Looking for a light duty chainsaw.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1
From: Mercer County, OH
Looking for a light duty chainsaw.
I'm looking to purchase a small 16" chain saw that I'll use to trim trees tree around the house. It won't be used for cutting cords of fire wood so I don't need a super expensive, last forever saw. I'd still like to get something that won't cause problems when I want to use it. I've found a place online where I can get a refurbished Husqvarna 142 for around $150 which seems like a good saw. Anyone here familiar with this saw or do you have any other recommendations?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Infrequent use is just another reason to get a quality saw. It will start better for you after long periods. Just treat the gas.
I have a Husky of a similar model to the 141. A refurb for $150 sounds like a good buy to me. As long as it's a factory refurb.
I have a Husky of a similar model to the 141. A refurb for $150 sounds like a good buy to me. As long as it's a factory refurb.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
I have a cheap Craftsman electric chain saw and it works great for light work..
They have them from $45 to $99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...word=chain+saw
They have them from $45 to $99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10...word=chain+saw
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
ive ran a few different chainsaws since i was 13(6 years now) my favorites have been husky's home lites and mc-coulach... ive only used the older bigger huskys... but even those are nice... homelites, ive had 2 of them... a home lite xl... and some other one slightly bigger then the xl... the xl is a nice saw... never seen the other one run... me and grandpa found it at the dump... which we used for parts for my dads big saw... which is a homelite 410... and i love that thing... its nice and lite... and capable of using it for logging... mc choalach... i just love mine cause i got it from my grandpa after he passed away...
personally... i would go with a bigger bar... 18-20 inch... for just in case... say a tree falls over your drive way durring a windstorm...
personally... i would go with a bigger bar... 18-20 inch... for just in case... say a tree falls over your drive way durring a windstorm...
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
If I remember correctly, the 142 is made for husky by poulin. Do yourself a favor, and buy something like a Husky 340, 350, 55 Rancher, 455 rancher, a Stihl ms 250 or bigger, or even an Echo 440 or bigger. Other than the 455, the other huskys are discontinued but some dealers might have some left in stock. That is how I got my 350. Buy used if you have to, they will still be much better than the junk Poulin, craftsman, or homelite.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 20
From: Nixa
I've got an electric chainsaw, can't think of the brand right now, it's grey and orange, I think I got it at HD. it's been a great saw, I use it on the job sites cutting beams and such. also around the house, that was the intended purpose to begin with.
I' had a craftsman electric, that didn't last too long. But I have a craftsman 14" that I've had for at least 20 years, used to keep it in my Jeep. I've never had a problem with it. starts right up everytime.
I also have two 18" Puolins, that have been to the shop at least once each.
I' had a craftsman electric, that didn't last too long. But I have a craftsman 14" that I've had for at least 20 years, used to keep it in my Jeep. I've never had a problem with it. starts right up everytime.
I also have two 18" Puolins, that have been to the shop at least once each.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
It's more about how you put it away then the brand for infrequent use and reliable starting.
If your not going to use it for a few months:
Mix Stabile with gas double what they recommend
Run it for awhile
Empty gas tank
Run saw till it dies
take spark plug out spray fogging oil in cylinder or pour a little 2 stroke oil in it
pull cord once.
replace plug make sure to coat top with electric grease
When you use it next.
Tighten plug
Fill with fresh gas (got at pump that day not from gas can that has been sitting for months)
Pull cord it should fire up with one or two pulls it will smoke like hell for a minute or two to burn out the oil just rev it to keep it from dieing
Good to go
Or buy an electric one.
Use good quality bar oil not motor oil!
If your not going to use it for a few months:
Mix Stabile with gas double what they recommend
Run it for awhile
Empty gas tank
Run saw till it dies
take spark plug out spray fogging oil in cylinder or pour a little 2 stroke oil in it
pull cord once.
replace plug make sure to coat top with electric grease
When you use it next.
Tighten plug
Fill with fresh gas (got at pump that day not from gas can that has been sitting for months)
Pull cord it should fire up with one or two pulls it will smoke like hell for a minute or two to burn out the oil just rev it to keep it from dieing
Good to go
Or buy an electric one.
Use good quality bar oil not motor oil!
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
What kind of chaps?
If you have the right kind of kevlar saw chaps they will shut down a electric saw as fast as a gas one. The motor might burn up if you have the trigger locked some how but they will stop the chain from moving.
