Amature looking for advice (story included)

[Isaacg]

I would like some peoples advice id appreciate if some experienced people could read my story and give some feedback.

Few things to keep in mind: I'm 22 years old and i've been wanting a chainsaw for a while now and i just got two used ones in a yard sale. The past two years ive been having some money troubles and just making it by but not really being able to save much so im not able to buy the nice quality chainsaw brands. Also my use for chainsaws is only to use on family's massive wooded property mostly for when we have bonfires out in our bonfire spot on weekends and also some basic around the house use. The size of the trees ill be cutting is about 8 inches or so and i want to learn as much as i can to become more skilled since chainsaws are very useful in my state since its mostly woods and i want to work on chainsaws and use them as a hobby, i do have some basic knowledge of chainsaws from research and using my fathers chainsaw when we used to do some logging at our old camp.

So here is what id like to say and get feedback about:I went to a local yard sale and spotted two chainsaws that some old guy had they were both poulan 2150 woodsman 16 inch super clean chainsaws one was 1998 and other one seems a couple years newer maybe 2000. Yes i know poulan chainsaws have a pretty bad rep and a lot of hate and love to them but i managed to haggle the guy and get both of them for only $30. They seemed kinda rough at first but it was mostly from old chain oil that leaked all over them in their cases. Brought them home did some more research on them took them apart and cleaned them all up surprisingly they cleaned up really nice and didn't have hardly any wear to them they just had lot of oily sawdust all over them. The guy told me he used them around the house very little and hadn't used them in about 5 years. I noticed the fuel lines and primer bulbs looked really old and dried up when i was cleaning them but thought i would give it a go fill them up with proper mixture and chain oil, couldn't believe it when the slightly newer saw fired up in about 3 pulls and ran great the second one took a few more tries but fired up as well (the spark plug seemed older in this one). Next day i went to sharpen them then test them the newer one when i went to prime it the bulb burst i kinda figured since it was super old and dried up then when i took it apart to check the fuel lines pretty much snapped due to being super brittle. After that i went to go test the older one and it seems to have a weird hard to describe rubbing noise when i start to give it some throttle since im not super knowledgeable im not sure if this is some kind of issue or just how the saw sounds, the lines and bulb seem a bit newer but that's probably because they were replaced but still seemed a bit old and brittle. Since i knew the saws work i went online and found some fuel line kits with filters, spark plugs ect for about $6 each so im wondering if i should continue and buy them replace everything on both saws and see if i can get them running reliably. Im pretty impressed with how nice condition the saws are for their age but because they are older they don't have chain brakes but have this plastic hand guard that looks like one, i noticed on the saws it seems to say it has some feature to help with kickback to make them more safe but i know its not as safe as one with a brake. Is there any other parts i should check or maybe even change there are carburetor kits for around $12 which are the same as the fuel kits they just have the added carburetor? Should i junk them or should i fix them up and use them or should i fix them up and sell them and try to use that money towards a better used brand or potentially new saw? I mean for about $42 total i could potentially have two running saws and use them as a learning/start into the chainsaw world (and just remember im on a pretty strict budget)

Thanks for reading if you have any advice or any comments about anything id be happy to read them.

[Ianab]

If the saws have compression and spark, and you are happy to work on them in your spare time, then go ahead and fix them.
 
Most of those saws die from neglect and old age. They sit around with stale gas in them, and the rubber fuel lines / primer bulbs etc perish. Not worth taking to a shop and spending $100 for labour to fix them. 

But as you say, you can find "overhaul kits" and even complete new carburettors for them cheap enough online. So if you have a Saturday afternoon, some basic tools, and some mechanical ability, fix em up. You will want some sort of sharpening kit too, just a basic file and guide works OK. 

Any market for firewood locally? Hard work with just a chainsaw and maul, but if you can make some pocket money at the weekend it funds some better tools. (And some basic safety gear) 

[Isaacg]

My friend was kind enough to give me some decent safety gear since he had no need for them anymore. I know these saws are pretty cheap and disposable
i heard that the older ones are better than the newer ones but not sure how true that is. Since they ran pretty decently after sitting for 5 years i do have some hope that if i just spend a weekend fixing them with some kits i could get them going since the problem seems to be the old lines and bulbs. I already bought a sharpener with a guide and plan to do all maintenance/fixing them my self i feel like the experience would be helpful for the future when i finally do upgrade to a high end saw.

