First New Chainsaw For A Beginner!? $200 CRAFTSMAN S205 46cc Gas Chainsaw Review & How To Maintain

For More Info & Specs, Go To CRAFTSMAN's Website - www.craftsman.com/products/cm...
---------------------------------------------------------
If You Need Parts For This MTD Built CRAFTSMAN, Go Here - www.mtdparts.com/en_US/prior-...
---------------------------------------------------------
The goal in having this CRAFTSMAN chainsaw around was to compare this to Battery Chainsaws as most of them are said to compare with smaller cc gas chainsaws. Having a less expensive saw around for "dirty" work is also nice. While working with the CRAFTSMAN S205, I found it to be a nice chainsaw with decent power. However, the design of the intake system is seriously flawed.
MTD has an air filter on this chainsaw that only filters out the large particles and seems to let a lot of fines through the filter. The filter is supposed to be cleaned after each use, but even with meticulous cleaning, the air filter still will not filter out the fines and the throat of the carburetor will get dirty fairly quickly. That dirt will eventually make it into the engine and wear out the engine prematurely.
Worse than the actual problem is that CRAFTSMAN and MTD have to know about this issue as there are MANY reviews out about the saw not working after a few tanks of fuel. To their credit, many of the reviews might have been talking about clogged air filters. The mixed reviews on this saw are not necessary. If there was a good air filter in place that did not allow dirt in, this would be an amazing saw for $200.
Maintenance on the saw can be a bit tricky for the novice and with a less expensive saw that might stop some people from working on this themselves. Maybe I have the wrong outlook, but if my company built this saw, the marketing and promotion would be about educating people on how to maintain the saw and how to make it last. That company could be the one that makes the best $200 investment anyone ever made and when they talk to other people, that marketing would be priceless.
This is a 20-minute video but it will help anyone who has this saw and wants to work with it. If you are looking to purchase the saw, it might scare you away. This is a great saw in many ways but has one fatal flaw.

[@WontSeeReplies]

Any beginner will be very lucky to come across this video. In fact, I mistook you for a professional logger I follow while making my first comment. Now I understand why “he” was so articulate compared to usual.

[@scarney29]

Great video. Bought this saw thinking it was a great value. Good performance for its price range. Spike came loose, lost screw in woods, chain tension adjuster broke, part of brake assembly and bar oiler broke. Recommend spend extra $100-150 for better saw.

[@stans5270]

I congratulate you on wanting to retrofit a better air filter housing onto this. As far as others who view this video, I implore them to pass on this. The company CRAFTSMAN is the one that needs to fix this flaw, not consumers. It's like putting a turbo on a YUGO. Yes, it's now more powerful... A more powerful YUGO.

[@kevincollins4112]

bro........ever drove a turbo yugo? first off s205 ain't no yugo. get one and see for yourself before talking on something you have no experience with. I'll grab my mod s205 everytime before any of my stihl

[@iggymac3473]

Nice review guys and again right tool for right job

[@TheodoreM-wp6cs]

I have the s160 42cc. Two years old, was ok for the first year or so, now it’s starting to fall apart. Literally. It’s not a bad saw if you keep it up and know what you’re doing, just don’t push it too far. The one big thing I really hate about these saws, as you pointed out, is the bar/clutch cover. I hate it.

[@adambennett4805]

Love to see someone wear the proper PPE when using a chainsaw.

[@WontSeeReplies]

You should definitely be making another beginners guide to chainsaws. For example, “check to see if bar oil is coming out.” Most people don’t understand rev and point(or whatever it’s called(see, me too)). Otherwise this is a VERY helpful video for most. And yes, new/electric buyers are more likely to find something like this saw. I’m not sure how the algorithms work, but words like “new chainsaw” “first chainsaw” “how to use Chainsaw” “best beginner chainsaw” etc. and your understanding could easily be the most watched chainsaw review.

[@jma8352]

looks like the ebay china "chainsaw" brand i got two years ago for $100, not a bad saw but the air cleaner dont seal well

[@chrisdoherty6847]

Thanks for the review. Im not touching this saw with a 10 foot pole

[@user-ug7on5xj8b]

They are a good saw, first thing get a quality chain from oregon or chain bar combo the safety chain is absolute garbage on these saws, and for that matter most of the saws in this price range, with a good chain, the saw is not straining the power head, also a simple muffler mod and some minor tuning helps alot as far as runability you are spot on on bar oil same can be said of the poulans.

[@peterobillard4441]

Just put a new Oregon chain on mine. The cheaper one I had been running was defective in design, because I had lost 5 guide rakers so far that first bent outward and then snapped off. I'm curious about your mufflers mods.

[@michaellinde8529]

Specs call for 40:1 fuel oil mixture???

