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Oct 24, 2010 13:13:27 GMT
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I am sure this is kinda not Retro Ride Car related, but it is petrol and oil.
I want to buy a chainsaw to cut branches, logs and wood to manageable size for our wood burning fire place, before putting the axe to the lugs and chunks.
QUESTION:
Where does 2 stroke stand vs 4 Stroke in these ? (Not sure they are made in 4 stroke)
Does one buy secondhand from Ebay, or do you buy new?
What does one look out for ?
Length, size, power etc?
Any advice massively appreciated.
Thanks,
Rian
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Oct 24, 2010 13:29:08 GMT
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a 2 stroke will be lighter and i don't think i have ever seen a 4 stroke chainsaw
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Last Edit: Oct 24, 2010 13:30:48 GMT by tonka12
97 volvo 940 turbo wagon 87 fiat strada abarth 78 gs1000 82 katana 1100 84 gsx1100 efe
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Oct 24, 2010 13:31:15 GMT
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Not aware of any 4 stroke chainsaws, though they may exist.
2 stroke motors fire once every 2 piston strokes, whereas 4 strokes fire once every 4. So a 100cc 2 stroke twin cylinder engine will be firing twice per revolution. A 100cc 4 stroke twin cylinder fires once.
In very, very simplified terms, a 250cc 4 stroke is equivilant to a 125cc 2 stroke. It is far more complicated than that in realicty, but without going into depth about the black magic that is 2 stroke, that's basically it.
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Oct 24, 2010 13:34:42 GMT
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4 stroke chainsaws are available, but are generally professional units that are waaaay out of the price range for home use.
I have 3 saws atm, all bought second hand at clearance auctions. There is not much to go wrong, but I would not be too happy to buy blind - its nice to see it infront of you before bidding, allowing you to get an idea of its overall condition, plus either run it or at least a few pulls on the cord to check it turns ok and has compression.
I always thought it was brand snobbery when people harp on about Stihl saws and how great they are - I was perfectly happy with my McCulloch, but then I got a Stihl and the difference is amazing - more power, more comfort, less noise and better built. However, I heard Stihl have been bought over by Electrolux? and since then quality has dropped a little.
If you can find a Stihl from the 80`s or 90`s, it will last a lifetime with a little regular care. The big one I have is from 1982 - its all metal, which means heavy to uise but is indestructable. The newer one ( 6 years old iirc) has a plastic body, but still seems very well built.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Oct 24, 2010 13:40:15 GMT
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Actually I do know of some 4 stroke chainsaws... Search youtube for the V8 chainsaw... ;D
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Oct 24, 2010 15:26:07 GMT
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Thanks guys.
Dave21478, great to see you alive on here.
I guess the smaller ones are all I need, just because I can't be bothered to saw up a load of timber/logs or branches.
Will keep an eye out for what is available.
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Oct 24, 2010 16:25:44 GMT
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Thanks Grizz - I still check on here every now and then when I have the time. I'm currently running a Freelander and have nothing retro on the horizon for a while to come.
If you are doing all the work in one spot in your garden then don't discount an electric one. My ladyfriend has one which we found in her barn. I sharpened the chain and gave it a try and it surprised me with how powerfull it was. Certainly up to the job of chopping stuff up for firewood etc. Get one with an automatic oiler though. Hers is pretty old, and you have to pump a wee lever by the trigger with your thumb while using it to pump the chain oil through it.
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1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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Oct 24, 2010 16:58:45 GMT
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Thanks Grizz - I still check on here every now and then when I have the time. I'm currently running a Freelander and have nothing retro on the horizon for a while to come. If you are doing all the work in one spot in your garden then don't discount an electric one. My ladyfriend has one which we found in her barn. I sharpened the chain and gave it a try and it surprised me with how powerfull it was. Certainly up to the job of chopping stuff up for firewood etc. Get one with an automatic oiler though. Hers is pretty old, and you have to pump a wee lever by the trigger with your thumb while using it to pump the chain oil through it. Will look at the electric ones as well Dave. This is my first load of logs, picked up on Wednesday. Will cut and split them, then store them for next year. Branches are all about 3ft long
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Oct 24, 2010 17:16:25 GMT
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A electric one would do that pile of wood no problems.I have used a black & decker one in the last month too take a few small trees down and cut them up for fire wood.Electric ones are better than most people think.All depends on how often you are going to use them and what you are going to cut with them.
