About to pull the trigger

[B_Turner]

359 with the size and species wood you described. :lifter:

HiredGun, I like your saw collection. Throw in a 395 and maybe a 441 and you've pretty much got all bases covered. Now you really need a ProSharp, in my view to get the best performance out of them.

You find the 359 a fair bit stronger down low than the 5100? I know it has more cc's. Just idle curiousity, as I generally only cut largish wood except for limbing which my 5100 and older 026 do fine.

(99 percent of my cutting is with either a 7900 or my 395.)

 

[Rydaddy]

ProSharp

B_Turner

What is the ProSharp you mention?

 

[tek9tim]

Silvey ProSharp chisel grinder. I hear it's one of the best square grinders out there. I keep having to tell myself I don't need one. Sure want one, though.

 

[Cut4fun]

DUH, most people aren't getting their saws modded.. .........

DUH, maybe in your neck of the woods.Everyone i meet here in my parts has faster saws then mine.

 

[B_Turner]

Silvey ProSharp chisel grinder. I hear it's one of the best square grinders out there. I keep having to tell myself I don't need one. Sure want one, though.

Yep. Don't try one or it will find it's way home with you.

I've yet to meet a modded saw that kept up with my stockers with fresh square chain. I'm sure they exist, but I haven't met one yet. For example, my 395 and 7900 eat muffler modded ones pretty bad in biggish wood.

Not kidding or exaggerating, just the facts.

Of course I don't tell them why they lost, as that would ruin the fun.

 

[Cam501]

OK, I've been lurking here for weeks. I've read posts giving advice until I'm . Here goes.

I can get a Husky 359 with a 20" bar for $395 shipped. I can get a Dolmar 5100S with a 18" bar for $355 shipped. The nearest Husky dealer is about an hour away and the nearest Dolmar dealer (worth anything) is about 35 minutes away but doesn't know much about saws. However, I'm not worried about warranty or service work - I'm capable.

I also considered the MS361 but my local dealer loves the list price and I don't like paying list.

So between the Husky and Dolmar, considering the price difference, or lack thereof - a little advice. I'm cutting firewood - 20" white oak, red oak and hickory - but I like having better tools than I really need.

Oh, I've been using a Stihl 025 but it's time to upgrade.

Thanks,

John opcorn:

there's really not that much mark up from dealer cost to stihl list price, so a stihl dealer can't wheel and deal much...it does vary a little bit though by whether your dealer is in area where the stihl distributor is part of sithl inc, about half of the 12 are company owned and the rest are independent companies.

 

[Cut4fun]

Yep. Don't try one or it will find it's way home with you.

I've yet to meet a modded saw that kept up with my stockers with fresh square chain. I'm sure they exist, but I haven't met one yet. For example, my 395 and 7900 eat muffler modded ones pretty bad in biggish wood.

Not kidding or exaggerating, just the facts.

Of course I don't tell them why they lost, as that would ruin the fun.

Yep that square stuff is fast for sure. But these guys around here are a little further then just a muffler mod. Some really good sawers around these parts to really learn the game from, I just feel lucky to have such good people to run saws with for fun at our mini gtg's.

 

[B_Turner]

Yep that square stuff is fast for sure. But these guys around here are a little further then just a muffler mod. Some really good sawers around these parts to really learn the game from, I just feel lucky to have such good people to run saws with for fun at our mini gtg's.

I've no doubt there are saws that eat mine. But four things: 1) most sawyers don't run particularly sharp chains even though they think they do and 2) the fresh sharpened square is noticeably faster than out of the box 3) Most mods help the most in high rpm situations like smaller wood. I know there are exceptions to that, of course. 4) Most of my run time is cutting noodles in big blocks. For that particular cut, square is so much more efficient that it takes a LOT of power to make up the difference in round ground.

Naturally a real hotrod saw with a sharp chain would smoke me good. But my gains are cheap (across saws) and quiet. I run tools about 50 hrs a week, and I really don't like any more noise than I can get away with or I would certainly have some of my saws modded.

 

[Hired Gun]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered the 359 and received it from Northern Tool yesterday. I went ahead and put a Stihl RM chain on it since I'll be cutting some oak that's been on the ground for a while. I plan on ordering the non-epa muffler from Bailey's after break-in. I wish we could order the euro spec muffler for the 359 with the additional tube. I'll probably go ahead and open up the non-epa muffler when I get it.

BTW, I'm impressed with the design and build of the saw. Can't wait to fuel it up and go.

Oh, and my wife thinks you guys suck.

John

John Enjoy the saw, they get a bad wrap and they have a ton of potential. Remember it is your saw and if it makes you happy that is all that matters!!

I would probaby have opted for the 5100, to opt for a 361 later.....:greenchainsaw: :greenchainsaw:

The 359 is heavier than the 361, so you sort of are stuck - no use for it if you get a 361 later.

