Ryobi PCN-4545

I have had this saw for 3 years and use it to cut firewood from the Australian scrub. Timber such as Iron bark, Gidgi, and Mulga are the target each of which will test a chain saw. This inexpensive saw has dealt with all I have encountered. Spark plugs and chains are all that have been replaced although a new bar in now required. I do maintain it to a high degree of cleanliness and it is well lubed with high quality oils. It has surpassed my expectations. It is not expected to perform like a Stihl or a Husky. If I expected that I would have paid 5 times what I did and bought one.

Worked first day for a half hour. started again after a short break but had a hard time getting it started, then keeping it running. Haven't used it since as it won't start. New gas, clean parts, check spark plug. Nothing.

Lesson learned.

I bought my PCN-4545 some 6 years ago specifically for cutting down and cutting up a number of trees that we needed to clear from our garden. These varied in width that's why I chose an 18 inch model.

I have to say that the chainsaw is very easy to use and it did a perfect job and has served me well since buying it. I have only had to replace the chain once, so that says something about it's quality, considering the use it has had. It starts without problem and seems to cope with anything.

This is the first chainsaw I have ever owned and would not hesitate to buy another Ryobi.

The brand is mid range but appears to be good quality.

I have also had a Ryobi petrol strimmer for the same length of time, but it has had far more use and again without problem

I bought a Ryobi chainsaw a view weeks ago to cut fire wood. Builders Warehouse ran a special for R 899 vs the Stilhl for R 4000. As I'm not going to use it to often, I thought that it was a good buy. I've battled 40 min to start it and exchange it. After the 3de one the shop helped me to start it, and it started everytime. But the next day it did not want to start from cold again. I've exchange it again, but also took the 4th one back for a refund. The manager said that they only get 4 out of 1000 returned, but the gent on the floor said that they are getting returns almost everyday for starting problems. PS: I bought a Robin edgetrimmer a few years ago. When I've asked him why its so expensive compare to Ryobi, he answered: " Sir, do you want to use te time to start the trimmer or rather use the time to cut your lawn?" Now I know why!

Seen all the negative but ive had one for over 3 years and given it plenty of stick and its still going strong, one design fault is the oil feeder for the chain is hindered by a plate that fit over it , this stops the oil getting to the chain as some people have complained , i sorted this out easy by drilling a small hole in the plate were the oil outlet is , has worked great ever since

I have had a wood burning stove for five years. This saw has kept me supplied with wood for the whole of that period and that includes a couple of very cold winters.Keep the chain sharp and don't overstress it and it wont let you down.

I purchased the Ryobi PCN 4545 and wish I hadn't. With 15 hrs of use the oil pump to the chain stopped working, I thought it was a blockage at first then I stripped it down to see the parts had failed. After 20 hrs of use the Chain break would not release. the only way to use the saw was to remove the break band, this was now a very dangerious tool to use. I would NOT recommend this to anyone.

The Pros to this Chainsaw are:- The colour is good.

I bought 4545 with an 'oil line blockage'. Actually an oil pump failure. Replacement worm drive part ~ £10 inc delivery. Easy enough to fix. But by crikey it's a shoddy piece of kit. Hard to start sometimes for no apparent reason, cuts out if not kept within about 10 degrees of vertical and forget trying to fell anything with a horizontal cut. Did come with a nice plastic box though. So if you want a nice plastic box buy a Ryobi. If you want something that works buy a Makita, a Stihl, a Husqy etc. I do think Ryobi should adopt 'Cheap for a reason' as the company motto.

This saw is a bit like a budget airline - the upfront price seems good but you'll keep paying and paying to get what you actually thought you paid for in the first place - in this case, a serviceable chainsaw!

I've had the 'chain brake binds on' problem, I fixed it using the hacksaw blade technique found at http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=101653

but now, more seriously the thing wont start - why? because theres no compression as the piston ring has failed (according to my service chap).

It is scrap after no more than 20 hours use :-(

A totally 'poor' piece of design. I have a Ryobi petrol strimmer too - can't wait for that to fail soon................will never buy this brand again.

Mine is a sister machine - Homelite CSP4016. Same problem - brake locked up - sparks began to fly from the brake band. Had to disconnect the brake to use again. Cannot be safe using it this way. I notice that these machines appear to have CE stamped. I wonde if anybody seriously tested the units and still gave them certs of conformity?