anyone using a chainsaw?

[motownmasher]

with so much season left, and the ice over 2ft what's the best way to cut a hole? wondering if any1 uses a chainsaw, and how much hp would be needed to cut 30" of ice while throwing the water. i'm guessing that's gonna rob alot of power.

[MJ1657]

with so much season left, and the ice over 2ft what's the best way to cut a hole? wondering if any1 uses a chainsaw, and how much hp would be needed to cut 30" of ice while throwing the water. i'm guessing that's gonna rob alot of power.

When the ice gets real thick I just auger holes right next to each other. I tried a chainsaw one time and didn't like the mess.

[Gordie]

There is a lot more to cutting ice with a chainsaw than just firing it up and cutting the hole. You should grind all the rakers off the chain,it helps with the chain cleaning out the ice shavings and makes it easier to keep the chain on the ice, and then clean the bar oiler out so no oil residue will get into the water. Some guys use vegetable oil in their saws while others use nothing but the ice cold water. If you do have a oil film on the water a drop or two of Dawn dish soap will separate it and push it to the sides.

I have watched guys cut holes before that have not done so and it takes them longer than cutting with a ice saw and a auger. Also they tend to get a bit wet too, no fun when its below zero.

[motownmasher]

i'm definitely gonna try augering more holes, but how much saw is needed for cutting ice. i understand it will take a big saw to accept the length of bar needed, but how much hp? what saw do you guys have experience with, and how much ice.

[Gordie]

Not sure what the HP on the saw is but the one the guy at the old bait store used was a big one with a 36 inch bar. He said he had about $600. invested into the saw. In my opinion not cost effective.

[MJ1657]

I've heard if you're going to use a chainsaw to make your first pass all the way around but don't go into the water. Make your final pass into the water.

I don't know the hp rating but in a Stihl you would need at least an 036 which I think the new number for that is a 361? Gordie is right you would have at least $600 into a new set up like that.