Newbie needing advice on first saw purchase

[bcampbe7]

When I say I am a newbie, I mean it... I have never in my life ran a chainsaw. Been around them with my dad and grandpa, but never had one in my hands.

My dealer was great in showing me how to handle the saw as well as start it. Can't thank him enough.

I was going to wait till the end of this week to start using it, but the urge to fire it up got to me yesterday.

It was around 50 degrees yesterday and the saw was stone cold. 2 pulls on full choke and one on "high rev" and she fired right up! I couldn't believe how easily it started.

Cut a limb off of a cedar tree and it cut like a hot knife through butter. I am hooked! Can't wait to get out on our property this weekend and do some work.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help in making my first saw purchase.

 

[MostShady1]

When I say I am a newbie, I mean it... I have never in my life ran a chainsaw. Been around them with my dad and grandpa, but never had one in my hands.

My dealer was great in showing me how to handle the saw as well as start it. Can't thank him enough.

I was going to wait till the end of this week to start using it, but the urge to fire it up got to me yesterday.

It was around 50 degrees yesterday and the saw was stone cold. 2 pulls on full choke and one on "high rev" and she fired right up! I couldn't believe how easily it started.

Cut a limb off of a cedar tree and it cut like a hot knife through butter. I am hooked! Can't wait to get out on our property this weekend and do some work.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help in making my first saw purchase.

Sounds like the incipient stage of CAD to me

 

[7sleeper]

Congrats on your first saw!

Personaly I would have chosen the Dolmar 420 in a heartbeat. Profesional build quality and in the same league as the plastic 250! And having the dealer sell me ppe is about as normal as getting a spare chain or an explanation of how the saw works.

Although I donot believe for the average homeowner that there is a chance for running there saw to death with a few chords a year.

7

 

[FXDL]

When I say I am a newbie, I mean it... I have never in my life ran a chainsaw. Been around them with my dad and grandpa, but never had one in my hands.

My dealer was great in showing me how to handle the saw as well as start it. Can't thank him enough.

I was going to wait till the end of this week to start using it, but the urge to fire it up got to me yesterday.

It was around 50 degrees yesterday and the saw was stone cold. 2 pulls on full choke and one on "high rev" and she fired right up! I couldn't believe how easily it started.

Cut a limb off of a cedar tree and it cut like a hot knife through butter. I am hooked! Can't wait to get out on our property this weekend and do some work.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help in making my first saw purchase.

Oh boy! we got another one! i joined this site in dec 2009, having never run a chainsaw and now i own 4 saws and i am looking for a 5th! here in a few weeks hes gonna have a post "what do ya guys think about the stihl 460?" congrats on the saw and welcome to AS!

 

[poulson01]

When I say I am a newbie, I mean it...

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help in making my first saw purchase.

Be careful.
Use the chain brake like you use the safety on your hunting rifle. Don't walk with the chain brake off.
Carry the saw by the half wrap with one hand and the bar pointing aft. Keep your balance with your other arm.
I learned on the flight deck, there's things you don't do and places you don't go. Start making a mental list.
Always pay attention to where the chain is and watch the tip.
Watch your step. Tread carefully.
Make one cut at a time. When bucking, make a couple cuts, set the chain brake, move and get your new footing. Then start again.
When you finish a tank of gas, touch up the chain and adjust it.
Fill it with gas and oil.
Take a drink of water or take a leak.
Look around and see where you're at.

You get the idea.
ANY questions just ask!

It'd be great if you could find a good sawyer to cut with. It's hard to explain what to do and what not to do.

 

[SawTroll]

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

....
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)

.....

The only saw on that list that make much sence is the Husky 350 - the question is if you still can get one?

The Dolmar is better built (more like a pro saw), but also has less cc and power, for about the same weight.

The Shinny is just a waaaaay outdated design, and by all means don't trust the specs! :monkey:

Just forget the Stihl and the Echos........

 

[MostShady1]

The only saw on that list that make much sence is the Husky 350 - the question is if you still can get one?

The Dolmar is better built (more like a pro saw), but also has less cc and power, for about the same weight.

The Shinny is just a waaaaay outdated design, and by all means don't trust the specs! :monkey:

Just forget the Stihl and the Echos........

Little late on that one.

I went with a brand new Stihl MS250 with 18" bar.

Local dealer is great so that played a big part in my decision. Bought a case, helmet with earphones, wedge and bar oil to go with it.

Sounds like the made made his purchase and is happy with his new STIHL!!

 

[dingeryote]

When I say I am a newbie, I mean it... I have never in my life ran a chainsaw. Been around them with my dad and grandpa, but never had one in my hands.

My dealer was great in showing me how to handle the saw as well as start it. Can't thank him enough.

I was going to wait till the end of this week to start using it, but the urge to fire it up got to me yesterday.

It was around 50 degrees yesterday and the saw was stone cold. 2 pulls on full choke and one on "high rev" and she fired right up! I couldn't believe how easily it started.

Cut a limb off of a cedar tree and it cut like a hot knife through butter. I am hooked! Can't wait to get out on our property this weekend and do some work.

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help in making my first saw purchase.

And the hook is buried to the BONE!!! LOL!!!

Next stop...Multiple Contras, an Alky saw, and a 3120 on a Mill next to the Skidder and swingset in the backyard.

Good for you man!

Stick around and make sure to ask first and cut afterwards if it seems iffy.

Have FUN!!


Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[caotropheus]

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

bcampbe7

As you will soon discover, there is no such thing in this world.

Your approach to a first chainsaw is correct though. Start with a light low hp saw to learn how to work with it and within a couple of weeks you'll be dreaming about a 460 or a 7900 or a 372 or a 2171 or... ! :greenchainsaw:

 

[bcampbe7]

Thanks all!

Great post Poulson, thanks again. My dealer went through much of the same stuff, but it never hurts to read, re-read it again and I appreciate ya looking out for a newbie like me!

And, yeah I have found myself searching eBay and the for sale section here looking at various saws. I see a pissed off wife in my furture! LOL!

 

[caotropheus]

I see a pissed off wife in my furture! LOL!

Don't worry, we all do! :love1:

 

[gwiley]

The only saw on that list that make much sence is the Husky 350 - the question is if you still can get one?

The Dolmar is better built (more like a pro saw), but also has less cc and power, for about the same weight.

The Shinny is just a waaaaay outdated design, and by all means don't trust the specs! :monkey:

Just forget the Stihl and the Echos........

I recommend the 350 - I have run mine for years and I just love the saw. I cut 10-20 cords per year (usually closer to 10), some felling more bucking dead stuff. Running LPX on an 18" bar the 350 will comfortably fell a 20"-24" red oak. I use my 372 for anything larger.

There are new Husky 350 on ebay. If you are careful (watch their reputation, I only bid on stuff if the seller has 99.9% or better) you can get a good deal.

Buy a NIB 350. One of the big advantages of this saw is that it runs baby skin smooth and is light weight for the power - the EPA didn't get their claws into them until later in the production run.