I just have some cheap POS I bought at Walmart that I bought for cutting up a specific tree and only used once. For trimming the pine trees in my yard I prefer my extendable pole saw thing anyway. Also have a couple antique hand saws I'll hang on the wall someday for display. My best tool for taking down trees has been a chain and my truck.

The good stuff you're all talking about I can buy within walking distance of my house should the need arise.

Quote from: akmnstr on July 27, 2010, 08:29:56 AM
For the big manly saws of either brand you will have to go to a specialty store.  In the Northwest that would be a rigging store.  A place just full of the most manly stuff you can imagine.  The places just emit an odor of gasoline and testosterone. 

Very few real husky stores in the midwest - pitty really, because Stihl is the only option if you want the specialty store experience.


mitt

Quote from: lethe on July 27, 2010, 08:31:17 AM
The good stuff you're all talking about I can buy within walking distance of my house should the need arise.

I have a nice Do-It brand locally-employee owned shop I could walk to as well.

They carry Stihl. Of course their prices are a bit higher than other shops, but again, I'd rather give them my business over a big box store.



What are your thoughts on Craftsman electric chain saws?














<ducks>

Quote from: mitt on July 27, 2010, 08:32:29 AM

Very few real husky stores in the midwest - pitty really, because Stihl is the only option if you want the specialty store experience.


mitt

husky or husqy?

Quote from: cyrus buelton on July 27, 2010, 08:39:53 AM
I have a nice Do-It brand locally-employee owned shop I could walk to as well.

They carry Stihl. Of course their prices are a bit higher than other shops, but again, I'd rather give them my business over a big box store.



What are your thoughts on Craftsman electric chain saws?














<ducks>

Realistically for the average person who would just be trimming a branch once in a blue moon, why not?
That's why I don't have anything impressive, with only a quarter acre it would be money better spent on something else.
Would I like the good stuff, of course but it'd be a shame not to use it.
Almost as bad as owning a bike that corners well and living in Ohio.

Quote from: ducatiz on July 27, 2010, 08:40:25 AM
husky or husqy?

yep

QuoteWhat are your thoughts on Craftsman electric chain saws?

My father-in-law has one.  I can't say much about that cause my wife may read this someday.  But, when there is some real woodcutting to be done at his place it is his son-in-law that gets the call.  

Quote from: lethe on July 27, 2010, 08:45:11 AM
Realistically for the average person who would just be trimming a branch once in a blue moon, why not?
That's why I don't have anything impressive, with only a quarter acre it would be money better spent on something else.
Would I like the good stuff, of course but it'd be a shame not to use it.
Almost as bad as owning a bike that corners well and living in Ohio.

I suppose you are correct if the branch isn't terribly large.


I am with you on buying tools that I might use occasionally.

I have a 35$ black and decker drill (not cordless). It works for everything I'd ever need it for.

Sure, I'd love that nice Dewalt one for 200$, but what's the point?



As for roads in Ohio..........head down towards Hocking Hills (south east) and then re-think that.

Sure, the roads aren't like CO or CA, but more realistically for you.......WV or NC.


Isn't PA as flat as a level?

Quote from: akmnstr on July 27, 2010, 08:50:43 AM
My father-in-law has one.  I can't say much about that cause my wife may read this someday.  But, when there is some real woodcutting to be done at his place it is his son-in-law that gets the call. 

Funny you say that, my brother's father in law (who actually is an avid outdoorsmen) bought my brother electric hedge trimmers.

WTF?

Quote from: cyrus buelton on July 27, 2010, 08:54:19 AM

As for roads in Ohio..........head down towards Hocking Hills (south east) and then re-think that.

Sure, the roads aren't like CO or CA, but more realistically for you.......WV or NC.


Isn't PA as flat as a level?

Just busting your chops, 'cause I can and should as I'm sure not all of Ohio is terrible, just where you are.

Nothing flat here. While not at the level of twistyness you find in the WV or western NC, there are some very good roads to be had very close to my house and some fantastic ones within a stones throw as well. You're welcome to sample them anytime. Preferably a group ride where you, Sac and Statler all make the trip. 

Johnsred is a good saw too.  A lot of pulpers in Northern Wisconsin run them with good results.  I've run Stihl and Husqvarna and like em both.  My understanding is that the Husky is a bit lighter per displacement than the Stihl, which at the end of the day leaves you a little less tired.  I guess it really doesn't matter much as long as you are using sharp production chain without all that wimpy anti-kickback stuff.  Most people refer to the consumer chain as anti-cut chain. 

Anyone have a preference or experience with firewood processors?

Not sure what you mean about firewood processors?

The first thing with a new saw is take the chain off and
put a skip tooth chain on it. It'll cut so much faster and you can use the whole bar.

Maybe he is referring to a hydraulic log splitter?

Skip tooth chain doesn't do me much good.  I'm cutting mostly red and white oak and a 20" bar is plenty long for most stuff so I have enough power to pull chips with all the teeth.  I am thinking about getting a small Alaska Mill setup where skip tooth chain is used to rip lumber out of logs.  

A firewood processor takes logs, cuts them to length, splits them and typically has a conveyor to load the split wood into trucks or containers.  Some are fully automatic(don't even need a Class 3 License), semi- automatic or manual.  Some mount on skidsteer arms and run off the units hydraulics.  They will process 1-3 cords per hour.

Hahn HFP160 Firewood Pro - Part 1      This is the skidsteer unit at work.  I want!

^^^

Good lord that would be a lot for personal use.

That'd be like driving a dumptruck for a pickup!

I'm considering a firewood business - processing about 40 semi-loads/season