Pyrate Dave
Member
I've always thought a bar was the place I went to when I wanted to get away from the wife and kids for a bit.
I need a chainsaw, what size for general use?
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I've always thought a bar was the place I went to when I wanted to get away from the wife and kids for a bit.
D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
True . . . common mistake. But I figure if folks are going to use the equipment, they might as well know the correct terminology so they don't get made fun of at the chainsaw shop when they walk in looking to buy a new "blade" for their chainsaw.
i have to imagine the old small engine shops get a lot of the "blade", ya know the guy walking in with his trusty craftsman, bent the damm blade, needs a new one......owner says "let me introduce you to a stihl" lol.True . . . common mistake. But I figure if folks are going to use the equipment, they might as well know the correct terminology so they don't get made fun of at the chainsaw shop when they walk in looking to buy a new "blade" for their chainsaw.
I've had a 5020 for 3+ yrs. OEM 20" (nominal) bar works fine in hickory, so long as the chain is SHARP. Is there an option?
Bud saw it, tried it, bought one and put his stihl 250 up for sale. 5020 is a lot of saw/$. I've worn out a spur sprocket on mine.
Another good option is to shop on www-dot-VMInnovations-dot-com. Got a good buy there on a refurb Husqy 455r.
Long before I'd consider any stihl I'd see what Dolmar would work best for me. Much better bargains on pro-quality vice plastic poo.
This general topic may well be the most common question in the chainsaw universe. Unfortunately, I have worked on nearly all the brands and models listed in this thread so far. Additionally, it should be noted that I am largely an end user ONLY in the chainsaw marketplace. I do not sell them for $$.
Stihl, at this point in time, is a great company at marketing. They have followed trends in the marketplace to produce saws aimed at certain price points. In fact, I firmly believe the consumer will get a better value for their dollar buying a box store Poulan.
Echo is presently gobbling up market share in this area. And for good reason. They make excellent saws, trimmers and blowers that are a very good value. Parts are also readily available. They even group common fuel system wear parts into blister packs called "re-power" kits. Just because Echo hasn't been heralded as "The Worlds Greatest Outdoor Power Equipment" for fifty years does NOT make their products lesser machines.
It's not my intention to ruffle feathers here. I hope my brutal honesty is not misconstrued. I do, unpopular as it may be, choose to support The Truth....
Stihl, at this point in time, is a great company at marketing. They have followed trends in the marketplace to produce saws aimed at certain price points. In fact, I firmly believe the consumer will get a better value for their dollar buying a box store Poulan.
Echo is presently gobbling up market share in this area. And for good reason. They make excellent saws, trimmers and blowers that are a very good value. Parts are also readily available. They even group common fuel system wear parts into blister packs called "re-power" kits. Just because Echo hasn't been heralded as "The Worlds Greatest Outdoor Power Equipment" for fifty years does NOT make their products lesser machines.
It's not my intention to ruffle feathers here. I hope my brutal honesty is not misconstrued. I do, unpopular as it may be, choose to support The Truth....
I wish i could find a place near me that sold echo. Most people that know powersports know echo is a great brand, i've got an echo string trimmer and blower that are more than 10 years old and both still run perfect. I have a couple Poulan, one of them i bought brand new 18" this past season for $100 on sale. A great value, but I still hesitate to compare it to a $179.99 home model stihl, although I would say they are both good for what they are designed for, i have to think the stihl is a better saw.
Jazzberry
Minister of Fire
Echo makes crap and decent saws just like the Stihl and Husky. The trick is to know what model is the good stuff. Unfortunately it seems the new stuff don't work as well as their older twins. Ive had bad luck with Husky but I know the 372 xp model is a great saw. You saying or implying Poulin is a better saw than the Husky or Stihl is laughable.
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To the original person,
I have reread your initial thread and I wanted to share my recent and past experiences.
I just bought a brand new Pro level--Stihl ms 261 c-m. It is a 50 cc saw. It came with an 18 inch bar and 3/8 chain. I changed out the safety chain for the RS super comp full chisel chain. It is a beautiful saw, it is well balanced, light weight and has very little vibration. It is a joy to use. HOWEVER---
It will not push that 18 inch bar with a full chisel chain easily in bigger wood. Will it cut with the whole bar buried---yes. If the wood is not going to bind or put any pressure on the B&C.
As others have pointed out--Run a shorter bar.--I am going to switch to a 16 inch bar, .325 full chisel chain in order to keep the RPM's up.
If it was me--and I am not you, I would follow others advice--find a good used pro level saw.
I would not buy one with less than 50 cc--And I would look at 60 cc saws very seriously.---I think you will find that the weight of the saw will be offset by the lack of time and energy you spend working the saw in the cut.
If you are felling trees in the 24 inch and bigger class than I would move up to a 70 cc saw. Again, find a good used pro level saw and take it to your local mechanic or check it out yourself for all the wear items. and compression.
5 cords of wood a year is a good amount. It depends how you approach it--exercise and a way to clear your head in the woods OR something you need to get done in short order.
I have reread your initial thread and I wanted to share my recent and past experiences.
