Or, more specifically, how to pack the damn things?
I've owned a number of chainsaws, Sthil, Husqvarna and Chinese cheapies and one thing they all have in common is they leak chain oil and I don't want my nice new car covered in oil.
For years I've transported them inside a large plastic bag (bin liner) and throw it away when its inside becomes too messy. Once I bought a soft case but it too became so messy I had to throw it out.
Question:
Has anyone come up with a simple, clean technique for carrying a chainsaw in a car?
Possum3 said
11:15 AM Jul 27, 2020
You could use an Electric one to minimise risk - but the chain still needs oil/lubrication.
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:16 AM Jul 27, 2020
Leave it home.
I carry a battery operated reciprocating saw that I find adequate for emergency cutting of trees across the road (which can usually be pulled away) and it has the advantage of being capable of cutting almost anything (including steel) as well.
Cheers,
Peter
I just use an 18 volt sabre saw (reciprocating saw) - cut timber or steel just simply by changing blades - I used them for work , would cut a 100mm. cast iron water main. No mess , smells , light , quiet and SAFER. I have used chain saws my whole life and used to carry one when caravanning but sabre saw is miles ahead for that use now.
Mike Harding said
12:39 PM Jul 27, 2020
Can we take it as read that I don't want to leave it at home (no home to leave it at) or buy some other sort of saw? I simply seek ideas on how to pack it.
Old and Grey said
12:52 PM Jul 27, 2020
Hi Mike,
Me too, Chainsaws x 2.
I now carry a 18V Ryobi chainsaw 12 inch bar, in the vans boot ,along with new spare chain, plus a few 5 amp batteries. Cuts up old railway sleepers like butter. Excellent tool.
As for oil leaks I drain the small oil tank, and it sits upright with small old piece of flannelett rag wedged under the bar, in the bar protector.
I never leave home without it.
Love my camp oven dampers with olives, sun dried tomato's and greated tasty cheese, and cashews nuts and a glass of red wine or three.
Still haven't worked out why we have so many folks around at Happy Hour.
I'm in the same situation. Have been looking at the sthil bright orange case that they sell. I used to have a wood box that l made to fit the saw, oil and can of fuel on the farm. It worked well but to heavy so have been looking at orange plastic box that sthil make for their saws.
Stretch.
Plain Truth said
01:23 PM Jul 27, 2020
We have ours in a plastic tub,have a slot cut out in the end for the bar to protrude out,with a proper plastic chain cover over the chain.
Pack lots of other stuff,like chain oil,coolant and things in the tub.When it gets a bit mucky in the bottom of tub,just give it a good clean.
The last time I used a chainsaw was about 40 years ago. It was an electric Makita with 20 inch blade. It was an absolute beast, extremely heavy, also with metal handle halfway around the whole thing, you just couldn't stall the motor there was so much torque. Found out later they stopped selling them in Australia as they didn't electrically comply.
Anyway onto oil, I used to guess the amount of oil needed for the job & added a bit more if needed.
rgren2 said
07:43 PM Jul 27, 2020
Plastic tub with newspaper and a bit of kitty litter.
Plain Truth said
08:01 PM Jul 27, 2020
That is good idea,will do that next time.We always travel with a chainsaw.ln Feb. this year we came over the Omeo Hwy.,we were lucky the person ahead cleared the small tree off the road.
The body of the saw fits well and the blade has a protector so all is well. I just cut a slot at one end for the bar to stick out and the zip still works. All the bits an bobs fit into the bag.
My DeWalt drop bar oil when it just sits in the ute's tub too so I wrap a length of rag around the area where the bar meets body. But that's in a tub with a rubber mat on the floor. Because I'm thinking about rejigging the rear seat and creating storage there, I might give dieseltojo's idea a try.
Mike Harding said
07:45 AM Jul 28, 2020
Thanks everyone for your replies - and please keep more coming.
I think I'll adopt Plain Truth's suggestion with rgren2's kitty litter. Now that PT has pointed out cutting a hole in the box side for the bar it's a simple and obvious solution but, nevertheless, one which hadn't occurred to me :)
I love these sorts on questions on forums because everyone problem solves differently and the creativeness and ingenuity of people amazes me.
I find the least messiest method is to persist with the plastic bags. However I have access to a ready supply of heavy duty poly bags and I simply carry the saw disassembled, with the motor unit usually drained as much as possible of oil in the bag, chain in a plastic box (a little penguin one that I had lying around) and the bar flat, wrapped in a rag and in a plastic garbage bag. So it take a few minutes to assemble for use, no big deal.
Moose2 said
12:51 PM Jul 29, 2020
Mike hope all is well with you.
I've seen an old esky used. Same idea...cut a hole in side for the blade. Store petrol, oil etc in there too. Newspaper on bottom and replace when saturated with oil. Can be used as a very effective fire starter. Put lid on when travelling and bugger all petrol smell in vehicle.
Bicyclecamper said
07:02 PM Jul 29, 2020
I need a way of carrying my generator, in my wagon, that will not have residual petrol smell, the fuel is in a one gallon tin, and a dedicated steel box, previous life: Phalanx depleted uranium ammunition box, that has a radiation proof and water/air rubber seal around the lid edge, so don't smell it. But gene stinks, it has to be airtight. I did buy a rather large second hand genni aluminium box, which has rubber seals, but it is too big, and takes up too much room in my car. My genni is only 1kw in size.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 29th of July 2020 07:03:25 PM
Whenarewethere said
09:05 AM Jul 31, 2020
Get an aluminium fabricator to fold & weld up a box for you. It will cost more but you will get exactly what you want.
