which chainsaw is best sthil ?

[Jim Timber]

I put a full chisel chain on the Echo 355T yesterday and was grinning like a 13yr old seeing naked tits - for about 20 seconds and then I hit a rock buried in the stump. My grinder, file guides, files, and extra chains are all up North 110 miles away. This was the 3rd chain I wrecked on the damn stump and switched to an axe to break what was left of it off.

Pulled out 14 rocks and some landscape plastic from between the twin trunks at just above the dirt line. I was just trying to get it low enough we didn't have to avoid it with the mower. Not quite there yet, but closer.

I got some 3/4" tubing the other day, so I'm going to make another outlet plate and then do some more timed cuts with my last sharp chain. That little saw has some balls to it.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Full chisel = the way to go. ^^^^ Rocks, nails, even ceramic insulators can be found in trees at times. Ruins a good day of cutting.

 

[Jim Timber]

I'm not so sure on the full chisel anymore. I have 20+ loops of it, and half a 100' roll left of the stuff, and it sure cuts awesome when it's sharp. But when you factor in for dirt and natural edge dulling, I think semi-chisel is actually more practical for most people. If you have the equipment for a square grind, then full chisel comes back to most awesome because it doesn't have the unsupported point like a round grind does.

The problem with safety chain isn't that it's a semi-chisel tooth profile, but the fact there's extra depth gages (rakers) which prevent the teeth from biting effectively. You can't get a kick-back if you can't grab the wood. Well, you can't cut it for poop either.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Yep - I gave up on the safety chain years ago. ^^^^ I love my full chisel chain.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

I am running a semi chisel on mine right now, at least until I run about 10 tanks through it for break in. I had put a full chisel on, and it cut the dry stuff like crazy fast, but when I was cutting some green elm, it would bog down some, and in pine, it would get dry, and hot.

 

[Jim Timber]

Sounds like you lost your edge on the full chisel. Semi just has a different cutter profile, they're not for different types of wood they just don't dull as easily at the junction between the gullet and the top plate.

A full chisel has a square profile on the side of the tooth. When you grind the tooth angle into the top plate, it creates a sharp point on that corner. The result is an "unsupported" edge that's really sharp (think scalpel), but will pein (get dented) when it encounters something hard (like dirt) or will naturally roll over with use (just get dull).

A semi-chisel has a round profile on the side of the tooth and creates more of a "scoop" edge which has more meat behind it (no long point at the corner) which acts like a cleaver instead of a scalpel. You can mash it into more hard stuff before noticing a reduction in performance, but it will never get as sharp as the full chisel and so lots of people poo-poo the profile as somehow being "bad". If you're cutting on the ground and end up touching dirt a few times a day, a semi will stay sharper longer even though it won't start out as sharp as a full chisel will. The end result is you'd be better off with semi.

 

[Telemark]

Stihl. I use two that are both over ten years old, and they are excellent.

 

[yoderjac]

Stihl. I use two that are both over ten years old, and they are excellent.

The ones you have!

 

[SwampCat]

I have two Stihl’s and a Husqvarna. The Husky is my saw of choice for 75% of my work

 

[ksgobbler]

I worked wildfire as a sawyer running Stihls at most duty stations, but one ran Husqvarnas. Also worked for a tree service that went to all Husqvarna. My personal saws are Husqvarna. It’s basically a Ford/Chevy kind of thing. Personally I have had so many issues with Stihl products I’ll never own another.

 

[yoderjac]

The real issue is old verses new. The air pollution requirements on the new stuff really make them problematic. You must run the gas completely out of them each use. I got a new one when my old 028 died and it sucked. I finally got rid of it and bought a used 028 off ebay. It is old and runs great. I can leave gas in it (not recommended) and it still starts up in 6 months.

 

[Telemark]

The real issue is old verses new. The air pollution requirements on the new stuff really make them problematic. You must run the gas completely out of them each use. I got a new one when my old 028 died and it sucked. I finally got rid of it and bought a used 028 off ebay. It is old and runs great. I can leave gas in it (not recommended) and it still starts up in 6 months.

Can you use Sta-bil in them? If so, does it help?

What action/mechanism is causing the problem?

 

[ksgobbler]

I never run the fuel out of mine. But I use it a lot. Maybe that helps?

 

[yoderjac]

Can you use Sta-bil in them? If so, does it help?

What action/mechanism is causing the problem?

I'm not a small engine guy, but I had a stihl mechanic explain it this way to me. There are two factors. First is that the air pollution standards have changed how they build the carburetors. Second is the fuel. He suggested that the e-fuel makes the issues worse. This was about 5 years ago. Perhaps they have solved the problems since then. At any rate, I use regular gas, not e-gas, in an 028 it is problem free. That was not the case when I bought a new saw. The mechanic said the best I could do with the new saw was to empty any fuel out of the tank and then start the saw and let it run dry before storing it. That seemed to work, but even so, it took more effort to get it to start the next year. I'm sure if you are using it day in and day out, you would not have this issue.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[bueller]

Use ethanol free gas and seafoam. I've got small gas engines that sometimes go a year in between starts and all is fine.

 

[Telemark]

So now the question is:

Where do we get ethanol-free gas?

Every pump i encounter says "up to 10% ethanol."

 

[bueller]

So now the question is:

Where do we get ethanol-free gas?

Every pump i encounter says "up to 10% ethanol."

It's popular with the boaters so if you have a popular area for recreational boating around check the stations in that area.

Or check here: https://www.pure-gas.org

Don't forget the seafoam.

 

[Fall's Legend]

Big fan of Stihls. Own 5 including a pole saw. I put ethanol treatment in the gas and never worry about running them dry. Good luck!

 

[yoderjac]

So now the question is:

Where do we get ethanol-free gas?

Every pump i encounter says "up to 10% ethanol."

Boats! We have a lake nearby that still sells regular unleaded.

 

[swat1018]

https://www.pure-gas.org/