Chainsaw recommendation?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Slow1

Slow1

Minister of Fire
Nov 26, 2008
2,677
Eastern MA
I bet this is close to asking "what stove should I buy" but I'm going to ask anyway. I'm not expecting a make/model answer really although if there was a clear answer on one answer (never with this group eh?) then it would make life easier. Perhaps I can get some good advice on basic information and features and what to avoid at least as I choose my first real chainsaw...

I am currently using a 16" electric that I bought at Lowes - it is doing good (best chainsaw I have!) at cutting up the scrounged bits that I drag in from the woods out back as well as cutting ends off splits that are too long. I have gained a decent respect for the tool and am glad to have made some of my mistakes with a relatively inexpensive and less powerful saw - at least now I think I know how to keep the chain out of the dirt etc...

However, I have a few opportunities to venture away from the power plugs and cut some larger trees than I can drag (already down) and thus would like to have a gas saw.

I am of the mind generally to buy better quality tools and not toss them out -but I also am budget minded of course. So, I want to find a quality saw that I can reasonably learn to care for and get many years of use from. I figure I should get one that is powerful enough to meet current and reasonable future needs, but I don't see myself cutting down huge trees either - I'd love to get to the point where I cut my own 4-5 cords each year but that is all I plan to do, and it will all be scrounged or from friends or perhaps from logs delivered by a tree service or bought and dropped off.

I'm not very knowledgeable on small engine repair etc - I will have to learn how to care for this myself or take it to a shop so low/easy maintenance is a good quality to find.

I don't even know what else matters in choosing a saw.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance...
 
50-60 cc saw you wouldnt need pro grade saw but a farmer grade would be idea stihl ms 290 or husky rancher sounds like a good bet for you and iam sure there are more
 
I agree with the above. However, if you buy the 90cc saw with the 45" bar you will never need to buy a bigger one! :lol:


Matt
 
Going off the advice I got here when I asked the same thing I went with the Stih MS290 with a 16" bar. I had to also get an 18" for the bigger stuff, I like the 18" better.
 
Thanks for the replies - I found out that my preferred local hardware store happens to also be a Stihl autthorized dealer/service center. Now that is nice... I wonder if I could be lucky enough to find a sale on these anytime soon.. ha! I would consider used of CL or something but somehow I'm sure I'd get the short end of that deal since I have no idea how to judge a well maintained saw that was simply well used vs one that was abused in some way that will cause it to quit on me with an expensive repair or dangerous condition 2 cords down the road.
 
For your needs, I wouldn't go crazy and get some hot rod powerhouse, but I think getting something in the mid-50s cc range would be a good fit. Maybe even 60 cc. Just be sure to pick any prospective saw up and move with it for a little while. If it's too heavy, imagine how it will feel after a couple of hours.
 
That's exactly why I love my Mcculloch 3216. Nice and light - I can swing that puppy around all day long (and in fact, I do so on a regular basis) and it cuts anything and everything I've ever thrown at it, including some massive oaks and maples. Yeah, it's only a 16" bar, but it's not the size, it's what you can do with what ya got. Well, mostly... ;-) ;-)

Of course, I've been looking at a 24" Husky to make my life easier with the big-uns. Problem is, this stupid little saw just won't die (I've had it for 18 years now) and until it does (or I find something I can't cut with it) I don't want to buy another saw when I have at least 3 or 4 within borrowing distance in a pinch and this little Energizer bunny saw just keeps going and going and going...
 
