Chainsaws and those who use them

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Mine is longer than your peevee. Grandpa and GGP used to load logs onto wagons by using turning hooks to roll them up planks. One man on each end, taking turns holding/turning sequentially. They cleared land with axes and crosscut saws in winter when you couldn't farm. Charged $2.50 an acre. Ran out of work before too many years and would move.

That generation of men were amazing. Not only the amount of work done to clear the country but also the stonewalls they built to pasture it. Working oxen and a stone boat no less. Men like your grandfather build the foundation of the world and did it with there bare hands.

I’ve got a couple of crosscuts stored upstairs I’ve always wanted to fell a tree notching with an axe and then cross cutting it down. The problem is finding someone crazy enough to man the other side of the saw.

 

[HankBuck]

That generation of men were amazing. Not only the amount of work done to clear the country but also the stonewalls they built to pasture it. Working oxen and a stone boat no less. Men like your grandfather build the foundation of the world and did it with there bare hands.

I’ve got a couple of crosscuts stored upstairs I’ve always wanted to fell a tree notching with an axe and then cross cutting it down. The problem is finding someone crazy enough to man the other side of the saw.

@Tubby’s Canteen - I’m fairly old and Never broke a leg in my life but trying that “notching with an axe” sounds like I still have a chance !

 

[Happy Myles]

When I was a kid houses used wood stoves for heat, cooking, and hot water. This took a lot wood. Three homes shared the effort of falling three pine trees each thirty inches in diameter using a two man crosscut saw, falling wedges, double bitted axes, mauls and splitting wedges. Limbing, butting up, splitting, and cording wood was real work. Dad bought a chain saw from the Sears catalog and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Ranked right up there with the invention of the electric blanket!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

My neighbor grew up cutting logs and stave bolts with his dad.
He said they had an old one ton studabaker truck that had been rolled over, so they got it cheap. They cut the cab off and put a big bumper on the front, some tire chains on and used it to skid logs. Of course the had to use a block and tackle here and there to get enough advantage on the log.
They loaded trucks with two hooks and some hickory poles for ramps.
I guess the real came when it was time to stack the stave bolts in the rail car.

 

[rookhawk]

I love the collections and enthusiasm for the vintage chainsaws on this thread.

I moved to a rural location where I may have to cut 100 trees in a week, but then may not use a saw for 8 months. Due to my erratic service intervals, I got rid of all my gas chainsaws and got one of the new Stihl 300 M/C professional grade battery operated saws. It’s a beast for a battery operated saw. 18” bar. The battery will let me cut roughly 45 sixteen inch logs per charge and I have a few batteries for it.

My worst fear is having an emergency on the property where i need to buck up a tree that is blocking the driveway. (Happens every year) I’ve had too many clogged carbs due to stale ethanol fuel over the years.

TLDR; if you’re suspicious of battery operated saws and think they are consumer grade, times are changing. (I still wouldn’t endorse one if you use your chainsaw weekly, gas is better if used frequently)

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I love the collections and enthusiasm for the vintage chainsaws on this thread.

I moved to a rural location where I may have to cut 100 trees in a week, but then may not use a saw for 8 months. Due to my erratic service intervals, I got rid of all my gas chainsaws and got one of the new Stihl 300 M/C professional grade battery operated saws. It’s a beast for a battery operated saw. 18” bar. The battery will let me cut roughly 45 sixteen inch logs per charge and I have a few batteries for it.

My worst fear is having an emergency on the property where i need to buck up a tree that is blocking the driveway. (Happens every year) I’ve had too many clogged carbs due to stale ethanol fuel over the years.

TLDR; if you’re suspicious of battery operated saws and think they are consumer grade, times are changing. (I still wouldn’t endorse one if you use your chainsaw weekly, gas is better if used frequently)

I’ve never had a problem with stale gas but my saws are probably used frequently enough to keep that from being an issue. I always make sure to run them dry when there going to be stored any length of time.

 

[HankBuck]

I love the collections and enthusiasm for the vintage chainsaws on this thread.

I moved to a rural location where I may have to cut 100 trees in a week, but then may not use a saw for 8 months. Due to my erratic service intervals, I got rid of all my gas chainsaws and got one of the new Stihl 300 M/C professional grade battery operated saws. It’s a beast for a battery operated saw. 18” bar. The battery will let me cut roughly 45 sixteen inch logs per charge and I have a few batteries for it.

My worst fear is having an emergency on the property where i need to buck up a tree that is blocking the driveway. (Happens every year) I’ve had too many clogged carbs due to stale ethanol fuel over the years.

