Chainsaws

[Old Ford Mechanic]

Alright guys,I'm needing a new Chainsaw.I need it to cut firewood and smaller logs with.I'm not in the market for any of the smaller brush trimming cheap models sold by Lowe's or Home Depot.I need a good reliable saw with a 18 to 20" bar that is not too heavy to carry around all day.I don't mind spending money on it but,i want quality.Suggestions?

 

[Ron in Nebr]

Just got a Stihl MS-290 w/18" bar a couple months ago. VERY happy with it. For a little more money the Pro-Series Stihl ms-361 is about top of the line for a lighter saw.

Some of the other brands are good too, but make sure you have a local dealer where you can get it serviced and buy parts if neccessary. It's much better to buy from a dealer than a big box store.

Check out the gear forums on hearth.com for tons and tons of reading on chainsaws.

 

[730d se]

There are a number of good, reliable chain saws.
I was in the market for one similar to what you describe 6 months ago.
I found that Jonsered, Stihl, Husky, and a few tohers are some of the top names out there.
We had a Husky bow saw from back in the mid 1970's, it finally cut it's last wood.
I ended up doing what I thought I would not do. I bought a Husky from Lowe's.
I found that for the money, warranty, weight balance, etc., I could not beat the Lowe's deal.
It is a Husky 445 X Torq. I also bought the Power Box for it. It is perfect. I have everything except mixed gas/oil in the box. The saw and chain are protected. I carry the gas/oil in a gas container. I can throw it all on the 4 wheeler, go to the woods or spot where I need to cut, and get the job done.
It has the 18 inch bar so it will cut through some decent sized trees.
Starts easy, runs smooth, well balanced, has auto chain brake, I could not be more pleased.

 

[2x4]

got a used Stihl 029 Farm Boss (pro version of MS-290) for $150 at yard sale. My main firewood saw now. 5 degrees & it starts after couple of pulls. Its as good as any new saw I've ever had.

 

[MarkB_MI]

I'd recommend the Stihl 260. A little more money that the 290, but quite a bit lighter.

 

[Gun guru]

I have a Stihl 029 farm boss. It runs like a raped ape. 12 years old too.

 

[JDemaris]

If want someting to last, find a saw that does NOT have a plastic crankcase. I'm not talking about the handle or external housings, I mean the crankcase itself. Even Stihl and Husky are making half their saws with plastic crankcases now. So, what used to be an accepted standard now only comes in "professional" saws. I was a Stihl mechanic for many years and really liked them, but got pretty disgusted when I tried to buy a good saw last year. Sure they have them, but the price for big prof. saw was out of the world. I also visited a friend who is a Husky dealer and he showed me a pile of burned-up, ruined plastic crankcase Huskys, and told me he'll only sell the metals ones now.

If you plan on having some days when you want to cut all day long, you'd be nuts to waste your cash on an all-plastic saw.

In my case, I needed a bigger saw, and I finally got a Dolmar (under the Makita brand name). It was the best buy around and for the price and size, one of the best saws available right now.

Makita DSC 6401 with 20” bar was $539.49 with an extra 20” chain. It’s a 64 cc saw.

For a cheap saw, strangly enough, some of the Poulan Pros still have metal crankcases and ball-bearing mains.

 

[wally miller]

Can't go wrong with a 455 husky.I'm on my second year with mine and wouldnt go back to a stihl for nothin.Guy i cut wood with uses a 029 and he's just sick can't wait to get rid of it and get a husky.

 

[markct]

i have had a stihl ms310 for about 8 years now, its a good saw never gave me problems, a bit heavy but not bad, i have an 18,20 and 25 inch bar that i use for the big stuff, with a skip tooth chain she powers its fine in the hardest of wood. i also have and stihl ms192t that is my brush and small wood saw, usualy have a 12 inch bar on it and it works great, very light which is a big advantage when its hanging off your harness climbing around the canopy of a tree with it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

i have 1 ms360 stihl and its a good saw.kinda hard to get started when its cold takes about 7 pulls before its running.had a husky model 61 for about 20 years it was also a good saw.i would really be hard pressed to say which was the better saw.RICK

 

[PJH]

I've got two Stihl saws, an 039 and an 021, and also have a Stihl blower and Stihl weed trimmer. Never had any problems with any of my Stihl products. Probably more important than the brand is the quality of the dealer. I have a high quality Stihl dealer in my little town.

Paul

 

[Doug in Illinois]

I agree with the Stihl advice.

Have used Poulan, Homelite, and Sears in the past. The old Sears was a pretty decent saw, but that was back in the early 70's.

I also agree the new Stihl's aren't near the saws the old ones were. But, the same thing can be said for the majority of the new saws.

If you are in no big hurry, watch your "local" CraigsList for a good used one. Might be surprised what will turn up. Can't recommend eBay because you can't hear it run. DOUG

 

[ChrisB]

(quoted from post at 15:30:56 01/09/10) got a used Stihl 029 Farm Boss (pro version of MS-290) for $150 at yard sale. My main firewood saw now. 5 degrees & it starts after couple of pulls. Its as good as any new saw I've ever had.

Not to burst your bubble, it is not a pro version. They are the same saw. Stihl just changed their model numbers around. Albeit a MS-290 is newer

If it has an orange handle it is not a pro version. White handle versions are the pros and are still made in Germany (although this might not be true these days), and the other saws are made in Virginia.