Your #1 consideration should be service from a reputable dealer that is close, accessable and willing to help a newbie. After that, I'd target a 16 or 18" bar with a 50-55cc powerhead...Stihl, Husky, Dolmar, Echo, whatever...Start with a safety chain, then move onto semi or full chisel after you are comfortable with the saw. All of our wood is cut with a Dolmar 510 and 18" bar. I'd like a second larger saw, but it isn't a requirement for cutting firewood. Note - keeping a second bar and chain on hand is awefully useful when trying to unstick your pinched bar from a stuborn log in the middle of the timber, espescially when just getting started.
Good Luck
 
I'm a big fan of my Husky saw. It's a 50-60cc powerhead with a 20" bar. I've had it for about 5 years and haven't had a problem yet. I have 3 chains for it. I noticed a HUGE difference when I recently upgraded from the safety to a semi-chisel chain. As an earlier reply said, make sure you use the safety chain and move up to semi or full chisel when you're comfortable. There is a world of difference in my experience.

Good luck.
 
willisl64 said:
Note - keeping a second bar and chain on hand is awefully useful when trying to unstick your pinched bar from a stuborn log in the middle of the timber, espescially when just getting started.
Click to expand...
Also, if You don't want to go the extra bar and chain way , get a few plastic felling wedges . They're cheap and can get Your saw out of a pinched situation .
 
I just bought my real first good chainsaw. I looked for a few weeks and found a ms290 18" on craigslist for 180 with a case. The owner definitely abused the chain but hopefully not the motor. It runs great. I think its a great price. Its < 2yrs old.
 
Add another vote for the 50-60cc size range, with an 18-20" bar. I'm partial to the Dolmar 5100, as that gets you a pro-grade saw at the other brand's mid-grade price, but you'd probably do just fine with a Husky or Stihl in the same range.

Don't forget to fill out your safety gear collection at the same time...

Gooserider
 
steel toed boots, and a good set of chaps. Awfully hard to go to work on monday without a foot, or leg.

Never used an electric saw, but if your go to a 50/60cc saw, I would guess it's going to be a big jump. Hang on.

Sounds like you got your dealer/repair shop handy. That would be my bigger factor in deciding. I only have a Husky 345, had very good luck with it. Some day jump back into a 50 or 60 cc saw, but this runs great, and very easy to handle.
 
Lovin my ms390. If your gonna have one saw this might be a good choice. It has the little extra umph for when you need it and its not the $$ of the pro saws. Some say its heavy but I am 38 and fit and can use any extra excercise to keep myself this way. I dont mind or notice the extra weight. Other bonus is that if you ever need a large 25" bar for a job, the 390 will run it just fine. It will also turn a 18" or 20" faster and stornger that the 290 or 310 for only a few more dollars. I paid 469.00 for mine and the 290 was 429.00 I think. Not much of a price difference when you compare the next jump in price to a pro saw. so long story short, get the 390 and you wouln't be sorry. 290 you might want some more power at times. Just my 2 cents coming from a rookie. :)

ps get some chaps, steel toes and gloves. These saws will kick on you if your not careful.
 
If you are trying to stay in budget, I think a better used saw can be a great choice. If you watch eBay for Stihls (since that is the dealer you have close), there are a LOT of them sold there. I know there is a dealer near here who sells their used saws there.
 
willisl64 said:
All of our wood is cut with a Dolmar 510 and 18" bar. I'd like a second larger saw, but it isn't a requirement for cutting firewood. Note - keeping a second bar and chain on hand is awefully useful when trying to unstick your pinched bar from a stuborn log in the middle of the timber, espescially when just getting started.
Good Luck
Click to expand...

I put a 16" powermatch roll top on my 510. Much improvement over the 18" (actually 17") stock bar and only 4 drive links smaller.
Great little all around saw!
Very well built!
 
Arlo said:
Lovin my ms390. If your gonna have one saw this might be a good choice. It has the little extra umph for when you need it and its not the $$ of the pro saws. Some say its heavy but I am 38 and fit and can use any extra excercise to keep myself this way. I dont mind or notice the extra weight. Other bonus is that if you ever need a large 25" bar for a job, the 390 will run it just fine. It will also turn a 18" or 20" faster and stornger that the 290 or 310 for only a few more dollars. I paid 469.00 for mine and the 290 was 429.00 I think. Not much of a price difference when you compare the next jump in price to a pro saw. so long story short, get the 390 and you wouln't be sorry. 290 you might want some more power at times. Just my 2 cents coming from a rookie. :)

ps get some chaps, steel toes and gloves. These saws will kick on you if your not careful.
Click to expand...