TLDR; if you’re suspicious of battery operated saws and think they are consumer grade, times are changing. (I still wouldn’t endorse one if you use your chainsaw weekly, gas is better if used frequently)

@rookhawk - I’m a fan of Stihl and own a 362 w/20” bar. I’m no expert on motors or even lumberjacking but I also use my saw infrequently and it can go 8 months between starts and then cut hours a day for a week or more - I do a lot of felling to create food plots and habitat for wildlife on my properties. In 14 years I’ve never had a problem and it’s only received one service. I do Only use NON ethanol gas and synthetic oil. What you describe sounds like a Great electric chainsaw and perfect for cutting firewood, limbing fallen trees and even logs up to 16”-18”. I don’t think it will handle felling trees 18”-28” diameter and some users occasionally need that (I do). It is good to know that electric/battery chainsaws are improving and I would expect Stihl to make one of the best. Thanks for your post.

 

[Challer]

An app named Pure Gas will list ethanol free gas dealers in the US. Only kind I’ll buy, still us Stabil

 

[Ravensview]

That ethanol mix gas that a lot of stations sell is a small engine repair shop goldmine, I’ve been running the canned mix for my saws, and non ethanol in my atvs and snow machine, after seeing what the ethanol does to them. My saws run a heck of a lot better, I use a good stinky cigar when contemplating life between fill ups for mosquito and black fly control.

 

[Daniel Cary]

View attachment 676408View attachment 676409
266xp I picked up todayView attachment 676410View attachment 676411

I have the brochures, literature when the 600's were marketed. The 2165, 2172's were not quite out yet & the later years when both were showing available .. somewhere.

The 266xp didn't show up, I'd love to see it. Those were great years for Husky/JRed.
Always wanted a 288xp, I used to love looking at in my adolescence, along with all the US pro-saws back then, huge Homelight's, Poulan Pro ..

 

[Daniel Cary]

I have the brochures, literature when the 600's were marketed. The 2165, 2172's were not quite out yet & the later years when both were showing available .. somewhere.

The 266xp didn't show up, I'd love to see it. Those were great years for Husky/JRed.
Always wanted a 288xp, I used to love looking at in my adolescence, along with all the US pro-saws back then, huge Homelight's, Poulan Pro ..

View attachment 676545

I swear there's a new "Windsor" Josnsered Logo'd Bar & Scabbard here.

The only somewhat vtg, I had .. I put a want add on Arboristite for a mint 394,

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I have the brochures, literature when the 600's were marketed. The 2165, 2172's were not quite out yet & the later years when both were showing available .. somewhere.

The 266xp didn't show up, I'd love to see it. Those were great years for Husky/JRed.
Always wanted a 288xp, I used to love looking at in my adolescence, along with all the US pro-saws back then, huge Homelight's, Poulan Pro ..

View attachment 676545

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

I swear there's a new "Windsor" Josnsered Logo'd Bar & Scabbard here .. if you want, you can have it.

I’d love to have it sir that’s very generous, I’ll pm you about it tonight

 

[Daniel Cary]

@rookhawk - I’m a fan of Stihl and own a 362 w/20” bar. I’m no expert on motors or even lumberjacking but I also use my saw infrequently and it can go 8 months between starts and then cut hours a day for a week or more - I do a lot of felling to create food plots and habitat for wildlife on my properties. In 14 years I’ve never had a problem and it’s only received one service. I do Only use NON ethanol gas and synthetic oil. What you describe sounds like a Great electric chainsaw and perfect for cutting firewood, limbing fallen trees and even logs up to 16”-18”. I don’t think it will handle felling trees 18”-28” diameter and some users occasionally need that (I do). It is good to know that electric/battery chainsaws are improving and I would expect Stihl to make one of the best. Thanks for your post.

361/362 .. a great saw!

 

[Daniel Cary]

Grandpa's 65

I do enjoy working the woods, since surrounded by trees. If I had to do it for a living, I'd go hungry.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

Grandpa's 65

View attachment 676554
I do enjoy working the woods, since surrounded by trees. If I had to do it for a living, I'd go hungry.

I don’t do it for a living just supplementally , father did at times when I was growing up but more as a supplemental income in the off seasons. He fished commercially and farmed/butchered and worked in the woods. Before the uptick in lobster prices Nova Scotia was in a major economic slump. The cod moratorium was a major blow and then a few years later Bowater Mersey closed the pulp mill. Most of the men were involved in multiple sectors just to make ends meet. Farming/fishing/forestry all run hand in hand here and generally the men ended their careers driving trucks. Truck driving was generally the last job left they could physically do.

 

[rookhawk]

@rookhawk - I’m a fan of Stihl and own a 362 w/20” bar. I’m no expert on motors or even lumberjacking but I also use my saw infrequently and it can go 8 months between starts and then cut hours a day for a week or more - I do a lot of felling to create food plots and habitat for wildlife on my properties. In 14 years I’ve never had a problem and it’s only received one service. I do Only use NON ethanol gas and synthetic oil. What you describe sounds like a Great electric chainsaw and perfect for cutting firewood, limbing fallen trees and even logs up to 16”-18”. I don’t think it will handle felling trees 18”-28” diameter and some users occasionally need that (I do). It is good to know that electric/battery chainsaws are improving and I would expect Stihl to make one of the best. Thanks for your post.

