The obvious first question is would I buy it again? The easy quick answer is absolutely!
I bought the saw at the end of July 2017 to replace my similar sized 30 year old Homelite that decided it did not want to run any more. Since then, I’ve used the new Remington about 5 times, about an hour each time. I turn off the saw every time I stop cutting to clear the debris away (I do not let it idle on the ground).
Following the cold-start directions, the saw has started easily each time. Restarting during the job has been one pull (I’ve ignored the manufacturer’s restart steps). The saw cuts well and feels balanced when I use it. It has enough power for what I am using it for. It has easily done everything that I’ve asked it to do.
I am a homeowner with a lot of trees, but I do not burn wood. My chainsaw needs are to clean up storm damage or remove dead trees. The cuts I make are almost always less than 8 inches in diameter, usually in the 2 to 5 inch range.
When I was looking for a small chainsaw, including some of the “famous” chainsaw brands, it was unsettling that virtually every brand had 10% or more one star reviews, including this saw. I decided that the distributions of five stars to one star reviews were essentially the same for the Husqvarna I was looking at and the Remington, so I went for the cheaper price.
By the way, looking at the owner documentation, Remington is made by MTD, which is a large lawn and garden equipment company with many different brands. I was also curious about repair parts. MTD has them on its website, but no one else seems to have Remington parts. It has an Oregon chain easily available, but the Oregon replacement bar uses a different Oregon chain (MTD does offer the original bar).
At the time, I was able to buy the Remington 42cc with 16 inch bar and case, with Michigan sales tax, and a Square Trade 5 year warranty from Amazon for under $150 delivered. Note on the warranty, it is actually for 4 years after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, but they wrongly assumed a one year mfg warranty. Remington has a two year warranty, so, if I need it and the warranty works, I’m actually covered for 6 years. Bottom line, much cheaper saw, with case, and longer warranty than Husqvarna.
Is the saw perfect? Well…
As other reviews said, it leaks chain oil when stored, but no worse than my old Homelite did. I don’t know, maybe all saws leak.
The case is an ugly black cube with a sheath for the blade sticking out. The Homelite case was more contoured and “prettier”. The Remington case has space for spare chains and small bottles of 2cycle oil and chain oil. Some reviews complain about the case, but I think it is just fine.
The cold-start procedure is multi-step, but it is well documented in the owner’s manual and on two separate decals on the saw (one with just pictures, one with text). Best part is, it has worked perfectly first time every time I’ve used it (zero starting problems). The steps are turn on the ignition switch, press the clear rubber primer bulb 10 times, pull out the choke, crank 5 times (even if it tries to start, don’t fiddle with the choke), push the choke in, crank 1-5 more times. Every time, it has started for me on the first or second crank after the choke is back in (open). As I said, restarting during the job, which I do many times, is no steps, just turn the ignition on and one pull.
Speaking of cranking, it is smooth and easy. Much less effort than my Homelite, which was also a small saw.
Here’s my first and only real negative about the saw. I hate the choke. It is a pull/push button like on outboard motors from the 1950’s. No problem when the choke is in (“open”). However, the button feels like it is on a rubber band when you pull it out to close the choke. It wants to return to the in (open) position by itself. It does not like to remain in the “out” position. I keep my fingers crossed that the choke remains closed while I’m doing the first five cranks. Maybe it is designed that way so if the saw starts, the vibration automatically opens the choke.
The other negative I had when I first got the saw was that I thought it was under-powered. It wanted to bog down every time I tried cutting a branch more than 3 inches in diameter. I think the factory had set the chain far too tight and it was binding. I haven’t had this problem since I adjusted the chain.
I do like the clear rubber primer bulb. Since it is clear, you can see the gas and know whether you are trying to start or use a saw that is out of gas.
The saw has an automatic chain oiler, but no manual button to give it extra oil for a big cut (my Homelite had both).
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