Chain Saws:

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A saw that won't oil is no saw at all. Though most automatic oiler problems are relatively easy and inexpensive to fix, that cost and effort should be taken into account when haggling over the purchase price ...or you might want to insist that the owner make the repairs before you buy.

*Engine. How easily does the engine start? When the saw is cold and the choke is on, the powerhead should fire in four or five cranks. Then push the choke off; the engine should start with a few more pulls. Let the saw warm up thoroughly, then shut it off for a minute or two. It should restart easily.

Now shut the saw down again and remove the spark plug. The plug should be relatively clean and light brown to chocolate brown in color. If the plug's coated with a greasy-looking residue, it's all indication of too much two-cycle oil being used in the gasoline . . but it's nothing to worry about; a new spark plug and the correct gas/oil mix should solve the problem.

Next, insert a compression gauge into the spark plug hole and pull the starter cord five or six times. You should forget about buying any saw that doesn't have at least 100 pounds of compression, with 120 pounds or more being preferable. The compression check is one of the most important considerations when shopping for a used chain saw, so don't skip it.

And finally, cut some wood with it.'

If the compression is good; if the saw starts, idles smoothly, rum, oils, and cuts well; and if the bar, chain, and sprocket are in good condition-then chances are you've found a good used saw. Price? That part's up to you. Check the going price for a comparable new saw, and find out, if you can, what the one you're looking at cost originally. In the final reckoning, a "fair" price is whatever the seller and the buyer can agree upon and be happy with ...assuming both parties are being honest, of course. (And wouldn't it be wonderful if we lived in a world where we could safely make assumptions like that!)

One final tip about shopping for a used saw: Try to get an owner's manual, complete with a parts diagram. And think about availability of parts before you buy. If the saw is old or off-brand, you may have trouble getting repair parts or even finding someone willing and able to work on it.

Buying A Rebuilt Chain Saw: I rebuild and sell a lot of used chain saws (about 30 last year). I guarantee the saws and generally send them out with new bars, chains, and sprockets. I sell them for a fair price, and I've never had one come back for anything major. (They do come back sometimes, of course, but it never seems to take much to fix them.)

The moral here should be plain: If you can find a rebuilt saw that fits your needs, and the price is fair, and you know and trust the person who did the work, it's probably the very best way of all to buy a good saw that you can depend on, at a good price. Here again, try to get an owner's manual that includes a parts diagram ...and don't hesitate to inspect the saw as described above. And cut some wood with it!

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