Brand New Craftsman Chainsaw Review 18 Inch 42cc Motor

I finally got me a brand new chainsaw. This is the Craftsman 18 inch 42cc chainsaw. Lets take a look at it and see how good it runs. Hope y"all enjoyed the video and hope to see you in the next one. If your new be sure to check out a few more videos and if you like what you see, hit that subscribe button. Y'all have a good one and remember, Everyone has a little Backwoods in'em.
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[@BlueFox284]

Don't sweat it, you actually got a Husqvarna! They make saws for Craftsman. People will rag on Craftsman 'cause their name isn't exactly synonymous with quality anymore (hand tools made in China now, etc.) but their saws have always been solid for the most part. Husqvarna also owns Poulan and Johnsonred. The Craftsman line is more for homeowners & is budget-friendly. (Simple and reliable) All the fancy tech, features and professional grade stuff are set aside for the main Husqvarna brand. Like, your probably not going to find a current Craftsman saw with a big honkin' 32 inch bar. . .lol Stihl is great, but super expensive since they are made in USA or Germany and they generally only sell through dealers. Small power tool & equipment shops and the like. I learned this stuff when working property management for a cousin of mine years ago in Vermont. (Trees EVERYWHERE!!!) We used Husqvarna (known as "Huskies") all day, every day. The boys I worked with loved talking saws the same way guys talk guns & trucks. 😆

[@shawngleason1345]

All homeowner saws are designed to be sacless. Throw away that 18" bar put a 14 or 16 on it with a chain actually made to cut wood and he'd have a good performing saw.

[@sloppyjoe6243]

@@shawngleason1345 Agreed, the homeowners saws tend to be a little under powered on the bar for their cc and hp. I think you are spot on on the 16" bar. I thing Backwood's raised will be very happy with the performance of the saw on a 16" bar.

[@brianeastman3547]

Buy Shindaiwa or Echo.

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Sweet chainsaw. My father passed away 12-23-19 and recently my son and I got my fathers old 1979 poulan chainsaw working, We replaced the fuel line and fuel filer along with new spark plug,cleaned the carb and a few pulls and that little sucker fired right up.If me and my son can get an old chainsaw running that ole craftsman should last you a long time. Take care big guy. Oh, That craftsman chainsaw is a mix of poulan and husky chainsaws. Those little sneaks at craftsman. :)

[@BackwoodsRaised]

I love getting old equipment and get it back running. Its feels so rewarding

[@TecumsehRulesbcserk]

I absolutely love this saw, has plenty of power and perfectly fits the requirements for my yard

[@outofthebiz]

Bought one yesterday. Had a tree fall. Tree guy wanted 500, I can do it in a few hours and have a free chain saw.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Haha that's great

[@g.d.7629]

Heard that before from guy in wheelchair!!

[@bobsyouruncle8052]

you had a tree to fell not fall home owners always say they can do it then when house is crushed they call us and ask how much to fix it

[@raulh9080]

@@g.d.7629 yeah it sucks paying but if it is a big tree no easy task diy taje your time be very careful get use to the chinsaw watched many videos on cutting and still had somecuts go wrong way downing a decent size apple tree.

[@sketchyold]

@@bobsyouruncle8052 I’m pretty sure he meant he had a tree fall down on his property, and he needed to have the tree cut up to in order to remove it. Someone offered to cut up the fallen tree for $500, so he decided to buy a $200 saw to do it himself. He’s not saying he bought the saw to go around felling trees. 🤦🏽

[@robertduncan2742]

Years ago my father n law gave me a old old David bradley chainsaw, thats the company before sears, it weighs about a good 40 pounds with a pump oiler very loud about a 24 inch bar no chain stop. The old girl will still run but to heavy. I remember over 40 years ago a friend took me cutting with him but before he asked if i had a saw I said yes and he saw the beast and said does it run of course but we couldn't hear each other while cutting haha. Its a old art piece today.

[@robertduncan2742]

I got one recently and saw reviews where this saws made by a company close to a higher up saw just slightly different. Mine came with a extra chain. Great review,

[@TheJamestrotter1019]

I just bought one from Lowe’s yesterday and your video has reassured me about this craftsman chainsaw but I have watched a few other videos too but yours was the best one!

