My hobby and out of control obsession...

I gotta watch a bunch of videos before I go out there and try it , I don’t even know what a spring pole or butt end is... let me just stop
Posting on here ... I sound pathetic....

 

Get either a Husqvarna roller guide for your chain (3/8 ) . Or , get the Stihl 3/8 file and guide set ,and the FG1 file guide . The Stihl will be more expensive , but with the file guide , it’ll hold a 30 degree angle perfectly . When you do an initial filing on a new chain from Echo , it’ll be a bit difficult . Just mark the inside of the cutter with a sharpie , count the file strokes ‘til the marker is gone ,and do the same # of strokes to the rest of the cutters . It’s an Oregon LGX or LPX chain . They run a 25 degree cutter angle for whatever reason . Most other chain manufacturers use 30 on chisel chains . If you need pics to clarify , I’ll be glad to help out .
You’re gonna like that CS 620 . Real nice saw !

 

No you don’t . Just remember to respect the tool you are using . When you buy your saw , get it from an OPE dealer ,not a box store . Tell them about your experience level ,and what you will be cutting . If they “air you off “ , find a better dealer . Also , one type of tree to be really wary of is one that has been dead a long time ,and still standing . They’ll drop limbs on you due to the vibration of the saw ,and when you cut them , the dry wood won’t act as a hinge ,making them hard to control .
Also , don’t feel uncomfortable about wearing cutting chaps ,or other PPE .
This is about not getting hurt ,not about showing your man card .
Generally ,if I’m felling ,I wear full wrap chaps , gloves ,eye protection , and a pair of Haix boots . All of that is way cheaper than a trip to the ER ...

 

Super nice collecto...

So tell me this, how do I sharpen a chain while still on the saw? Safely....

I get tired of chains loosing their sharpness after 1 hour of cutting.....

 

Thanks for the advice, I’m not shy about PPE , I work at a Nuclear plant so it’s ingrained in me. One reason I’m Leary of them is that for 13 years I was a patrol deputy. Gotta call for a misssng man who was known to be cutting wood on a piece of land he had purchased. We found him dead with a nasty gash across his upper body, bleed out overnight. Sad situation. I’m a Stihl guy, but I’ve been looking at the Echo saws that you have been talking about.

 

Not sticking them in the dirt is the first step to keeping one sharp. Your going to cut a lot of circles before you learn to file. Take off the same amount and file to the outside

 

I've got a little shop near me that sharpens blades for 6 dollars a pop. Some people indulge in 6 dollar coffees, I choose to indulge in not having to f with chainsaw blades! I do love my little farmboss.

 

The chaps are the biggest part to that. If you watch your body position and understand how chainsaw kickback works, you stand a much better chance at not getting hurt. I use a saw daily with my job and have a healthy respect for it. We had a guy recently that tried to make a plunge cut into an old buried pile while standing. He is new to our department, so I guess he didn't have much experience with a saw, but it kicked, missed his steel toe and went right into the side of his foot. The leather stopped it from most of the possible damage, but still sent him to the hospital for stitches. Snitches get stitches and so do dummies that don't work safe!

 

Ha, sorry Ron... Your post showed up after I was done with mine. Gotta be careful with those saws!

 

I'm to dumb to wear ear plugs half the time

 

Linework make a man out of you real quick!

 

Got this old girl in for some TLC. Leaking oil , chain won’t stay on , missing some pieces , runs rough .
New oil cap , chip screen , a few screws , new chain adjuster ,and a carb tweak ... she’s all good to go .

 

I've been thinking about investing in a hardhat with the faceshield. I have the chaps, and wear eye and ear pro also. With the kick guard, I've rarely heard of a saw bouncing back into someone's face though. Usually it's big heavy saws in bad positions where that happens. I run a Stihl MS250 so it's pretty small and light and I just use it for basic firewood cutting.

That said, I've seen enough chainsaw injuries to be better off safe than sorry. I have a picture in my "injuries folder" of what happens when a chainsaw just nicks a leg. It took something like 80+ stitches, internal and external to close up. The fellow bought chaps after that. If anyone feels morbid, I can post that. LOL.

