Recommendations on a Chainsaw

[Eddie Howard]

I have recently found a new friend who is a tree trimmer -- said he would keep me in green wood -- Now i need a saw -- suggestions?

Eddie

[Scott Hubl]

I picked up this at Lowes when I decided it was time to upgrade from a small Craftsman I had.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p59/AmericanAndProud/Woodnet/Husky-box-web.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p59/AmericanAndProud/Woodnet/Hushy-web.jpg

20" Bar and i'm happy with it. http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yellowyes.gif

[Malcolm Tibbetts]

Eddie, Husqvarna is a great saw - I cut all my segments with one.:) Seriously, They're terrific saw in all sizes.

[Fred Conte]

I have the same model as Scott and think it's an excellent chainsaw. It's the second Husqvarna I've owned in 25 years. I got mine on EBay from a good dealer. If you want I can check who it was it's been a while since I bought it.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Eddie - I have the Husky 357XP with a 20" bar and love it! Now I can rip a large maple log in seconds - it used to take me minutes - if I could get my small McCullough started!

[Chris Barnett]

Stihl MS310 with 20 inch bar and antikickback chain..

[Brad Hammond]

yep.....310! got it and love it!

[John Schumer]

I vote for Stihl as well

I have 3 and love every one of them.
(own a lot of land, and use the wood to heat, one saw for myself, and the others for family and friends).
Good thing about it is, you can't buy them at big box stores, you must purchase from a Stihl dealer!!

HTH
John

[Chris Barnett]

Just wish I could get a longer bar...say 26-inch :D; with a sharp chain, I think the engine might have the power.

[Jake Helmboldt]

Eddie, what do you intend to do with the saw? That will determine what you need to get. I assume you'll want to rip logs for turning so you need a swa with a long enough bar and good power (ripping is harder than cross cutting and it is easier to to do by cutting the length of the log as opposed to across the end grain).

Also, get a ripping chain (Baileys is a good source or you could have a local saw shop grind it for you; the top angle across the tooth is much shallower).

The Husqvarna 357 mentioned is a great saw, but pricey. The 359 is very similar, cheaper, and almost as powerful, plus it isn't as peakey.

Another good option is go to HD and check out their Makita used rentals that they sell. The 6401 is a well-regarded saw and they are actually made by Dolmar (high quality German saw, invented the chainsaw actually). A lot of saw for not much money. If I can ever justify buying another saw it will be one of their used Makitas. It has more power than you'll need and even if it didn't you can replace the piston and cylinder with the 73cc parts since the saws are the same otherwise.

Probably your best bang for the buck.

[Jim Becker]

Husky or Stihl are generally the top recommendations. I have a Stihl for my gas chain saw, but also have a Remmington electric unit for "in shop" use or quick trimming around the house. The Stihl replaced a "consumer" chainsaw product that died after only cutting one tree...what a waste of money that was. And it was out of warranty because I didn't use the first time it until after a year past purchase. The Stihl starts in any weather no matter how long it's been sitting and works reliably. It's been a pleasure to use. (I have the 029 Farm Boss with an 18" bar)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Another vote for Stihl. I have the 310. It starts no matter the weather or if it has sit for 6 months.

[Kevin McPeek]

Count me in on the Stihl crowd. I have a 290 w/ 18" bar and it works great. My dad has an old stihl and says it still fires every time.

[Curt Fuller]

Stihl or Husky. But if your friend is a tree trimmer I'd ask him. He's probably got more saw knowlege than you can shake a stick (or log) at.

[Bill Stevener]

I have recently found a new friend who is a tree trimmer -- said he would keep me in green wood -- Now i need a saw -- suggestions?

Eddie

Husky & Stihl are both great saws, I have owned both. Either one would be a good choice.

However, if you have a tree trimmer friend and the wood will be delivered to your home, I think, (with the price of gas and oil today) some consideration to the best electric chain saw one can find would be a good bet. No fuss no muss, pull the trigger and it starts. Work well indoors as well.

When I was younger my Grandfather had me at one end of a two man saw. That worked for him.:D

[Maylon Harvey]

I have used Stihl's for over 30 years. Currently own 2. Cut over 40 cord (face cord) of fire wood just last year. That's my vote. But if I couldn't have a Stihl I'd go with a Husky, they are also a good saw.

