PSA: Buy a Stihl

I struggled for years with crappy string trimmers, and then I bought a Stihl. 10 years in, it has not given me a lick of trouble. One year I could not get it to start, and I went to my local hardware store/dealer and they sorted it in about 5 minutes. Mud wasps sealed up the exhaust. Yes, I probably could have figured that out, but I don't want to struggle with these things. They also tuned it up and topped up the gas, all for $20. 

I have expanded my Stihl collection with a blower/vac, and most recently a chain saw. While cutting some wood I caught a nail and threw the chain. I put it back, but the thing would not start. One trip to the dealer and they sorted it right away. The chain was bent and would not move in the guide apparently. $30 for a chain and I was on my way. They installed and adjusted the chain, topped up the gas and the bar oil too. 

I dont work for Stihl, I dont know if other brands are equally as good, I am just happy that small engine repair is no longer a thing that I have to deal with. 

Dad has Stihl battery equipment. It has all been 100% reliable, though the chain saw is pretty small, we went with the smallest they make under the assumption that anything bigger Dad should farm out to someone else.

I've had 4 Stihl chainsaws, and 3 blowers.  Never managed to kill one. 
 

One was stolen. The rest still run fine. Probably 20 years of hard usage. I wouldn't buy anything else. 

We have multiple Stihl saws on all of the firetrucks... and there is one in my barn, along with Stihl leaf blower.

Concrete saws probably get the most abuse to maintenance of anything. That's all we use. I can't remember the last time any were down for serious repairs.

Appleseed said:

Concrete saws probably get the most abuse to maintenance of anything. That's all we use. I can't remember the last time any were down for serious repairs.

If you break a ts, you berkeleyed up bad. Those things are rock solid. 

I love my aged Stihl Farmboss chainsaw.  Rock solid reliability, always starts despite recent infrequent use, good power

This was my experience with Husqvarna, and between our property and the work I'm doing at the club track, I work my stuff hard.

Used to kill one box store brand electric leaf blower every year.

Bought a Stihl electric blower 8 years ago. Cost 3x as much but it's cheaper by far in the long run.

My stihl string trimmer cost roughly double what the throwaway walmart unit cost, and is currently on its 14th season. We only ever managed one year out of the throw aways.

I have a stihl 044 chainsaw I got used. I dont know how old it is but it says made in west Germany. It still runs like a scalded dog and takes ridiculous amount of force to pull start it due to how much compression it still has. 

They are definitely one of those things where it is worth it to spend the extra money to get the good stuff.

In the US you don't have a "tissue" you have a "Kleenex".  In Hungary you don't have a "chainsaw" you have a "Stihl".

I bought a second-hand Stihl 029 chainsaw some years back for $150.  It's neglected as hell and runs like a stabbed rat.  At any given time the fuel in the tank might be a year old when I first start it, but start it does...  (I would 100% treat it better if I had to, but it doesn't seem to care)

Growing up, my first house that wasn't 100% heated by wood came about in my 7th grade year.   Up and to then, going up to the cascades to cut fire wood was a family event.  I don't think I ever saw anything but a Stihl in anyones hands.

That being said, I did own a Poulan once (but only once )

Thanks. I knew that they were the E36 M3z for gas chainsaws, but hadn't considered them for the other stuff. I really do appreciate having higher quality options. I can't recall regretting buying too good a tool, but many a time I've regretted not buying something better.

SV reX said:

I've had 4 Stihl chainsaws, and 3 blowers.  Never managed to kill one. 
 

One was stolen. The rest still run fine. Probably 20 years of hard usage. I wouldn't buy anything else. 

Dad finally broke one.  It took him 25 years of feeding a woodstove, 3 replacement bars, and who knows how many chains, but it started to lose compression and had some scoring in the bore.  He didn't buy a new one.  He had this one fixed.  Smart guy.

I have an older 028AV that my BIL gave me because it wouldn't run right.  Carb was gunked up, but it's running great now.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

SV reX said:

I've had 4 Stihl chainsaws, and 3 blowers.  Never managed to kill one. 
 

One was stolen. The rest still run fine. Probably 20 years of hard usage. I wouldn't buy anything else. 

Dad finally broke one.  It took him 25 years of feeding a woodstove, 3 replacement bars, and who knows how many chains, but it started to lose compression and had some scoring in the bore.  He didn't buy a new one.  He had this one fixed.  Smart guy.

I have an older 028AV that my BIL gave me because it wouldn't run right.  Carb was gunked up, but it's running great now.

You dad was smart, because the Stihls sold today aren't the same quality as those sold 30 years ago.  

Some goober had set a Stihl straight shaft string trimmer out in their trash pile on a road I frequently drive on. I picked it up and noticed the pull cord was missing and gas tank cracked. 

Stihl seems to actually know that pull cords break from time to time, and made it so it's actually easy to replace the cord. Fixed that, plus a used fuel tank from eBay, and a new Stihl carb (which cost a whopping $27 dollars), and I have a trimmer that runs like a scalded dog, starts easy and I will never sell!

In reply to spitfirebill :

They're still a lot better than most.

Had the opportunity to borrow a friend's Stihl straight-shaft trimmer back in the fall.  It had a nifty circular saw type blade on it with chisel teeth like you find on a chainsaw.  That thing was unstoppable, cutting brush and small trees.  Naturally, I was careful to keep it away from my hootus. 

I had a Stihl chainsaw I bought in the mid 90s, and cut 5 cords a year for 25 years with no issues. Two bars, several chains and that's it. I gave it to my SIL, who is still using it with no problem. Real equipment is cheaper than the less expensive bargain stuff in the long run.

I had an electric Toro leaf blower that was "okay" after 25 years - just dicking around with the cord got old. 
 
I made a sales call to a potential customer that had industrial equipment and he told me to buy something on the way out.  I stop at the parts counter and the parts person shows me a leaf blower - $199?  Yikes.

I buy it and I love it.  I loaned it to my father-in-law and he did his leaf work last fall.  I suggest I get him one for Christmas and he starts telling me about the $19 one he got at the discount big box store and how it's just as good.  Okay - keep your blower then I'm not going to argue. 
 

ShawnG said:

In reply to spitfirebill :

They're still a lot better than most.

Agreed.  That is why I bought one.  

I've got a Stihl 025 chainsaw that leaks out all of the chain oil while sitting. How do you fix that? I'm afraid to start tearing it apart and not getting it back together.

Edit: Thanks for starting this thread, it reminded me that my saw has been leaking oil for about 10 years so I looked it up on YouTube and easy fix. I never remember except when I am using it. Stihl 021, 023, 025 Gas & Oil Leak Repair

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

That was a good video. Thanks for the link.

Wow!  I had a Stihl strait shaft trimmer and I managed to kill it.  Took about 12 years so I consider it a great bargain!  Still would recommend.  

BTW, if it starts to run slow, just clean or replace the spark arrestor.  Cheap fix!  

Replaced it with a RedMax.  It's pretty good too.

I have a cheap HF-brand chainsaw in my garage and it's complete trash.  I didn't buy it, my neighbor lives out-of-town (rents his place) and told me to keep it and that he'd borrow it if he ever needs it.  It's always throwing the chain, the chain tensioner doesn't stay tight.  The primer bulb disintegrated (now replaced).  Most of the time it's easier to use a hand saw or manual pole saw...so I rarely use it.