Just been told the ignition module on my ancient but trusty 14” bar Husqvarna has failed and is beyond economical repair. My almost equally ancient 16” bar Stihl however lives to cut another day, only requiring a new chain. I’m looking for recommendations for a 12” or 14” bar saw for routine pruning and lopping that is ‘cost effective’ (£250/£300). The local company I use for all my garden machinery maintenance is an Efco stockist and I have been offered a discount against any stock saw because there are parts that can be savaged from the Husqvarna that they can use. Are there any regular users out there who can offer practical feedback on the Efco or recommend another brand ? Thank you. Andy
i would have opted for a husky again but if you're having good times with the stihl what about a sympathetically used 12 or 14 bar stihl
I have had a Stihl 017/018 for at least 20 years.....It has never been a problem, done loads of hard work, never changed the plug (apart from it being a sod to start if I haven't drained the fuel out when I have finished using it). I have two 14" bars and loads of chains (a friendly tree surgeon gave me about 25 when he changed his saw)....that means I can use either bar which have differing width chain guides......I think one is 1.25mm and the other is 1.5mm. I sharpen all the teeth by hand..... I doubt I would change for anything other than Stihl, the more I see of their products.
I have a Stihl brush cutter that I bought second hand through a different local stockist that I had been happy with but they have stopped trading as an independent and are now part of a franchised chain where the tech service is nowhere as good as before. My chainsaws I prefer to buy new, just something impressed on us during training by an old instructor who had all his fingers. The current local stockist is convenient and from experience, he looks after his customers very well so would like to support him, especially now. As Arquebus says, Stihl is proper kit but I don’t have a local stockist that does in house servicing and repairs. Was hoping someone would pop up and say Efco or really great or utter crap to take the agonising out of getting my wallet open. Andy
My local man suggested buying a saw with a second, shorter bar which hadn’t occurred to me. Definitely something to consider. Andy
With a Stihl chainsaw, I wouldn't expect to need in-house servicing and repairs (unless it was me in my own house). I once owned a whacking great one man chainsaw....the bar must have been at least 30 inches long or more...... It was a very heavy blue and pale grey item powered by a Villiers engine....I think the capacity was about 150cc. I could get it running for two minutes then it pack up and refuse to start again unless I left it for a day.
Have you considered a battery powered saw. I bought one of these last year and it’s been spot on for domestic use the battery life is great and it charges quickly. https://www.sam-turner.co.uk/products/ego-cordless-chainsaw-cs1400e-kit
As above, i was going to suggest a battery version. Milwaukee m18 stuff is really good. I have a few things from them. The hedge trimmers are very good. Latest purchase being a table saw which is fab. ok, you have to invest in batteries and charger initially, but so useful. (9ah and 12ah have a great run time). This is a bare unit for example, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Milwauke...FUEL-Compact-Chainsaw-Bare-Unit-/333337895931
I have a cheepo mcCullock which is OK but not great . My Nephew is a tree surgeon and it is Stihl or nothing in his book
Why do you need a shorter bar than on your 16"? If you do - cant you swap that bar to a smaller one? I run the very smallest Stihl one... never had an issue Also their hedge cutter leaf blower and large combi unit with hedge and chain saw for the conifers. As you can tell I like Stihl..
The 16” Stihl is impractical in confined areas and up a tree. The concept of having different length bars for the same body is a new one for me. My credo for many years has been why have 1 tool when you can have 3 ? Probably explains why I have several bikes. Andy
The new cheapo lines from stihl are not that great, made to a price to attract diy people to buy their stuff, you need to buy their profi stuff to get quality, same as with green and blue Bosch products
I've got the Makita twin 18v battery version which is excellent. Makes short work of railway sleepers which is what I use it for most.
Sod that, quickest way to roger a chain ! A sadly missed friend, started and managed a horticulture project for adults with learning difficulties many years ago. The project acquired 40 old railway sleepers to construct raised beds to make it easier for people with a physical disability to enjoy gardening. Muggings got roped in to cut the sleepers to size, must have gone through 6 chains. Still, well worth it though. Andy
I wonder what the spec and cost is, of the chains the police use on theirs for going through front doors etc
Stihl. Even the small ones are superb, I use mine mostly on small stuff. But have cut down a large cheery tree in my garden. Surprising what the small versions are capable of with a bit thought. Got a mate over here who works semi pro removing small trees and trimming. Again a one word answer..
Btw, customer had this brilliant looking Stihl electric saw for pruning. Gave it try the other day and the battery was flat within five minutes. Out with my petrol Stihl and job done!
