But generally speaking the Stihl is the first choice, calamity or other wise. Plenty of sharp chains and fuel always on hand. Just picked up another couple of gallons of bar oil the other day.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't be prepared, but in every recent major storm that I've seen here, emergency personnel are very well equipped along these lines. Local fire departments, power company, etc.
Saw the emergency guys using one of those Stihl abrasive cut off saws to take apart a guard rail once. The ones with the 14" blade. It cut through that stuff like it has not even there. They can cut concrete also. Have to get one of those puppies. :rock:
Yep. An often overlooked part of preparedness is doing regular maintenance on your tools that will be critical to your recovery effort. I have been negligent in the past. All part of my personal disaster plan checklist now. At my age I live by checklists. Part of that stems from my military background, the rest from my inability to concentrate (attraction to whatevershiny object that is currently within my view).
More and more I have been going to using Tru Fuel synthetic fuel. It is expensive but worth it. And run your saw dry before putting it up for any length of time.
My Stihl is a quick no tool chain swap model. I take the easy way out and carry spare chains. I’ll leave the chain maintenance to the shop. I’ll work on my guns but not my chainsaws. You gotta save something for the other guy.
I can and have sharpened my own chains. And I will continue to be set up to do so. But as time and age progress, I find myself more and more less inclined to do so. If I can pay the kid down at the store to do a good job sharpening a chain for me for five bucks. This is more often than not the way that I go.
The thing is, chains aren't cheap. How many spare chains can you budget for and what happens when they get dull and the shop is closed because of, you know, some disaster?
The last time that I checked I had ten sharpened chains for the 362 on hand including several that are brand new. Six chains for the 310, And three for the pole saw. Plenty of fuel is always on hand as well as bar and chain oil.
Well, if you are preparing for a disaster, especially one that may last for a while, you had better have some spares. A broken chain will leave you helpless regardless of the ability to sharpen. Nothing wrong with letting a shop do your sharpening if your time is better spent on other things. You can still have files (and guides if needed) to do it yourself when the disaster keeps you from getting to the shop.
