new to site, chainsaw reviews

[danp76]

Hello, I'm new to this site, and own a few chainsaws. How do you guys feel about the craftsman 55cc saw with the 18" bar? Anyone own one? This saw has the easy-start feature and is currently sold at Sears stores. Pro's and con's? Other newer saws that I have are the 357xp, and 575xp, how does the ms361 compare to the 357xp? How does the 575xp compare with the new 441? Thanks guys... I live in New Hampshire and cut hardwood how would these saws be for hardwood, oak, maple, etc.

 

[blis]

wouldnt bother with 55cc crapsman since you got some decent saws already, maybe if you want small saw get 346xp/353, but dont bother with crapsman...

 

[danp76]

Have you had bad luck with the craftsman saws? I only used it 3 times, and it works good for a new $200 saw. This saw has anti-vibration springs and starts very easily. What have you found wrong with the craftsman saws? Anyone try this saw?

 

[troutfisher]

I have a 40cc 18" craftsman saw (poulan). No problems here. It's my loaner saw, construction saw, any place I don't want to use my higher priced saws.

 

[computeruser]

Hello, I'm new to this site, and own a few chainsaws. How do you guys feel about the craftsman 55cc saw with the 18" bar? Anyone own one? This saw has the easy-start feature and is currently sold at Sears stores. Pro's and con's? Other newer saws that I have are the 357xp, and 575xp, how does the ms361 compare to the 357xp? How does the 575xp compare with the new 441? Thanks guys... I live in New Hampshire and cut hardwood how would these saws be for hardwood, oak, maple, etc.

Welcome to the site!

If you're talking about the black 55cc, it has been discussed at length in a thread a while back. Do a search, you'll find it easy enough. Some folks think it is a POS, others think it is OK for its intended role. Depends mostly on what you expect from a saw, I guess.

As for the comparisons between the other two pairings, you'll find LOTS of discussions about those saws if you read back through some of the old discussion threads. Personally I'd consider them fairly well-matched in terms of actual cutting, with access to a local source for parts and support being the deciding factor in determining which brand to go with.

 

[danp76]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I have only used the sears saw a few times, so hard to say how good it will be. I have an old Dayton saw 4.5 cubic inch. I need a new bar adjuster, any idea where to get one? My father loves the old Dayton 4.5 cu. thinks it's great.

 

[TDunk]

I have an old school craftsman saw. i think it's a 55cc. It's a 1985, no safety brakes and i'm am now just putting a set of rings in it. It's deffinetly nothign to brag about, but for a hand-me-down/back-up saw you can't beat it.

 

[computeruser]

I have an old school craftsman saw. i think it's a 55cc. It's a 1985, no safety brakes and i'm am now just putting a set of rings in it. It's deffinetly nothign to brag about, but for a hand-me-down/back-up saw you can't beat it.

It's no wonder you're still getting good use of that saw - once upon a time the Craftsman saws were rebadged versions of good machines made by other manufacturers. Now they're either throwaway Poulans or, in the case of that black machine, Taiwanese imports of suspect quality.

The irony, of course, is that the very market segment that tends to buy saws at Sears is arguably the segment least able to deal with the frequent minor troubles and frustrations that these powertools provide. Same with the cheap Homelites sold at HomeDepot and such. If/when you can get them to run properly, they do OK. But you have to actually know how to work on saws to keep them running to their full potential, or oftentimes to keep them running at all. Go figure.

 

[TDunk]

I always thought that old saw was a Paulon. do you know off hand what brand of saw it might be? I only use it MAYBE once a month when i pinch my good saws so i never really paid much attension to it.

 

[danp76]

The saw is probably early 1980's or so, it's a Dayton 4.5 cubic inch saw. Do you think a 4.5 cube saw of that vinatage is similar in power to a modern saw with 4.5 cubic inches? Where can you get parts for the old Dayton saws?

 

[stckciv]

I think the 1985 Crapsman saw would still be a poulon. Other than that all I remember that made them would have been Roper.

 

[A. Stanton]

Hello Danp76

I am new to this forum also, in fact this is my first post. Personally, I would never buy another Craftsman piece of power equipment. I decided this the last time they had me on hold for 45 minutes while I was trying to buy parts for a lawnmower. I like Stihl chain saws. I ran a Farm Boss for the last 8 years and never had a problem with it. For about $330, you could buy this saw with a case. A couple years back I decided to move up and bought a 440. And most recently I just purchased a 361. This was due mainly to the praise everyone gave it in this chat room. Today was the first time I used the 361. It was sweet. I probably would never had purchased the 440 if I knew about the 361.

 

[danp76]

Hi A. Stanton and other folks... this site is so informing and educational, I really enjoy it thus far. What do you like better about the 361 over the 440? I thought the 440 was more powerful...How does the 357xp compare to the ms 361, seems everyone like the 361, what about it's competitor the 357xp??

 

[cbfarmall]

I have an old school craftsman saw. i think it's a 55cc. It's a 1985, no safety brakes and i'm am now just putting a set of rings in it. It's deffinetly nothign to brag about, but for a hand-me-down/back-up saw you can't beat it.

I have pretty much this same saw. Sold in 1985 for approx $350 (at least, that's what I remember being written on the cover of the original owner's manual.) It is either a Poulan 3400 or 3700 rebadged. Has aluminum cylinder and chrome rings. My dad used the snot out of it one summer before I had all my saws. Cut up 5 or 6 oaks, at 75 feet tall, and several of the stumps. Had to replace the oiler.

Chris B.

 

[danp76]

357xp or ms 361?

I recently purchased a 357xp but it seems this site favors the ms 361, how do the two saws compare? Is the 5100 Dolmar as powerful? I cut hard wood, oak and maple mostly for firewood.

 

[danp76]

well, I hear all kinds of posts on the 361, but no one seems to mention its competitor, the 357xp....how does it compare??

 

[PA Plumber]

I just entered 357xp in the search bar. 23 pages.

Don't worry too much about it, the first thread I ever posted was on a severly rehashed subject and folks were fairly patient with me.

 

[blsnelling]

There's no comparison at all between these two saws. The 357XP will barely pull a 14" bar in hardwood. If you need proof, check my sig:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: Actually I've never even seen a 357XP.

 

[Stihl Crazy]

I have owned both and both are great saws. I like the 357 top cover and filter setup. I like the 361 clutch, rim setup. Stock I found the 357 stronger and modified the 361 came out on top. I could live the rest of my days with either.

 

[Rydaddy]

both

Both are great saws. You made a good choice. I am not "brand" loyal... I believe every brand of every product out there has its good ones and bad ones. I have used both saws and would recommend either one, they are different but equal. If that makes since. The Dolmar you mentioned is a great little saw but 1/2 a step behind the other two.