I need help deciding on a chainsaw for my husband's birthday!!

[Cut4fun]

Auntmeme, Dont forget to tell hubby about the site after you give him his new present of a saw.
That way we can help him out with saws choices #2, #3, #4, #5 and so on. OK :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[begleytree]

Sawtroll, them's dangerous waters there! sure, the 361 is only $150 more than the budget and would be a nicer saw than the 290, BUT, if you're going to up the budget to $550, then you are up to the dolmar 7900, which will eat the 361 (and 440, and 460) and spit out the bolts. suddenly you have a big saw that goes through 18" wood like a lightsaber but is bigger and heavier than you wanted to begin with, so now you are back to looking for another $400 saw in the 50-60cc size for medium duty cutting!
Its a snowball effect that we all know too well!

On second thought Auntmeme, maybe you better block this site from your husband, too much time with us and your husband may end up with 3-4 (or more) new saws!! not that there's anything wrong with that..............
Its an addiction we all suffer from, with no cure in sight!!! you start cutting wood, buy a saw, cut more wood, suddenly it takes longer to load the 15 saws into the pickup to go cutting than the actual cutting time. factor in the time spent cleaning and lovingly caressing your saws, and you may not see much of him once the addiction takes hold!
-Ralph

 

[Urbicide]

Wow! 107 replies so far. You guys have been really nice to the lady. I hope the helping nature you all have shown carries over into the New Year for all of the newbs. "What saw should I buy?" "Go do a search!" Remember that we all have had to start at the beginning. Facts that have been run into the ground and have no significance anymore to more advanced saw guys can be very important to a novice. ArboristSite has a slew of members from all over the world who come together here for a variety of reasons. It can be a technical question, a helpful tip, a product evaluation,an expression of one's opinion, to socialize, or to joke around. Indeed we get all of the above plus in some threads.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Vince

 

[AJLOGGER]

hmm, Dolmar made the first chainsaw in '27, still making chainsaws. thats longer than any other manufacturer, so I could see where you would think they'd close up shop real soon.
the one I would be worried about is husky. after watching homelite and macs fall by the wayside when they started selling in box stores, I wonder how husky thinks it will be any different for them since they've started cutting their own dealers throats?
-Ralph

I agree with you 100% on the Husky thing. Now to the Dolmar issue, you know as well as I do that Dolmar has had tons of problems in the past with not being able to stay above the water level. People couldn't get parts and dealers shut the doors. I know they made the first chainsaw BUT it should tell you something that they are not even in the same ball park with Stihl or Husky when it comes to marketshare. Also it seems to me that they are trying to build their company with two good models of saws the 5100 and the 7900. They are going to have to get a more diverse product line than that or once again history will repeat itself. I am going to wait to buy a Dolmar until I see how stable they will be.

 

[stckciv]

Two good models?

The Dolmar PS-460 is a better saw than the 345(Husky) or 250(Stihl) that it competes with on engine size and cost.

They have some very nice saws that are on either of the 2 platforms you mentioned and better priced than the Husky or Stihl.

But I do agree with you that they have had problems. We will see how long they can keep it up for and if their dealer support will be good in years to come.

 

[SawWitch]

I hope you can help me. I'm clueless when it comes to chainsaws but want to surprise my husband for his birthday. He currently has 2 Pulan chainsaws which he hates. We live in Indiana and he cuts wood for our outdoor furnace and for our neighbor who can't get out. So he doesn't need anything along professional lines, just something that will cut right the first time! I'd like to keep it the cost around $400 if at all possible. thanks for any help.

Hello auntmeme, good to meet another woman on this forum! I just bought a Husky 372xpg for my husband, and it's a big saw. But I have bougth several saws for him, smaller than the last Husky. So I will advice you to buy him a Stihl 361. For myself I want a Dolmar 5100S, it is a bit lighter but also have bit less power. I hope you find out of it, and buy him a saw he happy with.

:greenchainsaw:

 

[FourMoCajuns]

If it is not smoked he will love it!

 

[blsnelling]

You all aren't going to believe this...I just found a used 361, purchased new in June of 2006, not been used since August...with an 18" bar and case for $400! I'm emailing back and forth with the seller now. I'll keep you updated...woohoo!!

Please tell me this is not the one listed on Craiglist from a guy at Duke Medical Center! Seriously.

 

[infomet]

What's wrong with the one at Duke? I'm quite near there!
PM me if you like.
Wilson

 

[infomet]

I can't find it on Craigslist, so give me the listing, if possible.
Wilson

 

[blsnelling]

Start reading at post #22. LINK Infomet, if you could pick it up in person, I'm sure you could make a few bucks if the deals for real. There are WAY too many inconsistencies in what he has told about 3 of us that were in contact with him. He gave me a PayPal email addy to send payment to. When I asked for pics, I never heard from him again. He also never answered when I asked if I could pick it up in person. Another guy asked if someone could come by and look at it and never heard back. There were other things as well. Way too shady to take a chance on $350.

 

[Cut4fun]

Sounds Scam time to me. Now that would ruin the Birthday.
Go get a new saw with the warrenty, till he learns to work on them himself, like we all have here. Easy to pick up and the help is right here.

 

[blsnelling]

I was seriously interested in that saw. I ended up buying one from Curt Bailey for $415 and it was only about one month old.

 

[infomet]

OK, sorry I missed the page somehow.
I'll look into it tomorrow, if it's still there, thanks.
Wilson

 

[Gark]

Auntmeme, the many replies to your first post have gone from A to Z and back again. Everyone has their favorites- Stihl, Husky or Dolmar.
Your hubby is a fortunate guy.
If the used MS391 does not work out (MS391 is my dream upgrade saw), the MS290 would work fine and fit your budget limit. I'm a homeowner cutting 5 cords a year plus friend's needs. Had my MS290 for 5 years (only saw) and it has never failed to start, cut wood or take abuse. The MS290 gets no bragging rights for speed or horse-power-to-weight-ratio on this site but mine has been steady and reliable. With its 18' bar and .325 RS chain it makes our firewood just fine. I cannot justify paying the $550 for my dream MS391 because this 'lil MS290 will just not quit. A good sharp chain is the key ingredient.
Sorry to muddy the waters a bit more, but that's my opinion.

 

[SawTroll]

Gark, MS361, not 391......

 

[infomet]

I couldn't reach them today.
Anyone know any more?
Wilson

 

[auntmeme]

Well, I sent the payment for the used MS361. It wasn't the one on Craig's List and the seller sent me a copy of the receipt and told me if wasn't what she said, I could return it. I'll let you all know what happens...(fingers crossed)...

 

[gt2003]

Updates? Did you get the saw? Does he love it? Let us know. Thanks!

 

[auntmeme]

The saw made it as far as Charlotte, NC and now the post office can't find it! AAARRRGGGHHH!!! So, I'm corresponding with the seller. I've been sent 1/2 the money back so far and we're hoping the p.o. finds it soon. If not, I'm back to square one! I'll let you know what happens. Thanks!