Do you use the standard chain that comes with the chainsaw, or do you upgrade to different type?
Do you use the standard chain that comes with the chainsaw, or do you upgrade to different type?
Do you use the standard chain that comes with the chainsaw, or do you upgrade to different type?
Stihl's are generally good saws. I have a dealer in town that sells and services both Stihl lines and Husqvarna lines. They have a mechanic that works on the saws for professional loggers as well as home owners, farmers etc. This particular mechanic has a very unique perspective, as he actually worked for Stihl and built the saws for 13 years, and then moved back home to the Shenandoah Valley area, and works as the mechanic for the saw dealer.
He told me that they were good saws, but the Husqvarna saws were built a little better in the internals, when you get into the professional lines. The smaller homeowner items are about the same in both brands, but the Husqvarna saws have beefier rods, crank, and they also have the easy start features, etc.
I have a friend who is a professional logger. He has skidders, and all sorts of machinery to log steep terrain, etc. For years he used Stihl, until one year about 7 or eight years ago, he had 3 professional model Stihls that broke a crank in the engine. He discussed all this with the dealer, and decided to go with Husqvarna. He told me he now gets more than twice the life out of the Husqvarna saws than he did the Stihl's. He and his crew use them daily, and have every size class of saw on the market, and I trust his truthfulness and experience.
For about 12 years I have owned a Husqvarna 359, and have cut more wood than I can count, for firewood and for turning. About 4 years ago, I also got a Husqvarna 390Xp with a 28" bar, and have cut a lot of wood with it. Not one problem other than running into a long all-thread bolt, and almost ruining a chain, but that was on me. Both my saws still run like the day they were new, and have not lost any compression, developed any leaks, nor let me down in any way.
Good luck with your choice. I just offer this info for your benefit, and that of others who may read. Unless you are a heavy duty user, either saw will do you a fine job, if you get into the pro line. If you want the build, then the Husky is the heavier build on the motor.
I buy my chains and all other supplies needed to keep my 5 saws running from Baileys.com I make sure the chain has the little line on the tooth to keep the right angle when you sharpen. I keep at least 2 ripping chains in my tool box. Sometimes the only angle the log gives you is first a ripping cut. I do not like to slab, takes for ever, I cut everything for bowl stock. The original brand chains are a little more expensive, whatever is on sale is good enough. I do not like the low kick back chains...Do you use the standard chain that comes with the chainsaw, or do you upgrade to different type?
Davis, not sure I understand chisel/semi chisel. I think I saw chains once that used the standard round file, and there was another one that was more square. Is this what you are talking about?
robo hippy
Love Madrone, how we say it here in Oregon and farther south, and the Canadians call it Arbutus... Cuts like butter on the lathe as well....
robo hippy
Bill - as I understand it, madrone/madrona/arbutus only grows from Northern California to the south of alaska within 50 miles of the coast. The name seems to change depending on how far north you are...I’m a native Californian that drifted north over 40 years ago and find myself using all three interchangeably. Everyone seems to understand what I’m talking about.I googled madrona tree and I got redirected to madrone tree. So, like many other trees apparently there are local names. Google also said that there is an area of Seattle called Madrona so I wonder if there is a connection to the tree.
Bill - as I understand it, madrone/madrona/arbutus only grows from Northern California to the south of alaska within 50 miles of the coast. The name seems to change depending on how far north you are...I’m a native Californian that drifted north over 40 years ago and find myself using all three interchangeably. Everyone seems to understand what I’m talking about.
The Madrona area of Seattle is indeed named after the tree.
Davis can you explain "noodle cut"?. Noodle cutting slabs is much faster than a true rip cut and I'll never need a blank bigger in diameter than my bar is long. Noodle cutting is also gentle on the cutting edge. Sometimes I feel like I could noodle out Madrona slabs all day without sharpening.