Chain saw handle types

[martinq]

Is synthetic 2 cycle just E0 gas with synthetic 2 cycle oil? Or are you saying the gas is synthetic.

The gas (fuel) is synthetic. It burns very clean, is equivalent to a 92 (Aspen) and 93 (Stihl) octane rating. It's good in the can for 5 years, 2 once opened.

I did some reading on Aspen and its been mandated in some clubs (gokart) for health reasons among others.

 

[Nukeman7]

Is synthetic 2 cycle just E0 gas with synthetic 2 cycle oil? Or are you saying the gas is synthetic.

The difference between alkylate fuel and gasoline is explained here: ASPEN Fuel

 

[Donald]

The difference between alkylate fuel and gasoline is explained here: ASPEN Fuel

Wonder if this is related to Amoco white gas sold decades ago. Or gas for camping stoves.

 

[Opelman]

Wonder if this is related to Amoco white gas sold decades ago. Or gas for camping stoves.

Camp stove fuel is mostly naptha and rather low octane. I've run it in a Tecumseh flathead and it was definitely pinging. The area did smell nice and colemanish though.

 

[Donald]

My immediate need is over. See if Echo gas chain saws go on sale.

The Stihl has a free battery offer for some of their cordless chain saws. I guess it's a good deal. But the chainsaw and one battery and charger is a little over $800. But given my intermittent need for a chainsaw a cordless seems ideal. But I could buy 2 gas chainsaws for that price.

 

[Nukeman7]

My immediate need is over. See if Echo gas chain saws go on sale.

The Stihl has a free battery offer for some of their cordless chain saws. I guess it's a good deal. But the chainsaw and one battery and charger is a little over $800. But given my intermittent need for a chainsaw a cordless seems ideal. But I could buy 2 gas chainsaws for that price.

For your infrequent need for a chainsaw, I'd agree that a battery powered unit would be the most practical to own. However, $800 would be pretty spendy for non-regular usage. I would seriously consider the well-reviewed 18" ATLAS 80V chainsaw which is 20% off at Harbor Freight this weekend. You could get the saw, the charger, and the 2.5Ah/80V battery for $310.

 

[IndyIan]

We have the Rigid 12" 18V chainsaw. It cuts hardwood, pretty well up to 10". Not super fast, but it beats the handsaw by a lot! All chains need to be sharp which helps any saw. I've bucked up some 18" ash with it, and gets through that as well, without any issues, other than speed.
I register all our Rigid stuff for the lifetime warranty and rarely need to use it, but they did replace my ni-cads when they died, with L-ion batteries and a charger. I would just start buying rigid and gradually replace the ryobi stuff as it dies.

If you've got big trees, like 20"+ diameter, and expect to cut a few of them into chunks you can move after a big storm, then you need a good $1000+ electric with another battery or two, or a stihl/husky 55-60cc+ model.
If you are just buzzing up a fallen branch or two, even up to 16", then something like the Rigid can do that for a $2-300.

 

[mk378]

There exist adapters to fit most brands of 18 (sometimes called "max 20") volt batteries to tools of other brands.
https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Cordless-Batteries-Charging-Function/dp/B0CL3BBYLX

 

[Elkins45]

After the second time replacing the fuel lines in my old McCulloch I broke down and bought an Echo top handle saw about 10 years ago. It’s been the best and most reliable saw I’ve ever owned.

 

[Donald]

I bought a new Echo 20"with a 59 CC engine off Facebook Marketplace for $300. The guy says he buys pallets of them and resells them.

The shipping box got wet as it sat on my front door step for a day.

Just could not justify over $800 for a Stihl cordless.

 

[martinq]

I bought a new Echo 20"with a 59 CC engine off Facebook Marketplace for $300. The guy says he buys pallets of them and resells them.

The shipping box got wet as it sat on my front door step for a day.

Just could not justify over $800 for a Stihl cordless.

Get yourself some synthetic fuel if you're an occasional user. It ups your operating cost but will give you a much more reliable saw.

 

[Rand]

Is that the cs-590? I have one its great
Starts, runs, and idles like a champ.
but heavy.
my previous saw spent more energy starting it than cutting.

you need a trimming/limbing saw now.
get a cheap battery one such as ryobi HP pruning chainsaw 8"
or their HP chainsaw 10" or 12"

That cs-590 is alot of saw.

I cut up this tree with it.. was about 28x24 (square) at the break
hint: the tree branch fell in a storm.. I didnt drop it there
Poor swing.

looks smaller in the pic here is a pic of some of the rounds halfway up

 

[Donald]

Chainsaw
I would get this Echo or a Stihl MS250 if it were me. That should be all you ever need.

I got the Echo 20" 59 CC for $317 shipped to my door. Got it started and cut some scrub that needed to go. Will work on some larger stuff shortly.

 

[Silverado12]

I got the Echo 20" 59 CC for $317 shipped to my door. Got it started and cut some scrub that needed to go. Will work on some larger stuff shortly.

Nice. Where did you get it for that price? I might get one too.

 

[Donald]

Nice. Where did you get it for that price? I might get one too.

A guy on Facebook Marketplace had one for sale new in box. He said he buys them by the pallet. He shipped it to me for $17 which was cost. It arrived new in a box and started and ran properly. Does not look like it was returned or used.