I need a new chainsaw

I scored some large trunk pieces from a Chinese elm that was between 45 and 50 years old. It showed up on an ad in Craigslist from someone who had taken the tree down in their front yard for reasons unknown. I showed up before sunrise the next morning and took about 2/3rds of the pieces, filling my pickup's bed. I'd been looking to try out this species - Ulmus parvifolia - for a year, and was glad to find some finally. There were 2 pieces I couldn't lift at all, and could barely roll, so they didn't come home with me, but I still managed a few very large pieces close to 200lbs each with some effort and lots of sweating.

I had hoped my 16" Homelite electric chainsaw would be enough to get through the pieces to rip them into smaller chunks for turning, or running through my band saw for making smaller blocks for use as turning blanks, but on the 3rd log, a 3" internal gear from the chainsaw's planetary gear drive system stripped entirely. I had at first thought it was some safety mechanism (for user's or saw's safety), like some kind of gear that slips out of place if the saw fights too hard. Unfortunately, it was not. Without a new gear, complete with pressed-in axle and 3 bearings slipped on, this saw is toast. It was just too light duty for my needs.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• chainsaw
• Homelite
• electric
• electricchainsaw
• cutting
• log
• logs
• Ulmus
• UlmusParvifolia
• elm
• ChineseElm
• LacebarkElm
• ripping
• quartering
• tree

[o56kid]

you sir are an incompitant tool operator.

The saw is cheap, but YOU broke it by mis treating it...

[gfixler]

@o56kid - I suppose we're all bad at something. You're bad at spelling and grammar, for example. None of this forgives a company using plastic gears in a chainsaw.

[AxeMeKnot]

Looks like the chain was most likely hitting dirt after 4:15. See the big "noodles" being thrown before that time and notice any coming from the second log? Nope, just dust. That indicates a dull chain. Try stopping at 3:45 next time and turn the log over to finish. Can't hit the dirt that way.

A dull chain requires more pressure to force it to cut. Those plastic gears just couldn't take it.

Let it be a lesson to us all to always use a sharp chain to reduce wear and tear on our saws.

[ray704ful]

try a husqvarva next time and use a gas powered one

[Resistoon]

@Buzzsawman Yes gas powered chainsaws are more powerful, but they are also louder. Electric chainsaws could be just as powerful, if manufactures used the correct motors.

[Buzzsawman]

I disagree vehemently with you kid....you are being "graded" daily by your demeanor...you are displaying a general disregard for spelling and grammar...this gives your comments an aire of ignorance. As for the content...I agree that the tool is inferior it is electric instead of gasoline power. In my opinion, gaslline chainsaws are more powerful than electric ones. He should have used a gas powered saw.

[o56kid]

Im not being graded on my "youtube grammer" so I really dont worry about it. . .

[shoe612]

Looks like a project for the CNC lathe n' mill if there not cheaper to buy. May need to harden the steel when done. Never used an electric chain saw, it looks like that thing cuts like crazy. Low noise and you don't stink like 2-cycle oil when your done. Me like.

[hottie1415]

Total tool....

-ac

[TheFishingschool]

one word--wedge