 

@nixon I have a Husqvarna 460 rancher 24" for about 8 years now. I don't use it much - only a couple times a year if that. It's been great, no issues (except that it leaks bar oil in storage...have to fix that still). I'll eventually be buying some property & moving to country & will be using saws much more. What saw do you recommend for a lighter work like limbing? This Husq is huge - works great for felling/bucking large trees, but I'm thinking to get something for small stuff - hauling the Husq around all day gets tiresome. Buy once, cry once - I'd want something good & reliable. Thanks, dude.

You're ~ 4.5 hours away from me (I'm in northern VA). If you were closer, I'd attempt to twist your arm to let me shadow you while you work on your saws...so I can learn. Impressive what you do.

 

Kinda hard to make a recommendation because there’s a lot to choose from . As for Husqvarna , I’d look at the 439 , maybe the 543xp . For Echo, the CS352 . And for Stihl , the Ms 170 ,or 180 . Stihl did sell an MS 241 which was a great small saw , but took it out of the line up . It pretty much comes down to what dealer you are comfortable with .also , if you have any landscapers ,or tree service folks locally , see what the run for limbing ,etc . If you run into problems with your saws , I’d be happy to help out ,or point you to a forum that will help .

 

Thanks!

 

They ‘re kinda heavy for 54CC’s . But it’s built stout has tons of torque . I had this one buried in white oak doing a noodling cut ,and it just kept eating and throwing chips . It would be well suited for a 20” bar ,or better .

 

I just happened upon this thread and saw all those chainsaws...you'll have to give me a moment.



Anyways, between the Stihls and the Kubota, I'd be in heaven. I own 2 of them myself (one's an MS251 and I forget what the other one is), and I'm about to buy one of their pole saws - seems like every tree on my property needs limbs cut down but ALL of them are about 15' high. LOL

 

Y'know, I'm *NOT* a big fan at all of Poulan; I've had numerous things that break from them.

BUT

I've got a Poulan Pro string trimmer that abso-freakin-lutely refuses to break on me. I've intentionally abused the @##$ out of it for the last 3 - 4 years, and it works fantastically - starts right up every time, even the one time I forgot to change gas out over the winter. Smoked like a chimney but ran just great.

 

Extendable pole saw ( chainsaw onna stick ) will work you hard ! Seems like everything you really need to get at is with the saw fullyExtended ,and your arms at full reach . On the plus side , I have used them to drop trees that are in a bad spot ,with no escape route . That 14ft head start is helpful .

 

Well got all the parts for the Shindiawa 488 . New P&C , intake boot , a few minor pieces , and opened up the muffler a bit to let her breathe better . She’ll pull the 20” bar buried in old dry oak , which surprised Me ,as it’s only 48 CC’s . Obviously she didn’t pull it like a 90 CC saw ,but she didn’t slow down like I thought it would . So, it’ll be good to have something light with some reach ,that can work it’s way through bigger stuff if needed .
Picked up this incase the predicted zombie apocalypse Hits while I’m out cutting ...

 

Just redid all the fuel lines ,and rebuilt the carb ground the chain on this guy . A lot of folks laugh at Poulans . But , they can take a lot of abuse ,and with minimal maintenance run forever . Great saw for someone that just limbs occasional ,or needs a “ camp saw “ , etc .

 

Hey @nixon, looking for some advice, please... I was swapping out the oil pump hose in my Husqvarna 460 Rancher. Had to remove the spark plug to get the clutch off. I ordered a piston stop from eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/264207766527) and royally screwed up while using it. I cross threaded the spark plug threads in the cylinder assembly. Nice. I was able to get it back out, but it chewed it up pretty good. Bits of metal - even a couple shards - left behind inside on the cylinder. I got the big pieces out & most of the bits. Expensive way to find out I ordered the wrong size piston stop.

I'm one to usually go OEM on replacement parts for quality sake. The cylinder will be about a $100 replacement (part #537320501). Are you aware of any aftermarket brands that are OEM quality that you would recommend? Thanks in advance.

 

And Happy 4th!

 

Nevermind...I just bought OEM.

 

I just found this thing in a barn that I’m attempting to find parts for... chain brake and a starter cover... seems like it’ll run once I figure out why there’s no spark

 

Nice super pro 81.Look on ebay.lots of mac parts on there