Thread: What type of chainsaw

WC

I bought a saw today that would suit. Shindaiwa 757. A little over your budget at about $1250. I have not even used it myself yet, but bought it on the strength of the recommendation of others on the Forum.

I am presuming that you are ripping freehand. The bar is only 24" standard (600mm), but I note that in the manual it will run up to 750mm. It will probably handle more.

You can probably use the standard bar, but may have to cut from both sides.

Regards
Paul

I would be ripping freehand with some chalk lines as a guide. double cutting does not bother me. The reason that I am looking at spending less than $1000 is that it would only get used a bit of use, so it would be alot of bowls that would need to be turned and sold to recoup my investment.
Cheers WC

If you are doing a lot, for 400-600 dia I would be looking at something >90cc for ripping as a min, ie a Stihl MS660 or similar but out of your price range.

A Shindaiwa 757 is only 73.5cc, may do a 750 bar cross-cut, but ripping in hardwood I doubt it IMO. Be interested in how it performs

Edit: Just saw your second post, if you only use a bit and don't mind slow and steady. then it might be ok

If its just for occasional use, I would look for a good 2ndhand Stihl 066, they are a strong workhorse that will last for many years.

Neil and Brad's comments are right on the money. The Stihl 066 is a beauty. A friend an I put a 42" bar on one and it never missed a beat in ripping. That was twenty years ago. problem is that I think it would be at least twice your budget. I didn't even bother looking as, like you, it is only for occasional use nowadays.

The Shindaiwa was to replace my 690 Solo ( 90cc ) which recently blew up (OK I seized it!)

The Shindaiwa produces similar horsepower and I wanted to use it for ripping. However, I still have not tried it yet. Later today perhaps.

You can always go a litttle slower keeping the chain sharp and if you are cutting green timber you (and I) should go OK. I will be putting the 26" bar off my Solo on it for ripping. I am not really up for buying yet another bar for the limited amount of work I need to do so I will persevere. Right now I have a single log I wish to cut.

Regards
Paul

I found Husqvarna cheaper by horsepower than Stihl. Also you can get through with a smaller saw by cutting off teeth - my 372xp Husqvarna is getting old, its always ran a 24" bar, but now I knock off every 3rd tooth and run it next to my 395xp, biggest difference is how much lighter the 372 is, I can use both of them for ripping posts 7-8' long

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

. Right now I have a single log I wish to cut.

Regards
Paul

If its only one log Paul, bring it out to me, we can have a good ol chinwag and make some sawdust to boot

Originally Posted by Sigidi

If its only one log Paul, bring it out to me, we can have a good ol chinwag and make some sawdust to boot

Al

That is a very tempting offer and I'd enjoy exercising the jaw and swapping stories. The fact is I have resurrected my old rail mill for this "experimental" log. It was a tree that was next to the house and had to be cut down. I haven't been able to identify the species, but decided to salvage a 1.8m section of the trunk.

The faithful old Solo seized half way down the first cut! I think the carburetor worked loose and sucked in air causing it to run lean. I didn't pick up on the signs, continued cutting and paid the penalty!

I finished off the cut yesterday freehand and the 757 went fine. If I get time today I will put the 26" bar off the Solo on and set it up on the rail. Pix to follow if it works out.

I particularly like Huskvarna saws having owned two of them in my time and the XP range are terrific, but again around twice WC's budget.

I am still hoping to get some timber off you one day for my shed. I just haven't got to that project yet.

Regards
Paul

Would the MS 231 be able to handle being used for the occasional ripping of logs? The logs that I have are semi dried to some that are fully dried.
Cheers WC

Originally Posted by Wood Collector

Would the MS 231 be able to handle being used for the occasional ripping of logs? The logs that I have are semi dried to some that are fully dried.
Cheers WC

I have a 231, it is a great little work horse for trimming and smaller stuff, but at only 42.6cc, would be a big ask to rip 400-600dia logs

ive freehand ripped a few logs up to 750mm wide with my makita 7901(79cc) and it handled it reasonably well, a little over your budget though

This is how the saw went.

Rail Mill 001.jpgRail Mill 002.jpgRail Mill 003.jpgRail Mill 004.jpgRail Mill 005.jpgRail Mill 006.jpgRail Mill 007.jpg

Still some more boards to come off the remaining billet when I rotate it 90 degs, but I ran out of time.

Rail Mill 008.jpg

It is not easy work (compared to crosscutting) but this size saw will do the job. WC, bear in mind that the logs you are contemplating are short so I think they will be easier to cut. Your problem will holding the logs still while you cut and on smaller diameters ensuring they don't flip up and injure you. It might be worth rigging up some crude holding device.

I would suggest you look out for a good used saw of this capacity for your purpose as I don't think you are going to find a new one within your budget. Any of the recognised brands would do the job.

Regards
Paul

Thanks for the pics Paul, I will be looking at making a holding device out of metal with timper pads. I have my eyes on a used ms 660 on ebay or a new one from Virtus machinery for $1899. Just got to convince the parents to go halves on the purchase for my birthday.
Cheers WC

Originally Posted by Wood Collector

Thanks for the pics Paul, I will be looking at making a holding device out of metal with timper pads. I have my eyes on a used ms 660 on ebay or a new one from Virtus machinery for $1899. Just got to convince the parents to go halves on the purchase for my birthday.
Cheers WC

Hi Wood Collector

Check those virtus saws aren't direct imports, the AUS MS660 has the dual port muffler HD2 air filter and high output as standard, All of which are included in the wrap handle optioned US model saws.(which gets a bigger sprocket cover and a wrap handle)

In hindsight I would be investigating having a ported version of any saw that may be considered from any of the builders on arboristsite.com, you wont be far behind local prices with one of those,(ms241cm is 5-600usd+port work V
I bought a ms660 2 years ago as a my go to big saw, not bothering with the 70cc class saws thinking i can handle the size at 210cm, but it does creep up on you through the tank if the wood it branch size

Originally Posted by Sigidi

but now I knock off every 3rd tooth and run it next to my 395xp, biggest difference is how much lighter the 372 is, I can use both of them for ripping posts 7-8' long

I have a 064 being ported by http://www.performancesaws.com.au/ as its about the same weight as a 046 but a lot bigger cc