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

[@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.

[@BK-yf2fy]

Nice video, thank you. Especially the part about the novice chainsaw user not expecting to clean it frequently. That one hit home, and lesson learned.

[@brandanevans5626]

I'll have to admit the s205 is probably the best saw I've run. It has some ups and downs considering replacing the chainbrake cover after the tensioner had damaged/worn out, and the inside got worn from the clutch rubbing against it, and the carburetor wants to be a pain in the rear trying to reset it but it's done me alot of good

[@vtxdaryl]

It looks like you have lots of Craftsman products in the background. Craftsman was all I used to buy but when the big stores closed, I quit buying their products. I would love to have something to cut down but I don’t have anything. At 76 yoa, I miss my old chain saw, but I have to use electric saws now. One of the best videos on chainsaws I’ve ever seen. Thanks

[@KevinCollins-v6x]

When servicing keeping the choke closed/choke pulled out like if you are starting it, will prevent any accidents if something is dropped into the intake it will not go any further than the closed choke blade. Just a lil tech tip

[@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.

[@johnnywishbone932]

Why did you throw it over a cliff? 😂

[@EddieGodfrey]

I just cut up huge pine tree with the 14 inch model was very impressed so was my sthil loving dad who was running a 21 inch sthil 8:34

[@maxtrac50]

I bought this for a project back in 2019, Turned out to be too big of a project for me, my pole saw would only cut through half of the branch and when it fell the ground shook. So today after Helene ravaged Florida, I find my 25 foot palm uprooted and in my neighbors yard. Never used till today, started easy and cut through the palm like butter. My neighbor and my Son helped . The chainsaw kicked butt. Now for the maintenance, also it was a 25 foot palm tree.

[@easton_F350]

Glad it didn’t fall on the houses

[@EddieGodfrey]

I just cut up huge pine tree with the 14 inch model was very impressed so was my sthil loving dad who was running a 21 inch sthil

[@johnnywishbone932]

I got one of old models from 2003. It still working decent. Sure there are better saws but the logs never complain about it.

[@PatrickMcCann-dc7bv]

You can put some loose weave sponge inside the air filter bowl. It still needs cleaned but it keeps that fine gunk out of the carb.

[@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

[@ctgblue]

Thanks, just bought one, lots of things I didn't know about chainsaws in general. I also realized my cheap battery powered one needs to have the chain tightened

[@WorkshopAddict]

@ctgblue make sure to clean the intake and filter on this one after each use. If it gets too dirty, that dirt will get to the carburetor and it won't start.

[@kennethalspaugh3201]

i got this saw BECAUSE ITS CHEAP, IM THAT WAY. OH BOY is RIGHT BUT WOW THANKS. I DID FIND OUT EArly about the aIR FILTER and i take it off and brush it clean with a chip brush every fuel refill. ill start using bar oil from now on, i didn't know what the difference was. no i wasn't using regular oil, i had some really old but still in the sealed bottle, transmission fluid. i wasn't ever going to use it and why pay big bucks for something getting sparyed out on my wood. now i know thanks.good luck on the air filter, ill be watching for your recommendation. thanks again, really.

[@Francis101Brbcs]

How about the chain oiler the oil last last than 10 minutes? Is it any adjustment on it?

[@iggymac3473]

Nice review guys and again right tool for right job

[@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.

[@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.

[@TheRancher03]

I went to pick one up at Lowes but decided not to.The new sprocket design (on that chainsaw) explains the loose chain complaints. It has no tooth but a thin cylinder with slots to move the chain. I doubt it will last 2 years or less of use without have to get a replacement.

[@vasnellen9158]

I have a Sears Homelite I bought for $25 "non-running" it had been run and had got so hot it melted the chassis (plastic) all around the clutch chain break. It was ruined and replacement parts are no longer made. I remember when Craftsman was good and Homelite was good. They used to have metal in them before the chain breaks. Beginner maybe start with a cheap corded saw.

[@susankemp645]

I like your review so much on the craftsman saw , I run a sx52 buamar saw same air filter I clean the air filter all the time on mine I also been thinking about doing a mod on the filter, my self wonce again great review

[@Preston_Smith]

How easy is it to clean out the carburetor?

[@RichFreireich]

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.

[@chrisdoherty6847]

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

[@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

[@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

[@KevinCollins-v6x]

Use grease around base of air filter on the black rubber oring to prevent any small particles sucking in between it and the air filter base. Unless you tighten the piss out of the cover nut those s205 don't make a perfect seal even with the oring

[@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.

[@ProToolsApproved]

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

[@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

[@seank8557]

​@@WorkshopAddictDo you think a sponge filter (similar to home hvac or push mower filters) would work?

[@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

[@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.

[@benjaminleslie3155]

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

[@Annon89]

Im surprised the craftsman does so well. Looks like an ok cheap saw with a 20” bar.

[@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

[@JohnsonT2724]

Pull the choke when you take the air filter off

[@The69bombero]

That air filter is a joke.

[@robertduncan2742]

Vp race fuel lower octain

[@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.

[@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

[@finsandflames]

Don’t waste your money on one of these pieces of crap. You WILL regret it.