lately my old reliable 42cc Craftsman just hasn't wanted to stay running and it REALLY doesn't like starting. So I took it in for a tuneup, figuring I probably messed up the screws or my jets were plugged...turns out its got just about no compression any longer and the piston is scored adn pitted pretty badly (shops words). So its time for a new saw...sad to spend the money, but really this saw owes me absolutely nothing...I've cut a good 30+ cords with it and have had it since 1998. Not bad for the $125 I spent on it.
So, anyone know any good deals on a comparabel or bigger saw? I don't want to go smaller than the 42cc/18" bar class, ideally I'll go up a notch in size/power and a better grade machine. been thinking the HD/Makita saws would be ideal, but it seems as though none of the HD stores in anything resembling a reasonable drive rents tools. I've called 4 stores so far and even though HD corporate customer service gave me the numbers for them as stores that rent tools, none of them actually rent tools, all they rent are the self delivery trucks and thata about it.
Looking at Husky 455 Ranchers and I see them new in box on EBay or used with a warrantee for under $300, might be a good option there. Any comments on this as a long term all-in-one saw? I tend to use my saw for the whole felling, limbing, bucking process all at once so I need something thats going to tear into the wood for me and be light enough to use for a couple hours...I never cut more than a couple,maybe three hours though. The only thing I think might be an issue with the 455 is weight.
I had a line on a 359XP awhile back that I passed over at the time, it was under $300 and the photos looked like it was lightly used and well cared for. I sent the guy an e-mail hping he might still have it.
I've got nothing against Stihl, there is a local shop, I just see more Huskies available. An MS290 would be a good saw if I can find one.
I'm thinking my budget is in the $300 range, I cna go a bit higher to cover taxes and a spare chain but I can't touch $400 right now.
Fortunately about 3/4 of my next season's firewood is already bucked up, but I've got a bunch of trees I need to lay down and get an area cleared next to my house so I really should try to find something soon.
Thoughts? Opinions? Options?
So, anyone know any good deals on a comparabel or bigger saw? I don't want to go smaller than the 42cc/18" bar class, ideally I'll go up a notch in size/power and a better grade machine. been thinking the HD/Makita saws would be ideal, but it seems as though none of the HD stores in anything resembling a reasonable drive rents tools. I've called 4 stores so far and even though HD corporate customer service gave me the numbers for them as stores that rent tools, none of them actually rent tools, all they rent are the self delivery trucks and thata about it.
Looking at Husky 455 Ranchers and I see them new in box on EBay or used with a warrantee for under $300, might be a good option there. Any comments on this as a long term all-in-one saw? I tend to use my saw for the whole felling, limbing, bucking process all at once so I need something thats going to tear into the wood for me and be light enough to use for a couple hours...I never cut more than a couple,maybe three hours though. The only thing I think might be an issue with the 455 is weight.
I had a line on a 359XP awhile back that I passed over at the time, it was under $300 and the photos looked like it was lightly used and well cared for. I sent the guy an e-mail hping he might still have it.
I've got nothing against Stihl, there is a local shop, I just see more Huskies available. An MS290 would be a good saw if I can find one.
I'm thinking my budget is in the $300 range, I cna go a bit higher to cover taxes and a spare chain but I can't touch $400 right now.
Fortunately about 3/4 of my next season's firewood is already bucked up, but I've got a bunch of trees I need to lay down and get an area cleared next to my house so I really should try to find something soon.
Thoughts? Opinions? Options?