[Jack Mincey]

Hi,
This is my first post on this forum, I own a stihl 018, stihl 026, husky 61, and an old Pro Mac 60. I don't think that any of these saws are made anymore. The husky 61 is my second one, I traded the first 61 after many year of use, to get one with a chain brake. I like all the brands, but do most of my cutting using the husky 61 since it has a 20" bar and more power. Keeping the tip of the bar beyond the wood makes it saver to use. If you have'nt ever used a chain saw, get your friend to take the time and teach you what to do and not to do. They are dangerous if used in the wrong way. I've cut some large blanks using a friends stihl with a 32" bar and it scares me, even though I've been using a chainsaw for more than 30 years. Which ever brand you pick, be very careful when you use any chainsaw even electric.
Jack

[Nathan Hawkes]

Well, I have a few. I have an old Stihl 024 from the late '80's that was my dad's years ago, a Stihl MS 361, and a Husky 394XP. The 394 is a bada$$ saw, and will run my 42" bar without any problem on a CS mill even through hard oak. I like the balance of the 361 the best. I have the factory dog spikes on it, and don't really like using it for cutting blanks for this reason. The husky has the big 4-spike logging dogs that will hold it steady if I'm trying to make a nice straight cut for a blank or bucking a log for that matter. It is HEAVY, but it's over 7HP. I have the 361 mounted on a little bandsaw that I'm trying to get working right, another story.... Whatever you get, make sure you're using protective equipment. I have kevlar chaps, a Stihl forestry helmet with earphones, steel toed boots, good double layer leather gloves, and I wear earplugs under the headphones, as my big saw is capable of producing 116 dB of noise. That's enough to give you permanent damage with even short term exposure. No sense in doing damage when you can prevent it with some cheap earplugs. Earmuffs just aren't enough, IMHO.



The Stihls are great saws, but an entry level pro model like the 361 will be around $600. My uncle has the 359 husky, which is a good saw. It just isn't meant for as much hardcore use as the 357, or 361 which is a comparable stihl saw. I've run the 359, and like it, but it just isn't as strong a saw as I'd like to have, personally. I've been spoiled, I suppose. Stihl's 310 is a good runner as well, I know a couple folks with them & they love them.

As to the ebay/internet stuff, I'm under the impression that Husqvarna has permanently shut down all internet sales very recently. Bailey's and other online dealers have switched their marketing to the makita/dolmar line, and I've seen shindaiwa's on other sites. From everything I hear, the Dolmar line---makita/dolmars are the same internals, just like husky/jonsered saws. Great saws, from everything I read. I think their dealer network is a little underpowered; getting service might be hard. I'm pretty handy, so I do my own work, so far. I can rebuild a carb easily enough, and replace seals, etc, with enough time & a shop manual.

This should factor into part of your decision. All the german/swedish saws are good quality; Stihl, Husqvarna, Solo, Dolmar, Makita, and I'm sure I'm leaving some out, but the important thing is even good saws get abused, and good saws need to be maintained by their users, or a qualified tech. Don't think you're going to get any quality service from a big box store like BLOWES.

[Don Eddard]

Stihl or Husky are both great saws. I'd suggest finding a local chainsaw shop and seeing which of the two he feels better about supporting. My local shop told me he had better service and parts availability from Stihl, so that's what I ended up buying. I've bought a couple Borg chainsaws, and don't intend to do that ever again.

[Greg Narozniak]

Just like when your buying a Nail Gun check for local support. You need to be able to have the saw serviced and (to the best of my knowledge) you cannot ship the saw somewhere for service. learn to sharpen the chain with a file. It takes 10 minutes and cuts like brand new when done right.

I purchased a used Stihl 026 from my local dealer. This is a Pro line saw that came with an 18" bar and with a new Full Chisel chain it runs and cuts like a dream.

My step father purchased a Husky 359 with a 20" bar. While it is a nice saw, I would choose the Stihl over a Husky. Just my Opinion I prefer the feel of the stihl to the husky. The 359 does have more power than my 026 but the added weight does not justify it for me.

The brands to look for are Stihl, Husky and Jonsered (Same exact saw different colors), Shindaiwa, Echo, John Deere (Their CS series is made by Efco, very good european chainsaw company), Makita (Made by Dolmar another very good company across the pond) As a consumer you will never wear out any of these saws.

[Eddie Howard]

Just look at all the advise -- and good advise. Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate all that you have offered. Thanks very much.

Eddie