Looking to add a chainsaw to my BOV...

[stonebridge]

I'm getting that Craftsman isn't the best road.  I guess I grew up on Craftsman tools so that was my top-of-mind brand.  Of course, I also happened to be in a Sears when the mood hit and the $130 pricetag was feasible.   Huskies are above my price range.  I think on the electrical crew we used Stihls.

Please keep the advice coming and since I will be keeping this in the trunk of my BOV full-time, maybe think of any other things I ought to pack with it.

-'bridge

[PrimalSeal]

I have 2 chainsaws, a Poulan with an 18" bar and a Husky with a 16" bar. I would like to put a longer bar on the husky as it's the better machine, however, both of these saws run and cut like a raped ape. When I decided to drive to Alaska, I told the wife that we were taking the chainsaws, both of them, with us on the trip for situations just like this. I didn't run into any issues, but it's like a CC gun, I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

[RDFabsRep]

If you watch Ebay, I'm sure you can find a new or relatively new Husky for not a whole lot more than the Craftsman.  I've been seeing these recon. models relatively often and I'm sure you could pick it up for close to the starting bid with free shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Husqvarna-Factory-Recond-142-chainsaw-W-16Bar-Chain_W0QQitemZ290370953832QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439b752268

I think it's better to spend a little more now and save a lot more later.  Not to mention you'll get a HECK of a lot more saw.

[Beowolf1911]

I can't complain abotu my poulan clasic, I use wood as the secondary heat for my house behind coal and I have had it a few years with no issues, and I am not to good at taking care of tools.  You really want to get through wood quick I was an american 180 or a 45/70 why not have fun while you do it lol.

[neo]

Thanks for the responses.

Husky belongs to gramps, stays in NY.

I definitely agree that an axe is much less complicated, quiet, and light.  Which is why I have one as part of my gear.  The point of the chainsaw would be to keep roads clear or any of a number of other emergency tasks while either bugging out or trying to get back home.  I certainly wouldn't try and carry it if I had to ditch my vehicle.  I also wouldn't want to have to turn back to an unsafe situation just because some timber fell on the way to my BOL.

Also, my thought is, though guns and MREs are way sexier than a chainsaw, there's a much greater chance that I'll need the saw before I'll need my arsenal or my freeze dried consumables.

I've had to fell, limb, and section a 40 foot pine with a camp-axe.  Nothing you'd want to try and do in a hurry during a storm while the escape-to-high-ground window closes.

Keep the thoughts coming,

-'bridge

Ok, I gotta ask: 

In NY, do you REALLY need a permit just to own a Chainsaw?!?!  The reason I ask is that, years ago when I was living in the Bronx, my roommate got a hair up his rear to go up to Maine and cut himself a Christmas tree for his girlfriend's place.  Went down to a Pawn shop and bought one, and even went through the effort to get a permit to cut one up by his parent's place in Maine.  But, as he was driving out of NYC, a cop pulled him over.  Gave him a s**tlist for having the chainsaw in the car and insisted that he had to have a PERMIT to own one in New York City.

I insisted the cop was full of it, and was probably just scared that it was a black guy with a chainsaw   But, since you have family up there I thought you would know 'Bridge.

[Branth]

Thanks for the responses.

Husky belongs to gramps, stays in NY.

I definitely agree that an axe is much less complicated, quiet, and light.  Which is why I have one as part of my gear.  The point of the chainsaw would be to keep roads clear or any of a number of other emergency tasks while either bugging out or trying to get back home.  I certainly wouldn't try and carry it if I had to ditch my vehicle.  I also wouldn't want to have to turn back to an unsafe situation just because some timber fell on the way to my BOL.

Also, my thought is, though guns and MREs are way sexier than a chainsaw, there's a much greater chance that I'll need the saw before I'll need my arsenal or my freeze dried consumables.

I've had to fell, limb, and section a 40 foot pine with a camp-axe.  Nothing you'd want to try and do in a hurry during a storm while the escape-to-high-ground window closes.

Keep the thoughts coming,

-'bridge

Ok, I gotta ask: 

In NY, do you REALLY need a permit just to own a Chainsaw?!?!  The reason I ask is that, years ago when I was living in the Bronx, my roommate got a hair up his rear to go up to Maine and cut himself a Christmas tree for his girlfriend's place.  Went down to a Pawn shop and bought one, and even went through the effort to get a permit to cut one up by his parent's place in Maine.  But, as he was driving out of NYC, a cop pulled him over.  Gave him a s**tlist for having the chainsaw in the car and insisted that he had to have a PERMIT to own one in New York City.

