ARmy Rumour SErvice

If you could create a stable platform, then a chopsaw would last longest, and cut quickest. They are table mounted, so if you need the mobility of errrr, Im working myself into a corner here.

ELECTRIC chainsaw, with RCD fitted.

Makita® UC3520A/2 35cm 1800W Electric Chainsaw 240V | Screwfix.com

and £25 for a spare chain.

You'll not get much of a chainsaw new on that budget I'm afraid. Cheapo McCullogh shite from B&Q is just that - go for a decent make like Stihl, new or secondhand and it'll last years - my Stihl is at least 25 years old and going strong - gets used for the cutting and felling job - then indoors to dry before cutting into logs with a bench mounted circular saw.

Another option is one of these - great if you operate it as a crew served weapon complete with loader...Portek Saw/Log Horse The Best Log Cutting Bench Around | eBay

Small electric saws just don't have the cojones for long stints of wood cutting - the motors burn out.

Cheers so far. Saladin, the log horse looks the ticket. Definitely consider that or something like it if I go with a chainsaw. Realistically, whatever I get is only going to get used a couple of times a year for cutting the fuel for my stoves into "axe-splittable" size. Last couple of years I've cut, chopped and stacked 2-3 tonnes of timber in spring for use the following winter. Not much use or need for a saw beyond that. Local place near me sells re-conditioned petrol chainsaws within my budget. Husqvarna and Stihl amongst others. Reason I had considered the like of an alligator saw was that not used a chainsaw much in the past, and given I'm only going to use it half a dozen times a year I thought it may be a more reasonable (and safer!) option.

If you are just cutting firewood to length outside your house occasionally then I would go for an electric saw like the Makita shown above. If you want to go and cut down your own trees then I would get a Stihl or Husky petrol saw as they have the best parts back up and dealer support. A Ching-Dong chainsaw from Lidl will be considerably cheaper but when it goes wrong you won't be able to get any parts for it. If you do get a cheapie saw from Aldi make sure it has an Oregon bar so you can get spare chains and bars.

Whatever you get make sure you get a sharpening kit and teach yourself how to use it!

I go to F R Jones and sons in S London for my kit and maintenance.

Try one of these with a 14" bar - you won't go wrong for what you need it for.

Stihl MS 181 chainsaw (31.8cc) | F R Jones and Son

Got a 30 year old Mc Culloch which gets used occasionally for small branches and stuff, maybe they don't make em like they used to and there's always the Husqvarna for serious jobs.

Seeing you only need the chainsaw for a few days a year have you considered hiring one ?.

Depends on the thickness of what you are cutting and how often. A B&Q McCulloch 14" will cost about £120. Its a piece of shite. Theres a 18" Husky 351 on eBay for £100. Its a nice tool.

Husqvarna 351, like 346xp, 353, 350 | eBay

That'll cut your sticks then you need to split them. Theres all sorts of tricky 'effortless' log splitters out there. They are mostly bollocks. Buy a heavy maul for about £20 and get some exercise.

Or man up. Buy a restored Lister D for about £60. Belt it onto a saw bench - theres a rusty old lot on eBay now going for 99p. This one is making £50




Tell your lass to do one, fire up the Lister and fill the air with petrol fumes and sawdust.

Thought of hiring one, but figured that buying one would pay for itself within next 3-4 years.

TheIronDuke, that was the road I was venturing down, chains and reciprocating blades are fickle, a rotating blade is reliable, when its getting blunt you just go slower or press harder.