My buddy runs a 290, and for its size I am NOT impressed. Bogs out constantly, I would pick the biggest saw you can handle comfortably. My all-around choice would be either an MS460 or a 372XP.
What model Husky or Stihl would be appropriate for my needs?
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Would expect nothing less coming from a guy named Overkill.
No, he asked for our opinion, and I gave him mine. For what its worth, I picked up my 372XP with a 20" AND 28" bars and 6 chains (some were still in the boxes) for 400 bucks off of Craigslist. So I'll also recommend he looks around for a good USED saw......save lots of money that way. I'd rather have a little too much saw than not enough. As a firewood burner progresses in his.quest for wood, its just a matter of time til you need a saw with more 'a$$'......but again, that's my OPINION.
I was in the 'buy one saw to last a lifetime' camp when I bought my 6400. Then I picked up a 270 cheap. Then I got a HD 6401 for $200. I agree on the used market, especially if you don't NEED one and can wait for the right deal, but it isn't for everybody.
In theory, my MS270 should be all I need, but I have less than $800 into it and two pro saws
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And now that I have about 20 cords of firewood sitting around, I should probably sell one or two.Nah.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
It's all in what a person wants. My 'go-to' saw is my vintage Stihl 041AV Super with a 28" bar. I love that saw to death. Don't have to bend over all day to cut the stuff on the ground, and it gets through almost anything I throw at it. But it is heavy and not for everyone. I really like the XP and I see me using it more and more because of the sheer speed of it. But it don't sound like my 041 Super, I love the sound of that saw with the dual port muffler.I was in the 'buy one saw to last a lifetime' camp when I bought my 6400. Then I picked up a 270 cheap. Then I got a HD 6401 for $200. I agree on the used market, especially if you don't NEED one and can wait for the right deal, but it isn't for everybody.
In theory, my MS270 should be all I need, but I have less than $800 into it and two pro saws
Nah.
I have 23 cord of firewood, and around 30 chainsaws.......wife would be tickled to death if I started selling the saws off. Ain't gonna happen......
'I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.'
I haven't dropped a tree that wasn't dead in years. Everything else I got to before someone else did.
Thirty saws, Scotty? Sweet.
Some of them are in parts, packed in boxes.......I am actually TRYING to part with some of them. But it is hard to let them go...
I agree... And as for the money comment, buy used. $400 + tax ($420) buys a hell of a used saw. There was a 6401 for about $300 a couple weeks ago. A MS 660 for $550 a month ago.. Lots of deals out there. Currently there is a 440 for $550 and thats still a deal... Looks brand new!
There ya go.I dont always NEED that monster dual ported Husky,but its there when I do.Never since I first went over 70cc's back in early 90's have I regretted having it available.Even though bigger saws weigh more,as I age I'd rather hang on to that for a shorter time period than struggle for what seems like hours with a smaller saw that's not enough for the job.
Sounds about the same. I just replaced the fuel lines and tweaked the carb the other day and it runs perfct. It make a nice little limb trimmer.
I'm gonna look at this used Stihl on Sunday. I'll let you know what model it is. My boss said it was only a couple years old and would let it go for cheap. I plan to pick it up no matter what it is. If it's too small for my needs I will continue in my quest for a bigger saw.
Good deal. Knowing what I know now, I doubt that I'll ever buy another new saw. I have the same feeling about cars.
Yah, All those west coast guys are nuts too.
The OP expressed interest in a new professional grade saw with roughly a $750 budget in his original post. Then somebody quipped in the MS290 should be enough for 2-3 cords a year. Which is true. But the folks talking about new 60-70 cc professional grade saws are actually right on topic.
Stihl 880 Magnum. If you can handle the weight, you might as well have some fun while you're cutting.
I recall another thread last week, where someone mentioned the 290 having one of the poorest power to weight ratios on the market. Untrue?
Oh it's true. The MS310 and 390 both were built on the same chassis and weighed almost exactly the same as a MS290 but the specs on the MS390 were much nicer for a 13lb+ saw. Like most things, the "entry-level", "base", or "price-point" models usually sell the best. The vast majority of Americans are trained to buy everything for as little money as possible with quality and performance taking a backseat to economy.
