What Chainsaw do you run?

I’m a West Coaster born and bred. Grew up with Grandfathers who logged giant coastal redwood in Northern Cal. And the huge old growth fir in Western Oregon. I never heard that term until recently. I think Stihl or someone connected to them marketed a “West Coast” model ms460. It had dogs, a full wrap handle, and a larger oil pump if I remember correctly.

 

Interesting, well you would know better than myself..

That would've been an interesting life and time to do that. With all those big trees, I would've hated to take one down tho honestly, I guess if the forest is managed properly it wouldn't be as bad as completely leveling it.
Man they sure are beautiful, I love those big reds Seqiouas etc
Not to get off topic. But,
That reminds me, did you ever hear of the Travis Waldon story about him with his Lumberjack crew, when he was apparently abducted by Aliens right in front of them.... I think it was in Oregon..
They did a movie about it, "Fire In The Sky".

https://youtu.be/nDbBWcwu1jM

 

Haven’t heard about that story...interesting.
My grandfather from Oregon was a Fellar who used springboards axes and whip saws. Later on he went went deaf running the old David Bradley chain saws. My California grandfather worked coastal redwoods near Scotia Calif. lost his eye in a hunting accident and had to leave the woods. Lot of history.

 

That's terrible. An undercut is always the last resort for me, and only if I can cut up against the handguard and lock my forward elbow out. I have also done a few plunge cuts in tree stumps. I hate those as well.

 

Yeah that wouldn't be a sight I'd wanna walk up on, especially if it was my good friend.

 

I like the "smell" of the "green" I have more of by not spending more for something I do not need!

 

This sharpener you speak of. Probably fir stihl style chain only?

 

NO -- not at all -here is a link. You leave the chain on the saw, Clamp the bar down so it is steady, -on a bench vise or get a little stump vise that you drive into a big round of wood or a tree stump, have the chain tensioned correctly, lock the chain brake, and file away using the built in guide to keep your angle (30 degrees or there abouts) correct, move the guide as horizontal (flat) as you can, file a section and repeat. You have to turn the guide over to do the opposite side cutter teeth. I prefer to switch sides as I go, but some would to do all of one side then go back and do the other side cutters. This thing is dummy proof. Stihl does include some instructions , but they are sort of hidden in the package. I have seen these on Amazon, -BEWARE Stihl as a rule usually sells their stuff only through authorized dealers sooo Amazon?????. There is some copies on amazon, but I would stay with the original brand from a Stihl dealer --Ace hardware stores will have them as they are a authorized dealer.
I have found by doing this WRONG several times -the key thing is to get the right hand and left hand cutters filed EQUALLY so the saw cuts straight and does not wander to one side or the other.
Link: STIHL Chainsaw Filing Tools - Chainsaw Accessories | STIHL USA

Better link -more specific: 2 in 1 Filing Guide & Saw Chain Sharpener | STIHL USA

 

Pfred makes the exact same tool as the Stihl. I think they actually off brand the Stihl ones.

Pfred cs-x chain sharp. Google "Pfred chain sharpener"

 

You would be correct. And so well balanced with the 32" Light bar. The day I brought her home. She so purdy all clean and shiny

 

Been using a "File O Plate" for years but this thing intrigues me. How do you like it?

 

That is a nice saw. I have an 046 that’s been ported. It’s a dream to operate. I run a 28” with a skip. Stay well...stay safe!

 

Nice saw - looks great with the double dogs. I need to get a second one for my 362.

I put a steel dog on my 170 and it gives it a lot better bite than the plastic one molded into the case.

 

I acquired a Stihl 026 with an 18" bar from my father. He complained it never ran right. I have no idea what he was talking about because I only use it about once a year and it still starts first or second pull, idles perfectly, and has plenty of power.

He also complained the chains were no good because they went dull quick. I watched him use it once and he'd cut on the ground and let the bar dig into the soil, so that part isn't exactly a mystery.

 

love it --really- like it alot . For a grinder fan for years -- this thing is easier on the chains and gets the depth guides at the same time.

 

Hit the dirt -not even rocks- once -my FIL used to say takes the sharpness out of the chain. I did not believe him -- Later on I learned -he was right

 

Thats a beast - albeit a great beast. If I need one that big I'll call my SIL with his Stihl 660 and the 36 inch bar. That thing is too big for this 70+ guy (me).

 

A female friend called yesterday and asked if I'd help "cut up a branch that fell on my clothesline". This morning, I grab my gear and MS210 and head over (50 minute drive).

Well this "branch" was a 12" oak multi branched limb about 30' long that split from about 10' up from the trunk and was twisted and hung up.

A good portion was overhead. The thick end was toward the ground being propped up with the various branches.
Took it apart deliberately and was able to safely roll/flip the main/heavy part to a safe place on the ground where I could buck it up.

That MS210 is a little workhorse.

 

Nice, sweet saw.

How do you like your ported saws?
Do you find modifying these saws, they remain reliable etc?

I ran across this video last night after posting in here, what all do you guys think he's done (mechanically) to this 261?
I know he put a K&N filter and changed the bar, but from my limited knowledge I'd imagine he's done some mechanical mods to get it to perform well enough for that big of a bar or else it probably be too big for it and bog down etc.

Things sweet tho.
https://youtu.be/WEg8A-9TirI

 

Yup, my uncle told me dirt will dull a chain instantly too. I try really hard to avoid it because I am terrible at sharpening chains.