Buying a chainsaw

[canuckamuck]

I think I heard a while ago that in order to buy even one of the little 12 inch saws you need to register it. Any truth to this, if so, how do you go about it? Can a foreigner register a chainsaw? Can this be done at the store?

If your wondering, the last storm left us with a lot downed trees, and although I'm a boss with a machete, there is just too much to chop.

[VocalNeal]

Used to be chainsaws were illegal. Now I believe it is OK. Wherever you buy it from will tell you.

 

I used to have a high performance 14" jobbie with 3/8 chain. Good enough for me. You don't need a huge one. To fell a tree needs two cuts so OK. I assume all modern saws have a chain brake don't buy one without. Safety bar tip optional but then you can't plunge cut.

 

Buy a good one. Chain saws are spawned by the devil and a cheap one would be ... well.  

 

Oh and never lend your saw to anyone. It will come back ...if it comes back and is not pinched in a tree...

 

 

Edited May 4, 2017 by VocalNeal

[kamalabob2]

Real recognized brands of chain saws are sold every day in Thailand. Husqvarana, Stihl, Makita sell various configurations and sizes. Battery Makita chain saws are available from any authorized Makita dealer. A resourceful tool shop could offer you name brand chain saws as well as unknown brands of petrol chain saws. Longer bars, cutting chains, chain oil are all available in Thailand. The Government agency who could best answer your question regarding registering chain saws over a certain blade length is:

Royal Forest Department 61 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Phone:(662)-561-4292-3 FAX:(662)-940-5910   The web site is not easy for people who do not read Thai. I have received the application in Buriram at the same large Provincial office building complex as Thai Immigration and anti-corruption. The same office staff also issue permits for wells on private property.  The serial number and model number of the chain saw you wish to obtain a permit could easily be supplied by the chain saw dealer you see face to face and price a Husqvarna, Stihl, or other gasoline chain saw. Electric chain saws are also sold in every province in Thailand. 

[BEVUP]

On 5/4/2017 at 8:35 AM, VocalNeal said:

Used to be chainsaws were illegal. Now I believe it is OK. Wherever you buy it from will tell you.

 

I used to have a high performance 14" jobbie with 3/8 chain. Good enough for me. You don't need a huge one. To fell a tree needs two cuts so OK. I assume all modern saws have a chain brake don't buy one without. Safety bar tip optional but then you can't plunge cut.

 

Buy a good one. Chain saws are spawned by the devil and a cheap one would be ... well.  

 

Oh and never lend your saw to anyone. It will come back ...if it comes back and is not pinched in a tree...

 

 

Like that last comment as mine didn't come directly back to me but found it in MIL place next door on a bench with the chain clapped out & i don't think i ever used it myself (wasn't happy ) they never tell you it's stuffed or fix it 

Fiends wife let builder family use his steel cut of wheel & they some how broke the disk so just put it back until he discovered it 

[VocalNeal]

The OP is Canadian so might know how to use a chainsaw .  Then again if he does he will also know not to ask to borrow one! Better to buy some beer and ask the guy with the saw to come on over. 

 

1 hour ago, BEVUP said:

& they some how broke the disk

When I worked in Indonesia one of the favourite lines was "They'd break an anvil, if you give 'em one"

[Gary A]

Chain saw laws in Thailand are vague to say the least. From what I have learned, true or not, a chain saw is limited to .8 HP and a ten inch bar. Stihl sells one, (Lazada) that is supposedly legal without a permit. The normal HP for this saw is over 2 HP. A guy I talked to says Stihl gets by with the low HP by putting a restrictor plate between the engine and the muffler. He said that by taking the two bolts out and removing the muffler, the restrictor plate is easily removed and after the muffler is put back on, the saw is restored to the original power. ???

[silverhawk_usa]

42 minutes ago, Gary A said:

Chain saw laws in Thailand are vague to say the least. From what I have learned, true or not, a chain saw is limited to .8 HP and a ten inch bar. Stihl sells one, (Lazada) that is supposedly legal without a permit. The normal HP for this saw is over 2 HP. A guy I talked to says Stihl gets by with the low HP by putting a restrictor plate between the engine and the muffler. He said that by taking the two bolts out and removing the muffler, the restrictor plate is easily removed and after the muffler is put back on, the saw is restored to the original power. ???

Yes.  I bought one a few years ago.  They removed the restrictor plate before I left the shop. It also came with a copy of a license that said it was legal.  That shop in Chiang Mai is now gone, but there are plenty selling chainsaws.  Even Global House. 

[kamalabob2]

Chain Saw regulations are quite clear in Buriram Province. I have personal experience in how to legally register a Husqvarna chain saw that is over 12 inches. 4 copies of your house book, 4 copies of your Thai ID, a note from a local official and a very modest license fee. It takes two trips to the Buriram provincial government office complex if you bring the right papers, and original documents. A helpful authorized chain saw dealer in any province might make your buying a proper chain saw perfectly legal and much easier in Thailand. Those are not gasoline chain saws in the photo, but that is a Husqvarna chain saw and ride on lawn mower sales manager in Thailand at a shop I also buy tools and a lawn mower. 

[Gary A]

 Anyone know about the legality of electric chain saws?  Both battery powered and powered from the grid.

[kamalabob2]

I've been told by the Pigeon Tools salesman that Kaiser Biz will not longer sell corded electric chain saws in Thailand. Certainly no shortage of genuine Husqvarna petrol chain saws available in Buriram or other provinces in Thailand. The Husqvarna 11.5 inch gasoline chain saw in the photo does not need a permit to buy or own in Thailand. That same chain saw can be fit with a 13" maximum chain bar.  In my observation, Stihl petrol chain saws are also available in Thailand from  family owned tool stores which understand why expats value genuine name brand chain saws.  The Husqvarna crop sprayer is similar to the Honda crop sprayer that I am considering for my Brother in law. 

[canuckamuck]

I went with the Stihl ms-180.

Seems nice like a nice machine. I have only done three fillups so far, but I am liking it. Thanks for all the replies.