Correct Saw For My Use

[TreePointer]

I find it impossible to ignore the excessive vibes and the overwhelming feeling of soft plastic (Stihl). No doubt a true "carpal tunnel" machine, if you use it often.....

Same here. If I didn't have Stihl antivibration gloves with me, I probably wouldn't have done the cutting. The vibes are one of the main reasons I sold my 290 for a 361.

 

[z71mike]

I was really jsut looking at the pros because I am under the impression that they will be a better overall, heavier duty saw. There must be a reason why there are pro and why there are homeowner models. I usually go under the guide of buy the best, take care of it and it will last forever. Ultimately then, what is teh fundamental difference between a pro and homeowner saw?

Maintainability. Pro saws are built specifically to be rebuilt with ease in the future when needed. Durability plays into that as well. Pro saws are built with longer service intervals as the goal.

 

[SawTroll]

Same here. If I didn't have Stihl antivibration gloves with me, I probably wouldn't have done the cutting. The vibes are one of the main reasons I sold my 290 for a 361.

Yep, the 361 vibrates violently, and "walks" around when it sits idling on the ground, but it is really smooth in the hands. It was the first Stihl with spring AV, one of many features they copied from Husky....

 

[zogger]

346 is a known quantity saw, out for years, pro saw, very well liked by pro cutters and others, every possible bug or problem has been found and been posted about and fixes, etc available in detail right on this forum, along with modding and getting more performance out of them.. Good aftermarket parts availability. In other words, it would last you a long time, and if it ever needed repairs you could do it yourself and it wouldn't cost that much. There are some left in dealers hands, they stopped production recently as they were bringing in the 550 which is computer controlled.

Your choice, last of the old school that just works, grab one while you can, or be on the cutting edge of new tech, which has had some, not a lot, but some issues, as all new models of anything have.

 

[Andyshine77]

A good 50cc is really all most will ever need. The 346xp, 550xp, MS261 are all great saws, but so is the Dolmar 5105. They have been prove reliable and come in at a good price.

 

[Clipper_dp]

346 is a known quantity saw, out for years, pro saw, very well liked by pro cutters and others, every possible bug or problem has been found and been posted about and fixes, etc available in detail right on this forum, along with modding and getting more performance out of them.. Good aftermarket parts availability. In other words, it would last you a long time, and if it ever needed repairs you could do it yourself and it wouldn't cost that much. There are some left in dealers hands, they stopped production recently as they were bringing in the 550 which is computer controlled.

Your choice, last of the old school that just works, grab one while you can, or be on the cutting edge of new tech, which has had some, not a lot, but some issues, as all new models of anything have.

That is what I was thinking. I would rather have the newest older model with no bugs, than a newer one with, possibly, any bugs. Most of the quality outdoor stores around me sell both Stihl and Husky. I know the professional models may be slightly or evensignificantly overkill...but, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But as I have seen in many threads...Stihl and Husky are like Ford and Dodge. Personally, I think I would prefer to have the husky...however when I actually get to a dealer...I may find the Stihl feels better in my hands. I am really jsut trying to narrow my options as much as possible. Do you, or does anybody else even recommend any other make of saw?

 

[SawTroll]

That is what I was thinking. I would rather have the newest older model with no bugs, than a newer one with, possibly, any bugs. Most of the quality outdoor stores around me sell both Stihl and Husky. I know the professional models may be slightly or evensignificantly overkill...but, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But as I have seen in many threads...Stihl and Husky are like Ford and Dodge. Personally, I think I would prefer to have the husky...however when I actually get to a dealer...I may find the Stihl feels better in my hands. I am really jsut trying to narrow my options as much as possible. Do you, or does anybody else even recommend any other make of saw?

If the MS261 feels better in your hands, something is wrong - that just shouldn't happen! Also, that one lacks a lot in handling and trigger response, which is critical on 50cc saws that isn't just used for blocking wood in the yard.

