[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by DarthBubba

I got the 16" EGo from Ace's. I haven't used it yet, but will shortly. I really wanted the Kobalt, but none in stock near me.

That's the best 16" saw overall , on price/performance/warranty
Hope it works well for you .

I really like the way they did the chain adjuster on the 14" and 16" EGo

They say we all need a needle adapter to squirt grease into the tiny hole at front end of chain bar to keep the front chain wheel lubricated. Or buy a small squeeze tube of grease that has a small nipple.

[ponyakr]

Just thought I'd pass this on, for a chuckle.

Checking the prices on the EGO CS1401 & CS1604.

A new bogus website has the CS1604, for $90. Have no idea what the shipping would cost, where the saw would be shipped from, of if a saw would be shipped. at all.

https://evelinlinde.online/product/e...rger-included/

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

My browser won't even go to that evelinlinde site to scope it out.


Here's another idea that might work for a large discount at the places that will price match legitimate online prices .

www.gardentoolscenter.com

They have the EGo 16" listed at $231 and the EGo 18" at $237
The Echo 16" at $234
All are currently unavailable , so that might be a stretch to get them to match on that technicality. But the right clerk (or a lax clerk) might overlook that.
Could be worth a try if you're in the store shopping anyway.

That place charges a flat rate of $99 shipping per saw, is where they make it up.
They probably have the saws drop-shipped by the distributors.

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

The 1st 50 yards or so of the trail was a real thick tangle of small bushes, vines, & briers, from ground level up to higher than my head. Many times the vines/briers would tangle around a foot, so that I couldn't move it forward without reaching down & cutting them with my hand pruner. Yeah, it was a mess !

But, after a little over 2 hours of manual labor, we finally got thru the jungle portion of the trail. Decided we'd had enuff, for one day. The rest will be easy going, all the way back up to that big tree.

Hey, it was just another day on the trail !

You are really getting a workout. Wow.

Your images reminded me of a summer job I had in ~1973. I worked on a geophysical survey crew for Teledyne in Pensacola. I cut brush all day with a brush-axe. Electric saws and trimmers would have been a godsend. The surveyor was an animated Cajun that kept us moving and laughing. The worst was going through creek bottoms...moccasins and insects. One day he made us wade into a cyprus swamp up to our chest. Ugh. This job was a good lesson in what not to do when I grew up!

You are motivated!

[ponyakr]

Just watched a video from back before the pro gas chainsaws.

Guys were bringin down the big redwods with axes & 2-man crosscut saws. Bet that was a hard days work. Some of the trees were so big that a log truck or train car would carry just one log.

http://thecasualobserver.co.za/worki...ore-chainsaws/

https://kymkemp.com/2018/12/11/1940s...saws-in-sight/

https://mashable.com/2015/12/14/lumberjacks/

How about a 13 ft 2-man chainsaw ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxT3JCeVuyQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdgMcbNwZ3o

[ponyakr]

Talkin about stuff that works, from the time I was a teenager, we had a 5' Bush Hog. For those who don't know, Bush Hog is actually a brand name of farm equipment. The piece of equipment I'm talkin about is actually called a "rotary cutter".

But, since the Bush Hog brand rotary cutter was the most commonly used brand, back in the old days, at least in my area, the term "bush hog" has been used by most country folks to describe a rotary cutter, regardless of what the brand name was.

The term "bush hog" is also used as a verb. If we are going to cut the grass/weeds in a certain area, we say we are going to "bush hog" it.

Bush Hog still makes rotary cutters. They have a cheaper BH100 series line, to compete with the other cheap brands. They also have HD models which cost much more.

https://bushhog.com/single_spindle/b...otary-cutters/

But, there are lots of other brands, sold at farm supply stores & tractor dealers. The cheaper ones are now over $1000, for a 5' wide model. The one I have now is more than 10 years old. As is my MO, when I went shopping for one, I looked for the best price. Found it in West Monroe, for $750. Have used it a lot. This one, from Tractor supply has the 2 braces, rather than the flat bar/chain deal. I suppose lots of guys besides me had problems with that style.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...8aAlfNEALw_wcB

The model I have, like several others I saw at the time I was lookin, was made slightly different than most. Most have 2 flat bar braces, one on each side, running from the rear of the deck, up to where the top link of the 3-point hitch connects. These braces are to insure that the rear of the cutter raises, when the rest of it raises.

But, on the one I have, and those made like it, rather than having 2 flat bar braces, it had one piece of flat bar, which ran from just below the top link connection, back to near the rear of the deck. Then, welded to the end of the flat bar was a short piece of chain, connecting it to the deck.

