Powersaws - what's everyone using?

[thedustyboot]

I became one of those fools who likes porting the exhaust on their saws so hearing protection is an absolute must Like @JMT said about rocking the saw back and rotating the wrist, that's by far the easiest for engaging the brake after a cut.

I started helping a friend/arborist for extra cash about a year ago and he wouldn't let me touch a saw without wearing any form of safety chaps or pants. Then he bought me a Pfanner protos which I use pretty much every time I'm using a saw.

@JMT must've been the 455 model. I bought one for my sister as a grad gift two years ago but she's barely used it. I bought the 460 rancher model 6 years ago as my first saw and I absolutely loved it. I cut many cord of wood with it. But as I got more comfortable around saws I started looking for something bigger and scored a screaming deal on a near-new 365xp which has become the main firewood saw.

 

[Head Lice]

Little story here . . . . our group were doing some Provincial Govt. Timber Sales just north of Powell River, BC. Seven guys, all able to do any job involved in these time limited logging operations. The regular log scaler and bucker had gone 'out' for some 'home time' and I was doing the bucking and running loader- sorting and loading logging trucks.

The scaler that showed up to replace the regular guy should have been in Playboy magazine. A tall dark blonde woman who knew her stuff, and strutted her other stuff . . . beautiful, casual, sun browned with big green eyes. The skidder operators wouldn't leave the landing . . . they were circling around drooling and making dust - -completely distracted as was I. Distraction's not good, and as a result, I ran my 2100XP into the toe of my caulk (cork) boot. Not hurt, but they were good Daytons with punch-in caulks.

Such is coast logging !
Tip of the hat to dustyboot !

 

[thedustyboot]

Little story here . . . . our group were doing some Provincial Govt. Timber Sales just north of Powell River, BC. Seven guys, all able to do any job involved in these time limited logging operations. The regular log scaler and bucker had gone 'out' for some 'home time' and I was doing the bucking and running loader- sorting and loading logging trucks.

The scaler that showed up to replace the regular guy should have been in Playboy magazine. A tall dark blonde woman who knew her stuff, and strutted her other stuff . . . beautiful, casual, sun browned with big green eyes. The skidder operators wouldn't leave the landing . . . they were circling around drooling and making dust - -completely distracted as was I. Distraction's not good, and as a result, I ran my 2100XP into the toe of my caulk (cork) boot. Not hurt, but they were good Daytons with punch-in caulks.

Such is coast logging !
Tip of the hat to dustyboot !

That's a great story! Where abouts were you working? Got any old saws for sale? My father used to have an old pair of Daytons, along with a handful of other guys of his generation who worked the logging industry, everyone loved those old boots.

I love all things related to the history of logging and Powell River has so much fascinating history. I landed in the marine industry and I'm chasing my marine engineering tickets but logging will always be a huge interest for me.

 

[JMT]

I miss my days on the ranch. Threw a couple pics in to stay on topic!

 

[lBasket]

I miss my days on the ranch. Threw a couple pics in to stay on topic!

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Why'd you leave ranch life?

 

[JMT]

Why'd you leave ranch life?

When we moved to the INW we needed to be closer to my job and the kids were about college age so they needed to be a reasonable distance to jobs and school. All that added up to living in town. Man that’s a tough move.

 

[lBasket]

When we moved to the INW we needed to be closer to my job and the kids were about college age so they needed to be a reasonable distance to jobs and school. All that added up to living in town. Man that’s a tough move.

Good reasons, but yeah that really sucks. I fear the day when I have to do that lol. Maybe you can move back to a ranch some day..

 

[John Cooper]

Good reasons, but yeah that really sucks. I fear the day when I have to do that lol. Maybe you can move back to a ranch some day..

I miss the ranch and the farm. I would settle for 25 acres now. But having to take care of dad somethings are just not in the cards anymore.

 

[JMT]

Good reasons, but yeah that really sucks. I fear the day when I have to do that lol. Maybe you can move back to a ranch some day..

I’m always looking at property. I’d love to have about 5-6 acres I could build a small but functional home on about 2000-2200sq ft with a big outdoor deck, hot tub, and a separate shop with a lift.

 

[JMT]

I miss the ranch and the farm. I would settle for 25 acres now. But having to take care of dad somethings are just not in the cards anymore.

You know what you’re talking about. The game of Life.

 

[sab]

I miss my days on the ranch. Threw a couple pics in to stay on topic!

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That looks like familiar country!

 

[thedustyboot]

I'd say over 90% of what i deal with in my part of the world is conifers like doug fir or hemlock and the occasional Alder on the trail. This pic was from the last firewood run the other week, four rounds filled dads tundra

 

[John Cooper]

I’m always looking at property. I’d love to have about 5-6 acres I could build a small but functional home on about 2000-2200sq ft with a big outdoor deck, hot tub, and a separate shop with a lift.

We have right at 3 here, but it's right on a main road, my 2 dogs stay in a nice pen, but I would rather them to be able to run free, hopefully next year the place gets fenced in.

 

[lBasket]

I’m always looking at property. I’d love to have about 5-6 acres I could build a small but functional home on about 2000-2200sq ft with a big outdoor deck, hot tub, and a separate shop with a lift.

That sounds awesome. That would be ideal. 2 acres is a little too small but something like 25+ is a lot if you aren't gonna have animals. Having a full shop would be amazing

 

[JMT]

That sounds awesome. That would be ideal. 2 acres is a little too small but something like 25+ is a lot if you aren't gonna have animals. Having a full shop would be amazing

Yeah, I had 12.5 acres before and it was a lot to take care of but doable. Much more and I think, in that area at least, it would have been too much. We had a lot of cactus and cedar and mesquite that I was constantly clearing. The cactus was the worst. But the hunting, chickens, horses, and views were fantastic. I originally bought the little red Jeep just to get around the property and pull a small trailer for chores. Here we are today. Thinking back I really miss it all. I think you’re right. I need to really start thinking about moving out again. You have a great little town you live near..

 

[John Cooper]

Yeah, I had 12.5 acres before and it was a lot to take care of but doable. Much more and I think, in that area at least, it would have been too much. We had a lot of cactus and cedar and mesquite that I was constantly clearing. The cactus was the worst. But the hunting, chickens, horses, and views were fantastic. I originally bought the little red Jeep just to get around the property and pull a small trailer for chores. Here we are today. Thinking back I really miss it all. I think you’re right. I need to really start thinking about moving out again. You have a great little town you live near..

It's why I wanted 25 acres. I want all woods if possible.

Room to hunt and let the dogs roam all day not just a couple of hours a day.

 

[AOSJ]

Stihl 291
It's okay, not really enough power for the 20" bar I have on it - I thought it was a good amount of displacement for the price

I occasionally cut big oak and 20" helps buck most of the tree without having to step over and cut from the other side, but I should get a 16" bar for most of my work with it

the thing starts perfect every time using ethanol free mixed 50-1 - thats a Stihl for ya i guess

 

[tr21triton]

I was lucky enough to get the Model 1 Stihl and still use it today !

 

[John Cooper]

I was lucky enough to get the Model 1 Stihl and still use it today !
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Looks like way to much saw for you my friend..

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

Big fan of the non Mtronic stihl M261 with a 16 or 18" .325 rapid super. Open exhaust up and remove carb limiters, it will really scream.

No way I'm running it without ear protection.