Wife gave the thumbs up....

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Maul4life

Maul4life

New Member
Nov 20, 2013
31
Fairbanks, AK
Good Morning, All...
Over the past three years, I would take my wife out woodcutting with me. She enjoys the environs and enjoys the hiking around. The last couple years, she has assisted me by limbing the trees after I fall them. She has been doing this with a hatchet. I have offered her one of my saws, many times...but she finds them too large for her to feel comfortable with. FINALLY...after watching her do this for 2 years, she asked me "do they make small chainsaws?".... This is exactly what I was hoping for! So I am shopping for a small saw for her to limb with. I am looking at this saw: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/in-tree-saws/ms192tce/. Anyone out there with experience with this saw, or recommendations for a different saw? I have an MS361, an 036AV and an 044. All of them are plenty enough saw for what we have here in interior AK. I just thought a little arbor saw would be fun....
Thanks,
PJ
 
My wife is comfortable with the little Echo 306, 14" bar. Light , and starts first pull every time.
 
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Hmmm...you sure you want your wife to be running a saw that is designed for single hand operation? They are a great little saw, but most often considered a "climbing" saw. Another consideration would be the 170 with a short bar and pico chain. Light. Easy starting and two handed operation with a chain brake.

(Jon beat me to it.)
 
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I guess what it comes down to is, I want that saw for my work around the property...her being able to use it is justification. I never thought about her not being comfortable with the top handle....I will have to take her down to the shop. Was trying to keep her away from the price tags...
 
I can only speak for myself, but 9 times out of 10 - if I get a kick back it is during limbing. I find it much easier to control a saw with two hands, than with one (and I am a pretty good sized dude). Just food for thought.
 
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Maul4life said:
I never thought about her not being comfortable with the top handle....
Click to expand...

It's about safety, not comfort. Even when used 2-handed, a top-handle saw is much less forgiving of error.
 
Maul4life said:
Good Morning, All...
Over the past three years, I would take my wife out woodcutting with me. She enjoys the environs and enjoys the hiking around. The last couple years, she has assisted me by limbing the trees after I fall them. She has been doing this with a hatchet. I have offered her one of my saws, many times...but she finds them too large for her to feel comfortable with. FINALLY...after watching her do this for 2 years, she asked me "do they make small chainsaws?".... This is exactly what I was hoping for! So I am shopping for a small saw for her to limb with. I am looking at this saw: http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/in-tree-saws/ms192tce/. Anyone out there with experience with this saw, or recommendations for a different saw? I have an MS361, an 036AV and an 044. All of them are plenty enough saw for what we have here in interior AK. I just thought a little arbor saw would be fun....
Thanks,
PJ
Click to expand...

There are more accidents limbing than cutting down trees. Full protection is also needed and I would never consider using any saw with one hand.
Saw looks nice / professional....how much does it cost ?
 
You should most likely be looking at a small 2 handed saw for both control & her safety. As far as price goes usually the pro style one handed climbing saws are more expensive, plus if you find one she is comfortable with there is always used saws out there.
 
I've used the MS170, I was highly impressed for the size and the $
 
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I have a MS180 with a 12" bar and it's great for limbing. For a while my 036 was in the shop and I was using that thing to cut up all sorts of firewood.
 
I have the 170 and 360. I would say I use the 170 70% of the cutting time. Oh yeah and it sips gas!
 
I have a 1/2 acre lot with outlets readily available so I use a b&d gator for limbing. No exposed chain, why take unnecessary chances. Does 80% of limbs.

Anyway, do they a similar style in gas?
 
Stihl ms 180 or 170 would be a great limbing saw for your wife. I originally purchased a used top handle saw for limbing and took it back to the shop a day later for a new ms180 which has been a great saw since day 1.
 
Find a shop with a Stihl Ms150 in stock. When your wife lifts it off the shelf and holds it it will be game over. You'll never see her get in your pants that fast again (for your wallet).

That saw has never bucked or done anything scary. I can limb so fast with it its amazing. If your wife is safety conscious don't let this top handle featherweight give you pause. I love using the saw!
 
Don't forget the chaps!!
 
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IDK, it's obviously different in AK, but I would lean against any risky activities for the wife with all the other stuff they do.
 
Just let her make the decision .. and if's wrong .. not your fault!
They are smarter than they look. ;)
 
IMHO, get a MS170... they are fairly cheap and you can't put a price on safety. If you need a top-handle saw then you need to get both. A top handle is not a good choice for a novice nor for any time that doesn't require a top-handle saw. Using a top-handle saw is a trade-off, you're trading safety for other features of the saw. IMHO you should ONLY be making that tradeoff when it is absolutely necessary.

All that being said, I have 2 saws. Modded MS170 that gets 70+% usage and Makita DCS 6401. The MS170 is small, light, sips gas, and runs a high chain speed for quick cutting on the small stuff.
 
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Some years ago, I picked up a Jonsered 2050 Turbo for bucket work. That saw worked for me for over 15 years and cut countless trees. Lightweight and full safety, always started and ran great. Finally, the carb is fouled up being repair. It still runs, but, not dependably, so, I replaced it with a 2250 this year. Under $300 and a very dependable saw.
 
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