Newbie needing advice on first saw purchase

[bcampbe7]

Just recently purchased some property and am in the market for a chainsaw.

I have never used a chainsaw and will only be using this one for limbing and bucking. I am not looking to take down large trees. If that needs to be done I will hire out to the experts. Just looking to clean up and maintain the property.

I have 4 requirements:

1) Stay under $350 (including 16"-18" bar and chain; not including tax or protective equipment)

2) Buy from local dealer and not big box store. If I have any problems, I want to make sure that I have somewhere I can take the saw for service.

3) I have no brand preference, but I need to stay with either Echo, Stihl, Dolmar or Husky as those are the only local dealer I have.

4) Needs to be new. I just don't know enough about saws to buy used.

Saws I am considering (in no particular order):
*Echo CS-400 and 480 (little above budget)
*Stihl MS-250
*Dolmar 420 (possibly 5100 if the price is right)
*Husky 350
*Shindaiwa 488 (only issue is cannot buy local but can get serviced locally if needed)

As of now the Dolmar 420 is in the lead, but I have yet to get my hands on one. It is in the lead based solely on reviews and posts I have read here. I am going by that dealer today after work, so we shall see if it stays on top. Local dealer has a demo 420 that I can "test drive."

I really like the feel of the Echo. The rubberized handle felt much better than the Stihl or Husky. Seems like it would allow a more secure grip when the hands get a bit tired or sweaty. My biggest issue with the Echo is from reading reviews. I read more than one review of an Echo user having engine failure after only a few months of use. In both cases Echo did not warranty the saw. Kinda defeats the purpose of a 5 year warranty, in my humble opinion. Maybe those were isolated cases, I don't know.

In all honesty, I was not impressed by the Stihl or Husky feel. Both felt cheap, especially for the amount of money. I am not going for looks, but the saw needs to be comfortable.

Have never laid hands on a Shindaiwa 488, but based on posts here and in talking with friends, this is a great saw for the money. Only problem is that I would have to purchase on eBay and I am not sure how comfortable I am about purchasing a chainsaw without first laying hands/trying it out.

So there ya have it... Which one should I go with, or am I good with any of those listed? Looking for something I can have for many years (properly maintained of course).

 

[willis09r]

If I HAD to choose from the 4 (not counting the shindiawa for reasons you listed) I would take either the Dolmar or the Husky 350.

The Dolmar I haven't used but have heard good things about.

The Husky I have used and think it's a nice little saw. You sure they still
sell these new at the shop though?

 

[diesel3408]

Stihl ms 250 and the dealer will have all you safty gear there or they should chaps hard hat face Sheld ear pertection

 

[bcampbe7]

If I HAD to choose from the 4 (not counting the shindiawa for reasons you listed) I would take either the Dolmar or the Husky 350.

The Dolmar I haven't used but have heard good things about.

The Husky I have used and think it's a nice little saw. You sure they still
sell these new at the shop though?

I thought it was a 350.... I could be mistaken though. Now that I think about it, it may have been the 450. He also had one of the anniversary saws left.

I have looked at so many different brands/models in the past week that I am getting all of them mixed up or wrong.

 

[dingeryote]

It's gonna be your first saw, so go with the dealer, NOT the saw.

Any of those 4 are gonna work about the same and be about the even on reliability.

Now the bad part.

All 4 are gonna get bent, busted, and not want to run right, and generally tick you the hell off.... because it's your first saw and you are learning.
The dealer that you trust to walk ya through things, hold your hand a bit now and then, and wont laugh when ya bring it in flooded like shreeveport should get the nod.

That said, the litttle MS-250 is tougher than a 2 dollar Steak and will take just about any insult a newbie can toss at it.

My wife flat out beat the living crap out of ours in every imaginable way except straight gassing it. The thing is on it's 4th Bar and only one of them was worn down to the nubbins...the rest got bent or crushed.

The inboard clutch is a good feature for a newbie as well.
One E clip and you can clean out the grunge that comes with sticking the bar in the dirt and running a dull chain.

On the down side is the air filter system sucks compared to Husky.
They ALL suck compared to Husky though. Just remember to clean it off.

Power to weight on the 250 is really close to the MS-260 pro saw.

You'll upgrade to a bigger saw before you WEAR the 250 out.
I'm still trying to wear ours out as a Quad saw on the Farm.

But if the Stihl dealer near you is not going to help ya out, you're still better off with a different saw.

Make sure to check in often, post pics of cutting and your progress, and generally yak....