Anyway, the 346xp still is the king of the 50cc class, specially if the saw is going to be ported at some point. :msp_wink:

 

[Andyshine77]

That is what I was thinking. I would rather have the newest older model with no bugs, than a newer one with, possibly, any bugs. Most of the quality outdoor stores around me sell both Stihl and Husky. I know the professional models may be slightly or evensignificantly overkill...but, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But as I have seen in many threads...Stihl and Husky are like Ford and Dodge. Personally, I think I would prefer to have the husky...however when I actually get to a dealer...I may find the Stihl feels better in my hands. I am really jsut trying to narrow my options as much as possible. Do you, or does anybody else even recommend any other make of saw?

Yes. Dolmar makes fine saws, some of the best in fact, and usually at a slightly lower price. The only problem is Dolmar dealers are few and far between, I happen to have a great dealer not too far away. Any of the pro 50cc saws will serve you well, simply pick the one that feels the best, or the one with the better price, and have confidence it won't disappoint.

 

[Philip Wheelock]

...I would rather have the newest older model with no bugs, than a newer one with, possibly, any bugs. ... I know the professional models may be slightly or even significantly overkill...but, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. ... Personally, I think I would prefer to have the husky...however when I actually get to a dealer...I may find the Stihl feels better in my hands...

If you appreciate fine tools, the pro saws are the way to go. As others have said, pick the dealer you think will give you the best service, then choose the saw. Around here, the Stihl and Husky dealers are excellent; Dolmar makes a good saw but lacks consistent dealer support. On the Husky side, the 346xp leads the 50cc class IMO based on dependability, light weight, power, and handling. The newer 550xp is more of a crap shoot in terms of reliability; if you have a dealer who has embraced the new technology and knows how to fix them, then fine, but I'd still opt for the 346xp. On the Stihl side, the 50cc MS261 makes good power and is bulletproof, although it weighs more than the 346xp.

Personally, limbing is time-consuming, tiring, and a general PITA and I would not use a 60cc saw for this task due to weight and a longer bar than is necessary. When I started cutting wood bigger than a 50cc saw can handle efficiently, I jumped to the 70cc class for a 2-saw plan.

 

[zogger]

That is what I was thinking. I would rather have the newest older model with no bugs, than a newer one with, possibly, any bugs. Most of the quality outdoor stores around me sell both Stihl and Husky. I know the professional models may be slightly or evensignificantly overkill...but, I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. But as I have seen in many threads...Stihl and Husky are like Ford and Dodge. Personally, I think I would prefer to have the husky...however when I actually get to a dealer...I may find the Stihl feels better in my hands. I am really jsut trying to narrow my options as much as possible. Do you, or does anybody else even recommend any other make of saw?

Whatever you have for local servicing dealers. Check em all out, see what feels good. dolmar, echo, redmax, efco all make a good saw.

Don't forget to factor in chaps/helmet/boots, etc as well.

I never worked on saws besides sharpening chains until a couple years ago, now..meh..I would buy good used and save a little scratch and go from there. I have numerous good runners now, didn't pay much for any of them compared to new prices. Just a good cleaning, carb clean/kit, fuel lines and filters can get a ton of non or barely running saws back into action. heck, most of my wood I cut last year was with two older (as in pre plastic older) mag cased pro poulans. Not all, but most. Ran some huskies and a little stihl action as well.

There are site sponsors here who sell some brands new mailorder (not husky or stihl pro models though), plus we have a trading post/classifieds section, always some deals going on there.

http://www.arboristsite.com/tradin-post/

man..just looked, some excellent pro husky deals went up recently, real fair prices...

 

[lambs]

If you appreciate fine tools, the pro saws are the way to go. As others have said, pick the dealer you think will give you the best service, then choose the saw. Around here, the Stihl and Husky dealers are excellent; Dolmar makes a good saw but lacks consistent dealer support. On the Husky side, the 346xp leads the 50cc class IMO based on dependability, light weight, power, and handling. The newer 550xp is more of a crap shoot in terms of reliability; if you have a dealer who has embraced the new technology and knows how to fix them, then fine, but I'd still opt for the 346xp. On the Stihl side, the 50cc MS261 makes good power and is bulletproof, although it weighs more than the 346xp.

Personally, limbing is time-consuming, tiring, and a general PITA and I would not use a 60cc saw for this task due to weight and a longer bar than is necessary. When I started cutting wood bigger than a 50cc saw can handle efficiently, I jumped to the 70cc class for a 2-saw plan.

