chainsaw? chain?

[rubantin]

About 20 years ago I was a logger in northern wisconsin for a year. Had a stihl 026 and never had a problem with it... except for dropping an 18" oak on it when it bound, the tree came down, I ran, and the tree bounced on it... had to replace the handle..lol.
2 questions

1) I have been away from the woods for 15 years and am now a teacher... we just got a wood stove and have a few acres of trees in back. I need to cut about 8 cord a year... I want a decent saw but can't afford much. am looking for a good used saw for $175 - $200. What would you recommend me to look for?

2) I picked up a craftsman/poulan saw a couple years ago for our previous suburb home... I am using that at present for some extra wood. It has a oregon 91VG low-pro anti-kick "safety" chain on it. I still have my old chaps and goggles... so am not concerned with the "safety" chain. What kind of chain should I pick up for it?

Your opinion is appreciated

 

[Urbicide]

Welcome to AS

Question one: I am not going stir the pot.

Question two: Oregon 91VS is the non-safety low-pro chain you want.

 

[Madsaw]

Answer to # 1
Scare up a few more bucks and buy a Dolmar 5100s. Great buy for the money.
Bob

 

[GASoline71]

Question 1: With that low of a budget for a saw... you will be buying a very small "homeowner" type saw from the major manufacturers. Or a crappy saw from a box store. The big 3 (Stihl, Husqvarna, Dolmar) all have decent homeowner saws in that price range. You could also look for a used Husqvarna 359, 350 or a used Stihl 036/360. Even a used 029/290 would be alright. I'm not familiar with the older Dolmars, so a Dolmar guy might have to chime in here... They will all run an 18" bar with no problems so you can have most smaller/medium wood covered. I know money may be tight... but in the chainsaw world, you will definately get what you pay for.

Question 2: Any full comp, round chisel, non-safety chain will work well. I won't be brand specific, because there are a lot of good chains out there.

Good luck, and welcome to AS

Gary

 

[computeruser]

Welcome to the site!

About 20 years ago I was a logger in northern wisconsin for a year. Had a stihl 026 and never had a problem with it... except for dropping an 18" oak on it when it bound, the tree came down, I ran, and the tree bounced on it... had to replace the handle..lol.
2 questions

1) I have been away from the woods for 15 years and am now a teacher... we just got a wood stove and have a few acres of trees in back. I need to cut about 8 cord a year... I want a decent saw but can't afford much. am looking for a good used saw for $175 - $200. What would you recommend me to look for?

Lots of good choices in the used market if you're willing to be patient. You should be able to get comfortably into the range of a used 026/260, 028, or 029/290/310. All three of those models are reasonably priced, have parts readily available, and are reliable machines. I scored my Stihl 026Pro for a hair over $200, gently used and in superb condition.

2) I picked up a craftsman/poulan saw a couple years ago for our previous suburb home... I am using that at present for some extra wood. It has a oregon 91VG low-pro anti-kick "safety" chain on it. I still have my old chaps and goggles... so am not concerned with the "safety" chain. What kind of chain should I pick up for it?

The new Oregon 91VX should be a good choice from everything we know about it so far, as would Stihl PM. I've been running PM for some time and find it to be a quick, durable 3/8"LP chain.

 

[Timberhauler]

Welcome ...I'll second everything said so far....I could have hooked you up a week ago.I just sold a 028 than ran extremely well for $200.

 

[GASoline71]

Ahh yes... an 028WB or Super. I have an 028WB. Great saw, and you can usually get them used for around 200 bucks.

Gary

 

[rubantin]

Thanks...

1)... have been waiting for a 026 (Like yours) but end up being outbid...lol... can't remember though... what is the real diff between the 028wb and the 026?

Like your 026...

Dolmar & Husky dealers are to far away... think I will look for a stihl...

2) know anywhere I can get the 91vx (18" 62 links) on the cheap?

 

[computeruser]

Thanks...

1)... have been waiting for a 026 (Like yours) but end up being outbid...lol... can't remember though... what is the real diff between the 028wb and the 026?

Like your 026...

Dolmar & Husky dealers are to far away... think I will look for a stihl...

2) know anywhere I can get the 91vx (18" 62 links) on the cheap?

Sponsors Bailey's and Amickssuperstore.com can hook you up on the loops for a fair price.

Keep lookin' on the saw. I have purchased and resold a couple other 026 for $200-250 in the past year or so, they're out there. Maybe a member here who has an extra he's looking to sell will step up and have something to offer. Tough to get good deals on popular saw models on eBay; the prices go up to near-retail for used saws, oftentimes. You may also want to check with your local saw shop, oftentimes they're willing to sell good used trade-ins or rebuilds for a fair price.

 

[Cam501]

Ahh yes... an 028WB or Super. I have an 028WB. Great saw, and you can usually get them used for around 200 bucks.

Gary

You can't give away an 028 in around here. We sold one for a customer who was ready to buy a new saw and barely got $120 for it, and it was in reasonably good shape.

 

[SawTroll]

...
2) know anywhere I can get the 91vx (18" 62 links) on the cheap?

An alternative is Stihl 63PM (not PM1).

 

[Lakeside53]

You can't give away an 028 in around here. We sold one for a customer who was ready to buy a new saw and barely got $120 for it, and it was in reasonably good shape.

Ha! we get $200-$250 easily.. $325 for a nice 028 super... Tons of them out here.

 

[DGG]

Lots of good lightly used saws in your price range.

I recently bought a Husqvarna 55 Rancher with 18" bar that looks like it was barely ever used. Starts and runs perfect taking down two trees behind the house. I paid a little under $200 for it. Only thing I did was toss a new spark plug in it.

For a $100 more (about $300) I'd get the Husky 359 which is a little newer but basically does the same job as the Husky 55 Rancher

Many good recommendations in the thread and any will do what you need to do.

 

[rubantin]

so... if I could get a ms260 for under $245 it would be good?

 

[tumbleweed]

you would be amazed at what you can find at yard/garage sales

 

[NYH1]

so... if I could get a ms260 for under $245 it would be good?

If it's in good condition I'd say yes. New the MS260 w/ 16" b&c cost $459 and the MS260 Pro w/ 16" b&c cost $499 in my area. They're a pro saw that's been made for almost 20 years so if you had to have work done on it down the road it shouldn't be a big deal. :biggrinbounce2: