Chainsaw Purchase Advice Needed

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veemaxx said:
Since you are planning on using it at home I would seriously consider an electric...
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When's webbie going to get around to adding that "Don't like" button? ;hm

Kidding aside, my father owned three gassers and one electric. He did use the electric more often than the gas saws. Just more convenient and reliable than a gas saw, if you only use a few times per year. I still have it, but haven't used it in many years.

Me? My CAD just won't allow it. Besides, running a cord out to where I cut is an inconvenience.
 
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Go into a Stihl dealer and describe your situation. He'll probably set a Farm Boss on the counter.
 
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I've been very satisfied with a used 025 that I bought a few years back from a dealer for ~$150. I've cut 15+ cord over the past 3 years and have no regrets. I have gotten into some stuff >30" diameter and it doesn' go fast, but it's doable. You can spend $400+ on a great saw, and I probably will down the road - but you really don't have to, at least not right away.
 
blacktail said:
Go into a Stihl dealer and describe your situation. He'll probably set a Farm Boss on the counter.
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One of the more important things is having a good dealer close by. Pay attention to maintenance and fuel. When maintenance or breakdowns happen, having someone to fix it close is worth paying more upfront.

If you don't mind a heavier weight to power ratio the 290(1) farm boss would be a good fit for you - 18" bar farm/ranch type. Good quality and will last you a long time for what you do.

The 180 is too small for what you want to do.

If you can afford, a MS360 20" bar is the right saw, but a 261 will get you by also.

I love my MS260, but I regretted buying it first in 05. I saved for the 360 and now I wish I had got a 460.... Really depends how much time you want to spend. The smaller saws will do the job, but the bigger ones will do it much faster and easier.
 
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Why not go to the local saw shop and see what they have. It would be hard not to come up with something better than a 180. A good 50 cc saw should do it but I use a 60+cc for bucking logs. It is faster. You get what you pay for.

I never see users go from a good 50-60cc saw to a 42cc Craftsman or other homeowner saw. Thre are tools for occasoinal use and there are tools for work. More saw is faster, less fatigue, and in my experience pays for itself every day I use it.

Pro saw types might want to quit reading here ;)

The (damned ;) electric saws are quite capable. I have an older neighbor who bucks a lot of wood with electric saws. He has a home made 10 ga. Romex spool that's 75' of so and a heavy duty extension cord. The bigger Makita is tempting... If I see a used on at Home Despot it's liekly to come home with me.

Buy the saftey chaps. Please.

Mike
 
Joful said:
I'll throw out the same recommendation I've thrown out many times, and I see two others already have above. Buy a Stihl 036, arguably the best firewood saw ever made. These can be had in decent condition for $300 - $400 from any one of the many reputable mechanics over at ArboristSite, a few of which are past/present members at hearth.com. I paid $300 for my own 036, and it was minty new, despite having sat in some other happy homeowner's garage for a decade or two.

Trying to cut 5 cords per year with anything below 50 cc is a surefire recipe for frustration.

View attachment 129587

The 036 is the medium saw wearing a 20" bar on the right. The wee little'n in the background is 35cc, roughly the size of that MS180 you were considering.
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I tried the arborist site you mentioned but I could find too many 036's. Lot of other nice saws though. I will keep thinking/looking.
 
lindnova said:
One of the more important things is having a good dealer close by. Pay attention to maintenance and fuel. When maintenance or breakdowns happen, having someone to fix it close is worth paying more upfront.

If you don't mind a heavier weight to power ratio the 290(1) farm boss would be a good fit for you - 18" bar farm/ranch type. Good quality and will last you a long time for what you do.

The 180 is too small for what you want to do.

If you can afford, a MS360 20" bar is the right saw, but a 261 will get you by also.

I love my MS260, but I regretted buying it first in 05. I saved for the 360 and now I wish I had got a 460.... Really depends how much time you want to spend. The smaller saws will do the job, but the bigger ones will do it much faster and easier.
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Chainsaws are like a drug. You always want more... :)
 
zzr7ky said:
Why not go to the local saw shop and see what they have. It would be hard not to come up with something better than a 180. A good 50 cc saw should do it but I use a 60+cc for bucking logs. It is faster. You get what you pay for.

I never see users go from a good 50-60cc saw to a 42cc Craftsman or other homeowner saw. Thre are tools for occasoinal use and there are tools for work. More saw is faster, less fatigue, and in my experience pays for itself every day I use it.

Pro saw types might want to quit reading here ;)

The (damned ;) electric saws are quite capable. I have an older neighbor who bucks a lot of wood with electric saws. He has a home made 10 ga. Romex spool that's 75' of so and a heavy duty extension cord. The bigger Makita is tempting... If I see a used on at Home Despot it's liekly to come home with me.

Buy the saftey chaps. Please.

Mike
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I have read about different electric models (include Stihl) but the reviews are not that good. I am not sure what a Stihl costs though. I will give it some more thought.

As for the used big Makita at home depot. I called yesterday, and no stores in the area have it right now. I will keep checking on this as well. Thanks.
 
I tried to use an electric to cut up a good sized branch at my mothers house. I ended up throwing it at the dirt and driving home and back with my saw. It was still faster.
 
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I have no experience with this particular saw, but will say that 12.8 lb. without the bar is going to make for a might heavy 55 cc saw. If the 12.8 lb. includes the bar, then I'd be more inclined to give it a try.

For reference, the aforementioned Stihl 036 is 12.6 lb without bar, but it's 30% more horsepower.

CS 2255 = 0.27 HP/lb.
Stihl 036 = 0.36 HP/lb.
 
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It's in the same class of the Stihl 290 Farm Boss. Some people might snuff their noses because of the power/weight ratio, but a lot of firewood has been cut with both the Stihl 290 and Husky 455. I think the Jonsered/Husky would be fine for bucking 5 cords a year. The 20" bar is pushing it a little IMO, but it's a solid saw and should keep you happy for years.
 
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I think I might be outed on this website for saying this (expensive saw lovers only) but I love my poulin pro 50cc. Right now its got a 20" bar and it rips. I've cut 5 cord in the month I've had it. And @ 200 I didn't mind saving the money either. If it last me 5 years then it'll pay for itself 100x over. Just something to think about
 
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mainemike said:
I think I might be outed on this website for saying this (expensive saw lovers only) but I love my poulin pro 50cc. Right now its got a 20" bar and it rips. I've cut 5 cord in the month I've had it. And @ 200 I didn't mind saving the money either. If it last me 5 years then it'll pay for itself 100x over. Just something to think about
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5 cords a month you would have to be a master feller chain sharpener awesome splitter and mover plus stacker. God love you if you pulled all that off with just a 50cc saw.
 
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smokinj said:
5 cords a month you would have to be a master feller chain sharpener awesome splitter and mover plus stacker. God love you if you pulled all that off with just a 50cc saw.
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Ive cut 5 cord to stove length. Only split about a cord because I've spent all my free time going to pick up free pine. All with a 50cc
 
42cc.



lil husky.JPG big oak rounds.JPG
 
There's nothing wrong with smaller saws. They all cut wood.

The issue is how well the saw meets the requirements set forth in the original post.
 
Jags said:
There is nothing ban worthy in that. Heck...I cut 5 cords per year for about 5 years with a homey 240. The issue comes up as a "you don't know, what you don't know". Once I went to a larger pro saw, there was no turning back. Just never grab ahold of a pro saw and you will be okay- it'll ruin ya.;)
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You seem fairly wise about everything don't care for a smug attitude the way you worked the guy over with the new style axe was pitiful.
 
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