Saw for personal use??

[collins8]

I am looking for a good quality saw for general home use. I would like to get something that will last me the rest of my life if I take care of it. I may put 10 to 20 hours on it a year. I would like to have a 18 or 20" bar. Something I learned a long time ago, "you can never have to much power" I would also like something that starts fairly easy. I would like to stay less than $370
Here are the saws I was looking at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20538&item=4358167359&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
This saw may be more than I need??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20538&item=4358167122&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79666&item=4357792515&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79666&item=4358184080&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

What do you guys think??

 

[tony marks]

echo has a rep for dependability.. the 55 is a proven value for what you need.
deale support is important..jmo

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Have you looked at any Stihl's? I also noticed that these are all NIB saws. Nothing wrong with that at all, but for $370 you can get alot of saw-used. Though I'm a Stihl guy, I'd say go with one of the Huskys. A buddy of mine has the 455, and though he doesn't use it often, loves it.

Take care all,
Jeff

 

[collins8]

I really have not looked at any Stihl saws because everyone I have talked with in TN have told me they are not the saw they once were??

Rob

 

[woodshop]

I really have not looked at any Stihl saws because everyone I have talked with in TN have told me they are not the saw they once were??
Rob

I'm curious what reasons those people you talked to gave for Stihl not being "the saw they once were?"
Dave

 

[sedanman]

If you put a gun to my head and made me choose between an Echo and a Husqvarna, I'd take the Husky without a second thought. Echo equipment has never impressed me. It feels too cheap and this is my opinion which I am entitled to.

 

[Crofter]

None of the saws are what they once were. Solid metal and one piece construction. you could pinch them in the cut and take two people to pull them out. With anti vibe springs or rubbers and the plastic to cut weight and vibration, you sure cant do that any more.
A lot of companies, Stihl included did have carburetion issues brought about by EPA regulations, but nothing a good dealer cant make right for you. If you feel you aren't willing to or capable of doing your own adjusting and repairs it is all the more important to have good dealer support. When you are thinking of a ten year investment, 75 or 100 dollars extra is worth it to have a saw with continued dealer and parts support. A saw that is considered professional use in my opinion is the way to go if you are looking for the long haul.

 

[collins8]

Personally I like what I have read on stihls but the local folk due not like them. I am not saw expert and I am hoping you guys can ensure I get the best saw for my money. What saw would you guys recommend??

Rob

 

[Lobo]

Some of the prices for these saws on ebay are close to what a saw dealer is selling at, so why not just buy from a good solid reputable dealer who will be there for you when you need him.

And I agree why not go the way of Stihl or Makita Dolmar or Jonsered etc.

People who have 25 - 30- 35 year old Stihl's can still find parts for them which is more than what can be said for many other brands. Not to mention Stihl great resale value down the road also.

 

[trimmmed]

All those saws will fit your requirements. I'm partial to husky's and I'd pick the 359 out of the lot.

 

[TonyM]

Out of those, the 359 will fit the bill nicely, with the CS-670 a close second (just because it's a little heavy for it's power).

 

[Dadatwins]

Some of the prices for these saws on ebay are close to what a saw dealer is selling at, so why not just buy from a good solid reputable dealer who will be there for you when you need him.

I agree, if I was going to buy a new saw I would go with a dealer set up unit. At least the unit has been started and fine tuned before leaving the store. I am not talking about a big box store either like Lowes or the HD. They do not offer the service of a free standing dealer. There are dealers on this site that could probably set you up with a new saw that has been started and tested for the same $$$ as ebay. Just my opinion.
Good luck.

 

[woodshop]

I agree, if I was going to buy a new saw I would go with a dealer set up unit. At least the unit has been started and fine tuned before leaving the store.

...especially if you're kinda new at this, which you seem to be... in your case you would ahead of the game if you had a dealer to set it up right, and be there for you when things go wrong.

 

[JimR]

I'll second that motion

Go get your new saw from a local dealer. Ebay saw's will get poor service if the dealer wants to be a pr-ck about it. Since you are going to be using so little each year. Make sure you either run it out of gas before putting it away or put Sta-bil in the gas to keep the gas from turning to varnish.

 

[keith c raymond]

They are all good saws,and there are others out there that are also excellent.What it boils down to is dealer location and parts support,Which in time will prove out to be more valuable than price saving from a "big box store.

 

[Locoweed]

I own both Echo's and Stihl's. While I feel that the Echo saws are well built and dependable, I think the Stihl's are the way to go. More power per pound is what I like. Unfortunately you have to pay more for that.

 

[chainsawworld]

i agree. if you are going to buy new at new prices, see some dealers(chainsaw dealers that is). another thing about e-eay is you don't know the seller. is the seller solid as far as saws go? i have bought many saws from e-bay and only almost got stuck once. the saw was junk. i called the seller and explained the situation and he made it good. turns out he was selling the saw for a friend that "dressed" it up to make it sound good.
do you really need new? i fully understand the desire to want to buy a saw new. been hit with it many times. sometimes used is the way to go. many members here including myself can sell you a good used saw at a good price. if you get the saw and it turns out to be garbage let the seller know. if he doesn't make good by it, LET US ALL KNOW . we'll be sure to treat him right. taking the saw out the first time and cutting dirt and rocks does not make the saw junk. you need to take care of it and use it wisely.
add up the following and see where you stand: how much do you have to spend on saw, amount of use you have for it, type of use, ability to use it correctly and care for it, storage of the saw and the fuel mix and for goodness sake, don't loan it out.
hope we can help you here and thanks for asking us. marty

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I really have not looked at any Stihl saws because everyone I have talked with in TN have told me they are not the saw they once were??

Rob

You'll hear that alot, and like what was said earlier, no saw is what it once was. But the pro saws are still pro saws. Saw companies are more and more catering to homeowners. That's fine, but now you're seeing homeowner saws. Dealers, correct me if I'm wrong, but homeowners will usually make up a larger percentage of a saw market, so a company's line will reflect that. Therein lies the misconception I think. Alot of guys think about the new saws in a line and try comparing an MS210 to an 044 from ten years ago, and saying that Stihl's (or Husky or whatever) aren't what they used to be. Stihl still makes the 044 (MS440 now) and it's still a great saw and it used to be about Stihl's most popular, well known saw, whereas I suppose the MS290 is now as far as what mainstream homeowners see when "Joe Homeowner" walks into a shop and shops for saws. His baseline Stihl is a 210 or 290, and he compares that to their old baseline, which was what, an 031/036/044? Big difference. And like what was said, the EPA has hurt saws too. Just how it is.

Like I said, let us know what you choose...have fun. Buying a saw is supposed to be fun!

Take care all,
Jeff

 

[collins8]

My local lawn garden shop sales both Stihl and Husky's. If you do not mind what would be a good Stihl to look at that will compare with the Husky 359??

Rob

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

If you're looking at a hp to hp comparison, the MS 310 would match up the best, at 4.0. If you're looking for a pro saw, the closest match would be the MS260, at 3.5 hp, and about two pounds lighter. But it would be above your target of $370, new and probably more saw than you need. The MS310 would be about that price, depending on which bar you get with it. The MS280 would be a decent saw to look at too. The MS290 is 3.75 hp, but is on the same chasis as the 310/390 and weighs the same, so if you're looking in that series, I'd recommend the 310. I had one of those, and it's a decent saw. It would definately fit the bill of 10-20 hours a year of homeowner use, and would pull an 18" or 20" well. And for homeowner use, 4 hp is plenty. That's exactly what this saw was made for.

Take care all,
Jeff