Anybody had any experience with Stihl
chainsaws? I looking to buy one for
use around the home and it might see
a little action clearing around deer
plots. I'm looking at the Stihl O18c.
They seem to have a reputation for
durability. Of course, they are sort
of pricey. This model runs about $250.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

There is a fall sale ad in our paper today, Stihl 018C with a 14" bar for $199.95. I've got a Husqvarna and I'm really happy with it, when I replace it I'll probably will go with a Stihl. I couldn't justify the $50 difference over the Husky at the time I bought.

 

stihl is hands down the best saw you can buy... I have a 023 i think(It's in kansas, don't use it much here.) I loved it, never had any problems and walked on Huskys of the same size. Husky makes a good saw and some swear by them but every profesional I know uses a stihl. I'm really not for sure but I think Huskys' turn a few more RPM's but Stihls seem to have more grunt. I sounds stupid but that's one thing we prided ourselves on in Kansas, how good your saw was.

 

Thanks guys. I'm really leanin' toward the
Stihl. If it's on sale, I'm buying. I'll
check with the dealer today.

 

you can't go wrong with the stihl. i have 2 "farm boss" saws i use now. one with an 18" bar, and the other with a 20". good luck, Rich.

 

I bet If I got a stihl, I could break it.
Me and chainsaws don't get along very well.
I had an McCulloch Electromac 16" (hey it's all I needed at the time) and the chain kept loosening after about three cuts, sometimes less.
Recently, I needed to do some real cutting and bought a gas (grunt, grunt) powered Poulan 18" (whoo, two more inches!) It wouldn't stay running, so I let my BF play with (I mean use) it. The chain also kept loosening. He did use it enough to have to sharpen the blade though.

What actually helped was when I called the electric Co and asked them to come out and move my wire so I could cut down a couple of trees that would surley take down that wire if it wasn't moved beforehand. When the guy came out, he asked why I wanted it moved, then said it would be easier to just cut off the parts of the trees that would be in the way of the wire, then my husband could cut the rest. I was like, (ahem) OK because I am the one who gets to finish it, and my stupid chainsaw sux, so that will be a big help.
He cut most of one those trees, and enough of the other one, so I could totally remove the one growing in to my fence, and at least clean up the other nuisence one.
With the recent storm that had up to 80 mph gusts, I had NO tree droppings from the remaining one!
Thanks a LOT Electric Man wherever you are!

 

I worked on a logging crew up in Northern Ontario. The only thing our crew used were Stihl's. Husqvarna's are a good saw too. But if you take care of your saw, it will outlast you (I have one that is over 20 yrs. old and still runs like a banshee.)

Mike

 

I also have a "Farm Boss" (029??) Have been very satisfied with it. Dulls the blade pretty quick, though!

 

I've got a Craftsman. Its a good saw for light work. Never had any problems with it.

At my work we use Husqvarnas. It's a good saw, but i don't care for it. Blade looses up real quick, and it overheats and stalls out after a while, so you have to let it cool down for about 15 or 20 mins until you can start it up again. Another thing i noticed with it was, once the tank is only about 3/4 full, if you try to turn the saw on its side to cut, the fuel sending unit can't get an fuel into it and it stalls out.

Stihl makes some excellent power tools. You can't go wrong with them.

 

I went by the dealer and bought the
018c yesterday. From there I went
straight to my place and cut a few
smaller pines that have been in my
way. It cuts wonderfully, my only
complaint is the overly-complicated
choke lever. I believe it could
be easier to use. If you don't use
it just right, it kicks a small
plastic piece out of kilter. Then
it has to be taken apart to replace
the plastic piece. I'm sure I'll
get used to it in time though. It
seems to be a really strong cutter.
Thanks for the info!

 

I guess nobody wants to hear about my 25 year old $100 Homelite chainsaw that always starts on the first or second pull and is on it's third chain (worn out or chipped) and second bar (worn out) and third sparkplug and has been loaned out numerous times to friends who have abused it. Oh yeah, it came in a nice plastic injection molded case (no worries about oil leaking and making a mess).

 

WOOHOO, my next chainsaw will be a HomeLite

 

Sure Dennis, tell me all about it.
In fact, next spring when I get ready to takle the remainder of that other tree, why don't you show me how wonderfully it works?

 

Hehe... Reminds me of the guy who cut and sold firewood. Used a saw and axe for years. Finally went to the hardware store for a new axe since he wore out his old one. The clerk asked him how many trees he could chop down a day. "Five," he said. The clerk told him, "Buy this Stihl 018c for $250 and you can cut down 25 trees in a day!"

So the guy buys the saw and the next day, he cuts down 5 trees. He goes back to the store, finds the same lame a$$ed clerk and says, "I thought you told me I could cut down 25 trees a day with this new fangled saw? I can only cut down 5 trees. I could have done that with a $40 axe!"

By now, the clerk was shaking in his pants 'cause this guy was big and scary looking. You know the type? Full on beard. Red flannel shirt. Jeans. Waffle stomper boots.

Well, he got his wits about him and said, "Well lets see..." He starts checking the saw out. "Fuel? Full. Oil? Full. Choke? On. Throttle? In start position." Gives the rope a yank and BRRRAAAAHHHHH!!!! The engine comes to life.

Over the din of the 2-stroke engine the customer yells, "What the hell's that sound???"

(Yeah, it's a oldie, but still a goodie.)

 

Very funny! I've got an ancient homelite string
trimmer. It smokes, barely cranks, and only runs
well at full throttle, but it still does a great job.