@HankBuck I think your appraisal is spot on for what its good for and what it is not. In a real pinch with my 18" bar, I could take down a 30" tree but its not for sport, its for an absolute emergency situation. I'm rural and wooded so there is no rescuer coming to help us. If a tree is blocking our driveway we are SOL until I move it. If my gas is old, I forgot to put stable in my saw, etc I'm in a world of hurt. We usually find this crisis out at 6:50am as my wife is trying to drive three kids 15 miles to school.

The commercial battery stihl saw is pretty slick and can be ordered with a 16"-20" blade. The batteries cost as much as the saw, but we rotate the same commercial batteries to our roto tiller for the garden (and mineral wallow), for our leaf blower, pole saw, and weed whip. Going all-in on their commercial battery equipment softens the blow. They are also really quiet which is handy for preparing blinds and stands without stressing the wildlife.

The saw and two batteries depletes exactly as quick as I do so everything needs a recharge about that time.

https://gregersonacehardware.stihldealer.net/products/chain-saws/battery-saws/msa300co/?_gl=1%2A1ie3bdh%2A_gcl_aw%2AR0NMLjE3NDM3ODcyNTkuQ2owS0NRandocjZfQmhENEFSSXNBSDFZZGpCSE81WDdCNnMwaHRCSHQ2LUhjNmRzejN3am5UQ3pjZjZkOUxxa241TVItTXZWQnJNOGZ0QWFBaktfRUFMd193Y0I.%2A_gcl_dc%2AR0NMLjE3NDM3ODcyNTkuQ2owS0NRandocjZfQmhENEFSSXNBSDFZZGpCSE81WDdCNnMwaHRCSHQ2LUhjNmRzejN3am5UQ3pjZjZkOUxxa241TVItTXZWQnJNOGZ0QWFBaktfRUFMd193Y0I.%2A_gcl_au%2ANTcyMzgwMDQ0LjE3NDM3ODcyNTg.%2A_ga%2AMTIyNzgxNTA0Mi4xNzQzNzg3MjU5%2A_ga_KPDPSC1NQZ%2AMTc0Mzc4NzI1OC4xLjAuMTc0Mzc4NzI2MS41Ny4wLjA.%2A_ga_G8ZD67Y14Z%2AMTc0Mzc4NzI1OC4xLjAuMTc0Mzc4NzI1OC4wLjAuMTcwNDAxNzc1Nw..

 

[Newboomer]

Peavey in Central and Western Canada too.

Cant dog in Maine.

 

[Newboomer]

That generation of men were amazing. Not only the amount of work done to clear the country but also the stonewalls they built to pasture it. Working oxen and a stone boat no less. Men like your grandfather build the foundation of the world and did it with there bare hands.

I’ve got a couple of crosscuts stored upstairs I’ve always wanted to fell a tree notching with an axe and then cross cutting it down. The problem is finding someone crazy enough to man the other side of the saw.

That's how I got started. When my Dad came home from WWII he went to work for a guy in town working in the woods. I was 4, barely old enough to know a bucksaw from an axe but I just had to go to work with him. He took me one day and of course I had to help. So he put me on one end of his bucksaw and told me to pull because he wasn't going to push (he helped quite a bit, though). Next came his double bitter to limb out the trees and I had to try that, too. I think I knocked one limb off before he took it away from me. Funny, but I remember those days as if it were yesterday.
The bucksaws retired in 1947 when he got the first chainsaw. What a difference and the rest is history. When we went to straight bar saws the axes were used mainly for wedge bangers. I think over the years I've run just about every brand of chainsaw built.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

That's how I got started. When my Dad came home from WWII he went to work for a guy in town working in the woods. I was 4, barely old enough to know a bucksaw from an axe but I just had to go to work with him. He took me one day and of course I had to help. So he put me on one end of his bucksaw and told me to pull because he wasn't going to push (he helped quite a bit, though). Next came his double bitter to limb out the trees and I had to try that, too. I think I knocked one limb off before he took it away from me. Funny, but I remember those days as if it were yesterday.
The bucksaws retired in 1947 when he got the first chainsaw. What a difference and the rest is history. When we went to straight bar saws the axes were used mainly for wedge bangers. I think over the years I've run just about every brand of chainsaw built.

That’s an amazing story sir thank you for sharing. I started similarly only with newer gear. Father would leave for the woodlot in the morning and as soon as I could give my mother the slip I’d walk from the house to the woodlot ( my mother for lack of another socially acceptable term lacks one redeeming quality as a human being). I was 10 or so by then and a big kid father quickly got tired of taking me back home and scared of me crossing a 100 series highway on foot he put me on the c4. Father would hook a twitch and get the machine headed out the road I’d drive it to the brow and the hired man would unhook turn the machine and send me back in. I drove the machine all that first summer and saved him a man’s wage.