55 cc Craftsman

[bryan]

There was an offer on CL for an unused craftsman for $125. I inquired to find out more about it. He called me yesterday a week after my email. Apparently its a 55 cc 18" and the guy offered it for $100 probably because its been up for two weeks now and no other bites. I tried to get a model # off him, but apparently that was too much work to look at the saw and give me a #. I told him I'd think about it and call him today.

I've looked up to learn more about it and the saw seems to be nothing but bad news as there seems to have been only one type of 55 cc Craftsman in recent history. Recall due to a faulty handle (they have a fix for it), hard to get spares parts, its seems to be a re-badged MTD that's still being sold. This has me wondering if I should use this a leverage to work him down a massively lower and take a chance, or just walk away from what could ultimately be a nightmare.

Still searching to find a good used Stihl/Husky in the meantime.

 

[HittinSteel]

Do you need something immediately? Good deals come up on arboristsite quite often from reputable sellers. I can keep an eye out for you if you let me know a few things like; budget, size wood you are cutting etc.

I'd pass on the crapsman for now

 

[HittinSteel]

You're in luck! I found you this lol

(broken link removed to http://delaware.craigslist.org/tls/4037276526.html)

 

[HittinSteel]

In all seriousness, I would go check this one out....... it's a 290/310/390 (definitely not a 350 as listed.

(broken link removed to http://delaware.craigslist.org/tls/4005292645.html)

(broken link removed to http://delaware.craigslist.org/tls/4005292645.html)

(broken link removed to http://delaware.craigslist.org/tls/4005292645.html)

 

[bryan]

You're in luck! I found you this lol

(broken link removed to http://delaware.craigslist.org/tls/4037276526.html)

A bit out of my budget. I"m not looking to fell trees, I just need to be able to buck up scrounges. Ideally <$200 more ideally <150. If I don't find anything in the next month I may just beak down and buy an new MS170 or MS180. The local Stihl dealer said they usually have a fall season sale. I'm not in a rush, just frustrated at being leashed to the house with my craftsman electric, which ain't great, but for $20 has been getting the job done.

 

[bryan]

I saw that a while ago and thought I should have bit at it. I contacted him, but I doubt at that price its still available. Fingers crossed.

 

[HittinSteel]

The 170 is a decent little saw. I own one. Really depends on what size wood you are cutting. If you do get it, see if your dealer will set it up with a 14" bar, IMO, the 16" is too much.

 

[MasterMech]

A bit out of my budget. I"m not looking to fell trees, I just need to be able to buck up scrounges. Ideally <$200 more ideally <150. If I don't find anything in the next month I may just beak down and buy an new MS170 or MS180. The local Stihl dealer said they usually have a fall season sale. I'm not in a rush, just frustrated at being leashed to the house with my craftsman electric, which ain't great, but for $20 has been getting the job done.

$200 beans should get you a good used saw.

034 stihl chain saw $200

(broken link removed to http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/grd/4053555072.html)

Ms211 chainsaw $200

(broken link removed to http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/grd/4038243320.html)

STIHL MS290 CHAINSAW $150

(broken link removed to http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/grd/4051780075.html)

So which one do ya want? That 211 is pretty close to me.

 

[Jags]

And a 290 with a 16" B/C makes for a darn capable firewood saw.

 

[bryan]

(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stihl-MS-250-Chainsaw-runs-good-/251337267702?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item3a84de59f6)

looks a bit weathered but is it worth it?

 

[Jags]

(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stihl-MS-250-Chainsaw-runs-good-/251337267702?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item3a84de59f6)

looks a bit weathered but is it worth it?

If it is a good runner - then yeah, not a bad price. HOWEVER - if you are going to be on the one saw plan, you may find it on the small side. I believe I understand your intended use of the saw, but I am not one to limit a tool on the lowest common denominator. You never know when that 20" oak is gonna tip over in your neighbors back yard.

 

[mustash29]

Does it look like this? (see page 2 of the thread) https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/woody-mustash.110700/

Not a bad saw IMO. It normally goes for about 250, but I got mine on close out sale for 175. The ignition coil somehow came into contact with the flywheel and it ate itself. I was able to repair it with a $10 parts saw and a $5 kit of JB weld.

This particular model is actually a Remington Pro. They went out of business. MTD bought the rights to the Remington name. It is also sold as a Cub Cadet model as well. IMO, it's a cheaper big box store model now as opposed to it being all Remington like it was back in 05-06 when I got mine.

 

[MasterMech]

Honestly you could by a halfway decent new saw for $200 that would buck up the occasional scrounge pretty well. The Poulan Pro PP5020 is a pretty decent machine for the money and I'm sure it would serve you well for years if kept clean.
http://www.poulanpro.com/products/chain-saws/pp5020av/

Sold at Tractor Supply and Home Depot. Find yourself a coupon for 10% off (home depot accepts competitors coupons if you don't have a TSC near you) and get to buckin'!