New (or at least new to me) saw options

I've got the Stihl Farm Boss MS290 and the Husquavarna 445 that would fit the bill. They both run the 18" bar, but thats really IMO the ideal bar for them. Good Luck.

jeromehdmc said:

I just got back from cutting up a Black Locust tree. The wife went with me to help load it up. On the way home she says she thinks I should look into getting a better saw, she's tired of me "making due" with whatever I get my hands on. I have an 18" Poulan, it runs great but I have to mess with it a bit, the chain won't stay in adjustment. I want to stay with 18" or 20". I know lots of guys like the Stihl saws but what else is out there that is dependable? I have been calling the Home Depot rental but they don't have any for sale now. I don't cut as much wood as alot of you, only a couple cords a year, but if I get a new saw I want it to last. Is there certain models to look for or to avoid? Are there chains that are better, hold an edge longer? Like the title says either a new saw or a good used saw will work for me. What do you recommend?

Larry

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I say buy as much saw as you can possibly afford. I say double your budget. I say buy more saw than you will ever need. I know what you are thinking. You're thinking $300. If you're buying new don't waste your time. At $300 you might as well stick with your HOS Poulan.

I see your just making due with just your HD Electra Glide Classic. ;-P
Nice machine, now think of your saw the same way. Then you will be set.

If an 18" bar will do, buy an ms 261 or a 346xp

I bought a Stihl farm boss last spring after I wore out the Craftsman that I got from my dad when he retired. Like you, I wanted a saw that would last for many years and would be good for cutting fire wood. I'm very happy with my purchase but if I had more money to spend, I would've bought the next bigger saw. I choose Stihl over other brands because of good recommendations from this site and from others and I was able to buy from a local dealer who can provide parts and service when needed. Now I just need to find more wood to cut.

You'll find some good buys on factory refurb "prosumer" Husqvarnas on VMInnovations dot com.
Got a Husqy 455r w/20" b&c for $306 f.o.b. my door. That baby RIPS, except for you Paul Bunyan types.
Husqy 445 refurb w/18" b&c for $247.
Both have stratified-scavenging.

jeromehdmc said:

What is the difference between the Stihl MS and 0 models? I am assuming the MS is just the newer models.

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You hit it. Most of the upgrades from the 0xx models to the MSxx0 models are just flippy fuel/oil caps and the thumb release rear covers. Power, design, are largely identical and parts often interchangeable. 036 is same as a MS360, 029 = MS290 etc. Exception: 031 is NOT anything like the MS310. Also the newer MSXX1 or MSxx2 (ie, MS291, MS362) saws are a totally new design and share little with previous models.

I don't know how big a new/used saw you're looking for but generally Stihl (the entire line-up) is excellent and IMO the only choice for "homeowner" saws under 50cc. Reviews for other brands' small saws generally start off, "Good saw but...." Husqvarna makes some mean pro-level saws, both past and present and their big mid-range saws are pretty impressive as well. Check out the 359 for new. Home Depot Rental/Makita/Dolmar saws are a breed I'm not real familiar with but in the internet age parts seem to be in good supply and folks that have 'em seem pretty content.

get a Stihl MS250... excellent saw- runs an 18" bar, much lighter than the 290, & only costs $300- a great price for a Stihl! I bought a 250 this spring & don't have any complaints about it!

HittinSteel said:

If an 18" bar will do, buy an ms 261 or a 346xp

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+1

Funny. I just got a call from the shop saying my MS 250 is broken beyond repair. Something about a cylinder. The saw was about 5 years old. I must of cut up close to 30 cords with it. I would still recommend Stihl. Might go for the Farmboss next.

I've posted before about how I own both an MS250 and 361--though the 250 is certainly lighter, with very little exception I pick up the 361. With an 18" bar, there's no foolin' around: peg it and cut. The 250, especially with an 18", gets bogged down or needs to be 'finessed' often enough to not bother with it.

For newbies unsure of their future use, homeowner saws do the trick. But for people who KNOW they'll be using it, step up--it's worth it.

Having said that: +1 on the 261.

S

You wont go wrong with any of the Husky saws mentioned. Stihl or Husky is a ford/chevy debate, not often one will admit the strengths of the other or shortcomings of their own. The key is to go to a dealer that sells both Husky and Stihl, tell them what your needs and budget are and let them show you a couple of saws. I've used my buddy's MS290 and it is a solid saw. I do prefer my 346xp to it though, faster, lighter and haven't run into anything it couldn't cut yet. Just my $0.02.

jeromehdmc said:

The Stihl MS250 and the Husky 445 are both pretty much what I'm looking for. I'm going to stop by a Stihl dealer later this week and look at their saws. I'd like to see a 445 in person also.
I wonder if there is such a thing as Black Friday chainsaw sales?