Amen on picking the dealer first. Clipper, I am not too far from you. Send me a PM if you'd like to talk about that. I know at least one dealer that sells both Husky and Stihl, and services both as well. Personally, I have a 261 and I probably use it 90% of the time, even on trunks up to 20" or so. It's a fantastic saw with a 16" bar on it; I have an 18 as well but hardly ever use it.

 

[Mike from Maine]

He is. The 346xp is a state of the art pro saw, and the 210 a really cheap and weak "homeowner" saw.

I don't think a saw that is no longer produced can be considered 'state of the art.'
For better or worse the current state of the art is the 550xp/261. And sorry Sawtroll but like the 026 the 346xp now has to be considered a great saw for its time.

 

[yamahammer]

Let me get this straight, we are talking about a 1 acre lot? I have no problem saying that a ms 170 would absolutely fill the need, any homeowner saw would. It is just one acre after all. How a 261 or a 346 would actually be needed is beyond me. Thats akin to a oceanliner being needed to cross a pond.

 

[M&Rtree]

If i had to be stuck with one saw it would be the 562xp. Being said that i think a 545 would suit you just fine.

 

[Gologit]

Let me get this straight, we are talking about a 1 acre lot? I have no problem saying that a ms 170 would absolutely fill the need, any homeowner saw would. It is just one acre after all. How a 261 or a 346 would actually be needed is beyond me. Thats akin to a oceanliner being needed to cross a pond.

You might be right. But the ocean liner might be more fun.

 

[zogger]

Let me get this straight, we are talking about a 1 acre lot? I have no problem saying that a ms 170 would absolutely fill the need, any homeowner saw would. It is just one acre after all. How a 261 or a 346 would actually be needed is beyond me. Thats akin to a oceanliner being needed to cross a pond.

Man, big trees dont care where they grow. One acre lot, city sidestreet, in the forest. All of the above.

I was a one small 36cc homeowner saw guy until 2010 when the tornado went through here. Really changes your outlook on what is "enough saw"....or "enough sawS"

The absolute cheapest crap new riding mower for your lawn from a box store costs similar to a *nice* mid size pro saw, I am not seeing any problem with the guy wanting a quality tool to help maintain his expensive monthly mortgage investment.

 

[nmurph]

The OP brought up pro model saws. I think, based on the information he provided, that a 50cc saw is all he needs. There are some good semi-pro models out there, but as a one-time investment, the extra spent for a pro model is a few dollars per year when amortized over the life of a saw.

The 545/550 are great saws, but they do seem to have some issues. The 346 is a well proven model, with a track record going back 13 or so years. Parts are everywhere, there are several similar models that share many common parts, and they are simple to work on. I'm not bashing the AT models, I actually now own a 550 (gotta get a new top-end as this one spit a clip and took out the P/C in less than 3 months of service), but a 346 is so well sorted out that it is hard to make a compelling case against it.

The 261 is a nice saw, but it doesn't have the compact feel and weighs more than the 346/550.

 

[o8f150]

save your money and go on fleabay and get one of these
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7arFkVRFiP0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

but if you can find a 346xp that would be my choice
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0DppGwFHYyg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

now if you are going to be just cutting small trees then find one of these

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/R_018-VULRE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

seriously though,, your choices are all good,, I think any of those will be fine for what you will do with it

 

[yamahammer]

Man, big trees dont care where they grow. One acre lot, city sidestreet, in the forest. All of the above.

I was a one small 36cc homeowner saw guy until 2010 when the tornado went through here. Really changes your outlook on what is "enough saw"....or "enough sawS"

The absolute cheapest crap new riding mower for your lawn from a box store costs similar to a *nice* mid size pro saw, I am not seeing any problem with the guy wanting a quality tool to help maintain his expensive monthly mortgage investment.

If the 1 acre lot has such big trees I don't thing we would be limiting the saws to just 50cc class saws. I am not saying they wouldnt be a better saw, but for sure are'nt needed, then there is wanted.

 

[Mike from Maine]

Ms660

There I said it :msp_sneaky: