Good saw for moderate volume sawing
Written: Mar 14 '07 (Updated Mar 15 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use controls, dependable starting and plenty of power.
Cons: Would prefer a slightly heavier duty chain. Have to sharpen regularly.
The Bottom Line: Excellent chainsaw for the casual user. Easy to start and powerful. If you are going to do a high volume of cutting, go to a model with heavier duty chain.
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| rpoythress's Full Review: Stihl Mid-Sized 029 |
I bought this saw after moving to 10 acres, thinking I would use it every now and then to clear some limbs or occasionally cut some fire wood. I have used it much more than originally anticipated and am overall happy with its performance. In retrospect, with the volume of cutting I have found myself doing, I should have gone ahead and sprung for the difference and gone to the next model up which has a more substantial chain. I find myself having to sharpen this one more often than I think I would a heavier duty chain.
With all that said, the saw cuts through wood like nobody's business. This saw is well-built and has quick opening caps for fuel and bar & chain oil which are nice. The controls are easy to use and easily accessible. It has a chain brake which locks the chain for starting or any time you aren't cutting - like passing it to another person, etc. A bit of unsolicited advice: The chain brake might seem like an unnecessary step, but use it. . . I've seen too many accidents.
The saw can be purchased with various bar lengths, 16", 18" or 20". I chose the 18" bar. The dealer also provided a Stihl case at no extra charge. I don't know if that is a standard practice, but it is wonderful because of the tendency for small amounts of bar & chain oil to ooze out of a chain saw as it sits in storage. I can pick up the case and put it in my car without having to worry about getting oil on anything. The case also has handy storage places for the tool and a rat-tail file.
The chain tensioner is easily accessible on the side of the saw and makes it a quick and simple task to adjust the tension of the chain. If you go to a Stihl dealer for your chains, you can get either the low kick-back kind of chain which comes standard on the saw or a chain that they told me provided a more aggressive cut, but higher risk of kick-back. I use the more aggressive chain and have no problems with kick-back. And as I mentioned above, it cuts through even the hardest woods very fast. I've never felt that I needed more power than this saw has.
It has always been easy to start - usually starting on the first or second pull.
Some have commented about its weight, but I have no complaint about the weight. I suppose that is a personal preference thing. You can certainly get lighter-weight saws, I've just not seen one that performed like this saw.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rpoythress
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Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 0 members
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