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Oct 24, 2010 17:27:51 GMT
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1985 Bedford CF2 camper 1991 Volvo 240 Turbo
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Oct 24, 2010 17:42:00 GMT
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ps, whatever you get make sure its a good quality one, with things like this cheap stuff is not worth it and a waste.
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1985 Bedford CF2 camper 1991 Volvo 240 Turbo
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Oct 24, 2010 18:22:15 GMT
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Thanks guys,
Suterman, I am a pretty dab hand with a smal/medium one person bow saw, but need to get the logs clamped/gripped and Nicola's son wont be helping me, it is not a X-box controller unfortunately.
I will probably give it a go anyway, as the pile is not that big, but will continue to grow.
I suspect the electric ones are worth a look, for "occasional home use"
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Oct 24, 2010 18:27:36 GMT
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Electric ones are, as you say, for occasional light use only.
Two-stroke is the most common. We have several chainsaws here because the plants grow so quickly. Best one we have had so far has been a Poulan, 25cc two-stroke which is both noisy, smelly and outright dangerous. Three perfect attributes for a chainsaw.
Just remember to keep it out of sight when in storage, kiddies like to steal them.
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ezzysi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,189
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Oct 24, 2010 19:38:20 GMT
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I've got an electric bosch chainsaw that gets used mainly for chopping logs for our woodburner.
That said its taken quite a few small tree's down too and i'd highly recommend one, think it cost me around £50 new from fleabay and its been going for about 6 years now with no problems.
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1991 Mk2 Golf Gti 8v 2005 Passat tdi (daily) 1971 Mk1 Escort 2004 Touran (her's)
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Oct 24, 2010 20:21:46 GMT
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I have used electric and petrol.
Get petrol, imo there is no subsitute.
A mate has a sthil 18 inch chain saw and it is a great alrounder. I have used bigger (snigger) but 18" is more than enough for most occasions.
Lewis
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Seems working a chainsaw is childsplay. Got up just now and found a postit stuck to the PC screen on a E-Bay page with Kevlar trousers for sale...... stating "No chainsaw before you get Kevlar trousers" Kinky or what
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Back in the pre-kevlar days my uncle used to wear chainmail rather than kevlar for chainsawing. I'm pretty sure he even had a chainmail glove for holding onto branches while cutting! Not that I'd really want to hit my hand with the chainsaw anyway...
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Oct 25, 2010 11:38:48 GMT
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I've got a cheap and cheerful 2 stroke Chinese made that cost £49.99 from Netto. Works OK for the little job I needed it for but cann't recommend for regualr use - more of cheaper to buy and throw away than rent. I used to borrow an Efco and that impressed. So much so that mate who owned it bought an expensive Husqvarna to replace it when nicked and promptly swopped it for another Efco as he reckoned better machine. I used to own a Stihl cutting saw so if their chain saws are anything like that then they'd get my vote.
Paul H
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Ads 19
Posted a lot
My old r19
Posts: 1,351
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Oct 25, 2010 16:53:12 GMT
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Right first thing you should do when buying a used chain saw is get the exhaust off and look for cracks around the ports. people seem to be a bit tight with the old 2stroke oil. often will be the cause of tempermental starting etc. basically if there is cracking the engine has been cooked. wear kevlar as trust me its very easy to slice into a leg and you don't notice untill you see blood or get out of tree and try to stand up. no lasting problems but went straight into my shin and have a 6 inch scar. the bigger the bar generally the better it will cut, but they can be more prone to snagging. but you will be able to use it for far longer without having to sharpen it.
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Oct 25, 2010 18:29:47 GMT
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Oh, there certainly are 4-stroke chainsaws. Even Chevy V8 chainsaws.
This is how we roll in the US of A. Stick that up your EU emissions regulations..... ;D
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Team Blitz Ford Capri parts worldwide: Restoration, Road, or Race. Used, Repro, and NOS, ranging from scabby to perfect. Itching your Capri jones since 1979! Buy, sell, trade. www.teamblitz.com blitz@teamblitz.com
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