|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: Dana I]
#7215111
03/14/21 03:05 AM
03/14/21 03:05 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,173
nwpa
furstroker
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,173
nwpa
|
I personally am a Jonsered guy. I cried myself to sleep for a month when they discontinued the brand. They are still available but under the Redmax name also many of the Huskvarna saws are the exact same machine. They are all the same company.
For a around the house occasional use saw though (I will probably get some hate on here with this recommendation) I would seriously consider one of the newer battery powered saws. Ok, now when you get done laughing at me go on youtube and watch a few videos on them. If you already have dewalt tools they have saws available that may run on your current batteries. Stihl makes one along with a bunch of other companies. I would not consider these for someone who needs to cut a lot of wood, but for cleaning up around the yard or cutting small amounts of wood they seem to work great. The newer ones cut a surprising amount of wood on a battery charge.
Benefits of battery power. No need to keep gas around for a tool that gets little use, less noise, affordable, great torque, lower maintenance.
Cons of battery power. You will become the dork in the neighborhood who has the battery powered saw. Nah...you aint wrong on the battery powered units at all. Someday ill have a Milwaukee. But I think he needs something more full time....and yes, i would be embarassed if my only saw was 'lectric.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: X-Amish]
#7215118
03/14/21 04:16 AM
03/14/21 04:16 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
KenaiKid
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
|
Another thing to keep in mind: it's important to make apples-to-apples comparisons. I believe all 3 brands mentioned now make Pro-grade, mid-grade and consumer/box store grade saws. So when comparing saws from different brands, keep in mind which category they're in. I'm partial to my Husqvarna because it's an XP (pro grade) but I'd rather have a pro-grade Echo than a box store Stihl or Husky.
That's another advantage of buying from a saw shop vs a box store- they're more likely to sell machines that are meant to be serviced, not just tossed and replaced. Better quality saws have better quality parts and more serviceable designs. A knowledgeable saw shop can also give you a lot of guidance when buying.
My saw has never been in the shop since I've had it, but it's real handy being able to pick up parts any time.
Boco couldn't catch a cold. But if he did, it would be Top Lot.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: X-Amish]
#7215123
03/14/21 05:02 AM
03/14/21 05:02 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,963
Central Ontario, Canada
Crit-R-Dun
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,963
Central Ontario, Canada
|
Battery operated saws are ideal for very occasional cottage property type owners who don't maintain/store gasoline engines properly and pros working in trees limbing who don't want saws quitting on them when they suspend them on a tether. Never heard of a "box store" quality Stihl or husky. Both companies maintain high standards on who can have dealerships, here for sure anyway.
Last edited by Crit-R-Dun; 03/14/21 05:03 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: Dirty D]
#7215126
03/14/21 05:09 AM
03/14/21 05:09 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 917
Perry, NY
Dana I
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 917
Perry, NY
|
As mentioned quality dealer service close to where you live is best reason to buy any saw brand.
I own 2 huskys, a 445 and 562xp and 1 stihl, an electric one.
Electric makes sense for small stuff (4" and under) and occasional stuff. Great fro trimming/cutting of stuff where more time is spent moving stuff and other work and less time actually cutting.
Personally I'd stick to Husky or Stihl.
I only have the Stihl electric cause at the time the Husky dealer couldn't get any electrics ( last summer during the over reaction to covid). The new battery units are much more capable than you are giving them credit for.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: X-Amish]
#7215147
03/14/21 06:54 AM
03/14/21 06:54 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,680
Wisconsin
Green Bay
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,680
Wisconsin
|
Watched a guy use a Milwaukee Electric yesterday. Seemed to work well for smaller jobs.
Author of The Lure Hunter: A Guide to Finding Fishing Lures
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: Crit-R-Dun]
#7215216
03/14/21 09:23 AM
03/14/21 09:23 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,689
S.E. Ohio
M.Magis
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,689
S.E. Ohio
|
Never heard of a "box store" quality Stihl or husky. Husqvarna saws are sold at Lowes, Tractor Supply, you can even buy one off of Amazon. Just like Deere and other former “dealer only” brands, they make their box store models cheaper. Made for occasional homeowner use, which works for 80% of the people out there.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: adam m]
#7215259
03/14/21 10:00 AM
03/14/21 10:00 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,521
WI>>>MN >>>WI
T-Rex
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,521
WI>>>MN >>>WI
|
I bought a husky last year and absolutely hate it. Nothing but constant issues. I'm holding back my opinion right now, but, adam m just might be on to something. My less than year old 562xp is back in the shop for the second time. The first time is was a scored piston, that they claimed was caused by insufficient gas/oil, so rebuild not under warrantee. Second time no diagnosis yet, but appears just like the first. My gas is always high octane non oxygenated, mixed 50:1 with high quality two cycle oil and the very same stuff I used in my 385xp with absolutely no issues.
Man who mistake shillelagh for fairy wand; see pixie dust, also.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: Hornady Reloader]
#7215264
03/14/21 10:06 AM
03/14/21 10:06 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,719
Maine
Mac
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,719
Maine
|
I had to buy a new chain saw a year ago. I had been using Stihl for quite a few years, maybe 20 years. Always had various issues with the Still. I stayed with the product too long. I asked some of my logging buddies what they liked. The opinions varied. I asked an old timer what he liked he said, you might hear other wise but I have really liked the Echo saws the last few years. I bought on and really like it.
Granted I do not cut wood for a living. Probably cut 6 cords a year, sometimes more. From knocking down the trees, limbing, cutting to stove length, I really like the saw.
Mac
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: X-Amish]
#7215266
03/14/21 10:07 AM
03/14/21 10:07 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,849
Pa
Wright Brothers
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,849
Pa
|
A saw that has not been worked on is due, or has not been worked period.
Ethanol fuel is the enemy.
I have a stihl 034 almost back together from a refresh I might let go for 300, can be 18 or 20", or both.
Huskys are easier for me.
Echo probably has best value per dollar.
Plastic case saws are throw away models.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: M.Magis]
#7215368
03/14/21 11:47 AM
03/14/21 11:47 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,903
eastern WV
Ridge Runner1960
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,903
eastern WV
|
Never heard of a "box store" quality Stihl or husky. Husqvarna saws are sold at Lowes, Tractor Supply, you can even buy one off of Amazon. Just like Deere and other former “dealer only” brands, they make their box store models cheaper. Made for occasional homeowner use, which works for 80% of the people out there. those are the rancher series, they are for all intensive purposes an orange Poulan, The XP series are the pro series of saws with longer lasting higher powered engines and only available from Husky dealers.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: X-Amish]
#7215379
03/14/21 12:10 PM
03/14/21 12:10 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,849
Pa
Wright Brothers
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,849
Pa
|
I get no-e fuel locally at Pennzoil but it is not hi-octane.
Most important for engines that are going to sit.
I store them wet and try and start them monthly.
Works for me.
|
|
|
Re: Help buying a chainsaw
[Re: X-Amish]
#7215381
03/14/21 12:16 PM
03/14/21 12:16 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Scuba1
"color blind Kraut"
|
"color blind Kraut"
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
|
High octane fuels not necessary for two smoke infernal combustion engines. Ethanol free is way more important for the ones that tend to sit around the house for longer periods. And non ethanol fuel is better for the fuel lines as it does not tent to leach the softener out of them
Let's go Brandon
"Shall not comply" with morons who don't understand "shall not infringe."
|
|
|
|
|
