Stihl Chainsaw buyer assistance
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Stihl Chainsaw buyer assistance
I currently own a Stihl 029 and an old McCulloch Pro Mac 555. Both of these saws I use for my heavier woodcutting. I want to buy a lightweight chainsaw for my 15 year old son to start learning to use, and to give my aching elbows relief when I only need to do light duty cutting, i.e. cut tree tops or cedar sprouts on my farm.
I went to my local Stihl dealer and he recommended a MS 210 C-BE. I noticed he also had an MS 180 C-BE that was lighter still. He said I wouldn't be happy with the 180 because it is greatly underpowered and has such small teeth on the chain that it doesn't cut well. Given my intended use for the saw, the fact I am looking for a lightweight saw, and the fact I already own two heavier saws for tough cutting, which one do you recommend?
I cut firewood only for myself and use chainsaws on my hobby farm.
Thank you.
I went to my local Stihl dealer and he recommended a MS 210 C-BE. I noticed he also had an MS 180 C-BE that was lighter still. He said I wouldn't be happy with the 180 because it is greatly underpowered and has such small teeth on the chain that it doesn't cut well. Given my intended use for the saw, the fact I am looking for a lightweight saw, and the fact I already own two heavier saws for tough cutting, which one do you recommend?
I cut firewood only for myself and use chainsaws on my hobby farm.
Thank you.
#2
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Karlstad, MN
Posts: 2
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
The bigger issue on starting your son cutting wood is safety equipment. He needs safety chaps, steel toe boots, helmet with ear muffs and screen, and some good quality safety gloves.
Speaking as someone who has a very nice slash in his knee(into the bone) from a chainsaw accident 10 years ago, there is nothing more important than being safe. Spending the $300 for PPE would have saved me $10,000 in hospital bills.
Make sure he uses safety chain and that you instruct him in the proper ways of cutting, especially watching for kickback. He needs to learn what to look for as far as what situations will cause kickback and how to prevent getting in those conditions.
Depending on his build, the 210 should be fine to start with, but it is very important that he is mature enough to handle cutting. Only you(and him) can know this. He has to be able to EASILY handle that saw and as soon as he feels a bit tired, he needs to quit.
I hope this doesn't sound like a lecture because it is not meant to be. I just don't want someone else to learn the hard way. Since my accident, I acquired the proper PPE and have worked hard to cut safely. Nothing can replace a family member and chainsaws can be deadly. Be safe!!
BTW, I cut about 20-25 cords per year for my home and garage.
Speaking as someone who has a very nice slash in his knee(into the bone) from a chainsaw accident 10 years ago, there is nothing more important than being safe. Spending the $300 for PPE would have saved me $10,000 in hospital bills.
Make sure he uses safety chain and that you instruct him in the proper ways of cutting, especially watching for kickback. He needs to learn what to look for as far as what situations will cause kickback and how to prevent getting in those conditions.
Depending on his build, the 210 should be fine to start with, but it is very important that he is mature enough to handle cutting. Only you(and him) can know this. He has to be able to EASILY handle that saw and as soon as he feels a bit tired, he needs to quit.
I hope this doesn't sound like a lecture because it is not meant to be. I just don't want someone else to learn the hard way. Since my accident, I acquired the proper PPE and have worked hard to cut safely. Nothing can replace a family member and chainsaws can be deadly. Be safe!!
BTW, I cut about 20-25 cords per year for my home and garage.