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@frankb5686]

I have a craftsman 14" chainsaw that I bought in 1979. I had not used it for about 35 years. It was on the top shelf on my storage and I thought throwing it away One reason for sitting so long with out using it, my son borrowed it and tightened the nut that holds the chain bar on to tight and pulled the bolt out of the frame. One day I asked a friend of mine if he thought he could repair it where the bolt pulled out. He said he would try and he drilled out the hole, put new threads in the frame, put in a sleeve, threaded the sleeve and screwed the bolt back in. He rebuilt carburetor because it wouldn't start after sitting up so long. Now, it runs almost as good as when it was new. I can't believe after 41 years it still runs. I have learned a lesson, do not lend out my tools no matter who ask.

[@BazonBlades]

Used mine today to cut up a large pine branch that fell from snow weight and about 30-50 small junk trees along a bank line. IMO, this model is a steal at the well below $200.00 price point. It's not the strongest 18" saw I have ever used, but it's not weak either. And I have never used an easier starting saw. It seems like a perfect saw for a homeowner that wants to handle all the small and medium jobs themselves.

[@dominickmoyer7311]

I bought me a little 16 inch craftsman chainsaw a couple weeks ago. I must say I’m very impressed with that little saw. You didbgreat man and congratulations on your purchase! 😁

[@BackwoodsRaised]

I've been cutting everything up. This thing has paid for itself already. So worth the money

[@dominickmoyer7311]

Backwoods Raised Picked a good saw. Craftsmans are built strong! 😁

[@danrumsey1158]

thanks, bought this, then went onto youtube to see if anything was on here about it. purchased at Lowes in Missouri....love it so far......

[@jimmycarter9099]

Love my chainsaw nice saw to you have

[@Larry342516]

I have always bought Craftsman tools in the past. They make excellent tools. Am sure your saw is the same way. In fact I am going to buy one for myself. Thanks for the video. be safe.... PS: the wood you cut will pay for your saw over and over.

[@VintageGearMan]

That is for sure not loaning your saw out! Thanks on the video. Getting my friend one for his birthday today.

[@mikes3060]

Bought one 3 years ago with a 16 inch bar very happy with it.

[@SuperchargedJester]

I just bought this, i was concerned because i live at high elevation and was worried it wouldn't run right, but it runs great! Much better than the Ryobi crap home depot sells.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

That is good to know. Wouldn't even think about it running different but makes since.

[@bobsyouruncle8052]

same saw as the ryobi with different name

[@devioushernandez1166]

I just bought one today I'm glad to hear ur experience with it got the same one I cant wait to use mine

[@BackwoodsRaised]

This thing has not missed a beat yet.

[@ac19782]

Good video. I purchased the S180 at Lowes but it is very similar to the S185. It will be out of the box and used for the first time tomorrow.

[@FoulMouthFishing]

The most important thing to know is how to sharpen that chain brother. You need to learn to file the cutter teeth and file down the depth gauges. Always keep that chain sharp and you can have a weak saw that cuts like a pro grade saw. Oh and very important at the end of the season run it dry and store it with no gas in it. If the gas goes bad in the carb and fule system it is a pain in the butt to deal with the following spring

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Yes I will be learning how to do that for sure.

[@daveyboy8907]

Buy the hand sharpener ,, its awrsome just get the right angle for your chain.. stihl makes one and the other one is BLUE and its made in germany.. its awesome

[@jodyhardy8631]

Good boat anchor

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Hahaha

[@goodboyringo9716]

I had mine for 20 years and it still runs like a top

[@jodyhardy8631]

Those chainsaws are good boat anchors

[@g.d.7629]

Just about average for homeowner 55-60 cc class about 13lbs. Im lost are we talking 455/460 husq chainsaw?? Guys that have them swear by them so they must be pretty good.

[@ByGraceIGo]

I just bought one today too the exact same thing and I paid $199 at Lowe's. So you got a really good price and you made me laugh out loud when you said something about I'm not looking to chop a 100 year old tree down lol! I just moved to West Virginia and we got so much timber all over the property and two big trees blocking the original entrance to this place so I'm going to make some firewood! I'm glad you moved out to the yard cuz it's easier to see you thank you for your very informative video!👍👍👍👍🪓🪓🪓😁 I totally hear you in the money department though we're on the same page!

