What drives guys to wanting many chainsaws ?

[PA Dan]

I buy most of my saws as projects,by the time I get them the way I want them to run,I get attached to them and won't let them go.My problem is I really like building them.

Exactly how I feel!

 

[Tor R]

I got lucky my first pro saw was a 346 my numbers are lower than others because of it.It leaves you wanting less.

I wished it had worked that way for me.
First saw I bought new was MS 200, then JRed 2253 WH, JRed 2153 WH, followed by one used 2147 WH.
Got a couple 242 SG/XPG and I was kinda doomed with those two, most of my earlier saws have left me but my Husky collection has continue to grow.

What I really love with collecting saws is those friends I've got through this hobby!

 

[smokey7]

I'm a suckered for a good deal. Then I'm a suckered for a strong performance saw, even better when they both the same saw.

 

[Definitive Dave]

it all started when I was a wee tot in knickers, me mum never let me run the chainsaw like the other boys
they used to laugh and play, cutting down tree after tree and taunting me with their loud and terrible machines

 

[leadfarmer]

Im with Tor R on his last sentence heck i would have never met so many people that are willing to help out. Even got to meet a few that now are only a call away. Mabe chainsaws will save this great country after all.........But i keep buyin em to try and find somthin that will stump you bunch of Hillbillys

 

[Basher]

bout 50 here, prolly 35 runners, just like seein the old ones run and imagine humpin 30lb saws around in the sticks all day.

my 1st old one, made close by & same year as me.

View attachment 23812

my oldest. '48

View attachment 23813

Nice smokescreen, I don`t have to imagine lugging those two saws around, I did lug those two models and many more that came after them, carried them at least one mile each way to and from the cutting face. We didn`t even figure them as heavy back then, its all we had and we were more than happy to have them. As the years have passed we all have gotten very spoiled, each new model of saw we bought was lighter and faster, still that way, every couple of years sees big improvements in chainsaw design and technology. I don`t log much any more but have truckloads of saws although my newest is a Stihl MS 362C with spring AV and non M tronic carb its a heck of a lot lighter,smoother and faster cutting than the 1957 RA that I started out with.

 

[JeffGu]

I'm not any kind of collector, and have little interest in "vintage" saws. Words like vintage, antique and collector's item are euphamisms for "other people's old, broken down crap" most of the time.
But, when a saw doesn't seem to be running right, or breaks down, or the chain is dull... I haven't got time, usually, to mess with it. Easier to grab another saw. I don't like using a saw that's too gimp for the task at hand, or lugging one around that is too much overkill for the task at hand. So, I have quite a few saws.

Then there's that whole love affair with technologies and equipment that actually perform work or do cool things. Or, even just looks cool. It's a powerful attraction.
I'd guess that shouldn't really be a mystery or a surprise. If I had my way, I'd trade my wife in every year for the latest, newer model with improved features. For long term survival, however, I think I'm safer getting a newer chainsaw, no matter how dangerous they are. They're as safe as marshmallows compared to a p*ssed off wife.

 

[raumati01]

I don't know why I have 2 dozen chainsaws and I blame each and every one of you for enabling me.

I hope you're proud of yourselves.

 

[Lee H]

I'm not any kind of collector, and have little interest in "vintage" saws. Words like vintage, antique and collector's item are euphamisms for "other people's old, broken down crap" most of the time.
But, when a saw doesn't seem to be running right, or breaks down, or the chain is dull... I haven't got time, usually, to mess with it. Easier to grab another saw. I don't like using a saw that's too gimp for the task at hand, or lugging one around that is too much overkill for the task at hand. So, I have quite a few saws.

Then there's that whole love affair with technologies and equipment that actually perform work or do cool things. Or, even just looks cool. It's a powerful attraction.
I'd guess that shouldn't really be a mystery or a surprise. If I had my way, I'd trade my wife in every year for the latest, newer model with improved features. For long term survival, however, I think I'm safer getting a newer chainsaw, no matter how dangerous they are. They're as safe as marshmallows compared to a p*ssed off wife.

