Chain saw dilemma

[Rowski]

Needs some advise. I would like to have a second saw, to have a big one and a small one.

I currently have a Husky 257 12ish years old. I bought it new. Saw has been flawless. The motor runs very well always starts even when very cold out. The saw needs some expected repairs for age and mileage. Needs new isolators, sprocket, clutch, drum, possible brake parts.

I have read somewhere that a 262 (or 265) head and piston will fit on my 257. This would give more power and speed. Would this pass for a bigger saw?

I'm currently looking at Husky's all new:

346xp $475
357xp $690
365 $600

I generally cut small and medium and medium/large stuff. I think in the time I had the saw there has been a few times where my saw was not big enough. I do have a really good friend who is an arborist and he has a large saw if I need it.


Any suggestions or advise??


Derek

 

[aandabooks]

Out of those I would buy the 365 or for what that price is on the 357 you can buy a Stihl 361 for almost a $100 less and have the same power. Why not look to see about a 372xp. I think they are in the high $700s but that would give you a definate seperation in your two saws.

 

[Jack33]

The 357XP is overpriced by Husky. At that point kick in another $100 and get the 372XP or save $100 and get the 359.

I am not 100% positive on this, but I believe that a 257 to 262XP requires more than just a jug and slug. I think it requires a new intake manifold, a 262 top cover to clear the new manifold, and an upgrade to a 3 shoe clutch. Those parts plus a piston and cylinder will add up. Considering your saw runs well and just needs wear items, you should just fix it up and buy another saw if you wish.

All those saws listed are close in power to your 257 although they do cut faster thanks to higher rpm's. If you want something noticelby larger than your 257, get he 372XP or greater.

 

[Rowski]

As for building up the 257 that was just an idea. I also don't know all that is required for the modification but it would make sense that it would more than "jug & slug".

So would I gain anything by getting the 346xp. and keeping the 257 repairing and kept stock? I guess I just what a light powerful saw. I do suffer carpal tunnel so I'm thinking light and comfortable.

Thanks!

Derek

 

[Jack33]

You would gain a lighter and faster saw with slightly less power and torque. Vibration will be noticeably better over your 257. If you do get a 346 I suspect your 257 will start collecting dust. The 346 is an excellent pro mid-size saw.

 

[Rowski]

Finally went and did it. Got the Husky 346xp with 18" bar. Have not had a chance to use it been to wet here. Hopefully next week.

Got a question about Husky chains.

Currently I have the following chain 72dl/.325"/.058" in the H21 chain from Husky. They also list a H25 and a H38 chain. From what I can tell the H38 is a low(er) kick back chain. The H25 I'm not sure about. In the description it explains "small-radius working corners". Not sure what that means or how it compares to the H21 chain.

Also what does the H21 and H25 chain compare to Oregon chain. I'm understanding that Oregon makes Husky's chain.

Thanks for everyone advice in my decision.

 

[Rowski]

I forgot to mention...

I'm keeping the Husky 257 for now. The starter recoil spring broke. So the list of repair is recoil rope, clutch and sprocket, bar and chain, anti vibe mounts. I'll fix it up as a spare saw for now and possible trade-in later??

 

[fyrwoodguy]

you want to get 21LP oregon saw chain,it takes 3/16 round file. it's full chisel. the other stuff is semi-chisel. semi-chisel is good for abrasive conditions & filing errors.

 

[Rowski]

Well, I have had a chance to use the 346xp. I'm very happy with the purchase. Saw cuts very well. The anti vibration system works well. Throttle response is awesome! Still need to bring it back to the dealer to have it dialed in. How many gallons of fuel is considered broken in?

One thing I noticed is that the saw flips on its side pretty easy when setting it down. I think this is due to the chassis being on the narrow side. Not a big deal. Seem to use a bit more gas than my 257 did, but not much.

What would be a good second "bigger" saw to get. It would be used. I would like to be able to use it to rip some wood (planks) and be able to handle a longer bar than 18"or 20". Searching has found a lot of people like the Dolmar 7900. Is 79cc enough saw?

Again I'm very pleased... Thanks to all.

Derek

 

[smokinj]

Well, I have had a chance to use the 346xp. I'm very happy with the purchase. Saw cuts very well. The anti vibration system works well. Throttle response is awesome! Still need to bring it back to the dealer to have it dialed in. How many gallons of fuel is considered broken in?

One thing I noticed is that the saw flips on its side pretty easy when setting it down. I think this is due to the chassis being on the narrow side. Not a big deal. Seem to use a bit more gas than my 257 did, but not much.

What would be a good second "bigger" saw to get. It would be used. I would like to be able to use it to rip some wood (planks) and be able to handle a longer bar than 18"or 20". Searching has found a lot of people like the Dolmar 7900. Is 79cc enough saw?

Again I'm very pleased... Thanks to all.

Derek

depends on the size of the wood but that saw can handle 60 in. rounds with a 28 in bar and thats as big as I have seen in the midwest

 

[Wet1]

Well, I have had a chance to use the 346xp. I'm very happy with the purchase. Saw cuts very well. The anti vibration system works well. Throttle response is awesome! Still need to bring it back to the dealer to have it dialed in. How many gallons of fuel is considered broken in?

One thing I noticed is that the saw flips on its side pretty easy when setting it down. I think this is due to the chassis being on the narrow side. Not a big deal. Seem to use a bit more gas than my 257 did, but not much.

What would be a good second "bigger" saw to get. It would be used. I would like to be able to use it to rip some wood (planks) and be able to handle a longer bar than 18"or 20". Searching has found a lot of people like the Dolmar 7900. Is 79cc enough saw?

Again I'm very pleased... Thanks to all.

Derek

The 346 is a very nice saw, but it certainly isn't a big saw (I'm not sure I'd even can it a medium size saw, maybe a medium-small saw)... I kind of thought you might still be looking for that larger saw after buying the 346.

The 7900 is an excellent choice for a larger saw. It should handle all but the biggest stuff you're ever going to find. I have some larger saws (95cc to 120cc) I will grab before grabbing my 7900 when it comes to over 30" wood, but only because I want an excuse to use them for the job they were intended to do. With that said, I haven't seen much my 7900 wouldn't handle with enough time, and it's the one saw that's always loaded on the truck when I know I'm going to be cutting. It's probably the best bang for the $ on the market, and it probably has one of the best power to weight ratios as well... I can promise you wont be disappointed in the 7900 if you buy one!

 

[Gooserider]

Total agreement on the 7900 as a larger saw... I use mine as my primary saw for everything from felling, to limbing the dropped trees and bucking everything to firewood lengths - it's a bit heavy for that, but my Pull-on doesn't feel that much lighter and makes me have to reach out a lot more with it's 12" bar... I find that I only break out the Pull-on if I'm into really brushy stuff where the short bar has a manuverability advantage, or if I get the big saw stuck :red: (Though I've found the 7900's power helps in those marginal situations where the cut is just starting to close - it keeps the chain spinning enough to power out of the cut more often than not)

I suspect that if I lucked into the right deal on a 5100 or other light weight prosaw in that size range that might become my primary saw, but I'm not going out of my way to search for one.

As to the question of whether it's "big enough" or not, opinions will vary, but most would probably say yes, especially for typical New England size trees. I've used my 7900 w/ a 28" bar in swamp maple and it didn't even slow down. Dolmar says the saw is rated for a 32" bar, though I'd be inclined to go with a skip chain on that size. I have also seen reports of people over on arboristsite that have used the 7900 for light to medium duty milling w/ good results...

Gooserider