[@ronpatterson6420]

Nice! I have a craftsman saw made back in 1973 manufacturer was Roper. It still runs strong! I'm not sure who builds the new ones now but if you take care of them they will take care of you.

[@Josh-kp8si]

That Roper was a completely different animal. Back then they would sell you something with some real torque. Today it's just plastic Poulan home owner junk in your choice of colors. What a shame. If you want a real saw, find one that is old and cased in magnesium!

[@robertduncan2742]

A saw will last a long time by the owners proper use and care given. Always drain fuel out after each use unless using the next day. Read up on the saw on carb to oiler or anything that will help. thanks

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Great point!

[@Notoproject2025]

Just bought one today. I had half of a large mulberry tree come crashing down . Took out my electric box. That's fixed. Really didn't want to spend $200 but smaller electrics I have aren't working.

[@fatalfromabove8943]

I've been cutting big trees and trimming with mine!

[@randyrodriguez6274]

Awesome video, saw it twice! My favorite part was where you say to never borrow it, was very funny. Since I am looking to buy it, I wanted to ask you, how is the chainsaw holding up and have you had any complaints so far? Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@BackwoodsRaised]

The chainsaw has to be one of the best things I have bought in a long time. So worth the money. I have cut up so much stuff already and I can go out there right now and crank it right up and go to cutting. I dont really have no problems with it. I was thinking of the power at first. Like you cant really use the saw teeth on the side to grip the log and use them to pry the saw through the wood like I can with a power house name brand but I just have to keep in mind this is a smaller saw. Just let the saw blade do the work and it is fine. It is worth the buy to me.

[@baldbollocks]

Good viv.... but your vocabulary is appalling. Good tips and info in the comments. READ MORE BOOKS !!!!

[@kaseyjones2770]

@@baldbollocks There are lots of kinds of intelligence.

[@raulh9080]

@@baldbollocksgt outta here he,s fine.

[@lizk2384]

I've had my S160 16in for 2yrs Craftsman love it n if you do a little mods to it. Turn high and low reset n go maybe a full turn to almost turn n a half. You can really get what you suppose to get out of it. Great saw. Wanting to get that 52cc Craftsman next

[@ctearlybird1676]

Got quoted 1500 for 3 trees bought this saw with tax for 190 dollars took all three trees down saved 1310 what a deal and it came with the extra chain needed on third tree all 70 or 80 foot ash

[@marcosmota1094]

Good video. To the point and good starting guide for purchase and use.

[@PureLivingForOutdoors]

Great video buddy! Miss your daily post!

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Yes I want to keep this going for sure.

[@PureLivingForOutdoors]

Backwoods Raised you still getting to work? Are you essential? Haha

[@Music-ej3ed]

♥Backwoods Raised

[@connortolley468]

I've been thinking about either buying a 14in Husqvarna and 16in Stihl to have for firewood and trail clearing. If I don't buy the huskie and stihl, I might buy a 14in, 16in, and 18in Craftsmans. 14in for my brother and the 16 and 18 for me. I've got the money to spend but I'm too picky lol.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

It's good to be picky when your spending money on a good tool

[@robertarmentrout4794]

Just bought one.

[@jms3789]

my biggest advice. 40:1 premix in cans NON ethanol. or pre mix with 2 stroke and add STABIL.

[@brianeastman3547]

I recommend the Craftsman 40:1 pre mix gas 4 that saw of yours,Keep up the good work man.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Thanks for the advice

[@BumbleBeeJunction]

Looks like it'll cut a stick... LOL... Enjoy your K-Roni vacation....

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Hey guess what I got me a yard sweeper. Haha my neighbor came over and said he has one and dont use it would I like to have it. I said heck yeah and then I had to tell him about our messages. He laughed. Then when I went to pick it up he gave me a zero turn. He said he cant get it to crank so if I can fix it I can have it. If not just scrap it for a little pocket money. Do you know I brought it home and put new plugs in it cause they were filed out and it cranks up with the first key turn. How crazy is that.

[@restless7528]

About dang time you clean up and shave and get a haircut lol I was wondering what you were waiting on??? Keep up the good work!

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Yeah had to change it up a bit.