Good luck to ya!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[wrooster]

Just recently purchased some property and am in the market for a chainsaw. I have never used a chainsaw and will only be using this one for limbing and bucking. I am not looking to take down large trees. If that needs to be done I will hire out to the experts. Just looking to clean up and maintain the property.

based on what you wrote above, i'd advise you to get an MS211 or MS250. i have been using an 021 (predecessor to the MS210/MS211) for going on twenty years, using it to do exactly what you plan on doing. parts for these size stihls are plentiful, and there is a dealer on damn near every corner if you need expert help. plus with just occasional use, you can rebuild an MS211/MS250 every 10 years in about two hours.

what you don't want is a big, heavy saw that is too much for you to handle. yes, you need a big, heavy saw to do big, heavy jobs -- but get some mileage with a smaller saw first. felling big trees is very unforgiving, and even dealing with wind/ice damaged fallen trees can be very hazardous, in many cases more so than straightforward felling.

jim aka the wrooster

see date code on piston, 3rd week of 1992:

 

[poulson01]

MS250 is Father In Law tested. He's had his 025 for 14 years and has been unable to kill it so far. He blew up my 346XP twice. He is the worst chainsaw operator I've ever seen. I don't mean trying to cut his leg off like my step father (the second worst). I mean burning the clutch, apparently on purpose and bogging the saw for 10-20 seconds at a time. Grounding the chain and then smoking the 16" bar through a 30" stump. NEVER cleaning the air filter or changing the plug. Running it with no bar oil.
It's like nails on a chalk board watching him work.
The 025/MS250 will never have to prove its self to me in any other way. I tear up when I see that old 025! The HORRORS it's been through!
It's the toughest gasoline powered thing on the planet.

 

[bcampbe7]

Thanks for the replies...

I stopped by the Dolmar dealer today. Great guy and would sell me a 420 for $325 plus tax.

I then decided to stop by the other Stihl dealer in town. He has a ton of 250 but recommended another saw. The 290! Big heavy sucker that one is! I was impressed with the saw, but I think that is a bit too big for what I need. Probably a very capable saw and something I will never outgrow, but I am not sure I need anything that big. He would sell it for $340.

Is the 290 too much saw for what I plan to use a chainsaw for?

 

[Saw Dr.]

You should try a Stihl 211. Stop looking at specs on paper, and go try one out. I think you will be very impressed. You can be sure that there will be parts (and dealers) around for Stihl for a very long time. I am one of the few on here who actually likes the 290. If you are going to be limbing and such, the 211 is much better suited to that. It is also probably safer to learn on a lighter machine.

 

[bcampbe7]

You should try a Stihl 211. Stop looking at specs on paper, and go try one out. I think you will be very impressed. You can be sure that there will be parts (and dealers) around for Stihl for a very long time. I am one of the few on here who actually likes the 290. If you are going to be limbing and such, the 211 is much better suited to that. It is also probably safer to learn on a lighter machine.

Will do, thanks! I do think the 290 is too heavy and too much saw for my needs. I will check out the 211.

 

[2000ssm6]

Yup, check out the 211.

 

[Muffler Bearing]

http://www.stihldealer.net/productd...45-toplvl-2-catid-2-subcat-2-catprods-39.aspx

The 290 is as close to idiot proof as they come.

 

[o8f150]

i am an echo person,,,,,,,,either the cs-370 or the cs-400,,,,both are great saws

 

[MostShady1]

It's gonna be your first saw, so go with the dealer, NOT the saw.

Any of those 4 are gonna work about the same and be about the even on reliability.

Now the bad part.

All 4 are gonna get bent, busted, and not want to run right, and generally tick you the hell off.... because it's your first saw and you are learning.
The dealer that you trust to walk ya through things, hold your hand a bit now and then, and wont laugh when ya bring it in flooded like shreeveport should get the nod.

That said, the litttle MS-250 is tougher than a 2 dollar Steak and will take just about any insult a newbie can toss at it.

My wife flat out beat the living crap out of ours in every imaginable way except straight gassing it. The thing is on it's 4th Bar and only one of them was worn down to the nubbins...the rest got bent or crushed.

The inboard clutch is a good feature for a newbie as well.
One E clip and you can clean out the grunge that comes with sticking the bar in the dirt and running a dull chain.

On the down side is the air filter system sucks compared to Husky.
They ALL suck compared to Husky though. Just remember to clean it off.

Power to weight on the 250 is really close to the MS-260 pro saw.

You'll upgrade to a bigger saw before you WEAR the 250 out.
I'm still trying to wear ours out as a Quad saw on the Farm.

But if the Stihl dealer near you is not going to help ya out, you're still better off with a different saw.

Make sure to check in often, post pics of cutting and your progress, and generally yak....

Good luck to ya!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

:agree2:Couldn't have said it better.

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

The MS211 will keep up with alot of 40cc saws at only 35cc. I like mine.

 

[mowoodchopper]

Get the dolmar or the husky 350 or 450, the 250 and 211 are a POS! Unhandy too!

 

[2000ssm6]

Get the dolmar or the husky 350 or 450, the 250 and 211 are a POS! Unhandy too!

The 350 and 450 are good but the 211 and 250 are pos?

 

[mowoodchopper]

The 350 and 450 are good but the 211 and 250 are pos?

That is correct!

I knew that would get your attn 2000, But it is my honest opinion, especially the 250 I have used a few of them. To me they feel like a big box with a bar sticking out, and the 350 or 450 completely smokes them. No offence!

 

[2000ssm6]

That is correct!

LOL, sounds like ya need to quit talking out ya azz. I got a 350 and 211 here, they are built about the same. The 211 crank isn't sitting in plastic though. A 450? That is a joke...

 

[dingeryote]

The 350 and 450 are good but the 211 and 250 are pos?

LOL!!!
"unhandy too"....

Some folks just can't stand driving a Bently and hanker for thier old Grenada I reckon.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote