I need a lighter 45-50cc SAW...any recommendations?

[sunfish]

I started with Poulan back in 1977, a 245A (70cc) and then a 3400 (57cc?). Very good commercial grade, metal, heavy saws that I used until 2001 when I got my first 346xp. That first 346xp change my wood cutting forever. Small, light, fast cutting and way more productive! I sold the 245A and kept the 3400 as back, but never really used it again...

I never warmed up to Stihl, just don't like em at all. My brother and brother in law run Stihl and I've been around them for years. I gave a my brother a old Husqvarna 353 a couple years ago and it's now his favorite saw. (He makes his living with a chainsaw and a tractor). Gave him a old 359 last year and he hasn't run a Stihl since.

If I could only have one saw, it'd be a 346xp, hands down, end of story! Other pro grade 50cc metal case Huskys are 351, 353 and new 545 and 550xp.

I take care of several miles of logging roads, cut 20 cords of oak a year and log for my brothers band saw mill. This 12+ year old 346xp has a ton of hours on it and it's still goin strong!

 

[Preston]

I started with Poulan back in 1977, a 245A (70cc) and then a 3400 (57cc?). Very good commercial grade, metal, heavy saws that I used until 2001 when I got my first 346xp. That first 346xp change my wood cutting forever. Small, light, fast cutting and way more productive! I sold the 245A and kept the 3400 as back, but never really used it again...

I never warmed up to Stihl, just don't like em at all. My brother and brother in law run Stihl and I've been around them for years. I gave a my brother a old Husqvarna 353 a couple years ago and it's now his favorite saw. (He makes his living with a chainsaw and a tractor). Gave him a old 359 last year and he hasn't run a Stihl since.

If I could only have one saw, it'd be a 346xp, hands down, end of story! Other pro grade 50cc metal case Huskys are 351, 353 and new 545 and 550xp.

I take care of several miles of logging roads, cut 20 cords of oak a year and log for my brothers band saw mill. This 12+ year old 346xp has a ton of hours on it and it's still goin strong!

That's strange. I never warmed up to Ford. Never liked them at all. Does it really matter?

 

[sunfish]

That's strange. I never warmed up to Ford. Never liked them at all. Does it really matter?

No, it doesn't matter at all... Just tellin my story. :msp_smile:

 

[zogger]

I started with Poulan back in 1977, a 245A (70cc) and then a 3400 (57cc?). Very good commercial grade, metal, heavy saws that I used until 2001 when I got my first 346xp. That first 346xp change my wood cutting forever. Small, light, fast cutting and way more productive! I sold the 245A and kept the 3400 as back, but never really used it again...

I never warmed up to Stihl, just don't like em at all. My brother and brother in law run Stihl and I've been around them for years. I gave a my brother a old Husqvarna 353 a couple years ago and it's now his favorite saw. (He makes his living with a chainsaw and a tractor). Gave him a old 359 last year and he hasn't run a Stihl since.

If I could only have one saw, it'd be a 346xp, hands down, end of story! Other pro grade 50cc metal case Huskys are 351, 353 and new 545 and 550xp.

I take care of several miles of logging roads, cut 20 cords of oak a year and log for my brothers band saw mill. This 12+ year old 346xp has a ton of hours on it and it's still goin strong!

I think the 245a isn't that heavy compared to other 70 cc saws, weighs about similar to modern pro saws I think. I have a husky 365 and it feels about the same in the hands. The 245a is 13 lbs and small change. Now the 3400 is a little heavy for the class.

Won't argue on more modern pro saws though, significant weight savings and good power in general terms

I have a 346xp now but needs rebuilt, ain't got to it yet...looking forward to it though.

 

[sunfish]

I think the 245a isn't that heavy compared to other 70 cc saws, weighs about similar to modern pro saws I think. I have a husky 365 and it feels about the same in the hands. The 245a is 13 lbs and small change. Now the 3400 is a little heavy for the class.

Won't argue on more modern pro saws though, significant weight savings and good power in general terms

I have a 346xp now but needs rebuilt, ain't got to it yet...looking forward to it though.

Yes, the 245 was light for it's class. Lighter than the 3400. Great old saws!

You'll like it... A good runnin 346 will put a big smile on your face!

 

[zogger]

Yes, the 245 was light for it's class. Lighter than the 3400. Great old saws!

You'll like it... A good runnin 346 will put a big smile on your face!

Yep, seriously looking forward to it. I have a few more repairs ahead of it, I want a really clear bench for that saw, gonna do a thorough job of it. I have a slew of lesser quality smallish saws, but that one, just picking it up, with way more power and chain speed at the same light weight, I know they must be good, wayyyy too many positive threads on them.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Husky 353

Rather amazing how it all gets back to that Husky 353 I restored this past February. That saw is a pot of gold, but finding one today is next to impossible because nobody wants to sell their 353. Frankly, I cannot blame them.

 

[Fred Wright]

Rather amazing how it all gets back to that Husky 353 I restored this past February. That saw is a pot of gold, but finding one today is next to impossible because nobody wants to sell their 353. Frankly, I cannot blame them.

From what Sawtroll posted in a different thread, it can be converted to a 346XP easily.

I did a lot of research on Husky saws before deciding on the 353. The local dealer didn't have one in stock, he did a fast ship and got it to me in less than a week. It has been a very popular saw. I won't part with it.

 

[RPrice]

Late last fall I serviced a Husky 353 that my friend had bought about five years ago. Now that is one heckuva sweet saw in the "under 60cc" class. Light, powerful, carries an 18" bar with ease, and cuts like a bandit.

Problem is, I'm not sure you can buy them anymore. I don't follow the Husky line that carefully, so I don't know what they replaced the 353 with. Regardless, I'm not sure that any chainsaw is much better for cutting firewood than a Husky 353.

HUSQVARNA 353 - Chainsaws

There's a couple of Husky 353's and a 346xp down at the dealer here in Salmon right now. They want $520 for the 346 xp with a 16 inch bar. I think the dealer said the 353 was in the low $400 range. Is $520 a good deal for a no longer produced brand new 346xp??

 

[sunfish]

There's a couple of Husky 353's and a 346xp down at the dealer here in Salmon right now. They want $520 for the 346 xp with a 16 inch bar. I think the dealer said the 353 was in the low $400 range. Is $520 a good deal for a no longer produced brand new 346xp??

I'd pay it, if that was the only 346xp I could find. My dealer was at $495 for the last couple years, but he's out now. The 353 is the same saw (both pro grade), but with a different cylinder. A bit less power, but not by much. I'd take either if I needed another 50cc saw.

 

[zogger]

There's a couple of Husky 353's and a 346xp down at the dealer here in Salmon right now. They want $520 for the 346 xp with a 16 inch bar. I think the dealer said the 353 was in the low $400 range. Is $520 a good deal for a no longer produced brand new 346xp??

Last one here at the local snowdog dealer went for $519.

I used to stare at it.... %^)

Know this older guy looking for a small light powerful saw, walked him in there, walked to the rack, went oh crap and pointed at the empty slot where it used to be..oh well, he is getting a..hmm I forget, some home owner model fixed there. 455 maybe. I told him about the 550 but they didn't have one currently in stock. Not sure if theyhad a 353 or not, I tend to not pay attention unless xp is on the label anymore. ya, I know there are models "close", I have one, a 365, but.......

 

[RPrice]

Last one here at the local snowdog dealer went for $519.

I used to stare at it.... %^)

Know this older guy looking for a small light powerful saw, walked him in there, walked to the rack, went oh crap and pointed at the empty slot where it used to be..oh well, he is getting a..hmm I forget, some home owner model fixed there. 455 maybe. I told him about the 550 but they didn't have one currently in stock. Not sure if theyhad a 353 or not, I tend to not pay attention unless xp is on the label anymore. ya, I know there are models "close", I have one, a 365, but.......

Man, you guys are a "bad" influence, I'm sitting here about ready to jump in the truck to go snatch up that 346xp!! I already have a MS 261 and it "rips" as a firewood saw (I've already cut 6 cords this past month), and I probably don't need another 50 cc saw. But, I've owned and used bigger saws such as the 041 AV (purchased new in 1981), my son's MS 441, and a MS 390). I really prefer the lighter saw for firewood, my old back really appreciates it!!

