Good camp/back country saw

nick c · Dec 5, 2011

I'm in the market to buy a new chain saw. Now that I have a street legal wheeler again the wife and I have been doing more camping and forest road cruising. And a couple times last year we came across downed trees that blocked our path and with my crap-ass Sears saw it took for-ever.

I don't think I need a big ass 30-some-inch Stihl, but I looked at the "Occasional Use" rated saws at my local Stihl shop. They are all 16 and 18 inch bars, and are plastic bodied, have the new easy start system, and tool-less tuning. I'm just not sure I like that, they seem cheap looking compared to the older Stihls.

Just curious what some of you with more experience would recommend. I'm open and almost thinking I'd prefer to buy a decent used saw after seeing what they are selling these days.

Someone also mentioned to me the new saws have a governor on them that limits the power. I haven't used the new saws so I'm curious about how much truth there is.

I should also mention I'm not necessarily brand specific, if theres an alternative to the Stihls that will still last and perform I'd look at those.

boardbysled · Dec 5, 2011

Stihl 029 is what I have been using as of late. It is a mid size saw, keep a good, sharp chain on it, keep it full of bar oil, and full of mix and it cuts great.:awesomework:

Zoediak · Dec 5, 2011

boardbysled said:
Stihl 029 is what I have been using as of late. It is a mid size saw, keep a good, sharp chain on it, keep it full of bar oil, and full of mix and it cuts great.:awesomework:

i used that 'size range' of saw for years... loved it...

not too big and bulky, always cut what i needed... until some crack-head thief decided they needed it more than me...

now i just use my Stihl 440 magnum w/ 28" bar... yeah... a bit big, but i can still fit it into my wheeler.. hehe

but can't go wrong with the 029 series, as long as you don't try to stick some long bar on them, they have enough power to handle pretty much anything...

nowires · Dec 5, 2011

This is no joke and what I carry in my truck for small stuff

Black and decker 18V chain saw
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

and then this one
http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

9 out of 10 time I get by most everything with the battery one. It is fast, easy and doesn't make a lot of noise

zukkev · Dec 5, 2011

I run an 029AV most of the time on the trail, and have an 034AV as well that's used more for firewood duties, but is a good back-up saw....:awesomework:

CHOP SHOP · Dec 5, 2011

The problem with 99 percent of chainsaws carried by wheelers is not the saw.

ITS THE OWNER.

Do you think a new saw is going to keep itself sharpened? Is a new saw going to dress its own bar? Is a new saw going to keep the oiler unplugged? Is a new saw going to keep its hi and lo speed circuits adjusted all the time?

NO

Just give your old saw some much needed maintenance and it will perform like new.

I brought an OLD SMALL husky out last weekend for the northender Elbe run. I bought it at a garage sale for $20 missing a chain and bar. I bought a 14 inch bar and a pair of chains at wallyworld and for under $50 I have a very nice saw.

Now on the Busy that weekend Jacob busted out his big ass Stihl and proceeded to rub his way thru a downed tree. I had to laugh! That bigass saw still didnt make up for a lack of maintenance on his part.

A couple days ago I was using my "little" husky to rip up old Growth fir that I got form Scott/boxboy that was wider than 14 inches and I was too lazy to unlock the shop and get my BIG saw so I double cut it quickly with the little zipper. No problem.

I would bet your little sears saw is better than allot of new choices and its paid for. Maybe a tune/sharp/dress is in order, not a new saw.

whatthe? · Dec 5, 2011

Choppy's right, try and fix the old saw first. I have old home lite and it still cuts great. But if you're after a new saw a 029 is a great choice. I've owned a 021, 029, 031, 039 and a 45av super. The 45 is too big the 021 is too small but the 029, 031, 039 are just right for all around work.

unclestripey · Dec 5, 2011

I've got a few Huskies. from a little toolless saw for my wife, to an old 61, and an older 281XP, but the saw that gets the most use is a Poulan 3400 that was given to me in a box. It's loud, slow, smoky and reliable as hell. No saw will work for **** if it's not maintained.:beer:

War-Jeeper · Dec 5, 2011

CHOP SHOP said:
The problem with 99 percent of chainsaws carried by wheelers is not the saw.

