So, What's a homeowner?

[spike60]

There are so many threads that debate whether or not a particular saw falls into the "homeowner" or "pro" category, but how the heck do you define "homeowner"?

The definition of "pro" is pretty easy: Someone who makes his living with a saw. Arborists, loggers, firewood guys, and such.

But "homeowner" really can't be a word that fits everybody else, can it? It can be a guy with a small saw that is just another yard tool used for occasional clean up work. It can be a guy who cuts 10 cords of wood for himself each year. And everybody in between.

Even people who cut firewood just for themselves, could have very different saw needs. How much does he cut? What size? On a log pile with no limbing? In the woods? What types of wood? How big is he? How old is he? Is he a "power" type guy, or is saw weight more important to him?

There are just so many factors that go into a customer selecting the right saw. I've got homeowners running 372's and pros running 340's. (when they get tired of 346's having accidents. And the 340's hold up far better than you would think)

Now, I don't really know where I'm going with this, just thought it might be an interesting discussion. But, if it's hard to define homeowner, then how can you define what a homeowner saw is?

 

[Husky137]

Not really any sort of earth shattering revelation here, just a cute little game of semantics.opcorn:

 

[bump_r]

Probably nothing more than a euphamism for "novice", "beginner" or "non-enthusiast"...

 

[Cedarkerf]

Now what saw would a home renter use? Would he have to use pro saw because he doesn't qualify as a home owner or can he only rent saws or use the same saws rental shops use.:yoyo:

 

[Erick]

The difference is in the saw construction not the intended user. I've never made a dime with a chainsaw and yet most of my saws are "Pro" saws.

The "Pro" saws have split magnesium cases and replaceable bolt on cylinders, where as the "Homeowner" saws tend to have a one piece cylinder and case construction with a plastic bottom "cap" that holds things together.

There are exceptions to this rule i.e. some top handle arborist saws, but in general when someone is comparing a "Pro" saw to a "Homeowner" saw this is what they mean.

Well now that that’s settled what’s next. :biggrinbounce2:

 

[computeruser]

Semantics or not, Spike raises a good point. Bump_r seems to have it right, in terms of defining “homeowner. Now what do we do about defining the terms he used? Oh my…

Anyway, getting a bit off topic, I think that it really does come down to the customer finding the product that matches his needs the best. OK, and his wants, too. When guys come to AS with questions about which saw to buy, and especially where they’re new to saws or aren’t exactly sure what they’re going to be cutting, we all invariably get caught up with a sudden case of incremental thinking – MS210 leads to MS290 leads to MS361 and so on. I know I’m guilty of this, though I’m trying to get better at giving helpful advice. Instead of applying labels – pro saw, non-pro saw, occasional-user saw, farm/ranch saw – perhaps we should do a better job of figuring out what the intended use for the product is, the users expectations and past experiences with the class of product being considered (here, usually chainsaw) and then basing advice on the sum of those factors. There are lots, TONS really, of guys whose needs can easily and happily be met with an MS210, MS250, or MS290. Not everybody, pro or otherwise, needs a “pro” saw to produce the results they desire.

Having the right tool for the job, that's what really matters.

 

[GASoline71]

The term "occasional user" is also thrown around by the saw manufacturer's.

Gary

 

[SawTroll]

...
But "homeowner" really can't be a word that fits everybody else, can it? ....

I don't like the expression, and try to use "consumer" instead, but it doesn't really help regarding definition.........:bang: :bang:

 

[MikeInParadise]

So, What's a homeowner?

I was under the impression that they must be an extinct, non-existent species!

I am basing this opinion on the fact that the majority of AS saw recommendation threads rarely recommend a homeowners saw!! :biggrinbounce2:

 

[sperho]

Homeowner, occasional user, blah, blah, blah. Marketing lingo which is meaningless. Light Duty and Heavy Duty are more applicable and appropriate. They used to be just fine as terms that described equipment. I'm not a professional lawn mowing guy, but the 3 acres of tree-laden, hilly, variable roughness terrain that I mow at my homeplace pushed me toward a "commercial" lawn mower because of it's build quality. It's really just a heavy duty piece of equipment appropriate for the task not my profession.

 

[spike60]

Homeowner, occasional user, blah, blah, blah. Marketing lingo which is meaningless. Light Duty and Heavy Duty are more applicable and appropriate. They used to be just fine as terms that described equipment. I'm not a professional lawn mowing guy, but the 3 acres of tree-laden, hilly, variable roughness terrain that I mow at my homeplace pushed me toward a "commercial" lawn mower because of it's build quality. It's really just a heavy duty piece of equipment appropriate for the task not my profession.

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense.

I'm not sure what inspired me to start this kind of pointless discussion, but I often see someone declare a saw, that he doesn't own, to be a homeowner saw. Then someone who does own one, feels kind of insulted, so he in turn states that the homeowner saws start a couple of rungs below his, and on it goes.

Like computeruser says, it's really all about the right tool for the job. Definitions aren't all that important.

 

[bump_r]

Homeowner, occasional user, blah, blah, blah. Marketing lingo which is meaningless. Light Duty and Heavy Duty are more applicable and appropriate. They used to be just fine as terms that described equipment. I'm not a professional lawn mowing guy, but the 3 acres of tree-laden, hilly, variable roughness terrain that I mow at my homeplace pushed me toward a "commercial" lawn mower because of it's build quality. It's really just a heavy duty piece of equipment appropriate for the task not my profession.

