A few questions regardingnew Saws

[Happyjack]

Question #1)

My Friends wife wants to buy her husband (my friend) a new saw for x-mass and she asked for my advice. My friend currently has a 45cc old Echo that's beat. He heats his house with a wood stove and no other heat source. My friend ran my MS 440 with a 24" bar, and he wants a saw that will run a 24" bar. Why a 24" bar, because that's what he wants.

Now, I was looking at the Stihl MS360, Husky 359, 365 Special and 372XP. (The MS440 is just too expensive)
I know the specs and weights of these saws. My pal is 6'3" and 225lbs, so saw weight is not a concern. However I am looking for an opinion if all 4 of these saws will run a 24" bar. His wife wants to spend around $500.00, so I'm leaning towards the 395 or 365 special. What do you think?

I thought about ebay and buying a used saw, but i don't want to take the gamble of having her get stuck with a piece of ???? used saw. (If anyone has a good used 60-70cc saw drop me a line please)

Also, I'm going to tell her to buy the saw from Baileys or CCD. My question is this, will any local Husky shop honor any warranty work?


Question #2)

Another friend of mine just moved to VT. and wants to cut firewood to heat his house.

I told him to look at the Husky 345, 350, 353 and 55 Rancher. I told him an 16"bar would be good for what he wants to do. He has a Husky dealer a 1/2 mile from his house. What saw do you think is the best out of these 4.

This is his 1st saw. I told him to go demo the saws, and see what he likes best. I was wondering if one of the above was built better than another.

I was leaning toward the 353, but I read in some other links here that they were had to start when they are cold. What would you recommend?


Lastly, I have been reading posts on this site for over a year and have learned a lot. I will pass on what I have learned here to both of my friends regarding Maintence, Saftey gear and proper cutting techniques.

Thanks

 

[rahtreelimbs]

As far as friend #1 goes, I would go for the 372. It is by far the best value for the money.

 

[Jacob J.]

Rich is correct- the 372 can be had for 600 dollars and is a great saw for the money. I run 440s and 460s in the brush and have good luck with them. I am also getting ready to sell a like new 440 with about 2 hours run time on it.

 

[Ryan Willock]

The 372 would be my pic out of all those listed. Like JJ I also run 460 and 066's along with a 372xpgPP. All of them are good saws but the 372 is the most bang for the buck.

 

[z4lunch]

Steve here...
I know there expensive, but I would go with the MS660

 

[Gypo Logger]

Go for the 440, it has 2 times the resale value of a husky. Huskys are a one man saw and dont survive being passed around from one woodtick to another. However if you want a real saw, get a Husky 385, it's my favourite.
John

 

[Stumper]

John, What happened? The 346 isn't your favorite this morning?

 

[tony marks]

well no doubt the 20 inch would do for u friend. but if hes seen your 24 ,aint much chance he will settle for it... its just the nature of us to want bars as big,long etc
as anybody we know.
get the 372... then later ,, he can get dan to soup it up forim...jmo

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi Tony, I got the dough for the chain, but you overpaid me 10$, so if you need it ground again send it back.
John

 

[Madman Mark]

I have a 365 Special that is about 2 months old and I love it so far (haven't thrown it against a tree yet !)
It's got an 18 inch bar and I use for blocking hardwood/firewood which I sell.
Also use it (and a Husky 254) for cutting logs, studwood, pulpwood etc...
I find it a good all around saw for what I do but if your buddy only needs it to cut up his own firewood he doesn't need a 24 inch bar.
There's alot more teeth to sharpen after he runs it into a rock also.
Something like a 372 XP is a pro model saw and way more saw (and money) then your buddy would need to cut his yearly supply of firewood, unless of course that's what he wants.
A 55 rancher with a 16 or 18 inch bar would be perfect.
Just my opinion !
Oh yeah, don't forget all the safety gear.

 

[tony marks]

glad it got there john. i just sent whati thot u probably had in it,,with shipping an all. in any case put it toward u kids santa clause or what ever .. an thanks again..

 

[Orange Wedge]

Hey Dave

Check out the used equipment forum.

There is a new/like new 372 for 500.00

You think Andy has enough smarts for a big boy saw???

See you Christmas Eve

Bro

Jeff

 

[Tony Snyder]

He isn't going to pull 24 inch in hardwood very well unless he at least gets up to 70cc.

If you can talk some sense into him on the 24 inch thing, I would go with the 359 and 20 inch bar. You are only cutting firewood and don't need super productivity. But if you must, I would go with the 385/2186.