Newbie looking to buy a new saw!

[TreeClimber57]

WARNING to newbie, you are about 6 posts from the beginning of the onset of CAD, that trip to the local saw shop may speed up the process.

Likely too late already

 

[Walt41]

Likely too late already

Right now he probably is standing at the saw shop admiring all the saws, while a faint odor of bar oil dances in his nostrils, his pulse has quickened and his temperature has risen, he has no idea how long he has been there or even how he got there, he just wants to stay.
You are right TC57, it may be too late.

 

[7sleeper]

Not on your list but definately the option is the 5100 new&improved = the new 5105.

That would be my choice for best bang for the buck!

Also as mentioned above check out ol joat's.

BTW good luck in the store resisting the urge!

7

 

[igpoe]

Dolmar= Smooth
Igpoe

 

[Lugnutz]

my pick in that range of saws..well it isn't on your list LOL

I'd take a gander on the internet at the Cub Cadet CS5720 or the John Deere CS 56

Both are Efco saws out of Italy and sport a 4.1hp 56.5cc motor. They are a pro design saw and at 300 bucks new, Lotta BANG for the $$$$

Not many new JD models out there anymore but the Cub can be found on Amazon and I believe they offer free shipping.

 

[TreeClimber57]

mI'd take a gander on the internet at the Cub Cadet CS5720 or the John Deere CS 56

Both are Efco saws out of Italy and sport a 4.1hp 56.5cc motor. They are a pro design saw and at 300 bucks new, Lotta BANG for the $$$$

Hmmm.. never tried either.

But the John Deere sit on a shelf at the back wall of the store.. and all the Stihl's are up front. The local dealer, who is a John Deere dealer, excellent Stihl support.. tells me the Stihl's are far beyond anything in the JD lineup. And they are only a fairly recent Stihl dealer.. been JD for over 30 years. Interesting.. maybe I will see if I can try one out to see what it is really like.

 

[Lugnutz]

yeah my understanding is JD decided to discontinue selling its branded saws and snuggled up with Stihl, but it was the discontination that landed me a heckuva deal on a JD or I probably would never tried one.

 

[Javelin]

I would not make that statement on Stihl vs. Efco. Both good reputable brands. Stihl is the King of marketing were efco has no marketing!

 

[nate cutter]

So it sounds like you like to tinker with cars Stihl is the most expensive to work on your self because parts are by dealer only. Buy the strongest saw you can carry. If you are cutting with any one else you will always be proud to have the saw that always starts and cuts the quickest. The 361 (or 362 4.6bhp the next generation) is the best on the list but the 372xp and ms440/441 with an 18-32" bar will do any thing for you.

Lean to sharpen what ever method works for you i like the husqvarna style
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/chaintoolfile.cfm

premium gas and good 2-stroke oil (start looking up synthetic vs non )

Keep the out of the dirt this will dull the cutters instantly

look up muffler mod on this site this will void all warranties but the saw can finally breathe

all the saws on your list are good but you will always want faster

 

[litefoot]

You kept reemphasizing "bang for the buck". Nothing in the world beats a Dolmar 7900. It's in you price range. German-engineered. You'll never be wishing for more power. The specs say it's heavier than the others, but if you don't have another saw to compare it to, you won't know the difference. It is the undisputed "bang for the buck" leader in saws.

I know it's not on your list, but do yourself a favor and include in your deliberations.

 

[mowoodchopper]

359!

 

[TreeClimber57]

You kept reemphasizing "bang for the buck". Nothing in the world beats a Dolmar 7900. It's in you price range. German-engineered. You'll never be wishing for more power.

That is a bit heavy for a single saw IMHO.. unless you want to use it as a free weight and skip workout each day

But it has the hp to turn the chain!!

My brother has one, nice saw no doubt about it.. but a bit big and heavy .. but then again as soon as CAD catches on the no issues I guess.

 

[Evan]

whats the true weight of the 361 and why did stihl raise its printed weight

 

[Javelin]

More what is the true weight of the 362 since the 61 is going bye bye.

 

[bytehoven]

whats the true weight of the 361 and why did stihl raise its printed weight

12.3 & 12.6 C-Q are the weights I have seen for a dry 361 power head.

Did you see a different number somewhere?

The dry 362 head weighs in at 13.0, not quite a pound heavier.

 

[TreeClimber57]

whats the true weight of the 361 and why did stihl raise its printed weight

What do you mean true weight? All saws are measured without oil or gasoline, and I believe without a bar and chain.

The CQ model weighs a small amount more than the earlier version, that is the only change I can see from any books I have vs what is online.

What I do not understand is the European made one, which I have one of, is shown as 4.6hp/3.4kw. But the U.S. made one, which we now get in Canada, is 4.4hp/3.3kw.

See European saw on U.K. site:
http://www.stihl.co.uk/

See U.S. Saw on Canadian site:
http://www.stihl.ca/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=3&x=jNF+L6XtD3sNC4t7IniHCQ

U.S. Saw on U.S. site is same as the Canadian one spec wise (but this only changed recently).

 

[litefoot]

That is a bit heavy for a single saw IMHO.. unless you want to use it as a free weight and skip workout each day

But it has the hp to turn the chain!!

My brother has one, nice saw no doubt about it.. but a bit big and heavy .. but then again as soon as CAD catches on the no issues I guess.

Actually the 7900 is the lightest saw in its class. I think it's a GREAT single saw choice.

 

[TreeClimber57]

Actually the 7900 is the lightest saw in its class. I think it's a GREAT single saw choice.

That may be, but it is an 80cc saw.. which I personally think is a bit big for most as a single saw. But then that is my opinion and you may differ in yours. As a single saw, for most users, a 60cc saw is enough (IMHO).

 

[nmurph]

What do you mean true weight? All saws are measured without oil or gasoline, and I believe without a bar and chain.

many actual weights are heavier than what the manufacturer quotes. a few are lighter.

 

[BlueHD]

Great info guys, went and looked at some huskys and stihls today and what the rep told me I'm more on the rocks than ever on what I want, but I think its gonna be between the 346xp, 361 and the 5100s. I'm gonna have to check out the 5105 now though. I'll let you guys know on the progress of my decision.
Joe