Chainsaw from pawn shop

run it and see. Thats about the only way I know.

Pull the plug and check it out. Pull some of the sprocket covers off and just see the condition, etc. I'd buy one so long as its in decent shape. Some pawn shops offer a 30 day warranty. Its a pawn shop, everything is negotiable! :D
 
Bought my Sthil 390 Farm Boss from one. I figured, if I'm going to cut trees I need top of the line but I knew I wasn't a professional lumberjack that did it for a living. So I decided to do the pawnshop thing and pay half price.

First, is slightly pull rope to make sure it has PLENTY of compression. Better yet, bring a gage and check at the shop. Should be more than 95+ lbs at the least with new condition being more like 120 lbs.
Next, follow starting directions and start it outside. A Sthil, you put on choke mode and pull til it hits. Then put in run mode and it should start right up next pull.
Next look for smoke when it's running (rings or bad valves). Check the break-a-way bar with it running wide open. Warm it up really good and shut it off to see if it starts right back up. Rev it next to something to make sure it's oiling. Good chains cost $25+ if not $35 so condition of chain could be negotiations. Lastly, pull chain cover AND chain and make sure teeth of motor is good and chain guides are still good.

Ran mine for 5 years now? Probably got 20 trees notched on my belt with a large dead Persimmon behind my shop to go hopefully this weekend.

Hope that helps?
 
Both brands have commercial and residential lines. Know what you are going to look at. Naturally if it starts and runs its a step in the right direction. Run it hard and hit the chain brake to make sure it functions. I would take the bar off and look at the drive sprockets to check for wear.

If you want I will ride out and look at it with you sometime soon.
 
6BangBronk said:
Bought my Sthil 390 Farm Boss from one. I figured, if I'm going to cut trees I need top of the line but I knew I wasn't a professional lumberjack that did it for a living. So I decided to do the pawnshop thing and pay half price.

First, is slightly pull rope to make sure it has PLENTY of compression. Better yet, bring a gage and check at the shop. Should be more than 95+ lbs at the least with new condition being more like 120 lbs.
Next, follow starting directions and start it outside. A Sthil, you put on choke mode and pull til it hits. Then put in run mode and it should start right up next pull.
Next look for smoke when it's running (rings or bad valves). Check the break-a-way bar with it running wide open. Warm it up really good and shut it off to see if it starts right back up. Rev it next to something to make sure it's oiling. Good chains cost $25+ if not $35 so condition of chain could be negotiations. Lastly, pull chain cover AND chain and make sure teeth of motor is good and chain guides are still good.

Ran mine for 5 years now? Probably got 20 trees notched on my belt with a large dead Persimmon behind my shop to go hopefully this weekend.

Hope that helps?
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This is all really good info, and the starting procedure for a Stihl is spot on, works everytime for mine.

However, compression on a chainsaw is 150-180psi new, so 120 is barely acceptable, and anything less than 100 is considered worn out. My 20 year old Stihl 046 Magnum still has 155psi compression, and my 6 year old MS361 is still at 180psi.

Craigslist is another good place to find them, but the good deals go really fast. You can't go wrong with a Stihl or Husky, but don't rule out Jonsered, Dolmar, Makita, Tanaka, Efco, John Deere, and Redmax. Jonsered is basically a Husky, and Makita's are rebadged Dolmar which are excellent saws. If you need info on a specific saw, Arboristsite.com has a ton of first hand user opinions in the forum, or feel free to shoot me a PM for my number and I'll be glad to share what I know (which isn't much compared to some guys).
 
most pawn shops around my town would let said buyer to bring the saw to our shop for inspection.. just a thought. but like said above check compression sprockets etc. but if they want let u take it to a shop id aleast get the serial number and get a dealer to run it to get the year of the saw.

sent from deep space via galaxy S 2
 
jeepinmatt said:
This is all really good info, and the starting procedure for a Stihl is spot on, works everytime for mine.

However, compression on a chainsaw is 150-180psi new, so 120 is barely acceptable, and anything less than 100 is considered worn out. My 20 year old Stihl 046 Magnum still has 155psi compression, and my 6 year old MS361 is still at 180psi.

Craigslist is another good place to find them, but the good deals go really fast. You can't go wrong with a Stihl or Husky, but don't rule out Jonsered, Dolmar, Makita, Tanaka, Efco, John Deere, and Redmax. Jonsered is basically a Husky, and Makita's are rebadged Dolmar which are excellent saws. If you need info on a specific saw, Arboristsite.com has a ton of first hand user opinions in the forum, or feel free to shoot me a PM for my number and I'll be glad to share what I know (which isn't much compared to some guys).
Click to expand...

I was assuming weed eaters would be the same? But not after searching. jeepinmat is correct for chain saws. My compression numbers were for a weed eater (I've dealt with weed eater compression all summer and it's stuck in my head).:shaking:
 
6BangBronk said:
I was assuming weed eaters would be the same? But not after searching. jeepinmat is correct for chain saws. My compression numbers were for a weed eater (I've dealt with weed eater compression all summer and it's stuck in my head).:shaking:
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Yeah, weed eaters are like economy cars, low compression, boring, you just work with them. Chainsaws are the high compression hot rods that people get crazy with!
 
Thanks for all the great info guys!

Sthil a027 16" bar used

85$ total off of $99
Cranked good and quick with a good bit of compression. Blew some smoke and the chain sparked a bit. It's in rough shape but for the money?


I feel like I can get my money's worth out of it as much as ill use it.


I think I'll run it till it blows and then I liked a new echo b/c it's the only one with a 5 yr warranty. Echo 370
 
Never heard of an 027. Sure its not an 021: http://auctionimages.s3.amazonaws.com/1936/6476/2322652_2HL12OQ3D.jpg
Any Stihl is worth $85 in good condition. Sparking is probably a loose chain, or something not lined up right under the clutch cover.

Now go to Lowes/Home Depot/Stihl Dealer/Etc and buy one of these:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_192764-8688...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=forestry+helmet&facetInfo=
Its worth every penny for your ears, eyes, and helping prevent kickback from cutting your face off.
 
I went with an echo 400 instead.

Paid more but it looks like it hasn't cut 4 trees its entire life.

Pawn shop told me I could bring it back Monday if I any issues. It cuts great, no smoke I swear its brand new.

Ill be putting it to work this weekend and hope to have a couple guys check it out to see if I'm I good picker or not:)
 
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