Help me choose a saw

Echo CS590. You won't be disappointed with it. Buy it from a dealer, not a big box store, and ask them to ditch the anti-kickback garbage for you and give you a real chain off the start.

I'm retired and on a fixed income for the most part but I would never buy a used saw especially. They aren't that much money in the first place and you get a warranty. Items like chainsaws and weed wackers, I'd never buy used, 'cause it's probably been abused.

SidecarFlip said:

I'm retired and on a fixed income for the most part but I would never buy a used saw especially. They aren't that much money in the first place and you get a warranty. Items like chainsaws and weed wackers, I'd never buy used, 'cause it's probably been abused.

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This is true, you honestly don't know well it was taken care of. The simple things like not mixing the fuel correctly can do damage over time. Like I said previously I got my Husky 455 off craigslist new in box for $325. Check daily and throw out some offers.

You could always pull the muffler and have a 'look see' at the piston and skirt to see it it's scored, a sure sign of inadequate lubrication and, looking inside the muffler will tell right away if the owner used good 2 cycle oil by the amount of carbon. Cheap oil or the incorrect oil leaves a lot of carbon in the muffler.... I tend not to buy anything from CL used because the chances are it's been beat on and chainsaws especially get beat on by nature...

The H Depot Makita Dolmar will be the best bang for $200 to 250 range IF you are comfortable checking fir a good one.
It can handle the big stuff but like previous post noted I would avoid any logs bigger than 24 inches until you have more equipment and more experience. Small saw can cut them but very slow and saw wont last long at such full loads. That's not a bad thing they are just not intended for such service



6400 is rugged with excellent anti vibr and fully pro construction split cases replacable top end etc.
and can rebuild with 7900 top end later if you choose. Then its awesome, same weight but 79 cc

Even better but very rare is a toasted straight gassed one then have it rebuilt with a 7900 top and but that's way beyond your skill level of the moment so thats a different topic

Woodbee burner said:

Ok, for now I am trying for the rental saw @ home depot. That said I have been missing out on the recent wind storms and the repo house tree clearing a couple blocks away.

How do you guys feel about a refurbished husky 450 or 455. They are both under $400 on ebay. I am feeling like maybe I can justify a bit more as I have bought twice more than once. I am also planning a visit to the Huskey / Echo dealer this week as they seem to be more affordable than Stihl. That said I am leaning toward Husky or Stihl for resale value as I still worry that I will get this saw and realize I want something else. I definitely don't want to be stuck with the wrong thing for me. Like I say. I will mostly be cutting logs in a city lot.

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Are these factory reconditioned, or did some guy put a new piston and cylinder in a saw because he straight gassed it and he's calling it refurbished? Either way, you can get them new for under $400.

http://www.baileysonline.com/Chains...5-55cc-Rancher-Chainsaw-with-18-Bar-Chain.axd

They don't last long on straight gas.... Maybe 30 seconds to squeaking... I buy probably 90% of my consumables at Baileys. I prefer Stihl bar oil over 'Motion Lotion' however.

SidecarFlip said:

Because displacement isn't as important as how it pulls a loop. Candidly, I don't even know what the displacement of my saws are and don't care.

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Agreed! The Mtronic or auto tune saws have amazing chain speed..what they lack in cc they easily make it up in speed..my 441 screams..

Woodbee burner said:

The reconditioned ones are from "factory authorized" vendors. They have many to sell, but beyond that I have no idea.

I keep flip flopping on how to proceed. I am going to go to the Huskey and Echo dealer soon, and I am keeping an eye on craigslist. Hopefully things will become clear.

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Here you go my friend in your budget and will do what you need it to ...its at Northern Tool and equipment

splitoak said:

Agreed! The Mtronic or auto tune saws have amazing chain speed..what they lack in cc they easily make it up in speed..my 441 screams..

