Tool list for a new woodland owner

[smojo]

OCP - will PM you

[greyman]

Sorry but can't seem to get the picture to load the right way up even when I rotate it before uploading it.

[oldclaypaws]

Smojers, old chum.

There's some on Evilbay that look identical to Stihl at less than half price

I suspect this might be a reference to 'Actecmax', they've certainly sold thousands, typically £89.99 for 52cc Brushcutters and 58cc chainsaws. (Yes, the price oscillates between £89 and £199).

Now, call me a cynic, but if they were that good, why isnt there an 'Actecmax' distributor in every large town, and not a Stihl one instead? Why do you think they did such a blatant copy of Stihl's colours and layout? Why do Stihls cost several times as much? Why are there no parts or servicing facilities for the cheapies (cos if it has a problem you're meant to chuck it and buy another). Do your really think a fake £10 Rolex has the same degree of reliability and quality as a £5000 genuine one?

Reviews of them are mixed, some users thrilled, others saying the instructions are poor and they had trouble starting them. You can't buy a Stihl over the web; Stihl insist all Distributors show purchasers the correct starting procedure and basic safety measures.

The oldest truest adage out there; you get what you pay for.

Chinese knock-offs are potentially dangerous, particularly chainsaws (although I realise you're probably talking brushcutters) vital parts like the safety break can fail, they are inherently low quality and the overall engineering and reliability bears not a jot of resemblance to the proven and hugely respected companies they are trying to imitate and piggyback on.

Please do yourself a favour; especially if later on you want a chainsaw, buy the genuine kit, not a cheapo knock-off that doesnt have the same quality of build. Your leg is worth more than the £ you'll save, and I've yet to encounter an unhappy Stihl owner. They retain 70% of their value after purchase, because they are superbly engineered to the highest standards and worth every penny. My Chinky brushcutter bust after about 4 hours and went in a skip, cr*p quality brittle metal parts and spares unavailable, utter waste of £149.

BTW, although Stihl are arguably the best chainsaws, when it comes to brushcutters I think Husky, Echo and Kawasaki are perhaps stronger contenders. Some of the smaller Stihl brushcutters use '4 mix' engines to comply with European emission targets and need regular adjustment (theres no benefit to the user) and some have flexible driveshafts that are a bit weak. The Husky 143 R II is a lot of reliable simple grunt for pro level hefty jobs at a relatively decent price, better choice than the similar priced Stihls.

[Binz]

If you are getting a chainsaw a couple of things to add to the list are a felling bar and plastic felling wedges. I find I use the wedges more often than the bar. A winch can be handy for hung up trees. And top tip for chain oil is to carry it in a lucozade sport bottle (other brands are available) as the 'nozzle' type top means it squirts directly into the saw with no drips and no mess.

[SimonFisher]

top tip for chain oil is to carry it in a lucozade sport bottle (other brands are available) as the 'nozzle' type top means it squirts directly into the saw with no drips and no mess.

Even better I think is a combi can that holds oil and fuel fitted with Stihl's oil filling system and fuel filling system spouts/nozzles so that filling is simply a matter of inverting the can, pushing the nozzle into the appropriate tank. The fuel or oil flows until the tank is full and stops automatically - no overspill and no drips. I was taught to always top up the oil everytime before adding fuel so you never risk running out of chain and bar lubricant in the saw.

[smojo]

OCP - I was actually referring to the small hand tool - the stihl bush hook that looks like a billhook. There's one almost identical at half the price. I too reckon you usually get what you pay for .... but not always. Sometimes you're just paying for a name, as in designer clothing. Thanks for the heads up on the brushcutter though. Good advice for when I eventually get one.

[smojo]

greyman - thanks for the photo - yeah that's the one I thought you meant, probably gonna order one now. What's the big lumb of wood gonna be? I reckon either a giant smoking pipe or a shelaleigh bommy knocker or a soup spoon for Desperate Dan?

[oldclaypaws]

I think this is the long handled one you mention http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genuine-S ... 20e6b1fb80

Thats the 45cm short small Stihl bush hook, and overpriced. FR Jones sell it for £32.

The long one has a 90cm handle and is £23 (head) and £11 (Handle) from Jones.

http://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/?s=bush+hook&submit=Search

If you go to forestry specialists they are often far cheaper than Ebay resellers.

I picked up a similar non-Stihl long handled hook at a 'Country Store' for around £20, but have to say I've never used it. I find it a bit unwieldy and would prefer a decent machete, or brushcutter (non Chinky).

[Wendelspanswick]

Don't discount car boot sales for second hand tools, I picked up a selection of bill and grass hooks, a decent felling axe, a large rake and a quality bow saw frame for a combined total of £13! A couple of the bill hooks (made by Elwell's) had to be re-handled and all needed sharpening but at that price I am not worried about leaving it hidden on site.

As an aside don't assume that just because we get Chinese goods that are made 'down' to a price that they are incapable of manufacturing quality goods. It's only this race to the bottom on pricing that see's imported inferior goods flooding the UK market. I have a 1980's Chinese made milling machine (an engineering mill not timber conversion) originally intended for their home market and the quality and accuracy is superb.

[smojo]

Thats the 45cm short small Stihl bush hook, and overpriced. FR Jones sell it for £32.

Just been to my local lawnmower repairman and discovered they have a shop full of Stihl and other useful stuff. Taken me about 20 years to discover that (cos I don't have a lawn). Anyway he can get this bush hook in a couple of days £38 (RRP). When you add the shipping cost to the FR Jones it works out the same. If poss I like to buy from the local little guy so I'm gonna order one. Don't have to wait for the postman to try stuff it through my letterbox either, which he won't be able to do and I'll be out and have to go collect it anyway. Phew!!