I insisted the cop was full of it, and was probably just scared that it was a black guy with a chainsaw   But, since you have family up there I thought you would know 'Bridge.

It's because of the rampant chainsaw massacres.  They're trying to cut down on crime.

[SHOOTER Z]

I think in NY you need a permit to go to the bathroom don't you?

[stonebridge]

NYC is as much a part of NY State as your last bowel movement is of you.

[neo]

I think in NY you need a permit to go to the bathroom don't you?

Heh, not that bad.  I both LOVE NYC and find it totally frustrating at the same time. You have the strangest freedoms and lack of freedoms there, and it's a bit of a pain!  I can say WHATEVER I want, produce any art I wish and associate with whomever I like and have the power to do a great many things that I would never be able to do in many Midwest cities (if you can call alot of them cities by size), but the gun laws and other strange bits are just downright odd.  Such as: It is illegal in NYC to own a Gigercounter!!!  I can't even check for radiation on my own time!  YET, it's the only city where if a cop takes your camera or camcorder, it's the same as a Felony Assault!

So, NYC gets HUGE marks for freedoms of speech and religion, but MAJOR down marks for right to bear arms.  At least it's far better than LA.  I know I can get a firearm in NYC and how to get it legal.  California is made to even confuse lawyers....

[ruff1951]

If you had to leave your home because someone was coming to get you. Why would you want to make all the noise you could make with a chain saw? I thought the idea for hiding out, was just that. Not to draw attention to yourself. Might as well wear florescent orange while your at it. Get a good axe and hand saw. With a chain saw your going to be more worried about cutting off your leg rather then whats around you.

[HiPoint45]

If you had to leave your home because someone was coming to get you. Why would you want to make all the noise you could make with a chain saw? I thought the idea for hiding out, was just that. Not to draw attention to yourself. Might as well wear florescent orange while your at it. Get a good axe and hand saw. With a chain saw your going to be more worried about cutting off your leg rather then whats around you.

Yes and no here...depends on what you need to cut..if your way is blocked by a felled tree for example quick and easy to chain it and much harder to pinpoint your location than the steady WHACK WHACK WHACK of an axe. I have never worried about cutting off my leg  with a chainsaw anymore than using any other tool, proper safety measures should always be followed.

[ruff1951]

If you had to leave your home because someone was coming to get you. Why would you want to make all the noise you could make with a chain saw? I thought the idea for hiding out, was just that. Not to draw attention to yourself. Might as well wear florescent orange while your at it. Get a good axe and hand saw. With a chain saw your going to be more worried about cutting off your leg rather then whats around you.

Yes and no here...depends on what you need to cut..if your way is blocked by a felled tree for example quick and easy to chain it and much harder to pinpoint your location than the steady WHACK WHACK WHACK of an axe. I have never worried about cutting off my leg  with a chainsaw anymore than using any other tool, proper safety measures should always be followed.

I agree with you Hipoint45 on the whacking of the axe, but accidents happen when you least expect them. I meant you would have your concentration more on your cutting because of safety measures, rather then on who may sneaking up on you.

[Idotusa]

I looked at Craftsman chainsaws today.  Nothing too huge, just enough for emergencies.  Figured a 16"  or maybe, maybe an 18" with a spare chain and fuel in the trunk would be a handy thing to have around here.  The 16" will be on-sale for about $125 starting Sunday.  It even comes in Tactical Black.    



-'bridge

A Craftsman is a Poulan.  Sportsmans guide has 40cc 18" Poulan Wildthing chainsaws for $109.97 + $14.49 S&H, if you have guide club card it is $98.97 + $13.49 S&H and if you new/renew you club card it is $29.99 for the club card + $109.97 - $21.99 - $14.49 S&H - the two $10.00 coupons that they send you for renewing  = $67.98 you save $56.48 and that is $26.49 more then your club card cost.  They will ship everything you order for free and double your discount of 10% becomes 20% on everything but ammo and 5% becomes 10% on the ammo, In other words you could save a ton of money on a big order.

[dukenukum]

 My last husky was a disappointment it kept flying apart so I got a Stihl  and am happy with it. I do a lot of sawing since I heat my garage/workshop with wood.

[jmstevens2]

We use nothing but the Stihls at the fire Department for chainsaws you just can't tear them up. We cut through walls, roofs doors, trees, whatever. The K-12 saws are Partners, it is like a gas powered 18" Dremel!! Just plain cool!!! We cut up metal and concrete with those. Like cars, metal roll up doors etc.