If you have the right kind of kevlar saw chaps they will shut down a electric saw as fast as a gas one. The motor might burn up if you have the trigger locked some how but they will stop the chain from moving.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 14
From: cape may county NJ
It's more about how you put it away then the brand for infrequent use and reliable starting.
If your not going to use it for a few months:
Mix Stabile with gas double what they recommend
Run it for awhile
Empty gas tank
Run saw till it dies
take spark plug out spray fogging oil in cylinder or pour a little 2 stroke oil in it
pull cord once.
replace plug make sure to coat top with electric grease
When you use it next.
Tighten plug
Fill with fresh gas (got at pump that day not from gas can that has been sitting for months)
Pull cord it should fire up with one or two pulls it will smoke like hell for a minute or two to burn out the oil just rev it to keep it from dieing
Good to go
Or buy an electric one.
Use good quality bar oil not motor oil!
If your not going to use it for a few months:
Mix Stabile with gas double what they recommend
Run it for awhile
Empty gas tank
Run saw till it dies
take spark plug out spray fogging oil in cylinder or pour a little 2 stroke oil in it
pull cord once.
replace plug make sure to coat top with electric grease
When you use it next.
Tighten plug
Fill with fresh gas (got at pump that day not from gas can that has been sitting for months)
Pull cord it should fire up with one or two pulls it will smoke like hell for a minute or two to burn out the oil just rev it to keep it from dieing
Good to go
Or buy an electric one.
Use good quality bar oil not motor oil!
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,448
Likes: 2,934
From: Reed Point, MT
For a light duty saw, a Stihl MS290....period. It's the best all-around saw I have ever owned. Starts great, runs great, and has a 20" bar. The only problem is the .325 chain....it's an oddball.
Need more bar and powah, Stihl 066 (now 660). Get a skip-tooth chain and 36" bar.
Need more bar and powah, Stihl 066 (now 660). Get a skip-tooth chain and 36" bar.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS180CBE.html
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS180CBE.html
This would be the saw I recommend for someone who only uses it a few times a year. They don't get any simpler or reliable than this. And it has a toolless chain tensioner and the easy start.
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS180CBE.html
This would be the saw I recommend for someone who only uses it a few times a year. They don't get any simpler or reliable than this. And it has a toolless chain tensioner and the easy start.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
Friends don't let friends buy Poulans.
I have a Husqy 372xp (way more saw than you need), but I don't ever worry about what gas was left in it because it has only ever seen Husqy brand 2-cycle oil, which comes with stabilizer in it. It never starts on the first pull if it's been sitting, but 2-3 with the choke on (until it stumbles), then with the choke at half, another 3-4 pulls. It's 5 years old now, never had a new spark plug, and I"ve been through several chains. Runs like a raped ape. I would go Husqy again in a heartbeat, but I would find what has the closest service center--Husqy, Stihl or Jonsered--and get that brand in a PRO MODEL. That is the most important part. Homeowner-grade saws are not what they once were, they're all Chinese junk now that you'll be lucky to start after the first couple seasons.
Jason
I have a Husqy 372xp (way more saw than you need), but I don't ever worry about what gas was left in it because it has only ever seen Husqy brand 2-cycle oil, which comes with stabilizer in it. It never starts on the first pull if it's been sitting, but 2-3 with the choke on (until it stumbles), then with the choke at half, another 3-4 pulls. It's 5 years old now, never had a new spark plug, and I"ve been through several chains. Runs like a raped ape. I would go Husqy again in a heartbeat, but I would find what has the closest service center--Husqy, Stihl or Jonsered--and get that brand in a PRO MODEL. That is the most important part. Homeowner-grade saws are not what they once were, they're all Chinese junk now that you'll be lucky to start after the first couple seasons.
Jason
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
Pull the trigger
no matter what saw you buy don't buy a 4 stroke model and when you get your 2 stoke saw don't run it anyway but full out 2 stokes are made to run hard and if you feather the throttle and don't use everything it has you'll just gum it up.
Something to think about to you can cut anything 1.8 times the size of your bar so if you buy a 14 inch bar you can cut through a 25 inch tree with no problem.
You don't need a pro model for what your going to be doing but buy a STIHL you won't be sorry ever.
Something to think about to you can cut anything 1.8 times the size of your bar so if you buy a 14 inch bar you can cut through a 25 inch tree with no problem.
You don't need a pro model for what your going to be doing but buy a STIHL you won't be sorry ever.