I have three Poulan 14" saws, one I bought new, the other two are refurnbished. One of those I use as much as the "new" one, the other is still in the box it came in. The "new" one is now about 15 years old, starts and runs great. Why did I get two refurbed ones, because they were only $80.00 a piece, and they look and run like the new one, at least one does.

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I also have a Stihl MS180, a 16" easy start with a "full cut .50" chain" which replaced the OEM "safety chain". It's a fine mid sized saw and the Stihl brand is well known for quality and performance.

The newer battery saws have loads of power and good performance.
Look at Project Farms reviews, it's always a good place to start when shopping:

Like this:

 

Not cheap one but Stihl and Husqvarana are among the better brands out there. Nothing worse than a cheap chainsaw that will not work when you need it.

One tip that will help is never store it with gas in it. Carry small can of gas. It gums up inside and that caused 95% of the problem. Empty it and run it till it stops when you are done. Annoying but much better to have a saw that works when you need it.

 

I was just looking at Ryobi 14" with battery and charger for 200 bucks. Shows 4.5 stars with over 8000 reviews. Anyone here have one?

 

l have the slightly smaller 18V version and haven't used my gas powered chain saw in years as a result. It's cut down a few trees and done a lot of bucking. Both Ryobi's 18 and 40V batteries last a long time (retaining charge) when not in use. I don't think any tool manufacture's batteriers are rated for storage below freezing, something to consider if you're going to keep it in your truck and your climate.

 

I had a Poulon chain saw a decade or two ago (probably a 22" bar) - it would choke and die after about one tree's worth of use. And it was brand new. It turned out that the air filter was not a tight fit to the carb body, and sawdust was getting into the carb. Once fixed - it was a good saw.

 

I am in need of what I call Texas Road Wood which is essentially found on the side of the road.
I probably wont turn more than 12" diameter.
What are some reasonably priced chainsaws in the 14 to 16" range?
It will live in the tool box in the bed of the P/U
It wont be used very often. Just when I see some logs laying around and I don't really have room to store very many.
Thanks in advance
Tony B

I've had the best luck with McCulloch. Then when they got hard to find in my area I bought a Poulan. I hated that saw from day one and used it for less than a year until I run over it with the tractor. Still don't know if it as an accident or wanted to put it out of my misery. Nobody could make it to where it would start in less then 50 pulls. Then I bought a Stihl and while it still runs needs more repairs and maintenance than any chainsaw I've ever had. I think the next one I will try will be Husqvarna.

 

i go out of my way not to buy anything gas powered unless i don't have a choice
buy a cordless electric chainsaw that matches you cordless tools selection batteries.
after years of heating with wood, i gave it up when i moved to se michigan
i gave away my chainsaw and use either a corded electric chainsaw or m18 sawzall
m18 sawzall with a 12" pruning blade is amazingly fast on small logs

amazon has cheap $65 alternatives anything will work if it's sharp

 

stihl. if reasonably priced means inexpensive. forget stihl.
i live in and around a huge logging area. most buy stihl, but there is an occassional husqvarna. if you have gas, you know it will run. a battery model is too likely to be dead when you need it. imho

 

I have two stihls. One has a 24” bar and is likely 20 years old. I had it rebuilt about 10 years ago and it is running fine but is to big for most of what I use a chainsaw for. Since I don’t use a saw all that often a year or so ago I bought a Stihl MS 171 with a 16” bar. It is basically a homeowner version. I think I paid between $150 and $200 for it. So far it has done everything I need it to including cutting 24” long rounds in two length wise for turning.

 

Stihl is not the absolute best brand for lumberjacks etc, but with the number of dealers, ease of getting parts in the unlikely event you need them, and service right around the corner, it is very hard to beat stihl. We have 2 chain saws, 2 weed wackers, a leaf blower, and a pole saw, all gasoline and all Stihl. One thing about Stihl. You won't find them for sale at big box stores and if something does go wrong the dealers all service what they sell. I bought a poulon 22 years ago at Home Depot and it was a rattle trap. The muffler came loose while running, rubber bushings between the engine and handle were constantly disintegrating. Home Depot didn't fix crap, I had to take the thing to the next county to an "authorized repair shop" for warranty work. Of course the last time I needed warranty work, that shop had closed and I had to pay to ship the damrn thing to the next state. If you don't want to worry about gas and oil and storage for periods and then starting, definitely go with an electric and see about getting an extra battery. Out little 14 inch Stihl had not been started in several years. Fresh gas and the third pull started a couple of poofs and then the 4th pull started. That is unheard of for saws laying around for so long.,

 

The answer is always Stihl.