The chain is there so that the rear of the deck can come up when it needs to, rather than lifting the rear wheels off the ground, if they happen to go into a sudden drop off, such as a gully, or small creek/branch. Without a chain, the cutter can actually hold the rear wheels off the ground, or at least cause them to lose all traction.

If you have the type cutter that has the solid braces, you need to use a chain in place of the top 3-point hitch link. My Dad discovered this back when I was a kid. So, he cut a piece of chain, the needed length, & always left it hooked to the Bush Hog, so it would be there every time he hooked it to the tractor.

Anyhow, several years ago, the chain on my cutter broke, where it was welded at the rear. So, just attached it with bolts & it has been working just fine. But Friday as I was coming home, on the gravel road near our house, another link in the chain broke. So, the tail wheel held up the rear of the cutter the rest of the way home.

In deciding how to fix the problem, I decided to replace the flat bar/chain set-up, with a piece of bigger chain. I'd found a piece of chain which was long enuff, with at least a foot to spare.

Bolted it at the rear. Couldn't find any bolts, of the max size that can be used. Will get a couple from the hardware store & replace those I used. Guessing this set-up should last longer than the rest of the cutter.

[ponyakr]

TJ made her 1st ride down the trail we just cleared, & made a few pics along the way.

She got a close-up pic of the Tarzan Vine I used getting up & down the East bank of the creek. Also got several pics of Pooch, her trusty trail hound.

[ponyakr]

Here's some thru the thickest part.

[ponyakr]

Riding uphill towards the big tree.

[ponyakr]

No trouble stepping over the big tree, coming or going. We plan to pack the big saw over there & remove a chunk of it, so he won't have to step over.

Also no trouble climbing the steep East bank of Rock Bottom Creek. He don't need help from the Tarzan vine, like I do.

The last pic is a "Before & After" TJ put together.

[ponyakr]

Just noticed that the Amazon price for the WEN 40417 saw was lowered by nearly $15, to $145 + tax. If I wasn't waiting for some Christmas cash, I'd probably go ahead & buy now.

https://www.amazon.com/WEN-40417-Lit...ag=googhydr-20

As mentioned, most of the reviews are positive, & the videos make the saw look pretty good, especially for the price. But we've all read that lots of online reviews are bogus. Wish I could get a review from somebody I'd trust.

Hey, at the current price, just the battery for some saw brands cost a lot more than the WEN saw/batt/charger combo.

Hoping the EGO CS1401 will have a super low holiday price of near $200. It seems that some popular products are priced higher, near Christmas, assuming that family members will pay more, if it's for a present. But, many less popular items are priced lower, hoping to increase sales.

Right now, the EGO saws may be in the more popular category. So, the CS1401 may not get any lower than about $250 & the CS1604 may not get any lower than $299.

Decided to do a new price check on the EGO saws. Amazon price for the CS1401 is now $230 + tax. Still $249 @ Lowes.

https://www.amazon.com/EGO-Power-14-.../dp/B0102PWY38

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-Power-5...ded/1003130712

https://www.acehardware.com/departme...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

From some of the videos & reviews I've seen, it seems that a few years back the Echo & Ego saws were similar in price. But the Echo is now at least $100 higher.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-16-...V4AH/313410741

Wonder if that could be because the Echo won the speed cutting test on the comparison video I linked. I think this video has some real good info in it. So, for those who didn't see it, here's the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnFfaoFRrUE

Sure wish the WEN had been in the mix, so I could see how it compared.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

"Save $60 on this purchase when approved for Amazon.com Store Card"
Might could go for that , if you don't already have one.
That would make the WEN really low in price.

Amazon (defacto) and ACE Hdwr are also approved distributors for EGO (warranty stipulations).

Echo is always at the top of price ranges in every category.
They sort of have the same stigma as Stihl and Dewalt - by brand.
Compared with the 16" EGO ($299) its about $50 higher
IF you could find a price-match place with the Echo , it is only $234 at GardenToolsCenter and is currently Available there.
That would make the Echo pretty attractive.

Chain speed is a big factor on these battery saws, I'm sure there is a trade-off in speed and battery drain too. The Echo comes with a 4Ah battery compared to EGO 5Ah.
I think Echo only goes 2 years on the battery warranty.

Battery performance/life span is going to be our biggest factor especially after the battery warranty expires. I hope EGO and Kobalt do real well on long term wear.
EGO is supposedly industry leader in battery tech and highest rated battery equipment in consumer reports.

I was calling the fuel meter EGO batteries Gen2 before - but they are actually Gen3.
Gen1 was pre-ARC technology
Gen2 was ARC
Gen3 is ARC with fuel meter

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Lowes is showing the Craftsman Battery Chainsaws as reduced/clearance again - on their website.
But still showing them as unavailable online (can't order them).