[@rnuovz71]

It’s amazing how many people can’t run gas OPE correctly. For $250 I’d avoid that saw a go with A Husqvarna saw. I’ve had my 455 rancher for nearly 2 decades and have just done the basic maintenance/ preventative maintenance as well. Now to be honest I have all battery powered OPE now because I’m older and I hurt, however I still have 30 year old gas OPE that runs great. People just need to learn to read manuals and take care of the stuff they buy.

[@GRAPPAHOLICS]

Any updates on a filter solution?

[@WorkshopAddict]

I have tried a pre filter from our sxs and it does nit catch the fines. Same with a nylon sock and a t shirt. Thinking now of 3d printing one.

[@GRAPPAHOLICS]

@@WorkshopAddict Thanks for the response. Just bought one of these while watching your video at Lowe’s. I noticed the filter on the display one and found your video.

[@rubentrujillo2013]

The fines get in where the filter halfs join and the gasket mount. Simply spread a little grease there. It will seal those, problem solved.

[@GRAPPAHOLICS]

@@rubentrujillo2013 that makes sense

[@ProToolsApproved]

I recently purchased a Stihl 021 that has a similar crappy filter. Very disappointed.

[@GardenisLife]

did you figure out the filter? was thinkin nylons too...

[@WorkshopAddict]

Not yet. Nylons don't filter small enough

[@GardenisLife]

@@WorkshopAddict wonder if N95 mask materiel would be too much resistance to the airflow

[@TULARECOUNTYNsV]

I just bought this saw because I don't use it that often and it was a good deal so I don't need a professional saw like a Stihl anyways , My question to u sir is have u figured out how to solve the air filter problem??

[@WorkshopAddict]

I have not solved it. I have tried pre filters and that has slowed it. I have tried 3d printed filters and they have cracked. You can buy filters from larger MTD saws and make them work, but I have not had time to order a bunch to figure it out. What I have done is used a nylon as a pre filter and cleaned the intake after each use.

[@TULARECOUNTYNsV]

Thank you for replying and for the video, will I've heard that the air filter can be converted to fit an Stihl air filter I am going to try that on a different note I've heard removing the cat. converter material from the muffler will help it running better with more power , I'll update u with a reply if it goes good or not .... Thank u again

[@WorkshopAddict]

@TULARECOUNTYNsV IF you find a stihl filter, please let me know! The saw has decent power and if you get much more power, you will need to upgrade the clutch. Eventually, the 200 dollar saw was nit a deal and you.migjt as well buy a more expensive model with better parts. All for the stihl air filter!!!!

[@TULARECOUNTYNsV]

@@WorkshopAddict ok so I haven't tried looking for any filter from Stihl but I did find a very simple solution temporarily or might end up being a permanent solution, ok so I had to use saw yesterday so I took an vacuum filter out and it had a thin peace of filter material sandwiched in between two peaces of mesh real thin but durable and I sandwiched that in between the two half's of the saw air filter and it seems to work perfectly carb stayed clean and didnt effect saw performance at all

[@kevincollins4112]

actually bud the s205 only has a magnesium case not aluminum i have had mine for over a year with some simple mods and delete the catalytic converter from inside the stock muffler. all gas engines over 41cc sold in usa as of a few years ago are federal required to have a catalytic converter material i the muffler. ill run mine against any stihl under 46cc. this guy in the video saying he is use to more expensive saws and making remarks how cheap this saw is.......with a few free mods this $200 saw will cut with any. and the stock airfilter can be removed and converted to a traditional style filter

[@online_now6834]

go to a shoe store and get the nylon throw away socks they give you to try on shoes. Use that as a filter, problem solved.

[@WorkshopAddict]

Might help, but there is still that rod going though so you would have to have holes in it.

[@jgz6989]

I think 42cc version is better for a beginner......this one is a tank. That is a defective product being sold with a faulty air filter.....I'm surprised they're still being sold.

[@benjaminleslie3155]

12:30 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@The69bombero]

That air filter is a joke.

[@ashdallinger7238]

Sorry mate but you don't know how to correctly refit a guide bar and chain on a chainsaw the correct and easy way. Also the problem with the air filter is that it is nylon and needs to be flocked. Here in Australia a lot of saws come from the factory with nylon air filters and require to be upgraded to a flocked filter as our timbers are much harder and dustier than other parts of the world. I am a qualified small engine technician and I laugh when people make refitting a guide bar and chain look so difficult by doing it exactly as you demonstrated. Hit me up if you want to know the correct and much simpler way. Cheers.

[@KollynJ]

How do you do it correctly or what did he do wrong? Thanks

[@KollynJ]

Also what are your thoughts on this product