[@capitaldd5840]

Great video man. I believe ya got yourself a fairly decent deal. I just read that craftsman(chainsaw div.) was taken over by husquvana...and they own poulan too(same company owns them all now is the jist of it).. the article said they share some parts on them... probably why they all look the same. Post a follow up video in 6 or 12 months... My father-in-law had The earlier version of that saw....it always worked good... Like ya said take care of it and it will take care of you. (Us know what happened to it - he lent it to his son and the son broke it.....wtf) so I agree..don't lend your stuff.. thanks for posting

[@thomasmwonner6594]

Nice Video,, But you need More lighting in the 1st part of it,, :-)

[@brianbirtcher431]

Great saw, but sometimes a little finicky on Startup

[@bikedudedavid]

Great video man! I appreciate it, about to fire mine up today

[@netshamutshedzipfano3050]

I bought mine Last week already read the manual and i have all requirements such as oil n staff But im afraid to start it😁 Any advise from you? But I learnt a lot from your video👏

[@jodyhardy8631]

Why are you scared to crank it

[@livinglearninglife9174]

Looks like a nice chainsaw.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

This thing is nice and still going strong.

[@Big_Johns_Life]

Nice saw

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Heck yeah I've been cutting up everything around here haha.

[@davidluna1282]

Bought mine at Ace in Silvercity, NM about two years ago. Works good for when we go camping. The issue I have is that the oil drains out into the carrying case while it is being stored. Has anyone else had this issue?

[@bobsyouruncle8052]

all chainsaws will leak bar oil after being ran then put away try loosening the oil cap when done using it then tighten it back down before storing to release any suction. or can empty oil tank before storage

[@robertduncan2742]

A few posts I saw said a higher octane is better

[@allenwilson9656]

Yeah I loaned my brand new poulan to my nephew a few years back and he used the wrong fuel mix ratio and messed it up. Learned from my mistake

[@tonybucca5667]

Nice to see how you wear eye and ear protection!

[@tjar2w]

You must be in the wrong place this video is a review of the craftsman chainsaw NOT safety and health if you don't like what you see leave I do not care what the man is wearing I just want to know about the saw who are you to tell anyone else how to live or do a chainsaw review so you can put your safety glasses and ear plugs where the sun don't shine !

[@tonybucca5667]

@@tjar2w Wrong attitude Cletus...Safety is JOB ONE!

[@eduardoe4200]

I’ve had a bad experience with a craftsman it would turn off after I hit the throttle . . But then again it was used.

[@PointerNation]

Thanks for the review, Spicy. Is blowing the sawdust out of the chain all you do to clean it? What about using WD-40? Would you recommend using that on the chain & bar?

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Man me personally I hate using WD-40 on stuff. The only thing I use that for is like nuts and bolts or hinges WD-40 is good a out eating up plastic. Dont have to worry about not being lubricated cause it put enough oil on the bar. If I wanted to clean it off completely I would use like a carb cleaner but after I clean it out and off I would crank it up and run for a bit so the chain and bar gets plenty of oil all over it. But I would only do that if I was cutting a lot of pine.

[@PointerNation]

@@BackwoodsRaised Gotcha, thanks for the speedy reply!

[@allenwilson9656]

Craftsman does not build a chainsaw. It's a husqvarna, which is also a poulan. I bought one today from attwood for $159 had them on sale

[@johnwolf1475]

It's a poulon made by husky...varna

[@Getyourdoe]

Hope its better than their Lawnmowers dude

[@BackwoodsRaised]

Oh yeah right out the gate much better lol.

[@razorbak6783]

I got the 16 inch a couple weeks ago for 150.00 and it works very good. I wish now I had spent another 30.00 and got the 18 inch with a case. The 16 inch doesn't come with a case.

[@bobsyouruncle8052]

just bought a 16" been ran ten mins guy didn't want it sold to me for $30 with a case and 2 new chains , i bought it to flip i only run echos

[@razorbak6783]

@@bobsyouruncle8052 That's a nice deal....I did have to take mine back to lowes, the brake broke on it, they didn't want to take it back...something about chainsaws and generators are a no return item after 30 days but mine was only 8 days old so they made an exception.

