I am getting my first load of black locust logs delivered tomorrow. I doubt my old saw (40cc Stihl 011) will make a dent in this stuff. What would be a nice saw in the <$350 range?
I May Be In The Market For A New Saw
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smokinj
Minister of Fire
Not sure what your looking for I have a ms 361 for sale plug! plug!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200480686409&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200480686409&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
Mass. Wine Guy
Feeling the Heat
I don't know. If it's in good running shape and has a sharp chain, I think you could handle black locust. How big are the logs?
I've cut some very big black locust logs with my 50.1 cc Jonsered.
I've cut some very big black locust logs with my 50.1 cc Jonsered.
Nice saw. That'll do the trick. I'll follow it, but it will probably go for more than my budget allows.
Mass. Wine Guy said:
12-18" supposedly. Haven't seen them yet. I've actually cut and bucked locust with this saw 20 years ago, but I can't remember how it did. It's definitely got some power for a little saw.
smokinj
Minister of Fire
Mass. Wine Guy
Feeling the Heat
Battenkiller said:
Why not wait and see how your saw handles in this wood? You can always go out and buy a new saw. A Stihl Farm Boss would be a nice one, ut I'm thinking that it's over your budget.
Mass. Wine Guy said:
It's real close, though. That's the one I was looking at, but I want to hear about other makes from folks who've owned or used them.
Mass. Wine Guy
Feeling the Heat
If I were buying a saw today, Makita/Dolmar would be high on the list. Never used one, but most comments from owners I've read were extremely positive. Of course, the small engine repair guy who worked on my saw didn't like them, and recommended Stihl. The Farm Boss is Stihl's best selling saw, so I would think they put a lot of attention into how it's built.
precaud
Minister of Fire
Very happy Dolmar owner here. I owned an 011 for many years. If you haven't run a more modern, high-rpm saw before, you're in for a very pleasant surprise. A Dolmar 5100 with 18" bar will be a real eye-opener, and you'll never look back.
midwestcoast
Minister of Fire
I started burning last fall & planned to just buy CSD for the first year, but was offered wood nearby including a 50' Red Oak trunk with 42" base, so I needed a saw on a similar budget.
I found $350 kinda tight for a good saw if buying new. IMO the 290 Farmboss is the best deal for something powerful enough to make a big difference over your current saw. I'd say use what you have for now & save up. Or
If you go used you have a lot of options:
Stihl 280, 290, 310, 390, 361
Husky 353, 359, 357, 365 (plus Jonsered equivalents 2153,2159...)
Dolmar 5100, Makita/Dolmar 6400/6401
Pro and near-pro models are more suited to buying used as repairs are easier/cheaper.
What I ended up with was a factory reconditioned Husky 455 Rancher from Ebay. There are plenty starting around $310 shipped, no tax. Choose a real business with lots of feedaback at 99-100% & get a 90 day warranty. I bought mine 'cause I couldn't find a suitable used Stihl at that price (they hold their value very well!). The 455 is a bit heavy for the power, but has been very good for me & handled that oak just fine. The 20" bar will bog some when buried in hardwood with a non-safety chain. 18" is better IMO, but harder to find.
I found $350 kinda tight for a good saw if buying new. IMO the 290 Farmboss is the best deal for something powerful enough to make a big difference over your current saw. I'd say use what you have for now & save up. Or
If you go used you have a lot of options:
Stihl 280, 290, 310, 390, 361
Husky 353, 359, 357, 365 (plus Jonsered equivalents 2153,2159...)
Dolmar 5100, Makita/Dolmar 6400/6401
Pro and near-pro models are more suited to buying used as repairs are easier/cheaper.
What I ended up with was a factory reconditioned Husky 455 Rancher from Ebay. There are plenty starting around $310 shipped, no tax. Choose a real business with lots of feedaback at 99-100% & get a 90 day warranty. I bought mine 'cause I couldn't find a suitable used Stihl at that price (they hold their value very well!). The 455 is a bit heavy for the power, but has been very good for me & handled that oak just fine. The 20" bar will bog some when buried in hardwood with a non-safety chain. 18" is better IMO, but harder to find.
kenskip1
Member
New Saw,Sir I recently purchased a new Husky 445. This is the second new saw that I have purchased new.For what you want to spend this should fit the bill.I am not saying that this is the best set up, but with $$ being tight the 445 is ideal. JMO, but I would find a dealer and make my purchase with him. You will have dealer support if the need arises. Some people use ebay for a good deal, however I am not one of them.I have read to many stories about unsatisfied purchases. Please stay away from the Poulan line up.Get a new saw from Husky Stihl, Dolmar and you will be a happy camper, Ken
precaud said:
OK, been looking at some Dolmar reviews. Seems like a real nice saw, but only 50cc? What kind of power can I expect? For example, about how long on average to cut an 18" log of something hard like hickory or locust with a freshly sharpened chain? I saw some pretty impressive vids on UTube, but didn't say what they were cutting.