I just bought a brand new Pro level--Stihl ms 261 c-m. It is a 50 cc saw. It came with an 18 inch bar and 3/8 chain. I changed out the safety chain for the RS super comp full chisel chain. It is a beautiful saw, it is well balanced, light weight and has very little vibration. It is a joy to use. HOWEVER---
It will not push that 18 inch bar with a full chisel chain easily in bigger wood. Will it cut with the whole bar buried---yes. If the wood is not going to bind or put any pressure on the B&C.
As others have pointed out--Run a shorter bar.--I am going to switch to a 16 inch bar, .325 full chisel chain in order to keep the RPM's up.
If it was me--and I am not you, I would follow others advice--find a good used pro level saw.
I would not buy one with less than 50 cc--And I would look at 60 cc saws very seriously.---I think you will find that the weight of the saw will be offset by the lack of time and energy you spend working the saw in the cut.
If you are felling trees in the 24 inch and bigger class than I would move up to a 70 cc saw. Again, find a good used pro level saw and take it to your local mechanic or check it out yourself for all the wear items. and compression.
5 cords of wood a year is a good amount. It depends how you approach it--exercise and a way to clear your head in the woods OR something you need to get done in short order.
good every day saws with out breaking the bank 55-60cc range ,we have some nice 400 dollor saws to choose. [of witch I own all 2-3 of some modles] jonsred cs2255 woodsman ,ts price on sale 350 dollors,ussally a good jonsred dealer [mine Comstock-upstate ny] will match the price I have 2 and love them,I have fallen 30inch 170ft high pine-oak-ash-Husqvarna 455 [the 2255 twin] I have 2 they are way underated,don't spend the xtra on the 460, the 455 will do anything the 460 will do,the 460 is overprice dog, the echo 590 timberwolf, 399,99 59,8cc with 5 year warrenty,probley the best buy in chainsaws,mine is awsoom,dolmar prices have come down,[im not a dolmar excpert] but I know they are a good saw,i cant and wont recommend stihl,I know too many loyal stihl guys blowing them up.and having lots of chain tentioner issues,chainsaw consumer reports says the ECHO 600P NUMBER 1 BUY, the husky 455 numb 2, and the 600p echo 59cc puts out 4.5 horse power, the husky 562xp puts out 4,7, wow they get a lot out of a nice small pkg, there'e some to concider, enjoy.
wow echo makes crap saws,when was the last one you ran,i have a 680-2 590- 2 cs400, all with 5 year warrenty, I never had an echo problem, they make awsoom saws, chainsaw consumer reports ays the echo 600p a 59cc saw is the best saw you can buy, number 1,and they put out 4,5 horse power, I have a 372 xp and a 1987 272 xp, they have been money for me, never a problem,[along with 7 other husky's. but you better run an echo before you run your moth, I never even hear people complain about echo,you don't give junk a 5 year warrenty,you wont last long.i wish my 800 dollor newer 372 xp and 365 xp I just bought had a thumb oiler like my 620 dollor 680 echo that oiler is a great feathure, when your fallen a 34inch oak-hemalock-pine-ash,
ECHO MAKES SOME OF THE BEST CHAINSAWS YOU CAN BUY .CHAINSAW CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS THE ECHO 600P IS NUMBER 1 SAW YOU CAN BUY,59CC AND 4.5 HRS POWER, 5 YEAR WARRENTY, I HAVE 5 ECHOS 2-CS400 2 -590 TIMBERWOLF 59.6CC 399.99 bucks AND A 680 WITH 24INCH BAR,,I HAVE OTHER BRANDS BUT STAYING ON TOPIC,THEY ARE A GREAT COMPANY, ALL THERE SAWS ARE PROFFESS, BUILT,AND THEY STAND BEHIND THEM.
STIHL SUCK SAVE YOUR MONEY, there ms441 and up are good so any of their 1,000 dollor to 1,700 your ok,
My chainsaw can beat up your chainsaw. Nah Nah Nah. 
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
Jazzberry
Minister of Fire
Ever look at an IPL or repair manual (stihl makes it difficult to obtain same, natch) for a 441? That'd give you a clear idea why it's so difficult to r&r cyl on one. Put simply- stupidly over-complicated. Forget any price-break, of course.
StihlKicking
Feeling the Heat
I have a Stihl ms261 that i really like. Fits your needs but is over your budget. Maybe you could pick up a used one somewhere. Its got h.p. and weighs in at 11 pounds. It will easily tote a 20" bar.
D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
Guy, there is no need to yell. Pump the brakes a little. I have a 590 and like it a lot. If I were to buy one tomorrow I would probably buy the CS 600 or 620
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Jazzberry
Minister of Fire
I have a Husqvarna 455 Rancher and I believe that it is better than other saws.It has 55,5ss and power while using much less fuel.
And its price is $ 439.99, which is much cheaper Husqvarna 372. In addition, the same bar 20 inches. He found his saw on jonsguide, there is about her excellent reviews
You scored dude. The only one rated higher than that one is a Black and Decker. Probably wouldn't need to spring for the BD unless you are cutting giant redwoods.
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