Even ask for 5251 alloy.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:45 PM Aug 3, 2020
I put or wrap a carpet cover over ours . The thing is they dont leak much oil
!! But the oil seems to go everywhere ! Have carpet as a sponge helps big time .Plus we have some on the bottom of storage drawer.
Or, more specifically, how to pack the damn things?
I've owned a number of chainsaws, Sthil, Husqvarna and Chinese cheapies and one thing they all have in common is they leak chain oil and I don't want my nice new car covered in oil.
For years I've transported them inside a large plastic bag (bin liner) and throw it away when its inside becomes too messy. Once I bought a soft case but it too became so messy I had to throw it out.
Question:
Has anyone come up with a simple, clean technique for carrying a chainsaw in a car?
I carry a battery operated reciprocating saw that I find adequate for emergency cutting of trees across the road (which can usually be pulled away) and it has the advantage of being capable of cutting almost anything (including steel) as well.
Cheers,
Peter
I just use an 18 volt sabre saw (reciprocating saw) - cut timber or steel just simply by changing blades - I used them for work , would cut a 100mm. cast iron water main. No mess , smells , light , quiet and SAFER. I have used chain saws my whole life and used to carry one when caravanning but sabre saw is miles ahead for that use now.
Can we take it as read that I don't want to leave it at home (no home to leave it at) or buy some other sort of saw? I simply seek ideas on how to pack it.
Hi Mike,
Me too, Chainsaws x 2.
I now carry a 18V Ryobi chainsaw 12 inch bar, in the vans boot ,along with new spare chain, plus a few 5 amp batteries. Cuts up old railway sleepers like butter. Excellent tool.
As for oil leaks I drain the small oil tank, and it sits upright with small old piece of flannelett rag wedged under the bar, in the bar protector.
I never leave home without it.
Love my camp oven dampers with olives, sun dried tomato's and greated tasty cheese, and cashews nuts and a glass of red wine or three.
Still haven't worked out why we have so many folks around at Happy Hour.
Old and Grey
Hi Mike,
I'm in the same situation. Have been looking at the sthil bright orange case that they sell. I used to have a wood box that l made to fit the saw, oil and can of fuel on the farm. It worked well but to heavy so have been looking at orange plastic box that sthil make for their saws.
Stretch.
We have ours in a plastic tub,have a slot cut out in the end for the bar to protrude out,with a proper plastic chain cover over the chain.
Pack lots of other stuff,like chain oil,coolant and things in the tub.When it gets a bit mucky in the bottom of tub,just give it a good clean.
The last time I used a chainsaw was about 40 years ago. It was an electric Makita with 20 inch blade. It was an absolute beast, extremely heavy, also with metal handle halfway around the whole thing, you just couldn't stall the motor there was so much torque. Found out later they stopped selling them in Australia as they didn't electrically comply.
Anyway onto oil, I used to guess the amount of oil needed for the job & added a bit more if needed.
That is good idea,will do that next time.We always travel with a chainsaw.ln Feb. this year we came over the Omeo Hwy.,we were lucky the person ahead cleared the small tree off the road.
Hi Mike Harding.
I use and old zipped bag similar to what we carried around at the tech school.
The body of the saw fits well and the blade has a protector so all is well. I just cut a slot at one end for the bar to stick out and the zip still works. All the bits an bobs fit into the bag.
The soft bag fits in easily as well.
We have 26 metres of tow ropes in the car.
Thanks everyone for your replies - and please keep more coming.
I think I'll adopt Plain Truth's suggestion with rgren2's kitty litter. Now that PT has pointed out cutting a hole in the box side for the bar it's a simple and obvious solution but, nevertheless, one which hadn't occurred to me :)
I love these sorts on questions on forums because everyone problem solves differently and the creativeness and ingenuity of people amazes me.
Check out Drifta, they make specific bags with plastic trays and inserts for batts etc.
https://www.drifta.com.au/product/electric-chainsaw-bag/
Those bags look good Peter 1059.
Mike hope all is well with you.
I've seen an old esky used. Same idea...cut a hole in side for the blade. Store petrol, oil etc in there too. Newspaper on bottom and replace when saturated with oil. Can be used as a very effective fire starter. Put lid on when travelling and bugger all petrol smell in vehicle.
I need a way of carrying my generator, in my wagon, that will not have residual petrol smell, the fuel is in a one gallon tin, and a dedicated steel box, previous life: Phalanx depleted uranium ammunition box, that has a radiation proof and water/air rubber seal around the lid edge, so don't smell it. But gene stinks, it has to be airtight. I did buy a rather large second hand genni aluminium box, which has rubber seals, but it is too big, and takes up too much room in my car. My genni is only 1kw in size.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Wednesday 29th of July 2020 07:03:25 PM
Get an aluminium fabricator to fold & weld up a box for you. It will cost more but you will get exactly what you want.
Even ask for 5251 alloy.
!! But the oil seems to go everywhere ! Have carpet as a sponge helps big time .Plus we have some on the bottom of storage drawer.