanted the easy-start option. The easy-start only comes with the saws that have the tool-free chain adjuster. But the chainsaw shop says Stihl's version of the tool-free adjuster works very well. I'm good to go!

I don't cut firewood much any more, but I do use a chain saw for tasks around the house. Mainly I wanted a new saw to take up in the mountains with me. More than once during deer season, I've had trees fall across the road. Always had another way out, but a feller could just as easily get stuck up in the mountains for the winter.

Told the guy I bought the saw from, I hope I never have to use this saw. 8)

WAYNO.

 

[Mobuck]

Speaking of old saws, I still have a pair of 610's and a 10-10(ish). My 10-10 is even more of a beast than you described. It's been modified with a 710 jug and piston but w/o the compression release. Talk about tough pull, this one REQUIRES that you put a foot in the rear handle for starting. Once running, it's kind of like a SS 454 Chevelle--as long as you can keep it pointed in the right direction, nothing can touch it. Even with a 20" bar, the saw seldom bogs down but you need to carry a backpack with a gas can.
Seriously, I've begun switching to ECHO(the older non-CARB units)since I no longer have the hand/arm strength to safely run the heavy saws. Currently have 3 running CS 4600(the hotrod of the medium frame class), a CS 5000 (same frame as 4600 with 10% more motor), and a CS 346. The CS 346 is a dandy little saw-lighter than anything else I own with adequate power for limbing and smaller cutting jobs-it's beginning to take over those tasks from my old classic/vintage Stihl 011(4 of those in running shape).
Oh, did I mention I LIKE chainsaws(and Rugers and AR's and SxS shotguns)?

 

[m657]

"I hope I never have to use this saw."

IWB or OWB?

 

[graygun]

I have a Echo CS 310,14",that acted like it was dead and I then got the Stihl. The Echo came back to life;maybe it was afraid of the new saw. The Echo has worked well too...maybe has a developing issue that led to it not wanting to start even on ether that one time. I have not tweaked its two carb screws for maximum performance. I believe the Stihl is maxed when new.

 

[m657]

My very first chainsaw circa 1974 was an even-then antique Mac gear drive, dependable as a Mack diesel and every bit as heavy; later replaced with a "Super Pro 80" a veritable sports car. Finally rid myself of the yellow bastards in favor of a Stihl 030 that was powerful, reliable, light weight and perfect for my fire-wood business.

I had a series of Stihl over the decades, with the notable exception of one either Jonesrud/Husquavarna. In any case, I was amazed one day not long after purchase, wherein it proved to be not a reliable performer in wood cutting, it demonstrated incredible aerodynamic qualities when I had to revert to 'the OLD Stihl' back up saw.

Current saw is the MS260 Ranch Boss. Great for my needs, new about a decade ago.

 

[Bull Barrel]

And the Stihls are made in Virginia Beach, VA.

 

[737tdi]

I have a Echo CS 310,14",that acted like it was dead and I then got the Stihl. The Echo came back to life;maybe it was afraid of the new saw. The Echo has worked well too...maybe has a developing issue that led to it not wanting to start even on ether that one time. I have not tweaked its two carb screws for maximum performance. I believe the Stihl is maxed when new.

Hey graygun, sounds like you may have an ignition coil going out. If that saw is less then 10 years old take it in. The coils are warranted for 10 years.

Karl

 

[tinman]

Wore out two of the cheapie saws clearing mesquite before I grew a brain and bought a Stihl 025. That was in the early 90"s.........do the maintenance, keep the ethanol gas down to a minimum and it still runs like new.......and I have yet to damage that thick plastic casing. :idea:

 

[Rusty W]

Right to left...MS230 (about 8yo)..MS210(about 3yo)...029, (before the farmboss came out..about 15yo).
The 230 is a good little saw, had to replace a coil once @ about 5yo and a new carb last year. It has a 16", .325 chain, & is a running lil jessy. The 029 is a 18", .325 chain & also is a running jessy, replace the air filter when needed & haven't had a bit of trouble out of it in the 16 years I've owned it. The 210 is the new EZstart & comfort handle & chain adjuster. It's a 16", 3/8 chain & does good for trimming limbs & light work, but isn't afraid to dig in & eat when it needs too.
Back in 1999/2000 we had a bad ice storm and there were a lot of limbs to clean up...I wore out/tore up/abused/used 2 poulans in less than a year. The only thing that I've broken on the stihl is the handle & that was only because I left it in the bucket on the front end loader & forgot it was there. I was pushing some brush up in a pile & noticed the saw on the ground. Then I got that "feeling" in the pit of my stomach...summm b...there goes $300.00. But got off the tractor & looked it over and only cracked the handle...$50.00 later & we're back in bidness...
There may be better saws/cheaper saws/just as good saws/ out there but the Stihs haven't let me down so I stick w/them.