ITS THE OWNER.

Do you think a new saw is going to keep itself sharpened? Is a new saw going to dress its own bar? Is a new saw going to keep the oiler unplugged? Is a new saw going to keep its hi and lo speed circuits adjusted all the time?

NO

Just give your old saw some much needed maintenance and it will perform like new.

I brought an OLD SMALL husky out last weekend for the northender Elbe run. I bought it at a garage sale for $20 missing a chain and bar. I bought a 14 inch bar and a pair of chains at wallyworld and for under $50 I have a very nice saw.

Now on the Busy that weekend Jacob busted out his big ass Stihl and proceeded to rub his way thru a downed tree. I had to laugh! That bigass saw still didnt make up for a lack of maintenance on his part.

A couple days ago I was using my "little" husky to rip up old Growth fir that I got form Scott/boxboy that was wider than 14 inches and I was too lazy to unlock the shop and get my BIG saw so I double cut it quickly with the little zipper. No problem.

I would bet your little sears saw is better than allot of new choices and its paid for. Maybe a tune/sharp/dress is in order, not a new saw.

whats even better is he brought that saw with us saterday and he neglected to even fill the tank with gas so it ran out trying to cut christmas trees :haha:

Im in the market for a saw as well, dont own one currently but boy it would be nice!

zukkev · Dec 5, 2011

You nailed it chop...:awesomework:

Maverick26 · Dec 6, 2011

I use a 1976 Stihl 015 with a 14" bar. It has a full hard case to keep it clean when mounted to the back of the buggy. It gets well taken care of.

whatthe? · Dec 6, 2011

That is a sweet saw.

zukkev · Dec 6, 2011

Maverick26 said:
I use a 1976 Stihl 015 with a 14" bar. It has a full hard case to keep it clean when mounted to the back of the buggy. It gets well taken care of.

I've actually got an 016 my dad bought new when I was a kid...They're so cute! :haha: ....But they work!!! :awesomework:

Maverick26 · Dec 7, 2011

Dang thing feels like it has a better power to weight ratio then my new 026 PRO. Both are my favorite saws.

greenie · Dec 7, 2011

hitting up the pawn shop for an older stihl has been one of my best buys ever.
cant beat real german made stuff.
but i think its important to have a good saw shop and buy what they service if you are new to working on saws. I stop by harper's in roslyn for my parts. the guy knows every stihl saw in/out. i tell him the part im after and if he dont have it he says come back tuesday:redneck: cant get that at sears.

nick c · Dec 11, 2011

So anyone on here know of a good forum for saws? I could google it sure but figured I'd ask for reccomendations first.

CHOP SHOP · Dec 11, 2011

How much ya want for your old craftsman saw after ya get a new one?

War-Jeeper · Dec 11, 2011

CHOP SHOP said:
How much ya want for your old craftsman saw after ya get a new one?

Hey! I want it! lol:fawkdancesmiley:

whatthe? · Dec 11, 2011

I'm all for having multiple saws. Buy a 029 to 039 with a 20" bar and fix the sears saw and use it as back up. Saws are like trucks, guns and rum.

chainsaw · Dec 12, 2011

Zoediak said:
i used that 'size range' of saw for years... loved it...

not too big and bulky, always cut what i needed... until some crack-head thief decided they needed it more than me...

now i just use my Stihl 440 magnum w/ 28" bar... yeah... a bit big, but i can still fit it into my wheeler.. hehe

but can't go wrong with the 029 series, as long as you don't try to stick some long bar on them, they have enough power to handle pretty much anything...

:awesomework: A 29 is a great saw for a bit of trail clearing or fiar woud cutting. Great mid series saw.