On the high RPM thing... Do all modern saws have high RPM engines? I saw that the 5100 runs at something like 14,500 RPM. How would a Stihl 290 compare? Or Jay's 361?
smokinj
Minister of Fire
Battenkiller said:
my 361 is 13500 stock and 60cc saw its going to beat the dog crap out of a 5100 no ? there.....but with that said the 5100 is a good saw jmho 50cc if its your only saw would be fine if most of your cutting is in a woods. Mine cutting is dont so bigger cc is what I like.
Mass. Wine Guy
Feeling the Heat
The Dolmar 5100 has a lot more hp and higher rpms than many comparable 50 cc saws, so wouldn't this mean it would perform better?
smokinj
Minister of Fire
Mass. Wine Guy said:
yes they are a great 50cc saw, but jmho 50cc is not enough for me and with that said neither is a 60cc saw so take me with a grain of salt.
Seems like an awfull lot of Stihl 028's out on craigslist and ebay for 200 bucks or so. An old Stihl 034 is my favorite firewood saw. I see them for about 250- 300 bucks.
Needshave
Member
I'm in the market for my first saw. I have a lot to clear for a house that we'll be building. Then I'll need the saw for heating with wood that I scrounge or get in log length. I was going to get a Husky 455 rancher. A local saw dealer has talked me out of it. He sells Dolmar, Efco and Jonsered. After some reaserch I found that Mikita saws are the same models as the Dolmars for a little less than he was asking. I'm thinking of going back and buying the Dolmar if he throws in some chains and oil. Models I'm considering PS-510, PS-5100 S, PS-6400.
smokinj
Minister of Fire
Needshave said:
the 6400 would be a great choice and can be upgraded to a 79-84cc saw pretty easy down the road.
midwestcoast
Minister of Fire
Needshave, what size lot? How many & what size trees to clear. What size wood will you be cutting regularly for firewood after that?
That'll determine what size saw is best.
The dealer prob did you a favor by steering you away from the 455. Not a bad saw, but there are better for your money, including the ones you mentioned.
That'll determine what size saw is best.
The dealer prob did you a favor by steering you away from the 455. Not a bad saw, but there are better for your money, including the ones you mentioned.
Mass. Wine Guy
Feeling the Heat
Makita owns Dolmar, I believe, so the saws are extremely similar. Whatever you do, stay far away from Efco. I have a weed trimmer of theirs and it's always been a PITA to start or maintain. I love Italy and Italians, but I think their strengths are in areas other than mechanical engineering.
Needshave
Member
midwestcoast said:
The lot is 1.4 acres. I have not measured them but I'd guess the largst diameter tree is about 36". My wife's half brother's dad lives nearby. He offered us free wood if we help him get his. I have not walked his land yet. So the future is a bit unknown. I think the PS-510 would do the job. I do like the idea of being able to upgrade the PS-6400 to more power and longer bars. I'm looking at heating with wood as a way to get in exercise as well as cheap heat. I don't think weight of the saw is a issue.
midwestcoast
Minister of Fire
Needshave said:
36" will be a bit slow with a 50cc saw IMO, but for a lotthat size & couple here & there for firewood it's totally do-able. If the land you'll be regularly cutting on is a farm woodlot then 50cc should do fine there too (usually tall, smaller diam trees).
If you'll be cutting mostly big ole' fence-row trees you may do better with 60cc class.
At the dealer, handle (& run if possible) as many of the relavent models as you can: 510, 5100 & 6400 as well as the J-Red 2152, 2153, 2159, 2165.
TMonter
Minister of Fire
If you keep an eye on Craigslist you may be able to get a sweet deal on one. I picked up these three saws for close to that price or less off craigslist:
Stihl 036 - $250
Stihl 056 - $100
Stihl MS440 - $425
All had under 25 hours of use on them.
Stihl 036 - $250
Stihl 056 - $100
Stihl MS440 - $425
All had under 25 hours of use on them.
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