I don't mean to hijack this thread either, but it wouldn't hurt to have two 50 cc saws, would it??

 

[zogger]

Man, you guys are a "bad" influence, I'm sitting here about ready to jump in the truck to go snatch up that 346xp!! I already have a MS 261 and it "rips" as a firewood saw (I've already cut 6 cords this past month), and I probably don't need another 50 cc saw. But, I've owned and used bigger saws such as the 041 AV (purchased new in 1981), my son's MS 441, and a MS 390). I really prefer the lighter saw for firewood, my old back really appreciates it!!

I don't mean to hijack this thread either, but it wouldn't hurt to have two 50 cc saws, would it??

Well, shoot..suppose like one gets dirty?

Always good to have a backup primary saw....

 

[Wood Doctor]

I'd pay it, if that was the only 346xp I could find. My dealer was at $495 for the last couple years, but he's out now. The 353 is the same saw (both pro grade), but with a different cylinder. A bit less power, but not by much. I'd take either if I needed another 50cc saw.

I told my friend after I reconditioned his Husky 353 that he would likely never be able to replace it today with a new saw for less than $500--Sthl, Husky, or anything comparable. He's running an 18" bar with it, ideal in my book.

Sunfish, I guess I was on the nose with my analysis. My friend is short on cash these days. I may shake three $100 bills in front of his nose and see if he'll bite. I doubt that he will unless I throw in another $50 for all the extra chains he has.

 

[sunfish]

353 is a Very Good saw!

I told my friend after I reconditioned his Husky 353 that he would likely never be able to replace it today with a new saw for less than $500--Sthl, Husky, or anything comparable. He's running an 18" bar with it, ideal in my book.

Sunfish, I guess I was on the nose with my analysis. My friend is short on cash these days. I may shake three $100 bills in front of his nose and see if he'll bite. I doubt that he will unless I throw in another $50 for all the extra chains he has.

I paid $160 for a nice runnin 353 (1999 model) a couple years ago and gave it to my brother. He wanted one of my 346xps' very bad, but that ain't happening . He's been using it almost full time since then, clearing and selling pine poles. He can not believe how much he can get done with this light weight little hot rod of a saw. Oh and I set it up with 18" .325 semi chisel. He loves it!

 

[ReggieT]

I paid $160 for a nice runnin 353 (1999 model) a couple years ago and gave it to my brother. He wanted one of my 346xps' very bad, but that ain't happening . He's been using it almost full time since then, clearing and selling pine poles. He can not believe how much he can get done with this light weight little hot rod of a saw. Oh and I set it up with 18" .325 semi chisel. He loves it!

Thanks for that info Fred...I have an old school Husky 242 that has a burnt or scored piston or so my repair guru says. I was really hoping to get it running....:too_sad:

 

[NH Hunter]

I spent a lot of time on craigslist looking for a smaller saw. Finally found a great deal on a Husky 142 and after using it for a year I must say I'm extremely impressed with this little saw. You will really will notice a difference for your shoulder once you drop to a smaller quality saw. Lot's of good information here, just thought I'd chime in.

 

[RPrice]

Well, shoot..suppose like one gets dirty?

Always good to have a backup primary saw....

That's what I was thinking!!! I went back and picked it up.

Soon I can speak "with authority" during the Stihl vs Husky debates, don't you think??




PS Don't say anything to my wife, OK?????

 

[sunfish]

That's what I was thinking!!! I went back and picked it up.

Soon I can speak "with authority" during the Stihl vs Husky debates, don't you think??




PS Don't say anything to my wife, OK?????

That is cool!

I little bit here, these saws are a little lacking right out of the shoot. But once they get broken in they are little hot rods! My latest 346 took 11 tanks before it woke up. It might have just been this one saw, but it was a absolute dog on the first 2-4 tanks. Now it's a solid keeper!

 

[sunfish]

Thanks for that info Fred...I have an old school Husky 242 that has a burnt or scored piston or so my repair guru says. I was really hoping to get it running....:too_sad:

Not a 353/346xp, but a good old saw!
Might just need to clean up the cylinder and pop in a new piston and ring?