Help me pick a chainsaw

[Perplexed]

So, for those interested, that’d be a Stihl MS462 72cc if you were lookin at a new model.

Or a good used Stihl 044 like I have

 

[emapples]

It went something like this......I came to work here bout 6yrs ago and this saw was tossed off in a corner with burnt up bar and not much of a chain. Upon my inspection it also needed a cage bearing. So I fix it all up and cut one log with it and all is well. Time goes by and it got loaned to a neighbor. After it’s gone for about a week Chico hears in the coffee shop that so and so has our 028 cuz it quit workin when so and so had it borrowed. The so and so “mechanic” said it was junk. Chico picked it up and brought it home. Upon my inspection today, the cage bearing is missing, the sprocket gear that drives the Oiler is missing and the circlip/snap ring that holds the washer down is missing. Saw still starts right up and runs great. So I’ll see how she is after I get those missing parts replaced. In the end, it ain’t my saw and I didn’t loan it out so really I can’t get to mad but you can bet your ass I ain’t loaning my crap out unless I trust the person’s abilities or their checks are good.

I have 100’s of cage bearings for the sprocket and several sprocket assemblies for an 028. 3 carbs (that need a rebuild) and 1 bar oil pump I think

 

[Cowcatcher]

I have 100’s of cage bearings for the sprocket and several sprocket assemblies for an 028. 3 carbs (that need a rebuild) and 1 bar oil pump I think

I’ll keep that in mind. This saw is a rim drive. I converted my 029 last year to rim drive also. Makes things more gooder in my opinion.

 

[emapples]

I’ll keep that in mind. This saw is a rim drive. I converted my 029 last year to rim drive also. Makes things more gooder in my opinion.

Yeah that’s what I have laying around I do t like them lol....but they can make them faster

 

[Cowcatcher]

Yeah that’s what I have laying around I do t like them lol....but they can make them faster

The spur/star on my 029 was bout worn in two when I changed it to rim drive.

 

[dennishoddy]

Out of curiosity how many people here bough chainsaws as a result of this thread?

Not as a result of this thread.
In 83 we started racing 3 wheelers. Cut and sold wood to pay for entry fees, exercise and maintenance.
Built our own enormous log splitter to get it split.
Still have the splitter. Haven’t used it In years.
Even has an overhead crane on it to move wood.

 

[dennishoddy]

I didn't buy a new one (although I'd like to), but I did drag out my 20+ year old Homelite and fire it up. I've generally got to fool with it for a little bit to get it started, but it always starts and runs (knock on wood!). I took out a Rose of Sharon bush (OLD, thick bush) in the back yard, and took down some more limbs out of our sweet gum tree in the front. I've got quite a few more limbs that need to come out, but they're gonna' take the son's pole saw to reach. And, I left some bigger limbs that will come out a lot easier and quicker with his new Stihl!

Some #2 lead shot shells might have sheared it off a bit closer?

 

[Fredkrueger100]

Does your Stihl 180 not start and run well or do you not like it for the job you feed it? I ask because yeah the husky 455 at 56cc/3.5hp should run circles around a Stihl 180 at 39cc/2hp. Kinda apples and oranges ain’t they?

I know it’s not the same comparison. I wasn’t trying to compare them. My stihl is very hard to start and does not run very well once started. My stihl blower is the same way. I bought both brand new and have had nothing but problems from both. My blower struggles to start as well and once started bogs down a lot and I have to manipulate the choke for a while to get it to calm down and then normal.

 

[yukonjack]

I know it’s not the same comparison. I wasn’t trying to compare them. My stihl is very hard to start and does not run very well once started. My stihl blower is the same way. I bought both brand new and have had nothing but problems from both. My blower struggles to start as well and once started bogs down a lot and I have to manipulate the choke for a while to get it to calm down and then normal.

So why don't you take them in and get them fixed? That's why they give you a warranty when you purchase them new.

 

[jakeman]

I know it’s not the same comparison. I wasn’t trying to compare them. My stihl is very hard to start and does not run very well once started. My stihl blower is the same way. I bought both brand new and have had nothing but problems from both. My blower struggles to start as well and once started bogs down a lot and I have to manipulate the choke for a while to get it to calm down and then normal.

Every Stihl I own is hard to start, and if you don't do everything right, and I mean everything, they will flood and then you're toast for a little while. That's why my next one will probably be an Echo. I hear they aren't as touchy to start.

If and when they start, they run and perform fine, they are just a little on the persnickety side when it comes to starting. The older ones, if you ever prime them or choke them, they will flood.