I've taken to using Stabil Ethanol treatment in my small engines - seems to help out with keeping the carb clean and the machines running well. I would use caution on a dirty engine though - buddy just started using it on his old lawn mower and we had to blow the fuel line out and clean the carb to get it running right again. Not sure if this was coincidental.
I think we will use it right from the start, due to bad experience with previous chainsaw. Husband is about ready to try again. Due to replaced shoulder, he doesn't want to use it, but he can teach me how to cut safely.
Welcome, Midwinter! It sounds like you could give Fred Sanford a run for his money!!! "And here, nice lady, is a complete set of custom, exotic, oval antique granite stepping stones...bargain priced, of course!"
Was that when the phone company was there? Now it's a big Post Office facility. It's a real warren. I went to look at the pallets Mwalsh mentioned, there was a pile behind a software company, but I didn't take any, just scoped them out. Are you still in southern NH, or have you moved north?
Pretty dirty right now, chimney cleaners coming next week, then I'll get it spiffed up for fall. The big hood is surprisingly effective at moving heat upstairs.
Never thought of the stepping stone route, that makes a lot of sense though. Course where I live, not too many people can afford granite counters (or anything else), and if they can, they're premade somewhere else so castings aren't go to be taken to our dump. Then of course, there is the No Dumpster Picking rule
I don't remember what was over there in 2013/2014 - I worked for a small mfg company in one of those buildings out back (it was a start up that went belly up). Another company back there is a spin off from a company I worked for in Milford for 13+ years (1988-2001). I know people that still work there. I'm still in SNH - moved 4 years ago about 2 miles down the road from where I had been for 25 years. I'm in the Bermuda triangle that is 30 miles from anywhere basically (30 miles to Manchester, Concord, Keene and Amherst/Nashua)
Not very scenic but does the trick. No one's ever told me not to pick at our dump. Of course I don't go climbing on the big piles of scrap metal! There is an older gentleman, a veteran, who picks up wood too, but we're not competitive, we each get plenty. A number of years ago there was a swap shack, but they closed it down after a fight broke out and the cops came.
Beautiful area. My husband works in Wilton, and has friends in Lyndeborough. We talked about moving out there, but family responsibilities have kept us here.
Some people mind commuting to work, I don't. Used to drive 55 miles to get to Devens - only thing I minded was the MA taxes coming out of my paycheck
Buy from a local dealer and you rarely go wrong. I would not buy from the big box store or Amazon. For us, we have a Stihl dealer who I've known for many moons so if anything goes wrong I can just stop in and get it fixed pronto and it will be fixed right.
I don't mind the mileage, it's the rush hours out of Boston starting 2:30 PM that get to me. And the MA part-year tax form. It used to make me cry. The state kept sending it back, telling me I did it wrong.
I believe Stihl still makes the easy start model so it won't tear up a shoulder starting it. However, the 170 and 180 start so easy I don't think you need the easy start. I have bad shoulders but no trouble starting the 180.
Husband probably won't be able to keep his hands off it. Last time he cut for me, it was a Taylor Rental saw, and 2 cords of dump wood accumulated under the pine tree. He did it, but afterward said NO MAS! That was several years ago, though.
Good luck on this. If we were closer he could borrow mine to see how good it is. Do you know what brand they sell at the outdoor place?
Looks like Stihl and Husqvarna. They have Stihl 2016 and 2017 MS 170's for $179.95. Also a Stihl MSE 170 C-BQ for $319.95. Also a 2016 MS 180 C-BE for $249.95.