Is it a crime to have more than 1 saw of similar size? :bang:

For the $200 saved buying a 359, compared to a 361 list price. You could have a 359 modded for the extra money you saved on initial purchase price and it would eat up the 361 for the same investment price for price.
Dneiger does a heck of a job up in MI.

Good solid advice!! :biggrinbounce2:

DUH, most people aren't getting their saws modded.. .........

Some do, some don't the option is out there. Let the guy make up his own mind, there are other saws out there besides the 361!

 

[Hired Gun]

HiredGun, I like your saw collection. Throw in a 395 and maybe a 441 and you've pretty much got all bases covered. Now you really need a ProSharp, in my view to get the best performance out of them.

You find the 359 a fair bit stronger down low than the 5100? I know it has more cc's. Just idle curiousity, as I generally only cut largish wood except for limbing which my 5100 and older 026 do fine.

(99 percent of my cutting is with either a 7900 or my 395.)

BT, thanks for the compliment! I am pretty old school when it comes to my sharpening. I really like to do my stuff free hand and take a great deal of pride in it. My 5100 and 359 are both modified. I don't know how much the 5100 had down low to begin with stock (I purchased the saw modified). As they sit right now the 359 has the edge.

I am going to wait on the new Stihl's. I ran the 441 and have no issues with it. I would rather wait for the 461 when it comes out and will likely grab one of those. I have been looking at the 395's/660's and will jump on one when the time is right. My 385 is modified and rather stout. My bread and butter usually falls in the 50-70cc range. So anything bigger gets a bunch of shelf time and looking pretty rather than actual use. :biggrinbounce2:

 

[minkota1]

John Enjoy the saw, they get a bad wrap and they have a ton of potential. Remember it is your saw and if it makes you happy that is all that matters!!



Is it a crime to have more than 1 saw of similar size? :bang:



Good solid advice!! :biggrinbounce2:



Some do, some don't the option is out there let the guy make up his own mind, there other saws out there besides the 361!

Right on the Money! HiredGun seems to be a man of reason, with experience!
You'd do well to pay attention when he speaks.
Seems like this always comes back to a little more saw for more money That $200.00 bucks can be a pretty hefty amount extra,for a lot of folks. If we all had unlimited funds, it would be nice, but that just isn't the case for most folks! The 359 is a great saw, and the spec sheets always have something just a little bit better, but that doesn't change the fact it's still a real good saw
Have fun and be safe

 

[04ultra]

What is the List price for the 359.??? msrp on it


Ok found it Husqvarna 359 Chainsaw List Price: $549.99 ............................ Stihl Msrp 361 20" $ 589.00



Where is the 200.00 or did I do the math wrong...




.

 

[Hired Gun]

Ultra, the savings probably won't be seen on a list vs list comparison. The 359's are routinely seen in the $350 neighborhood on Ebay. Others including myself have gotten them as low as $300 new.

 

[04ultra]

Ultra, the savings probably won't be seen on a list vs list comparison. The 359's are routinely seen in the $350 neighborhood on Ebay. Others including myself have gotten them as low as $300 new.

Thanks ...I just wanted to see the difference...


Baileys gets 439.00... 359 and a certain Stihl dealer in Il. gets 499 for the 361..

That is what I was looking at..

.

 

[Hired Gun]

Right on the Money! HiredGun seems to be a man of reason, with experience!
You'd do well to pay attention when he speaks.
Seems like this always comes back to a little more saw for more money That $200.00 bucks can be a pretty hefty amount extra,for a lot of folks. If we all had unlimited funds, it would be nice, but that just isn't the case for most folks! The 359 is a great saw, and the spec sheets always have something just a little bit better, but that doesn't change the fact it's still a real good saw
Have fun and be safe

Jeez Min, I guess I have to straighten up and fly right now :blush: . You've gone and raised the bar on me. I will have to hit you back in 24 hrs, I am outta ammo.

 

[Hired Gun]

Thanks ...I just wanted to see the difference...


Baileys gets 439.00... 359 and a certain Stihl dealer in Il. gets 499 for the 361..

That is what I was looking at..

.

That is a great deal on the 361!

 

[THALL10326]

Ultra, the savings probably won't be seen on a list vs list comparison. The 359's are routinely seen in the $350 neighborhood on Ebay. Others including myself have gotten them as low as $300 new.

Hmmmmmm 300.00 and full list is 549.00. That would mean a 249.00 differance. Hmmmmm nearly a 50% mark up on that saw depending on where ya buy it, ouch to the man who pays list huh?

 

[Hired Gun]

TH, I think we are going to see a good portion of those deals come to a screaching halt in the near future.

 

[Hired Gun]

and you are right, ouch to the workin man!!

 

[Cam501]

Hmmmmmm 300.00 and full list is 549.00. That would mean a 249.00 differance. Hmmmmm nearly a 50% mark up on that saw depending on where ya buy it, ouch to the man who pays list huh?

$300 ?!?! that's way UNDER COST for the majority of us dealers(all the ones that can only buy from husky and not a distributor) for a 359. Even in the best bracket (a 100 piece order) that's well under cost.