Jack Smith
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi,
New member here. I'm in the process of purchasing a chainsaw and I'm seeking guidance on a Makita 6421 saw I viewed and inspected at a Home Depot Rental Center with a staff member's help. It appears to need a repair and I'd like to obtain advice on the situation.
The purpose of a new chainsaw would be to clear woodland trails of fallen trees ranging from small to large in diameter. I am a mountain biker and often these trees sit for months and months before someone clears them. Storms here in New England usually bring down large trees.
This is the blue model and I was told it is less than 48 months old.
I had the Home Depot rental staff answer many questions I had about the saw (I did lots of research).
Here's the good:
1. Compression test with guage - 152psi (this might be low, still checking)
2. Air filter - looks brand new
3. Fuel filter - looks brand new
4. Spark Plug - looks brand new
5. Chain - Brand new just installed
6. New extra chain provided
7. Over all the main unit looks clean (less bar)
8. The asking price is only $279
The bad:
1. The chain rotates slowly at idol. A tachometer reading shows the chain still rotates at 2300rpm. The saw should be at 2500rpm at idol with no movement. Setting the idol any lower than 2300rpms would appear to stall the saw. Or, as least, it seems to be on the verge of stalling.
2. When we ran the saw outside it seemed to take a lot of high rpms for some time before I could see oil on the ground. The bar nose was held less close to the ground during its operation.
3. The bar looks well used as a lot of the paint has been worn off.
Questions:
1. Are rental chainsaw purchases generally a good or bad idea?
2. Should I purchase the saw and try to install a new clutch drum and/or assembly myself? It looks like the cost is around $60 for these two parts combined.
3. Is the lack of oil (or perceived lack of oil) on the ground something I should concerned about?
Thank you in advance for any help. Currently the saw sits on the display table once again and I'm wondering if I should go back and purchase it before it is sold to another customer.
New member here. I'm in the process of purchasing a chainsaw and I'm seeking guidance on a Makita 6421 saw I viewed and inspected at a Home Depot Rental Center with a staff member's help. It appears to need a repair and I'd like to obtain advice on the situation.
The purpose of a new chainsaw would be to clear woodland trails of fallen trees ranging from small to large in diameter. I am a mountain biker and often these trees sit for months and months before someone clears them. Storms here in New England usually bring down large trees.
This is the blue model and I was told it is less than 48 months old.
I had the Home Depot rental staff answer many questions I had about the saw (I did lots of research).
Here's the good:
1. Compression test with guage - 152psi (this might be low, still checking)
2. Air filter - looks brand new
3. Fuel filter - looks brand new
4. Spark Plug - looks brand new
5. Chain - Brand new just installed
6. New extra chain provided
7. Over all the main unit looks clean (less bar)
8. The asking price is only $279
The bad:
1. The chain rotates slowly at idol. A tachometer reading shows the chain still rotates at 2300rpm. The saw should be at 2500rpm at idol with no movement. Setting the idol any lower than 2300rpms would appear to stall the saw. Or, as least, it seems to be on the verge of stalling.
2. When we ran the saw outside it seemed to take a lot of high rpms for some time before I could see oil on the ground. The bar nose was held less close to the ground during its operation.
3. The bar looks well used as a lot of the paint has been worn off.
Questions:
1. Are rental chainsaw purchases generally a good or bad idea?
2. Should I purchase the saw and try to install a new clutch drum and/or assembly myself? It looks like the cost is around $60 for these two parts combined.
3. Is the lack of oil (or perceived lack of oil) on the ground something I should concerned about?
Thank you in advance for any help. Currently the saw sits on the display table once again and I'm wondering if I should go back and purchase it before it is sold to another customer.