That's equally as useless. Think MS260 (pro features) versus MS390 (non-pro features) The "homeowner" or "occasional use" would be more heavy duty than the 260... long-term/short-term is subject for further debate, but were I looking at a big stick, I'd pick up the 390 with a 22" before I would a 260 with a 16"...

Waaay too much crossover and blurring of lines to really draw a line.

 

[dtnodya]

When I think of a 'homeowner' saw (just by terminology), I think of a saw that has 40cc or less and is usually sold at lowes or home depot.

Many have oversized bars for their power ... etc.

 

[Dok]

A lot of it is in the mind of the user. I have been happy for over twenty years with a 024 and later a 350 until I actually tried a 70cc pro saw. It opened my eyes and I soon found this place. Now if you ask me I say I NEED a 70cc pro saw. A year ago, no way, a 350 is plenty. I cut about a dozen cords of wood a year for myself.
Brad

 

[sperho]

That's equally as useless. Think MS260 (pro features) versus MS390 (non-pro features) The "homeowner" or "occasional use" would be more heavy duty than the 260... long-term/short-term is subject for further debate, but were I looking at a big stick, I'd pick up the 390 with a 22" before I would a 260 with a 16"...

My point was to designate a saw by who might use it is silly to me. The heavy-duy/light-duty descriptors are simply a reflection of build robustness and the purchaser could then decide if they wanted a lighter-duty and/or less serviceable or and/or lower performing saw. A knowledgeable salesperson, a buyer with some idea of what they'll be doing with the saw, the buyer's preferences, budget, and spec sheet would then complete the equation.

Now that I've typed it all out, I think even more strongly most manufacturers will use whatever terms they want with the primary intent to sell the most saws possible and that absolute accuracy in definition is of secondary concern.

Back to the original question: I'd define something that is deemed "homeowner" as a tool that is perhaps not designed for quite the longevity and/or power-to-weight ratio that a "pro" saw might be designed for. In addition, most people who use a saw around the homestead for maintenance, general clean-up, and even firewood aren't felling gigantinormous timber, so the "homeowner" descriptor also implies saws in the mid-range and lower power & bar length saws. There are always exceptions though.

 

[bump_r]

I think even more strongly most manufacturers will use whatever terms they want with the primary intent to sell the most saws possible and that absolute accuracy in definition is of secondary concern.

Agreed. It's tough for us to try to outthink the marketing folk... Labels are cheap, and if they help the bottom line, they'll use 'em freely.

 

[Cut4fun]

All my saws are homeowner saws. I am a homeowner occasional user and help take the occasional tree down and help friends with firewood, when they need the big artillery. 1800 2000 2250 5000 500 357 7900 066 084
To me a pro saw is one that is built heavier and more rugged for longer term use and one that could be used to make a living with.
Sort of like the commercial light switches, compared to residential light switch not being made as rugged and long wearing.

 

[timberwolf]

Anything that says for occasional use only is a good tip off for being home owner. Many of the sub 200$ saws with intergrated cases have unplated bores and chrome plated pistons. It is unlikely that this design woud last more than 50 or 100 hours of operation at most.

Pro quality saws in general have at least chrome plated bores and many niksil or other such highly durable coatings. The intention is that the motor will last hundreds if not thousands of hours, the saw can be expected to perform on a daily basis by someone who in the line of their profession requires such a tool.

 

[joatmon]

There are so many threads that debate whether or not a particular saw falls into the "homeowner" or "pro" category, but how the heck do you define "homeowner"?

The definition of "pro" is pretty easy: Someone who makes his living with a saw. Arborists, loggers, firewood guys, and such.

But "homeowner" really can't be a word that fits everybody else, can it? It can be a guy with a small saw that is just another yard tool used for occasional clean up work. It can be a guy who cuts 10 cords of wood for himself each year. And everybody in between.

Even people who cut firewood just for themselves, could have very different saw needs. How much does he cut? What size? On a log pile with no limbing? In the woods? What types of wood? How big is he? How old is he? Is he a "power" type guy, or is saw weight more important to him?

There are just so many factors that go into a customer selecting the right saw. I've got homeowners running 372's and pros running 340's. (when they get tired of 346's having accidents. And the 340's hold up far better than you would think)

Now, I don't really know where I'm going with this, just thought it might be an interesting discussion. But, if it's hard to define homeowner, then how can you define what a homeowner saw is?

Well, I'm a homeowner that had been using an 029 (AKA boat anchor) for quite a few years. I wanted a new saw and here's what happened.

1. "Pro" Stihl dealer wouldn't show me the MS460. He refused to come over to the saw area and speak to me. He told the new guy to get a catalog cause he could read just as well as he could. After a week of cooling off, I went back in. Three salespeople let me browse and not a one came over to help. OK, slap me silly. I'm a "homeowner" looking at a "pro" saw. Right?

2. Went to the only Dolmar within 50 miles. Owner works another job full-time and had in-laws there watching TV and "minding" the store. Several more attempts at stopping in the store and trying to reaching the owner at the store and calling on the phone finally got me a price on the 7900. Full list plus shipping from the distributor. Oh, half down to order it. All right. Must be a "howeowner" at another "pro" place.

3. Well, I'll go the Mr. Troll route. Looks like he might be one of them European "homeowner" types. Yep, a 372XP. I called a site sponsor. No questions other than bar size. A few days later, I've got my "homeowner" 372XP. I must admit, it really looks a lot like the "pro" 372XPs I've seen here on AS.

Happy and safe cutting,

Jack

 

[GASoline71]

Ain't no "homeowner" about a 372XP...

Gary