 

[Sean Feeney]

Did you see the kit for that saw at Baileys $100 bucks makes it a 84cc saw I been waiting to save for one but something always comes up.

 

[MasseyTodd]

Keep away from the "Big Box" stores. Lour local Husky dealer may have a buy on a 357, or 372 - either would suit your needs fine, and if anything needs replacing, it can be done on the spot, not sent out.

 

[wfw]

i have a husky model 61 i bought new in 1988, still runs good. i cut a lot of wood with in the past but quit burning wood several years ago due to son's allergies. only thing ever done other than routine maintenance was changing the gas line. cousin recommended husky, he was a logger at the time, they had best service with husky at that time

frank

 

[davpal]

I had a Stihl 011 that I never had very good luck with that gave me grief all the time. It looked like new when I sold it to a friend of mine for $20 bucks. I figured it was either that or smash it with a hammer (and I came close). I went saw searching and decided on an Echo. We have had an Echo weedwacker for 20 plus years that has been flawless. After doing some research on their products and saws I came up with the model 370 Echo with a 16 inch bar. They are expensive but worth it. I bought it at Home Depot for about $280 bucks. This thing is very nice to use. Quality is very good and the thing starts effortlessly. I can't believe how much I like the balance and performance of this saw. Sure has made any woodcutting a lot better experience. I didn't need any more non starting chainsaw induced stress!

 

[buickanddeere]

I bought a Johsered 2152 Turbo as a compromise between a trimming and cutting saw. Works good but............
My Father who installed a heat pump and removed his wood/oil combo.Gave me back the 25yr old Jonsered 70E I had given him.
Well, well. That old but mighty 70E made me wish I had bought the biggest Jonsered made instead of the mid sized toy. I'll trade a pound or two or three of weight for the brute HP of a large saw.
I now only take the new 2153 along in case I get pinched and need a 2nd saw.Or for the boys to use.
The bigger70E rules. When it croaks I'll get the biggest saw Jonsefed makes.

 

[Old Ford Mechanic]

Thanks for all the replies.I will use some of your advice when i make my purchase.

 

[onefarmer]

I have a Stihl 026 I've had for over 20 yrs. Never been worked on, only new chains and sprockets and only on it's second bar. I also now have an 044 I bought three/four years ago. Looks like it will be just the same. The new versions are the 260 and 440. Stihl now has a 361 that has been discussed positively. All three of these have the best power and weight ratios.
arboristsite.com

 

[markiz41]

Yes. Exceptions: 270 and 280. White handles, but do not have the "pro" features. That said, they"ll do just fine for anyone who does not make a living with a saw.

 

[hoosier boy]

I view saws as throwaway items any more, Im not a logger but do the math, bought an 18" new from sears for $160 with new bar and chains ect. Hey the parts are worth allmost what I paid for the saw. When it carps out I strip it and go on. That idential saw is sold under at least 4 different brands and is identical to the Echo below.

 

[JDemaris]

Yes, it was one of the reasons I bought the saw. I knew it often used a bigger piston and cylinder in Europe.

Ends up it"s got all the power I need (and more). I"m very impressed with it, as-is.

 

[Case e]

buy what ever you want just dont go cheap and buy junk. The extra 100-150 bucks is well worth it in the long run.

 

[Case e]

buy what ever you want just dont go cheap and buy junk. The extra 100-150 bucks is well worth it in the long run.

 

[Deano4863]

Stihl 029 Farm Boss w 20" bar. Had it for several years. It works great with no problems.

 

[davpal]

Hate to tell you this hoosier boy but comparing a Craftsman saw and saying its identical to the Echo saw is like saying a Chevy Cavalier is the same car as a Toyota Camery because they're both cars. Identical in what matter? The fact that they both hold gas, oil, and have a chain and bar?

 

[Michael Soldan]

Hey Old Ford Mechanic, I'm going to tell you something that no one else here has told you. It really doesn't matter what kind of saw you buy. I agree not to buy cheap but take your pick. The biggest problem that no one mentioned is that chainsaws have tiny carburators that will easily cause you grief..hard starting, erratic rpm's bogging out in heavy cutting..these symptoms are from carb gunk. A chainsaw only needs to sit for a few weeks and it will build up gunk in the carb. Fuel Stabalizer is an absolute must in those engines. Stihl oil has fuel stabalizer in it and thats why the dealers insist you use Stihl products for your saw. Any stabilizer will work. So buy whatever suits you and don't rule out Poulan, I have had very good service out of the three I have owned over the last twenty years, I still run a Poulan and a Stihl.I've owned two Pioneers, a Mastercraft, three different Poulans and a STihl..the Pioneers were bullet proof..but it boils down to the fact they will all do a decent job if you take care of the fuel and servicing.Never buy a saw from a place that does not service them..IE) Home Depot Lowes. They tell you they have dealers that do the warranty..if you can find them..friend bought a saw from big box, had problems, they gave him their warrany guy's phone number to get his saw serviced and the number was no longer in service..shop owner went out of business and my friend had nowhere to get his saw fixed..that happens. Good luck! ..one other thing all of todays saws have less quality in them than older saws, you find an old saw that runs good, get a new bar and chain and you're money ahead!