[lxskllr]

If it was me, I'd replace the external fuel stuff like lines, and see where you stand. I suspect you'll also need a carb or rebuild kit for the carb, but if it works with just lines, run it like that. There's nothing wrong with a poulan, especially for what you paid. At the end of the day you want wood cut, and those poulans will cut wood. I've paid more for a single loop of chain than you paid for *two* saws. Make sure you check the air filters, and checking the bolts for tightness would be prudent. I'd also get alcohol free gas if it's available to you, but otherwise, just run and enjoy. You got a great deal AFAIC.

[Old Greenhorn]

The upside of fixing them: 1) you will have some workable and useful tools you have 'created' from another's cast-offs. 2) You will learn something about how these are made and run that will serve you for many years down the road. 3) you will have more appreciation for these tools because of the effort you put in to make them work right. and because of that 4) You will keep them in good working order, ready to serve when needed. 5) lastly, you will, as you guessed, learn what you like or don't like, and what you need or don't need in a saw when you are ready to buy something better.

 The downside: You will be out 10-20 bucks.

You may be able to use them to generate some cash to enable you to make an upgrade. Maybe not felling trees, but certainly clearing and bucking downed trees to start. You should be able to make your whole investment back in an hour, then keep going.

 You don't say where you are, maybe there is some training to be had in your area if you continue on this path. That can be worth a lot also.

Welcome to the forum! Grab a stump, ask your questions, there are a lot of smart and fine folks here to help you out. Do some searches here on the site and you may find answers to questions you didn't know you had.  ;D :D

 Oh, and fill out your profile info when you have a chance, it helps folks help you.

[jimparamedic]

Saw on. They will saw. And putting a little money in them are fine and a good way to go. I just bought a new polan with an 18" bar for about $180 with the 2 yr replacement from Tractor Supply So don't put a lot into them. Run them till they die then replace them as you can watch yard sales is a good way to upgrade just don't spend a lot on yard sale saws. Keep new plugs handy. And good gas non alcohol preferably and high test. On sharpening if you do it before they get dull it is way easier just like a knife keep it sharp.

[Ohio Dave]

If you can't get alcohol free fuel.  Get an additive like Sta-Bil or Star Tron Enzyme.  There are many other brands that aren't coming to mind right now.  But every small engine shop around here is adament about using some kind of additive.   

[Iwawoodwork]

I ran a couple of poulans for a few years in my past. They were for my fire wood and fine carpentry needs, they worked as good as any other saw of that size for my personal use, fix and use them till they die. 

[ManjiSann]

I'll chime in with everyone else and say run them. 

I started out with one Poulan Pro, liked it so much I bought a second. I was so impressed with the little saws that I wanted to see what all the noise was about when it came to Pro grade saws. I used the little poulans to make some decent money (only hobby I've ever had that actually generates income) and recently I was able to buy a used Husky pro grade saw. It needed work but the knowledge I gained working on the poulans gave me the confidence to buy the used Husky and fix it up. I now have a pro grade Husky at about half what it would cost new. My .02 on the difference between the poulans and the pro saw is torque. The Husky will keep pulling where the Poulans would stop BUT I still think the Poulans are excellent saws for the money and if you do your part keeping the chain sharp, clean air filter, good fuel, good bar oil and go a little slower they do the job just fine. I figure the poulans are a decent representation of most homeowner saws, do your part and they'll work fine. 

I paid $150 for the first Poulan and $45 for the second. I just sold the first for $150 and I know I can make my money back on the second if/when I go to sell it so I can upgrade to a better saw. I bet if you get the two poulans you bought running, use them to do some jobs and earn some money, you can upgrade to a "nicer" saw if you decide your circumstances need it. 

I like old/vintage stuff but the lack of a chain brake on older saws gives me pause but if your two poulans are anything like the ones I have/had the risk of kickback isn't as high as with the torquier pro saws so as long as you have PPE and are paying attention you will likely be ok. 

I understand the money flow problem and only you know your full circumstances but from what I've experienced learning how to fix something and operate it often creates opportunities. Even if you spend "too much" fixing the poulans, look at it as tuition to mechanics school. I've toyed with the idea of watching the local ads for fixer upper saws/snowblowers/mowers, fixing them and then selling them. I learned how to do this all from working on the chainsaws and other random things. If you're mechanically inclined and enjoy fixing things perhaps you could do the same depending on how such things work in your neck of the woods. 

There's my .05 from a guy that 4 months ago knew nothing about chainsaws so take it for what it's worth to ya 

Brandon