I am not a pro but have been useing a MacCat for 16 years. Once I fried its cylinder I told the Stihl dealer how I cut wood:
"I never know what the arborists are going to dump on my property. The last guy dumped 4 - seven yard truck loads of 6 foot Eucolyptus rounds each weighing over 1000 pounds". The guy at the shop said: "you should get the MS390" and I did. I blow through wood now in 1/4 the time.

Along with steel toed boots, chaps and gloves, I've bought the Stihl helmet setup (wire mesh face guard, ear muffs and orange plastic helmet). I use it for everything including working on my table saw, leaf blower, weed wacker, and hedge trimmer. The other day, some smoke wood I was cutting on the table saw jumped back at me, hit the face guard (instead of my face) and left a 3" dent in it. That protection has now payed for it self. I am still as handsome as I ever was.
 
I don't recall the differences between the standard and the Pro version of the 260 Stihi I have, but one is the decompression button. For me it's a must after having it. The saw can be started easily without any hard pull and kickback. My Stihi is 10 years old, bucks a few cords a year, still starts and runs like new. I keep the chain sharp, flip the bar, good clean gas and chain oil.

If you plan on cutting a lot of wood or just the occasional use I suggest you invest in one of the high quality, saws that the guys have written about. They will start well and run for a lot of years trouble free.

Tom
 
the husqvarna 359 is a nice saw. Its cut about 6 cord and is starting run nice. i run a 20 in bar and it handles great and cuts anything i need it to.
it may pay you to check the 359 out
 
I have an old Husqvarna 50 16 inch bar for about 20 years that still runs great. For most logs a 16 inch is fine since you can go up to 32 inches. However, I understand some of the lower end Husqvarnas now have alot of plastic (even in the carberators) so you might want to watch out for that(sold at the box stores). I bought s Stihl 390 this year and it is awesome(as said earlier not alot more for than the 290 but a whole horsepower more). 20 inch bar, but can go larger (I would not recommend you getting larger than 20 for quite awhile, if ever, 20 is a nice size). You can get used ones on ebay, or CL, if you want something at a budget. It would be nice if you can see it running. Chain sharpening is a whole other chapter, but I also find you can buy chains cheap on ebay (the real deal Stihls for around $14), keep a spare or two and learn how to keep them sharp or take them once in awhile to a pro. Also remember to rotate the bar for even wear.
 
As I get progressively more enmeshed in wood scrounging, I am finding that my Jonsered 2149 turbo is not going to fill every need. It's got an 18-inch bar and Lowes Husky chain on it and even while sharp as a knife, it is a slow cutter. I'm going to try either a semi or full chisel chain, and if that doesn't work, then pick up a 70cc beast and downsize the Jonsered bar to use for smaller cutting jobs.

Oh yeah, I think this is my 300th post. Yey for me.
 
The 2149 will be a completely different saw with a chisel chain on it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Nick Mystic
Bought my first battery operated chainsaw
Replies
26
Views
3K
The Gear
Wood1Dennis
Wood1Dennis
G
Used MS 460? Used MS 440? Something else? Saw advice needed.
Replies
31
Views
1K
The Gear
Newbie78
N
S
What size cant hook do you recommend for trees ranging from 12-24" in diameter? Should I get a 48" or 60" cant hook?
Replies
12
Views
867
The Gear
Ashful
Ashful
stoveliker
Present from Delta airlines
Replies
23
Views
555
The Inglenook
EatenByLimestone
EatenByLimestone
qwee
Traded a Makita 7900 for an Echo 7310, opinions
Replies
12
Views
1K
The Gear
Highbeam
Highbeam
Top Bottom
Back