Chainsaw News

If you’re on the lookout for a cheap chainsaw is your main inclination to look for a second hand saw? This is normal yet many buyers seem unaware of the potential bargains they can pick up simply by going to a local big mart store and shopping the range of new saws on display.

While these may not be considered in the same league as a Stihl or Husqvarna, the truth is, for the part time chainsaw operator, that is, the person who needs a machine to use around the backyard, they are usually an ideal option.

The problem with settling for second hand chainsaws revolves around their reliability. Sure they are a cheap chainsaw and many have successfully purchased second hand machines without too many problems. But the fact remains, you still run the risk of picking up issues with a saw especially if it is several years old.

In this article, we want to highlight why it may not be good shopping practice looking for a cheap chainsaw on the second hand market.

Cheap Chainsaw Shopping Tips

- One guideline to follow is to consider used cheap chainsaws only when they are between 12-18 months old and no more.

- While saws don’t change in what they are supposed to do, there are always improvements going on in the area of safety.

- Many people look for cheap saws at yard sales which will always produce a good bargain but there is still the issue of the machine’s history. Always check the chain thoroughly to see how worn it is and if it looks like it’s been through the mill you might want consider moving on.

- Never walk away with a used machine unless you are able to put it through it’s paces. Always ask to test it. Check it’s starting ability and how quickly it kicks into gear. Then test it on some material and look out for things such as it’s cutting ease and whether you need to exert extra pressure on it to perform a cut.

- While the online world presents many buying opportunities there are plenty of traps for new players. If you are considering a cheap chainsaw online simply based on price you may want to re-think your decision. Unless it’s from a known dealer and more importantly, comes with a warranty, then look elsewhere.

- You also will want to check the contact details of the seller. Believe it or not, many buyers overlook this. Be sure you can phone the seller and talk with them and never purchase a chainsaw without having the opportunity to physically speak with the person selling it.

There are some guidelines you should be aware of when checking through chainsaw reviews. Not all reviews are created equal and in today’s online world of high-pressure sales tactics, many reviews are simply a sales pitch by the author.

So who do you trust?  Well, deciphering any sense from any chainsaw review, whether it be for Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo, Poulan or any other make of chainsaw, a review needs to be well balanced with reasons for and against.

If you come across a review pumping a saw to “high heaven” then this should set ff a red flag. A review which lists the pros and cons of a chainsaw is more natural because let’s face it, not all machines are perfect. For example, one saw may be the ants pants for one user but may have a peculiarity associated with it which may influence another user’s decision to buy.

3 Tips For Prospective Chainsaw Buyers

Here’s a few suggestions you could adopt before making a decision to buy your chainsaw:

- Obviously look for written reviews online. As mentioned above, the review needs to be well balanced and should not simply be benefit, benefit, benefit. This sounds too much like a sales pitch.

- Visit online forums. There are several good forums you could visit for either advice or confirmation on any brand or size of chainsaw. Do a search for chainsaw, woodcutters or power tool forums.

- One of the best chainsaw reviews you could get is one you conduct yourself. In other words, head to a dealer and test out a machine before you buy. Most dealers would be only too happy to let you test a machine if you were really serious about buying. This way, you’d get a feel for a machine and could also get some expert advice about the size of chainsaw best suited for you needs.