Budding Turner seeks advice...

[Jay Kilpatrick]

Hey folks,
Simple question here...

I have an add in front of me that says Poulan Pro 295, 20" blade, 46cc engine, used twice & in Great condition, case included. $140.

I'd be using it moderately (ie. when I find decent wood in suburbia) for sawing up trees and preping blanks for turning stock. Provided the add is true to life if and when I see this machine, is it worth it? Reconditioned units at retail sources price out at just above this. I also realise that Poulan isn't exactly a respected name by many, and its certainly not a peer to either of the oft seen Stihl or Husky. Just looking at my options here as I may drop by to look at this saw after work today.

Thanks,
~Jay
:confused:

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

Jay, if you are looking for a Saw for occasional work, and this sounds like the use it will see, this saw should do the job for you. I have never owned a Poulan, but I used to be in the Landscape Construction business, so I know something about Chain Saws. I have always been a Stihl Man myself, and I have put them thru the paces, from using one commercially to now using one for my own Firewood Purposes. I have a few buddies who have Poulan Saws that they use for light home use, and firewood cutting several times a year. They have no qualms about the saws, and so long as they are maintained properly and keep a sharp chain on them, they do the job just fine for them. IMO, I think I would check it out, and if you are comfortable with the price, and it starts easily and you can hear it run, or perhaps make a test cut or two, go ahead and get it. I am sure it will accomplish the task you mentioned, the lower end, non commercial saws just aren't intended for hard, commercial type use they often are used for. I think that is where some saws get a bad rap..........end users expect too much from them, and when they don't perform up to what they were never designed for in the first place, they get bad mouthed.

[Von Bickley]

Originally posted by Kevin Gersty
Jay, if you are looking for a Saw for occasional work, and this sounds like the use it will see, this saw should do the job for you.

I have a few buddies who have Poulan Saws that they use for light home use, and firewood cutting several times a year. They have no qualms about the saws, and so long as they are maintained properly and keep a sharp chain on them, they do the job just fine for them.

I agree with Kevin,
Check it out...
It needs to start easily, idle good and not cut off, and have a sharp chain.

[Brad Hammond]

and it maybe the exact model. it does a good job for me. it performs the jobs you're looking for without difficulty. if truth be known, if i HAD to buy a new one right now i'd look for a stihl. they out perform my saw hands down. with that said, i've used it to fall some pretty big trees and cut up trunks, but it takes a little work.
bottom line,,,,,,, light work-- good saw, felling trees and dealing with logs bigger than 24-30"--- it's probably a little light.
probably operator error anyway.
cya
brad

[Steve Clardy]

They do ok with them. Firewood, etc.
Haven't heard any bad raps on Poulan.
I'm a Jonsered fan myself. I have two 630 supers, running 24" bars. Have done a lot of logging and firewooding. I agree with the others, if it starts easy, stays running, doesn't look like it got run over by a Mack truck, go for it. Sounds like a decent price. Steve

[Jay Kilpatrick]

Thank you to Kevin, Von, Brad, and Steve for replying to my original post. I missed out on the particular saw I was asking about; its seems there are others in the world who read the Wright-Patterson AFB newspaper and don't work 10-12 hour days...Humph! Well, have no fear taxpayers, the only time I spend not working for you is when I'm talking to you here.

The good news...I found the exact model saw, used but professionally overhauled /repaired /reconditioned /whatever from the base lawn and garden center for right about the same price. This one has 2 chains, 20" bar ,the case, manual, and they threw in a bottle of 2 cycle, a bottle of bar oil, and a coupon for a gallon of gas from the station on base. I just got it last night and haven't gotten the opportunity to fire it up. Best part is...if its good 'nough I'll have a keeper, if not I can take it back within 30 days and continue my search.
Thanks again,
~Jay

[Lee Schierer]

I picked up a used one a number of years ago. It has worked fine. I've let mine set for over a year with gas in it and it starts with just a few pulls, runs as long as I care to cut with it and hs plenty of power for a saw of its size.

Don't know if it would win the Lumberjack Challenge, but it works fine around the house for trimming and dead trees.