Powersaws - what's everyone using?

[thedustyboot]

Not sure i've seen much of a discussion on it but I figured I'd get a thread started about chainsaws.

My other hobby aside from jeeps is fixing and repairing old saws, and over the last four years or so I've really enjoyed the hobby.

My go-to saw that I always pack in my rig is pawnshop special Stihl MS170 (no photos yet) that I carb swapped and ported the muffler. It's nothing special, but it's light, relatively compact with a 14" bar and can be easily replaced if it gets broken. Around here there's always an 7/10 chance of coming across windfall blocking your path and a saw sure beats chopping

what does everyone else run? I'm interested in learning what other members use and maybe I'll learn a few things such as smart ways to store/mount your saw or if there's anyone else here who's into tinkering on saws.

 

[Harold&Cat]

I also use a little Stihl MS 170 . I use it around the house and always carried it in the Jeep on trail rides . I now carry a small inexpensive battery chainsaw in the Jeep . It uses the same Milwaukee M18 battery as my onboard air compressor and other tools we carry in the coach. Ours is in a plastic tool box for carrying it around in the Jeep .

 

[bucky]

I used Homelite exclusively until my Wife had a yard-sale and when she went inside for something the Assholes stole all of them by the time she went back out. They did leave me with a few dozen chains. I went with Husqvarna. I have 3 16”-18”-20”. Sad part is the Homelite chains don’t fit. I just did some heavy maint on my Husqvarna 50 I got in the 80s. New oil pump, fuel line, on/off switch and rubber isolators. I used to sell firewood back in the 80s and 90s. I would cut out the citrus trees from the groves before they replanted with houses.That 18” 50 has cut hundreds of cords of wood and made me a ton of money. I just got a contract from my BIL to cut out 5 acres of navels so he can replant with avocados. Not as much call for firewood around here now but I have some long term customers that still buy it. I used to get $80 a cord now I get $350-400 dumped in the driveway more per cord for smaller amounts. $100 to stack. At 67 I can’t cut or split all day I just do it a few hrs at a time.

 

[thedustyboot]

That's so cool! Sad about the garage sale... Some people.. To this day my parents and grandparents still burn wood so firewood cutting/splitting/stacking is still a regular activity around here, mainly softwoods like Douglas fir and hemlock since they're the most common species here on the west coast. I have an old Homelite XL-12 that was given to me a couple years back. That old saw has seen more than it's share of work, and it's really quite fascinating how that saw used to claim to be the "lightest" saw of its size back then it was new in the late 60's. Eventually I'd like to learn how to port saws, there's a gentleman a few hours away from me with an extensive McCulloch collection and a popular youtube channel (IYKYK) who runs some pretty neat ported saws.

 

[Head Lice]

Logged over in Powell River.
For big stuff, a Walkerized 2100 Husqvarna.
Pioneer 66cc Farmsaw for the TJ

 

[John Cooper]

I have 3 saws, but don't carry one with me.

An original Homelite XL from the sixties weighs a ton because its metal body.

Then 2 Husky saws one 16" one 24"

I keep the old Homelite thinking I'll restore it one day.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I forget which thread it was in. But I remember a few guys talking about being impressed with the Milwaukee electric saw for trail use. Said it was pretty powerful for the size and prevented having to carry the extra fuel. I seem to remember them being pretty happy with the battery life too.

No experience personally besides that conversation and one guy at work talking about it but it definitely had my interest for the future.

 

[speeding_infraction]

Subbed, I was just looking at chainsaws as well. Post up your mounting solutions as well please

 

[Harold&Cat]

I forget which thread it was in. But I remember a few guys talking about being impressed with the Milwaukee electric saw for trail use. Said it was pretty powerful for the size and prevented having to carry the extra fuel. I seem to remember them being pretty happy with the battery life too.

No experience personally besides that conversation and one guy at work talking about it but it definitely had my interest for the future.

I'm pretty happy with the small electric one we bought . It is a cheap Chinese one but does the job well . I was going to get the Milwaukee , but this one was about $200 less and takes the same battery as our Milwaukee air compressor . I haven't needed to recharge the batteries on the trail yet , but I do have the capability to recharge while driving . Overall it is a great little saw and we no longer have to carry the fuel in the Jeep .

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I run an old souped-up Jonsered 670 which has been ported, and has a custom K&N intake (I know, I know - but it does a good job with saw dust...). It's a beast, and hardly portable. 70 cc's and a 3 foot bar. I think it makes 5 or 6 horsepower. It is scary - especially the older I get.