Good point MM. Somewhere I heard a quote that says something like: Quality endures long after price is forgotten. A C
Oh it's true. The MS310 and 390 both were built on the same chassis and weighed almost exactly the same as a MS290 but the specs on the MS390 were much nicer for a 13lb+ saw. Like most things, the "entry-level", "base", or "price-point" models usually sell the best. The vast majority of Americans are trained to buy everything for as little money as possible with quality and perfermance taking a backseat to economy.[/quote]
Oh it's true. The MS310 and 390 both were built on the same chassis and weighed almost exactly the same as a MS290 but the specs on the MS390 were much nicer for a 13lb+ saw. Like most things, the "entry-level", "base", or "price-point" models usually sell the best. The vast majority of Americans are trained to buy everything for as little money as possible with quality and perfermance taking a backseat to economy.[/quote]
If you're in the market for a new 70cc saw, then I'd take a serious look at the husky 365 x-torq. It's 70cc, about $600, and comes with a two year warranty. It's basically a 372 with restrictors(easily removed with a Dremel) built into the transfer covers and a low top air filter. Run it till the warranty is up, then remove the restrictors and mod the muffler and you have a very strong saw. The saw is no slouch in stock form either. It's a lot of saw for the money.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
You're saying they took an $850 saw, added more parts and labor to it, and are selling it for $600? No other differences for that 40% difference in price?
Yes and no, different transfer covers and no HD filter are the only differences. Not more parts, just different parts. This has been well documented over on AS. There is even a video showing how to do the mod over on YouTube. Many of the dealers over on AS are saying that it has cut into their 372xp sales. Husky has realized this as well and are planning a substantial price increase in the near future (about $100). If you're in the market, I'd buy soon. The price increase was supposed to happen July 1, but was pushed back. Haven't seen any word on when it's actually coming, but it will be announced on AS.
Keep in mind, that many dealers don't know that this is now a 70cc model. There are two dealers in my area that still have this marked as a 65cc saw.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
Hmm... might be a good replacement for my Echo 510EVL. After using the Stihl 064 a few months, I've decided the 510 is just too wimpy. 
That said, I want something lighter than the 064.
I just checked the Husqvarna site, and I can't find that 365 anywhere on the site. I could only find it on the UK site, not the US site.
That said, I want something lighter than the 064.I just checked the Husqvarna site, and I can't find that 365 anywhere on the site. I could only find it on the UK site, not the US site.
It's under "powerful and robust" category. Keep in mind that husky's website is notoriously chitty. They had taken it down a few weeks ago, then had it back up the next day. No pics either.
http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/professional-chainsaws/365/#features
EDIT-There is also a corresponding jonsered model of this saw. The CS2166
http://www.jonsered.com/int/chainsaws/cs-2166/
http://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/professional-chainsaws/365/#features
EDIT-There is also a corresponding jonsered model of this saw. The CS2166
http://www.jonsered.com/int/chainsaws/cs-2166/
With the constant supply of good or cheap, and occasionally both, used 372XP's out there, I'd be inclined to go that route rather than buy a new saw and hack it to make it what I wanted in the first place. If I'm diggin' aluminum it's gonna be to make a beast of a saw you can't buy off the shelf.
I just threw it out there cause its the only option for a brand new 70cc saw and it's $100 cheaper than a 562xp, and it has a two year warranty. I'm all about buying used though. My 346 and 365 were bought off of AS.
[/quote]
It was the main advertising slogan for Keen Kutter tools & other items.E.C.Simmons started his hardware business in the 1860's.Named it Keen Kutter soon afterwards.Over time there was all kinds of items with that name - from tires (yes really) to kitchen cutlery,various household items.But the main focus was on over 1000 different hand tools for carpentry,cabinet/furnituremaking,blacksmiths,machinists,brick/stone masons,farmers.Plus the usual items for home & farm. Company was sold to Shapleigh Hardware of St.Louis in 1940.Most hand tools stamped KK were very high quality & their tools & any related advertising memoriabilia still highly sought after. Depending on who won the contract for a certain time period,their tools were manufactured either by Stanley Rule & Level Co. (changed to Stanley Tools after 1920ish),Millers Falls,Sargent & a couple other smaller firms. Keen Kutter closed up shop in 1960.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keen_Kutter
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