 

I’d get the E-Go electric chainsaw. My next door neighbor has one and it’s great.

 

We keep thinking about buying a small electric chainsaw for trimming branches from the trees in the yard, but have never bought one. For decades, we have gotten by with a Craftsman cordless reciprocating saw (Sawzall) and long wood-cutting blades. We will probably continue to use the reciprocating saw until the need for a true chainsaw is obvious.

 

I have a 40 year old Stihl Farm Boss and it is still running strong. The only thing other than one bar and a few chains that I have had to change is the fuel pick-up hose in the tank. Ethanol in the gas turned it to mush. Dealer had them in stock.
I did buy an electric for sight trimming though.

 

I only need it for cutting small logs found on the side of the road for turning. I really dont need anything bigger than 12" saw. I wont be cutting anything bigger than 12" dia. Just roll the log as I cut. I turned some green bowls a few days ago from relatively small logs. more like branches around 8" diameter. Tried to make like close to an 8" bowl with them. Bowles came ouy about 6" dia. using the center of the log also.
I assume they will split but it was fun turning them'

 

"don't need anything larger".... Yeah, every hear a turner complain that his lathe is too big, or a farmer complain that his tractor is too big, or a contractor say he should have got a smaller truck? Stihl makes a great little electric which I think comes in 14 inch. I generally figure that I need to start with a blank that is at least a third larger than the final bowl will be. Till I turn off the corners, bark, sap wood and get er round, that runs about right.

 

homelite used to make a nice little XL that typically had a 12" bar, they used to sell them everywhere back in the day! think i have 2 of them. no safeties on them, but good runners.

 

I generally just turn in the 8 to 10" diameter range, leaving the natural bark edge when I can. That depends on when the tree was cut down.
I like to start and finish in an hour or less, not counting prepping the log.
Even for decorative purposes, a 12" Dia. bowl is quite large.

 

I'd buy an inexpensive gas saw if you're going to use it only when you find road wood and have the time, inclination, and wherewithal to stop and 'harvest' it. Battery saws are attractive but relatively expensive. A good quality, more expensive gas saw is probably more than you want.

You can always keep a bow saw in the bed with the chainsaw in case it needs some motivation to keep itself in good working condition.

 

Battery saws are getting expensive. Gas saws hive fumes. The fumes would keep me from putting it inside the truck. Also would have to keep a small gas can with gas in it handy with a means to protect it from falling over. I would have to fit it into the tool box in back of the truck.
On top of that, whether gas or battery, I still would have to get a splitting maul or a second chain designed for ripping. This doesnt end.

 

Battery saws are getting expensive. Gas saws hive fumes. The fumes would keep me from putting it inside the truck. Also would have to keep a small gas can with gas in it handy with a means to protect it from falling over. I would have to fit it into the tool box in back of the truck.
On top of that, whether gas or battery, I still would have to get a splitting maul or a second chain designed for ripping. This doesnt end.

Someone asked me awhile back what is the perfect fishing boat. My answer was at least 4 boats. First, a small pontoon boat, 8 foot, for small lakes and rivers. Second, a small aluminum boat, 12 to 14 foot, for lakes when you want to take a friend fishing. Third, a jet river sled for running larger rivers. Forth, a 24’ to 28’ boat with a cabin for fishing the Salish Sea. This of coarse is for where I live in NW Washington State near Puget Sound. I’m currently down to 3 of the 4 having sold the 24’ saltwater boat.

My point, like boats there is no perfect chain saw. I own 2 gas powered saws, 1 plug-in electric chainsaw and a battery powered chain saw. They all get used for different situations.

 

I need it strictly for stopping on side of road. Probably wont get used more than once a month. Can't get too much wood into the shop. Just not enough room. I just got to have my floor space clear. I got a lot of tools/machinery in that 10 x 30.
Probably could find room for maybe 10 1 foot long logs between 2 work tables/benches.