 

[gramps]

My first chainsaw was a Homelite with a 12 inch blade. I heated with wood, cutting 3-4 ricks of wood yearly. It lasted 12 years. I got a Craftsman after that, and it lasted 3 years. I bought a Stihl 170. I have had it 10 years. The only time it wouldn't work is after lending it out to my adult son, and again after lending out to my adult daughter! No more lending! Both times it had been left with ethanol gas in it over winter.
gramps

 

[Kyberz]

A couple of years ago a good friend of mine (he lives in South Lake Tahoe) gave me the one chainsaw (a Mac) he had held onto after switching to gas heating about 10 years ago. I always called it the beast. Over 30 years old, 125cc punched out to 135, polished and ported. 36' bar with a full skip, full chisel chain and the depth guides filed a bit short. Bury it it in a 30 inch log and it makes short work of it while throw out carrot curls of chips. Kind of scary actually. I swear, if you could put wheels on it you could ride it home after an afternoon of cutting wood. :D The long bar also has advantages when cutting smaller logs, much easier on the back. No need to bend over! Just be cautious and wear chaps. As for starting, that takes a foot firmly planted through the hand guard and two hands. Fortunately it only takes two or three pulls before it coughs, next one it is running.

 

[GunnyGene]

Bought a Stihl MS290 w/20" bar in early 2006. Still runs like a champ. I live on 30 acres of forest and have cut down and cut up (ripping as well as crosscut) a lot of trees with it - Oak, walnut, cherry, persimmon, maple, pine and eastern red cedar among others, some of them over 24" dia. I also stay with the Stihl chains which last longer than other brands. I had to replace the bar once about 2 years ago. I also have 2 small electrics (not Stihl), one corded & 1 40volt battery saw I use for trimming small stuff.

All that said I still have, and use, a variety of axes, machete's, and hand saws also. Sometimes is just easier than power tools. :)

 

[737tdi]

God these threads just suck. I got chastised on one like this for owning a Husqvarna. Guys, if it runs for you and cuts the way you want it to it is a good saw. I have 2, one is an Echo and one is a Husq. They both have been wonderful saws. Start on the first pull and do what I want them to do. Isn't that the answer? Yep, you can spend the extra money on a Stihl but is it worth it? If you aren't a lumberjack then I say no. Both of these saws will do what I want until I am worm dirt. What more can you ask.


Karl

 

[WAYNO]

God these threads just suck. I got chastised on one like this for owning a Husqvarna. Guys, if it runs for you and cuts the way you want it to it is a good saw. I have 2, one is an Echo and one is a Husq. They both have been wonderful saws. Start on the first pull and do what I want them to do. Isn't that the answer? Yep, you can spend the extra money on a Stihl but is it worth it? If you aren't a lumberjack then I say no. Both of these saws will do what I want until I am worm dirt. What more can you ask.


Karl

:cry: I didn't think anybody said any saw was bad. I simply asked if folks had good luck with the Stihl. I could have bought a Husky. I did look at them. Same price as the Stihl. But the Husky is sold in a chain store with no inside service available. The Stihl saws are sold from an extensive cult-network of stores that provide immediate service if it was necessary. And the Echo? I'm sure it works too, and half the price of the Stihl. Also sold in local chain stores. But if I need service, where do I send it?

WAYNO.

 

[volshooter]

I got a 029 Stihl I bought round 89. I was building log cabins and clearing timber back then.
Best saw I have ever owned. Even today it will start easily and has more than enough power to get it done. Mine has a 20 inch bar and I only use Stihl logger chains, they can be had from trusted dealers. Be aware these chains are not anti-kickback. Rarely do these need adjustment. There are other brands that are fine machines, Husqvarna comes to mind. Nice saws high RPM's, but they don't start as easy as my 029. I really like that once I start mine, 5-6 pulls, I can lay it on the ground and go to lunch and it will still be running when I get back.

 

[ndcowboy]

I bought a Troybilt a few years ago. Had to replace the internal fuel lines after 2 years. Now the oiler is giving me troubles. Have not been impressed.

 

[JFB]

Plastic Chainsaw.....

I bought a Walmart Poulman years ago. I don't use it much, mainly just wanted to have if needed.

a couple years ago when I went to give it a spring startup, the caps for the fuel and bar oil had swollen so bad I had to cut them off.

today, I again went out to do the spring start, the caps are again swelling, but able to get off and on with plyers. the thing crank after a couple pulls... BUT, the chain would not move!

Took of the chain to find the plastic around the clutch has swollen tight to it.
Guess it goes in the trash now.

 

[Cholo]

I bought a Stihl 028 in about '89, steel. Great saw! Comparing plastic with steel: I have a concrete saw that was severely abused when I got it in '95. The only reason I got another around '06 was to have a spare because they're used every day commercially. The new one was plastic and I liked the heavier steel one. My tech liked the new one and it's still going strong, but he did crack something that was plastic, but it didn't affect function.

It's still Stihl quality (it had better because it was closer to $1,000 than not, don't remember). If used hard the plastic will be the 1st thing to break, and it will!

 

[graygun]

I paid more for my Echo CS 310 than the Stihl MS 170. The former was approx $220,(several years ago)the latter about $180(last summer). They are both small types.

Karl is thinking of a thread than turned into a peeing contest a few years ago.