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Well, this quickly seems to have gone in the right direction, and most everybody seems to have recommended what I would. Just to take it to the next level, I'd like to add two points.
1. A MS250 would be perfect for what you are doing, but I think a 290 will do it better and leave a little room for growth.
2. Pay attention to the dealerships and their customer service. Nothing worse than having a great saw but idiots or jerks to deal with if something goes wrong.

Nice harley. Go big 372 or 440 well 441 now I have not run the 441 but I have time on both the others both good well known and proven saws.For a one saw plan 70cc'. imho

thinkxingu said:

I've posted before about how I own both an MS250 and 361--though the 250 is certainly lighter, with very little exception I pick up the 361. With an 18" bar, there's no foolin' around: peg it and cut. The 250, especially with an 18", gets bogged down or needs to be 'finessed' often enough to not bother with it.

For newbies unsure of their future use, homeowner saws do the trick. But for people who KNOW they'll be using it, step up--it's worth it.

Having said that: +1 on the 261.

S

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+1 Exact same scenario for me. Been using my MS250 for the past 8yrs--runs well, but never knew what I was missing until I got my MS362 this past June. The MS362 literally cut my cutting time by 1/4 to 1/2 the time. I ran both saws this summer cutting on ~20" white oak. The MS362 was a light saber passing thru the trunks like they were nothing. My only regret was not getting the MS362 sooner, after realizing how much I struggled pushing and muscling the 250 thru cuts. I was applying so much more force and energy each cut.

The 260/261 is an excellent saw; if I would have bought the MS261 originally 8yrs ago instead of the MS250 I may not have picked up the MS362 this summer. But again, after I let my neighbor (who owns a MS026) use my 362, he literally went out that weekend and bought a 362 for himself.

I won't get rid of my 250, still use it quite a bit for all my smaller, lighter cutting.

ChocoLab said:

The key is to go to a dealer that sells both Husky and Stihl, tell them what your needs and budget are and let them show you a couple of saws.

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I did that. The dealer's opinion was that the Husky pro saws are still really good, but their consumer grade saws have gone down hill in recent years.

jeromehdmc said:

The Stihl MS250 and the Husky 445 are both pretty much what I'm looking for. I'm going to stop by a Stihl dealer later this week and look at their saws. I'd like to see a 445 in person also.
I wonder if there is such a thing as Black Friday chainsaw sales?

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No Black Friday sales on Stihl saws. The margins just aren't there for that kind of wow. You can get Husky's online that are discounted or refurbished. I'd prefer the MS250 to the 445 just for the Power/weight ratio. While you're at that Stihl dealer, take a look at the MS311 with a 20" bar on it. It's a higher price point at $500 beans but there's a whole lot more saw there for the money and unless you only cut 12" trunks and under, you'll wonder why you ever picked up a smaller saw. Closest to that in a Husky? The 359, it's lighter, but more $, and the 311 has a good power advantage. Biggest downfall to the MS250 is you're maxxed out at 18". There is no 20" bar option from Stihl (nor is it reccomended even with an aftermarket bar) and in the medium to big wood, it's not all that impressive even next to it's nearest sibling, the MS290.

I know this is a ton of ##'s I'm throwing at you, but one more item, if you can find them still, the MS290 is still sold new for about $370 with an 18" Bar. That's a steal IMO if the $500 saws are more than you want to spend and a helluva upgrade from the 250.

Jags said:

MasterMech said:

I know this is a ton of ##'s I'm throwing at you, but one more item, if you can find them still, the MS290 is still sold new for about $370 with an 18" Bar. That's a steal IMO if the $500 saws are more than you want to spend and a helluva upgrade from the 250.

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To the OP - you have just been given some excellent advise. The 290 will be a pretty darn hardy machine for your 18-20 saw at a good price point.

If money was not an issue I would say step up to the 361,362 for an 18-20" bar. If keeping a budget, the 290 is an old workhorse.

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+1 290,310,390 and the best of them 362!

jeromehdmc said:

What's your opinion on an 026? There's one on Craigslist for $150, 16" bar, runs great and extra chain. I just called, it sounds good but a guy is supposed to look at it tomorrow. If he doesn't show the seller will give me a call.

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That sounds like a decent deal.

jeromehdmc said:

What's your opinion on an 026? There's one on Craigslist for $150, 16" bar, runs great and extra chain. I just called, it sounds good but a guy is supposed to look at it tomorrow. If he doesn't show the seller will give me a call.

Thanks for the comments on the bike. I need to update the picture, I'm riding a 2011 Ultra Limited now.

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My opinion: it's a great saw. There's no telling what kind of shape that particular one is in, but it's probably just fine. But I'd pass. If you're going to step up, step up. and step up to the 60cc+ range. If you want to play Jose-Eff-Around then stick with your 250.