I have never seen one of the 16" 60 Volt Craftsman Saws anywhere, or even a tag on a shelf where they might have used to have been.
At 6 different stores.
But at $108 i would buy one whether i needed it or not - if i could find one.

The 12" 20 Volt is showing $75
Today i was in my local Asheboro store and they just got 4 more of them in stock.
That really was a surprise to see a new batch of them sitting there.
Had a clerk check the price , and it was $75

Remember i just bought 2 of them in HighPoint NC for $45 each - last week.
These "secret clearance prices" are crazy

These little 12" 20Volt saws have good zip to them, seems like they spin faster than rated, but it could be an illusion due to the short length.
Going to weigh one of them tomorrow with battery, it seems like it weighs just as much as a 14" EGO. Going to be close.

[ponyakr]

"...the Echo , it is only $234 at GardenToolsCenter..."

That cheap Echo price does NOT include shipping. That's where the cheap price vendors get you. SOUNDS good. But, after adding the shipping to it, the price is usually as high as, or even higher than Amazon or Lowes/Home Depot, after discounts. Lots of Ebay stores do that. I suppose they figure a few folks won't take time to add in the shipping charge.

After reading some of the Echo reviews on Amazon, I don't think I want one. Quite a few guys mentioned problems. Some had several bad batts. One guy said that aprox 1/3 of the batts were bad. Can't verify.

https://www.amazon.com/product-revie...ews-filter-bar

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-CBP-58V4...r&pageNumber=1

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-16-...8VBT/205841059

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECHO-58-...gs-and-reviews

"...Avoid these ECHO batteries
Ordered two of these batteries to replace two that won't take a charge at all. One would not charge at all and the other only partially charged. The cost of the batteries is very high and they don't work well at all. I'm 0 for 4 on them..."

I suppose the battery is one of the main reasons I'd like to have an EGO.

Just noticed that the WM price on the WEN has now also dropped to $145 + tax.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

"...the Echo , it is only $234 at GardenToolsCenter..."

That cheap Echo price does NOT include shipping.

Right, i mentioned that before.
They have a $99 flat-rate per saw shipping price.
Their pricing/webpage was posted in case someone could use it as a tool towards a price-match at another store.

When they get EGO saws back in stock/Available at GTC, i'm going to give it a try at Lowes with price-match against GTC.

[ponyakr]

EGO CS1401 just went up to $290 + tax, on Amazon. Don't know what's up with that, since the CS1604 is only $300 + tax.

https://www.amazon.com/EGO-Power-14-.../dp/B0102PWY38

https://www.amazon.com/EGO-Power-Cha...40581239&psc=1

As of this post, they're still $249 + tax @ Lowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-Power-5...ded/1003130712

Gonna be interesting to see if price changes for black Friday, Christmas, then after that.

Just guessing they might go up, thinking some might be bought for Christmas presents, then go back down, after Christmas. OR, they may increase price because they think some will pay more because of their batt technology.

[ponyakr]

Thought I'd already posted this. But, I can't find it, real quick, so I'll recap.

I sent in an online application for a Lowes Advantage card. I don't remember, for sure, doing this, but apparently since I got no response or email conformation that my appl had even been received, I must have ASSUMED that the appl had NOT been received, therefore sent in another appl.

Well, upon inquiry, Lowes told me that they have absolutely no say in who gets a Lowes card & who doesn't. They referred me to Synchrony bank, in Fla. So, I called that bank. They would not tell me whether I was approved or not. Said I'd receive a letter with the result, in a week or more.

Well, I finally got that letter, which said they would not consider my appl, at this time, because "Prior application submitted too recently". How ridiculous !

Well, I decided to call the bank & see if I could reason with someone there. I explained that I only need one card, not 2. I was told that I could submit another appl, AFTER 30 days from the last one submitted.

Asked her if I could talk to someone there with enuff clout to overide the 30-day rule. After being put on hold for quite a while, and listening to some BAD music, I talked to another lady who gave me the same story. I suppose that's what they're trained to do.

By this time, I'm gettin pretty steamed.

I told the lady that there had to be somebody at that bank with enuff authority to overide this ridiculous rule, in my case. So, she put me on hold for another long period of time.

This time I got a guy with a real thick accent. After explaining the situation to him, he told me to go ahead & submit another appl, & gave me a number to call. Implied that he'd explain the situation, & gave me the impression that by doing it this way, they would probably overide the 30 day rule.

WRONG !

I did exactly as he told me to. But, apparently the person I talked to had no idea of what the other guy had told me. So, I asked for a supervisor. After another hold, I explained the situation to the supervisor, & what I had been told to do.

She said, "Let me put you on hold, while I check it out.". In a couple of minutes she came back on & said they couldn't process the appl, & I'd receive a letter in a week or so, explaining the reason why. Now where have I heard that before ?

So, apparently that bank has a 30 day rule that is written in stone & can NOT be changed, at least not by anybody that a consumer can actually talk to.

If not for the one-time 20% discount, I probably wouldn't send in another appl. In fact, I probably wouldn't have applied in the 1st place. But now, I'm really curious. Was the reason given, the ACTUAL reason they wouldn't process my appl ?

Can't imagine that I'd be turned down because of a bad credit report. Just checked yesterday. My credit score is 737. It WAS well over 800. But, in the last few years, TJ has paid all the bills & written all the checks. So, her score is up from mid 800's, to 850. I suppose mine went down because of less activity. My VISA is linked to all my PayPal purchases, which is almost all online purchases, except Amazon. But, when the bill comes in, TJ pays it with her check.

Anyhow, we've paid off our house & all credit cards & loans. Don't owe a penny, just regular monthly bills & annual taxes. So, there is no financial reason to be refused a credit card. Don't remember us ever being denied a card. TJ just said we were actual sent some cards we didn't even apply for.

IIRC, I mentioned that I was issued a Home Depot card number, in an online appl, which took about 10 minutes. Have since received the card in the mail. I think it's Citi Bank that handles their cards.

I'm have already mentioned my problem to Lowes. I think I'll see if I can find other ways to get my message over to them that the bank they're using is probably costing them business. Will cost them some of mine if I can't get a card before I decide to buy another saw or saws.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Then we got back home. Had a letter from the bank that provides the Lowes credit cards. Said I needed to call them, by phone, to verify my ID.

OK, that sounds simple enuff. So, I call their 800 number & finally get a real person. I could understand most of what she said. She needed my "mobile phone" number, in order to do what needed to be done.
I assume she intended for us to text back & forth. I explained to her that I was on a land line, & could not text with her. I suggested Email. But she said that wouldn't work.

You told us some of the original episode with Lowes Card.
The text they send is a simple confirmation and a way of means to establish you are you. Its not a back and forth marathon.
They send a code - you tell them the code - they confirm - then its smooth sailing.
21st Century Protocol - not up for argument

In effort #1
a) do you guys not have a cell phone at all - to receive a text
b) have a cell phone - but no reception at your homeplace
c) just didn't want to play their way and use cell to receive a text

Whichever one of those applies - thats what got you cancelled the first time.
Protocol of 21st century , and they didn't want to fool with your special needs.
So they denied you, and went to the next caller.
The calls never stop

Being denied the first time lowers your score
Being denied 2nd time will lower it more
Re-applying before the 30 day period will lower it more too
So you have 3 new strikes against your score - but don't owe them a penny.
Its fascinating isn't it !!
That's the design and the protocol.
AND - they don't care.
The calls never stop

It's doubtful their algorithms will ever let you have a Lowes Card for as long as that bank is handling Lowes.
Or any card that Synchrony handles.

TJ could apply - have a cell phone handy for the text confirmation - and breeze right through. If you ever want to try again.
But don't try it again using your name/data - unless you want strike #4 against your score. You've seen how well they handle "special needs/unique situations".

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Other tidbits

Even though you got accepted for the HomeDepot card, the fact that you applied for it within 30 days of being rejected by Synchrony could put another strike on your score.
Too many new cards/applications in a determined time span triggers more negative algorithms. Whether accepted or denied.
The thinking behind that is "maybe" you are desperate for more credit.
They use generalizations derived from previous scenarios of worst case situations.


TJ's checks paying your balances do not boost her score.
Your unsecured credit accounts and activities only reflect on you.
You could have a neighbor write the check, or get a money order and send it , if either of them were fake or fraud or NSF - it would put a hit on your score.
Same thing if the funds are good - its only good on you.

I wouldn't kiss the flames with Synchrony again for at least another year.
Maybe 3 or 5 more years , even.

[ponyakr]

About 2 weeks ago TJ noticed that a tree was partially down, but hung up, over her trail, just North of our house. She went under it, that day.

So, we went up there today, to remove it. To her surprise, it was now on the ground. But it was still across the trail. Only took about 3 cuts with the 12" Kobalt and TJ pulled the tops back off the trail.

There was also a big tree across the trail. The horse had just been stepping over it. So, we took the 80v Kobalt with us. The tree was quite long. The 4th & 5th pics show that a bigger tree had fell across the one that was across the trail. TJ put #3 & #4 pics together to show aprox what we saw, from just North of where the tree was across the trail.

TJ made lots of pics. I'll post some & add more commentary. Hey ya'll, it's just non-Pontiac related entertainment, for anyone interested. Wish I had some good stories to tell of my current Pontiac powered drag racing experiences. Just don't have any.