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I bet my craftsman has similar speed to your 441. I bet my old MS170 is set higher than your 441. Where did you get the info that Mtronic saws have a faster chains speed? The Mtronic and auto-tune saws don't have any greater max speed OUT OF THE WOOD. if they have a greater chains speed IN THE WOOD it isn't because of anything more than a combination of things that give them greater torque, INCLUDING displacement. Among that list are compression, exhaust flow, air/fuel ratio, and many other little things.

To say that how a chainsaw pulls a loop is all that matters isn't false, but it is ignorant of what it takes to actually make that happen. ONE of the things that goes into the equation IS CCs. Are CCs the only piece that matters? Heck no. But if you think that CCs aren't one of the most important features then you are mistaken.

Danno77 said:

I bet my craftsman has similar speed to your 441. I bet my old MS170 is set higher than your 441. Where did you get the info that Mtronic saws have a faster chains speed? The Mtronic and auto-tune saws don't have any greater max speed OUT OF THE WOOD. if they have a greater chains speed IN THE WOOD it isn't because of anything more than a combination of things that give them greater torque, INCLUDING displacement. Among that list are compression, exhaust flow, air/fuel ratio, and many other little things.

To say that how a chainsaw pulls a loop is all that matters isn't false, but it is ignorant of what it takes to actually make that happen. ONE of the things that goes into the equation IS CCs. Are CCs the only piece that matters? Heck no. But if you think that CCs aren't one of the most important features then you are mistaken.

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Who pissed in your wheaties bud?..i didnt say cc dont have a part to play...the mtronic and auto tune saws cut just as fast as saws with larger displacement..you can choose to believe this or not..

splitoak said:

Who pissed in your wheaties bud?..i didnt say cc dont have a part to play...the mtronic and auto tune saws cut just as fast as saws with larger displacement..you can choose to believe this or not..

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But not as fast as larger displacement saws that also have mtronic.

Danno77 said:

But not as fast as larger displacement saws that also have mtronic.

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Thats what i was gettn at..441c ie 460...i mean there is only so much that can be done..

There are only a few items I would say this for. When it comes to purchasing chainsaws buy your second chainsaw first.
If you go cheap at initially you will not like the saw and you will buy a better saw in 2 years. Just get your second saw now.
I also recommend the echo 590 Timberwolf. Good power and can handle bar lengths from 18" to 24".

None of those are "pro" saws but they're all pretty decent and even the smallest of them will make your electric saw feel like a butter knife. That said, condition is everything when dealing with used saws. Buying from an unknown, untrusted seller is risky if you aren't able to do a quick mechanical assessment.

I agree with some of the posters - the used makita/dolmar Home Depot 6401 is a solid saw - depending on condition. It is heavy but has grunt (I have one). It can take abuse and keep right on going. I like the echos - they seem like some of the best home owner saws.

I was going to get another Dolmar saw and checked around. I found a guy selling new ones a little above cost - PS6400c for $479 - new, without a bar and chain. And a 7910 for $725. That is a lot of saw for those prices. The husky/stihl equivalents are going to be $200 or $300 more. That same day, I checked craigslist and found a Dolmar 123 for $125. I ignored the ad for 3 or 4 days. Finally I gave in and drove a couple of hours and had a look.

This is a 15 year old 70cc saw that is heavy for its size (just like the 6400/6401). The saw was clean with aged gas in the tank. What a good find. It has all of the modern features, is a pro saw, and I got it for only $125. This will be my backup saw, or the saw that is used on the bigger stuff.

One piece of advice - chainsaws are mainly marketed for homeowners - ie occasional use in the back yard or to cut a few cords. Thus most chainsaws out there are those 40-50cc varieties with a lot of plastic parts. Try to get a more commercially based saw (a pro saw). These might cost a little more but it is worth it in the long run. Chainsaws are machines that are really stressed due to the kind of work they are made for - so things are going to break and wear out. If you can get a dolmar 6400 for $500 or say a Husky rancher (homeowner saw) for $400 get the commercial built saw - the 6400.