It literally has a sticker on the cowl that says "Do not use this chainsaw unless you have extraordinary cutting needs. Do not use this chainsaw unless you have specific training in dealing with kickback."

'Course, what else am I gonna throw in the back of a Hemi rig...

Here is the chain saw recommended for LS powered rigs...

 

[Zorba]

I forget which thread it was in. But I remember a few guys talking about being impressed with the Milwaukee electric saw for trail use. Said it was pretty powerful for the size and prevented having to carry the extra fuel. I seem to remember them being pretty happy with the battery life too.

No experience personally besides that conversation and one guy at work talking about it but it definitely had my interest for the future.

Bought the M12 Fuel mini-saw recently "Just in case".

 

[bucky]

This post reminded me that a friend gave me a Craftsman 10” saw. He said that the fuel lines were bad and he didn’t want to spend the money on repairs. Looks like he used a 20-1 mix because the exhaust is full of oil. Before picture and after some degreaser and a spray down. Looks like it would be a good limb saw with a little love. This post just gave me another project.
I know I know my trailer needs a paint job too. New Year’s resolution.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Well my Stihl 031 AV that I bought new in 79' is still operable but mostly the modern Stihl MS 251 now. Oiler on the old one is a lot more reliable.

 

[Apparition]

My dad had a fleet of homelites we used on the farm. He abused the hell out of them and they kept going.

For the occasional one branch I have to cut up every couple years I use a Stihl pro level saw, can’t recall the specific model but it runs very well.

Someday I’ll add a Milwaukee so I can stop mixing fuel unless I really need it.

 

[jeepguy03]

I like my Echos, they seem to be the most reliable, and I fix saws on the side as a business. Little CS-352 with 14" bar for trimming and Christmas trees, CS-501P for firewood with 18" bar.

 

[Farmergreg]

Stihl MS260 keeps ripping along. Its about 14 years old. We heat with an outdoor boiler and 40 acres of woods so it does get used.
But the real deal is carbide tip chains, I've cut two years now on one chain.
Don't hit steel with it though it removes the tips. Although I had 8 tips missing on the last chain and it still cut.

 

[Apparition]

Stihl MS260 keeps ripping along. Its about 14 years old. We heat with an outdoor boiler and 40 acres of woods so it does get used.
But the real deal is carbide tip chains, I've cut two years now on one chain.
Don't hit steel with it though it removes the tips. Although I had 8 tips missing on the last chain and it still cut.

Ever since the last time you mentioned that I’ve had one in my cart ready to order but haven’t pulled the trigger. I think I’m on about 10 years since I’ve had the current chain off

 

[LJBean]

My Jonsered CS2255 (20" bar) gets used for the bigger jobs and sometimes more because it's to dependable for a quick start. It's essentially a twin to the Husqvarna Rancher 455. My Stihl MS250 (16" bar) is a good mid-size, but you have to start it right or it's easily flooded. I still have my dad's old Homelite Super 2 relec (14" bar). It has the magnesium housing but is still the most portable of the three, so if I carried a saw in the Jeep it would probably be that one. The Homelite runs, but needs a refresh.

 

[thedustyboot]

@NashvilleTJ I like the hedge trimmer! Some of the old roads around here would be much easier to clear with one of those over a saw or machete.



@speeding_infraction X2 on that, I plan on mounting a packout base vertically between the roll bar next to drivers rear window to get my tools up out of the way (more room for the dog ) but I'm still brainstorming ideas of where I could put the saw. One possibility could be making a small shelf over the rear wheel well and putting it there, use some 3/8" plywood perhaps.

I have an old Stihl ms200t top handle that is similar in power to my modded ms170 but is shorter in overall length because top handle. I might have to take it apart for a second time because I cant get the darn thing to idle...

I've seen people do saw scabbards beside the spare tire but personally id be too concerned about all the dirt/mud/water affecting it.

One thing I do use for my 170 that I really like is this "drip tray", it has a bungee to keep the saw secure and really helps cut down on the mess that saws generate after they've been used.
Chainsaw tray

 

[speeding_infraction]

@speeding_infraction X2 on that, I plan on mounting a packout base vertically between the roll bar next to drivers rear window to get my tools up out of the way (more room for the dog ) but I'm still brainstorming ideas of where I could put the saw. One possibility could be making a small shelf over the rear wheel well and putting it there, use some 3/8" plywood perhaps.

I like the motobilt carrier.
https://motobilt.com/products/chain...KmJjw4aWzv1ek4QTN90vbsZHGCIFSAfx3ldMO0vdzNNzu