How about a Poulan 4218 for a first saw for a teenager?

[fatboy1941]

I know they arent highly thought of, but my grandson will be turning 19 soon, and he wants to help with the woodcutting. He is very slight of build, and cannot pull the 031 Stihl, or the 61 husqvarna. My son, his father, and I thought this might be a good learning/starter saw for him, he can do the limbing to help out with it. Money is tight, and this Poulan is advertised as brand new for just over $100 I think it would be a good learning tool. am I wrong? What would be better in that price range? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Eccentric]

I know they arent highly thought of, but my grandson will be turning 19 soon, and he wants to help with the woodcutting. He is very slight of build, and cannot pull the 031 Stihl, or the 61 husqvarna. My son, his father, and I thought this might be a good learning/starter saw for him, he can do the limbing to help out with it. Money is tight, and this Poulan is advertised as brand new for just over $100 I think it would be a good learning tool. am I wrong? What would be better in that price range? Thanks for any advice.

That'd be a fine saw for the purpose. He's 19 and can't pull start an 031? Get some protein in that boy. Also, if he's that 'slight', make SURE he ALWAYS has proper technique (especially leg/foot placement) so he doesn't drop the saw on his leg at the end of the cut. Best get him carrying some wood to build up the arm muscles (to help him keep control of the saw) first. I can fully understand the tight money thing. Protective chaps would be a MUST for the young fellow in my book however. Maybe you can save some money by purchasing a used saw and fixing it up.

 

[barneyrb]

Mod the muffler, retune the carb, throw the safety chain in the trash, and they aren't bad little saws for the money. It's like everything else in life, ever how you take care of it is how much service you'll get out of it.

 

[Chris-PA]

Mod the muffler, retune the carb, throw the safety chain in the trash, and they aren't bad little saws for the money. It's like everything else in life, ever how you take care of it is how much service you'll get out of it.

Well, I'd keep the safety chain for this purpose!

 

[ChainsawmanXX]

He's gotta learn sooner or later, might as well be under the supervision of people more expierenced.
I started off with a 290 stihl when I was 14 limbing out trees.

 

[computeruser]

That'd be a fine saw for the purpose. He's 19 and can't pull start an 031? Get some protein in that boy. Also, if he's that 'slight', make SURE he ALWAYS has proper technique (especially leg/foot placement) so he doesn't drop the saw on his leg at the end of the cut. Best get him carrying some wood to build up the arm muscles (to help him keep control of the saw) first. I can fully understand the tight money thing. Protective chaps would be a MUST for the young fellow in my book however. Maybe you can save some money by purchasing a used saw and fixing it up.

+1. Good points all around.

Especially re: PPE. That isn't a place to cut corners, ever.

 

[rob066]

Retune one of them saws as soon as you get it. Most are overly lean from the factory. You need one of the spline tools to adjust them. Nothing would be more frustrating to a beginer than a saw that dont idle or rev properly.

 

[CTYank]

Start him out right: good eye protection to keep dust, debris and fast-flying fragments out; hearing protection; chaps; steel-toed shoes; helmet if felling.

Teach him how to inspect saw:
chain tension, sharpness
brake function
chain-catcher condition

Safe procedure:
feet well apart
no "monkey grip" on front handle- thumb opposed to fingers
left elbow locked extended
wedges handy to contend with pinching
positioning self to keep all body parts out of the "plane of the chain"- explain kickbacks.
Always be thinking.

Proper chain filing is a GOOD THING to know. As is how to tell when chain is sharp/dull, and what to do when chain becomes dull- SHUT IT OFF.

Went through this with two boys- no stitches or blood loss yet.

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Do it today.....IMO....he should have been throwing chips years ago! I know that's easy for me to say.....I was using a saw around 15 or so.... no mishaps to this date. But I grew up around this stuff. Knew were to keep my fingers out of. If kids aren't exposed to this stuff early.....learning is tougher than catching...... (some may understand this, some will not) it's tougher to learn later. I'm going to have mine out with me when I feel she's old enough..... How old is that? I'll know.

Has he tried starting a smaller saw? There is a technique in starting a saw....if not held down/onto, they'll jump around when the rope is pulled even the smaller ones. Some have trouble starting my Pouland 2550. Not a huge saw.....not that high of compression. But they pull and pull..... I walk over and give the rope a tug or two and it's running.....

Maybe start him off with supervised cutting....and help with starting using saws you have. Help holding the saw down while he pulls the rope. Then....if he likes it....he'll get so he can start them.

There's got to be a saw among the members here that will fit the bill ....probably a much better saw and cost much less. Probably someone that lives close to you too.

Did I answer the question? :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[JimM]

I know they arent highly thought of, but my grandson will be turning 19 soon, and he wants to help with the woodcutting. He is very slight of build, and cannot pull the 031 Stihl, or the 61 husqvarna. My son, his father, and I thought this might be a good learning/starter saw for him, he can do the limbing to help out with it. Money is tight, and this Poulan is advertised as brand new for just over $100 I think it would be a good learning tool. am I wrong? What would be better in that price range? Thanks for any advice.

Seriously, the kid wants to help? Do absolutely anything in your power to encourage this.

