Chainsaw Milling Saw Question

[Raptor57]

I have been doing some light milling using a Husky 455 but want to mill some larger stuff now. Been enjoying milling thus far so now I'm looking to get a more dedicated milling saw. Looking at Husky 390 XP or a 395 XP. Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Coralillo Lo Pro]

I have been doing some light milling using a Husky 455 but want to mill some larger stuff now. Been enjoying milling thus far so now I'm looking to get a more dedicated milling saw. Looking at Husky 390 XP or a 395 XP. Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks

Either are great milling saws. New or used? If buying new, would get the extra oomph of the 395 for minimally greater cost.

 

[thompsoncustom]

Another vote for the 395xp

 

[Mad Professor]

Those or the same size Stihls

 

[Raptor57]

Very much appreciate the input. I should mention that this is really just for woodworking hobby stuff. I don't plan to be milling logs for hours and days at a time. Will really be more occasionally when i come across a nice tree on the property that I can build something with. So would this be overkill for that type of work? The 455 works OK but I haven't cut oak or maple with it yet. Afraid if i burn it up milling something, ill be SOL for a firewood saw and then have to go buy 2 new saws. Maybe I'm' overthinking this (I tend to).

 

[J D]

Comes down to what you plan on milling & how much you will be using the saw off the mill. 385/390 is more "nimble" if you're planning on felling & bucking a bit with it... for all out grunt (what you want if you're expecting to run a +42" bar) the 395 definitely wears the pants, it just lacks some of the ergonomics. Stihls MS660 sits somewhere in between them.

 

[Coralillo Lo Pro]

Very much appreciate the input. I should mention that this is really just for woodworking hobby stuff. I don't plan to be milling logs for hours and days at a time. Will really be more occasionally when i come across a nice tree on the property that I can build something with. So would this be overkill for that type of work? The 455 works OK but I haven't cut oak or maple with it yet. Afraid if i burn it up milling something, ill be SOL for a firewood saw and then have to go buy 2 new saws. Maybe I'm' overthinking this (I tend to).

Knowing this, a 90+cc saw is a little overkill for your needs unless it's a great second hand bargain. Everyone new to milling is instructed to get a 90+cc saw. Two thirds of the folks getting into it in the last few years are milling for the same purposes you are, not doing it on a regular basis, and don't really need a large dedicated milling saw. There's an MS661C for $950 in Amsterdam near Schenectady, don't know where you are upstate. There's also a Husky 576XP for $550 which would do you fine for anything through 24" width w regular 3/8 chain on a 30" bar, and be more of an all purpose larger saw. It's on FB Marketplace in Athol. Would run a 36" 3/8LP bar effortlessly.

 

[Raptor57]

Thanks for all the great input!

 

[ammoaddict]

A lot of folks are milling with the china clone saws. I have a couple. The latest one is this neotec nh895 (395xp clone). It was $291 delivered with a 36" bar and chain. I've been testing it out a little and it runs quite well. Neotec customer service is excellent.

 

[Seachaser]

Very much appreciate the input. I should mention that this is really just for woodworking hobby stuff. I don't plan to be milling logs for hours and days at a time. Will really be more occasionally when i come across a nice tree on the property that I can build something with. So would this be overkill for that type of work? The 455 works OK but I haven't cut oak or maple with it yet. Afraid if i burn it up milling something, I’ll be SOL for a firewood saw and then have to go buy 2 new saws. Maybe I'm' overthinking this (I tend to).

I’m of the school that there is no such thing as overkill.