[@rickcavanaugh1]

Just like with anything in our life.. If you take care of it, It should last a long while. That being said, If you don't know what you are doing you could still lose a foot, leg, arm, or life. I'm 45 years old and have been around these for a long time. I am not an expert but I know how to respect things I don't fully understand. I just bought a 20" craftsman 46 cc chainsaw. I need a tree brought down in my yard. I will have the tree dropped for me then cut it up myself. That being said.. I still know the danger in cutting the tree up in smaller pieces. Trees can roll, bend and snap in weird places. Anyone using any chainsaw needs to have respect for what they are doing. Even if the tree is laying on the ground it has great energy potential. That means that even if it is on the ground and looks safe you have to be ready for it to come back and kick your ass.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

I know what you mean by a down tree being dangerous. I'm on the fire department and we had a down tree call. We got there and went to cutting as I started cutting the trunk of the tree it started cracking. Well I knew it wasn't time for it to start cracking yet so I stepped back to look at it further. Then I realized the tree was in a pretty good bind. So after getting a backhoe there we was able to secure the tree to be cut safely.

[@ernestwalden3894]

I have the same chainsaw but mine's a 16 inch and Hell it didn't come with a carry box.

[@danielmiller452]

Approaching a year on this video. Thinking of doing "a year later update"? Curious as to how the Craftsman chainsaw held up.

[@BackwoodsRaised]

You got it man. I will be doing a video update this week so keep your eye out for it.

[@brianbirtcher431]

Mine must be an older version it's only a 40cc 18in bar

[@cameronmoore5110]

I’ve got the 16 inch model and was wondering if I could put the 18 inch bar on it

[@BackwoodsRaised]

You should. I can put a shorter bar on mine.

[@allenwilson9656]

If you have a 16 inch saw you can put an 18 inch bar on but it will cause it to run slower. Might even wear the saw out quicker

[@dslawnlandscapingservices7473]

So it is 40:1?

[@BackwoodsRaised]

I would have to go look at my gas can in the shop. It's raining right now. I buy the little oil bottle and mix with one gallon of gas.

[@allenwilson9656]

It is a 40:1 ratio

[@1kx250junkie]

I think husqvarna makes craftsman saws now....

[@BackwoodsRaised]

This saw is limited at what it can do. I’m about to get a husqvarna with a 20” blade.

[@ByGraceIGo]

By the way if you ever make another video if you do that under that shade where you're at it's very hard to see your face and what you're pointing at just a little constructive criticism you might want to do the whole thing out in the light or have a light on.

[@johnfarough5188]

i got a brand new chain saw craftsman i can't get it to start can you help

[@jodyhardy8631]

Yeah run over it and go get a stihl

[@dslawnlandscapingservices7473]

I would take it in and get it serviced. My stihl has no problems

[@davidtseng5565]

Craftsman and Troy-Bilt chainsaws look the same; I am sure they are made in the same factory in China. There are so many bad reviews on Internet.

[@alexandercarljackson4431]

What school did he go to ?? Because it need to be shut down .......

[@kevinray842]

Can’t see in darkness

[@g.d.7629]

Your brake should stop that chain 100% have it checked

[@g.d.7629]

I dont know how to adj that brake band but yes it shud stop that chain instantly. See what a shop charges or lets see if someone knows how.

[@g.d.7629]

May be simple adjustment.

[@g.d.7629]

May be sob too!!

[@g.d.7629]

Oh its a craftsman That band needs to be close but not rubbing where it burns a hole in the band or no brake.

[@sun9912]

🦃

[@jodyhardy8631]

Nooo, craftsman doesn't make a chainsaw they just put their name on it

[@BackwoodsRaised]

You probably right.

[@jodyhardy8631]

@@BackwoodsRaised the craftsman chainsaw is the same thing as a remington chainsaw

[@jodyhardy8631]

I'll stick with my stihls, yeah that's right I said stihls plural

[@robertcromwell9736]

Craftsman makes nothing, never has. Other companies make products and put the craftsman branding on Sears/Craftsman stuff.

[@jodyhardy8631]

I'll stick with my stihls, yeah that's right I said stihls plural

[@sloppyjoe6243]

WOW, you have more than one, that is impressive. Sounds like you are a VERY important person that only the BEST will do! I bet your Momma told you that you are the handsomest man in the world.

[@jodyhardy8631]

@@sloppyjoe6243 Yep , and it was my grandfather who told me that

[@ronaldwilliams6431]

​@@jodyhardy8631 CHILL, YOU DUFUS.