 

Do you already have a supply of batteries for a particular brand of cordless tools? Does that brand offer a cordless chain saw in their line up that would use your present batteries? If so, buy it. Either as a bare tool, bare tool refurbished, or a complete package, whichever best fits your situation on batteries.
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If you decide to go with gasoline, don't bother mixing your own fuel. Buy premix; TruFuel 32-oz 40:1 Ethanol Free Pre-Blended 2-Cycle Fuel in the Power Equipment Fuel department at Lowes.com Many sources, this is just an example. They offer it in 40-1 ratio or 50-1 ratio.

 

I have "noodled" many log segments in half lengthwise and never bothered with a ripping chain. I can't imagine that you could get one for a small bar saw without having it made up special. I do sharpen my own chains with an HF electric chain sharpener and it is fantastic. I can set the angle of the teeth a little more to my liking. For ripping and cross cut on green wood, you want the angle very slightly more obtuse anyway.. When I rip with my chain, I get long 4 or 5 inch noodle shaped shavings. Some people have a lot of luck with cheap saws. But not me. My Stihl Farm boss is now 18 yrs old. used hard for 14 years to cut the wood that heated our old farmhouse. And that out door boiler would eat a cord a week in January and February..

Battery saws are getting much better and for home owners, offer quieter operation, less mess mixing gas and oil, fewer starting problems, less problems packing them along, etc. There is a lot to be said for the value of the convenience and reliability. .

 

@Dave McCann
The only cordless is Dewalt for my drills. I have the charger with 2 batts. They are only about 1.3 AH each. Their 12 Chainsaw needs a 5+ AH battery. I will find out if my batt charger will handle 5AH Batts and if so, how much do they cost?

I have never seen that TRUE FUEL before. Makes it safer and easier to carry fuel. This might make me think more about going gas.

 

40 years cutting 10 cords a year, in that period I burned out a couple of Homelites, I got a Stihl and couldn't believe how much better it was, that was my last saw, when I stopped burning wood I sold it and recouped half of my purchase cost.
My wife likes to collect branches around the yard, so I got her a B&D cordless chain saw. It is slow but it suits her needs, will cut up to 12", depending on the type of wood and having a sharp chain the battery will last 15-20 minutes so having a second battery is a good idea.

 

I use an enzyme fuel treatment that reduces etrhanol issues and makes for easier starting of two cycle engines. I also use it on all my 4 cycle engines like the log splitter:

Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment Gas and Diesel Additive

Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment is a multi-functional fuel additive that uses enzyme technology to stabilize fuel and make engines run smoothly and efficiently.

www.starbrite.com

I used to use Sta-bil, but a friend told me about Star Tron and I switched a few years ago. It really works! My Harley started right up after not running at all last year.
Typically with ethanol, the carburetors are gummed up and need to get thoroughly cleaned out and flushed.

 

I am in need of what I call Texas Road Wood which is essentially found on the side of the road.
I probably wont turn more than 12" diameter.
What are some reasonably priced chainsaws in the 14 to 16" range?
It will live in the tool box in the bed of the P/U
It wont be used very often. Just when I see some logs laying around and I don't really have room to store very many.
Thanks in advance
Tony B

I'm a long time fire wood collector; I changed from a McCulloch to a Stihl (which has been steady for me.) I line up with the battery operated side. Much less fuss and muss. You'll have the wood in your vehicle before the gas powered saw user has his saw started (after checking gas and chain oil and then using multiple pulls to start his heavier saw.)

 

I line up with the battery operated side. Much less fuss and muss. You'll have the wood in your vehicle before the gas powered saw user has his saw started (after checking gas and chain oil and then using multiple pulls to start his heavier saw.)

funny, but true. not to mention having to store the gas and chain oil. for once a month use i'd use the battery sawzall, cuz the sawzall will literally sawz-all. my favorite pruning device with multiple uses around the house and shop. i had an old railroad tie pile from when we bought the house, i cut them up into trashcan lengths and got rid of them weekly for months. chainsaw couldn't have cut them with all the dirt in them, dirt like you'll find on roadside logs. dirt will dull a chainsaw in seconds

 

Thanks for the input. It rarely gets below freezing on The Texas Gulf Coast.