So what you saying is, When your saw has a dull chain or brakes down you go buy a new saw?
Sounds like your saying you have no idea as to how a chainsaw or a piece of equipment even works.
Repairing in the field is a day to day occurrence. There are many saws out there that were made
back in the day that will out perform any new saw out there. May weigh a tad more but they get
the job done. I've taken some of what you say"broken down crap" and turned them into running
show pieces that can and will get the job done.
I bet if your wife saw this post she'd be trading you in.

 

[JeffGu]

So what you saying is, When your saw has a dull chain or brakes down you go buy a new saw?

No, what I'm saying is that I usually have a backup for every saw I own. And, 80' up in a tree hanging from a rope, I'm betting the weight of that old saw might help you appreciate just how much better (and lighter) the new saws are. I don't actually care if people buy old bathtubs, chainsaws, boat anchors or thermonuclear gonkulators and fix them. I merely answered the OP's question, and the answer included the fact that I don't have a lot of chainsaws because I admire ancient, wrought-iron Poulan chainsaws. I have a number of them for workflow/efficiency reasons. I can and do maintain my saws... at home, in my garage or at the shop... not on the jobsite.

 

[MustangMike]

My first two saws were Homelites, no love lost for them. Hated the lack of AV, recoils always gave me trouble, and they were snails compared to my 1st 044, which I purchase over 23 year ago, still have and use, and still believe is state of the art in terms of weight & power. Back then wood was my primary source of heat and between work & family, time was a very precious commodity, and that 044 saved me a lot of it, and my hands no longer vibrated when I was done cutting (especially in the cold weather).

Now depending on the situation, I can agree with both you guys. I currently have 7 running saws in only 3 different sizes, so I like some redundancy. I like to go to a project with all saws fueled, sharpened and ready to go, and if one dulls or rocks a chain, etc., I'll just put it down and PU another and keep going. I'll also limb with my lighter saws and buck with the larger/faster ones, just common sense there.

At other times I may be doing a project off in the woods where you just can not bring more than what you need. In those situations, I'll usually bring and extra chain and have the tools to fix most of whatever could go wrong. For example, I prefer to sharpen my chains at home under controlled conditions, but I can sharpen them in the field when I have to, and I really like using a stump vice in both situations. Touching up a dull chain is child's play, fixing a rocked chain can be a project.

For 18 years if functioned just fine with only one saw, but now I hardly ever don't bring at least 2.

 

[smokey7]

I'm kinda the same way with backups. I was mowing my grass the other day ran out of gas in one mower. So instead of going for gas I grabbed another mower to finish it was faster and gave the backups a run.

 

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Say, you get a saw pinched in a tree then you have another saw to cut it out with and that saw gets pinched. So you get another saw to get that one......................

I actually want to see this.

 

[Philbert]

I actually want to see this.

Seen it.

If you have an inboard clutch (most STIHLS) you can pull the power head, leave the bar & chain in the wood, and use a spare bar & chain to try again.

Philbert

 

[Duce]

Seen it.

If you have an inboard clutch (most STIHLS) you can pull the power head, leave the bar & chain in the wood, and use a spare bar & chain to try again.

Philbert

Why not, unless power head is jammed tight against tree. May have to work at it. I still like having a spare saw or two,three,four,etc.

 

[Philbert]

Safer too. Using the spare bar 'trick' also means that 'the other guy' does not have to stand right next to you, near the saw, and hold up the stuck saw in the wood in case it falls. A pinched bar and chain has much less potential energy (and value) than a powerhead.

Philbert

 

[Fairways_and_Greens]

Yes, I've seen that too. I just want to see a guys entire saw collection pinched in the same tree.

Seen it.

If you have an inboard clutch (most STIHLS) you can pull the power head, leave the bar & chain in the wood, and use a spare bar & chain to try again.

Philbert

 

[leadfarmer]

I actually want to see this.

not me though [emoji41]

 

[ajschainsaws]

not me though [emoji41]

Those darn silver clutch covers causing the first problem ha ha

 

[dall]

i was thinking it was the orange saw syndrome