 

[fatboy1941]

Thank you for the responses

He has done a little cutting with a Stihl 015. I wont let him cut the butts, but he can limb for a while. His mother had him until a few months ago, and when I say his mother, you must realize that that is only half of a word referring to her. His dad had a breakdown, now is getting much better. I am trying to catch the boy up to his age. I had his dad out working the woods and changing oil and skidding by the time he was 11. He also got his first buck at age 11, and the grandson just killed his first porcupine a couple of weeks ago at age 18. I cannot undo the damage but I am determined to help him catch up to his years. I have chaps for him and just needed to know opinions about Poulan saws, as I am a Stihl and Husky fan myself. I am going to go ahead and buy this Poulan for him, and thanks to all for the responses to my question.

 

[JimM]

He has done a little cutting with a Stihl 015. I wont let him cut the butts, but he can limb for a while. His mother had him until a few months ago, and when I say his mother, you must realize that that is only half of a word referring to her. His dad had a breakdown, now is getting much better. I am trying to catch the boy up to his age. I had his dad out working the woods and changing oil and skidding by the time he was 11. He also got his first buck at age 11, and the grandson just killed his first porcupine a couple of weeks ago at age 18. I cannot undo the damage but I am determined to help him catch up to his years. I have chaps for him and just needed to know opinions about Poulan saws, as I am a Stihl and Husky fan myself. I am going to go ahead and buy this Poulan for him, and thanks to all for the responses to my question.

Good man, rep on the way.

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

He has done a little cutting with a Stihl 015. I wont let him cut the butts, but he can limb for a while. His mother had him until a few months ago, and when I say his mother, you must realize that that is only half of a word referring to her. His dad had a breakdown, now is getting much better. I am trying to catch the boy up to his age. I had his dad out working the woods and changing oil and skidding by the time he was 11. He also got his first buck at age 11, and the grandson just killed his first porcupine a couple of weeks ago at age 18. I cannot undo the damage but I am determined to help him catch up to his years. I have chaps for him and just needed to know opinions about Poulan saws, as I am a Stihl and Husky fan myself. I am going to go ahead and buy this Poulan for him, and thanks to all for the responses to my question.

And now the 'rest of the story'!

I had a feeling there was more to the story! Good on you! Keep up the good work!

 

[BroncoRN]

Why not get an old homelite off craigslist?

 

[Eccentric]

Why not get an old homelite off craigslist?

I'd thought the same thing (Homelite Super E-Z, Poulan XXV, Homelite Super2,Poulan Micro), but this kid needs a lightweight rear handle saw with a chainbrake (none of the saws I was thinking of have all three charactaristics). Safety chain'd probably be good to keep on the saw for a while too. One of the many plastic Poulan homeowner saws (used or new) would fit the bill best. What he REALLY needs is somemanual labor and REAL guidance. Sound's like Grandpa is helping with that.:cool2:

 

[BroncoRN]

I'd thought the same thing (Homelite Super E-Z, Poulan XXV, Homelite Super2,Poulan Micro), but this kid needs a lightweight rear handle saw with a chainbrake (none of the saws I was thinking of have all three charactaristics). Safety chain'd probably be good to keep on the saw for a while too. One of the many plastic Poulan homeowner saws (used or new) would fit the bill best. What he REALLY needs is somemanual labor and REAL guidance. Sound's like Grandpa is helping with that.:cool2:

Hell then go pawn shopping. Tons of more modern stuff for cheap.

 

[supman98]

I think a stihl 009 would work to for what you described

 

[Eccentric]

I think a stihl 009 would work to for what you described

Yep. An 009-012AV type saw would fit the bill (one of the rear handle variants anyways). My 011AVEQ was an easy starting, 'un-exciting' little workhorse of a saw. Perfect for the task at hand here. They're harder to find in good shape on a budget than the plastic Poulans however.

 

[nick 55]

He has done a little cutting with a Stihl 015. I wont let him cut the butts, but he can limb for a while. His mother had him until a few months ago, and when I say his mother, you must realize that that is only half of a word referring to her. His dad had a breakdown, now is getting much better. I am trying to catch the boy up to his age. I had his dad out working the woods and changing oil and skidding by the time he was 11. He also got his first buck at age 11, and the grandson just killed his first porcupine a couple of weeks ago at age 18. I cannot undo the damage but I am determined to help him catch up to his years. I have chaps for him and just needed to know opinions about Poulan saws, as I am a Stihl and Husky fan myself. I am going to go ahead and buy this Poulan for him, and thanks to all for the responses to my question.

Kudos to you for taking him under your wing so to speak. It sounds like he's had a challenging childhood and I am sure this kind of work will help him grow into a grown man. I immediately thought of my 4620 when I read this, and for a few minutes contemplated sending it to you for him(its set up perfectly right now) but then I thought about it and I don't think I could get along without it quite yet. I was probably built like him when I was 18 but I have worked very hard since the day I graduated high school.

Nick

 

[Scooterbum]

Bout' the only thng I can add is don't push him, let him go at his pace.

They say the best learning tool is a fine example, you be that example. Because he will be watching.

Good choice for a beginner saw. Try to stay with a new one.Nothing more frustrating then a used saw that wants to act up now and then.