Stihl TS Series Cut-Off Saws

[Leebo]

Not really a chainsaw but the same guts, more or less. This question is for the Stihl dealers and techs and anyone else who has used one. I'm going to be starting the hardscape at my house this spring. We are putting in walks and patio areas in flagstone 1-1/2" to 2" thick...I think it's going to be a Limestone. My plan, of course, is to buy another 2 cycle piece of equipment. I will probably get a good used unit and sell it when the job is done. I might also use it, along with a cutting torch, to cut up some old farm machinery. I have a natural lean towards buying the biggest & most powerful tool available. My question is: given my scope of work...will the TS 400 do the job or do I need one of the bigger models? I probably will get a Stihl product. Great local dealer.
Thanks,

 

[Simonizer]

Not really a chainsaw but the same guts, more or less. This question is for the Stihl dealers and techs and anyone else who has used one. I'm going to be starting the hardscape at my house this spring. We are putting in walks and patio areas in flagstone 1-1/2" to 2" thick...I think it's going to be a Limestone. My plan, of course, is to buy another 2 cycle piece of equipment. I will probably get a good used unit and sell it when the job is done. I might also use it, along with a cutting torch, to cut up some old farm machinery. I have a natural lean towards buying the biggest & most powerful tool available. My question is: given my scope of work...will the TS 400 do the job or do I need one of the bigger models? I probably will get a Stihl product. Great local dealer.
Thanks,

A TS400 will be more than adequate for what you describe. Wear hearing and eye protection. Cheers.

 

[big1079]

cut off saws

you'll get better resale out of a 760.the makita saws are about half the price of stihls maybe consider those.

 

[Leebo]

Wear hearing and eye protection. Cheers.

Always.

I've been in the Lumber & Millwork business for 35 years and am never without hearing and eye gear.

 

[Derag2]

Out at work we have a Stihl TS 700, And im sorry to say it a heavy pig and is lacking alot of power compared to our Partner 750 saw with about 20-30cc less engine..... If you gonna buy a new saw get a Partner Saw 650 will do what you want or get the 750 and there cheaper than a stihl by a couple hundred bucks......... Why its so gutless I don't know, but its really steered me away from buying anything stihl....

 

[046]

I had a TS460 until I sold it on ebay from not being used. purchased it used, did what I wanted. then sold it and made $$ off the transaction.

maybe I'm not versed as some of you out there. but my TS460 had plenty of power.

 

[Lakeside53]

The TS400 is plenty powerful. Get the 14 inch version with a water kit, Limestone is very soft. I cut road asphalt and 4 inch concrete (slowly) with mine, so your flagstones will be a breeze. Don't get the 760 - it's way big, heavy and powerful for your needs - it's a 16 inch blade rated saw. In any case, it's been replaced by the TS800.

Be sure to get the right diamond blade for stone. It's NOT the blade used for concrete or asphalt. Plenty of $35-75 cheap Chinese blades around if you're not concerned with life, or, you can spend up to $300 for one that will last a long time... Make sure you use it wet- the dust is incredible if used dry, and the blade will last many times longer even if it is rated "dry cut".

To be honest with you, for 2" limestone, often the best solution is a table mounted electric wet tile/stone saw... For ground work, a cart for the TS400 is a great way to go (but expensive) - precise depth control, easy on the back etc.. They come up on ebay from time to time, so just keep looking...

Be very careful buying used concrete saws. The lifetime is very short if abused. Typical abuse is to not change the air 3 filters, cut dry (clouds of dust), and then pull out one of the filters to make it run better... The main bearings, cranks, pistons, bores all get shot in very short order. The other abuse I see is cutting green concrete wet, then not washing off the concrete from the saw and inside every part - it sets up... I've had to chisel out coils from inside the fan case.. Asphalt tar is just as bad. Pipe cutting in trench and putting the back of the saw down into the water is pretty bad... Ex-Rental saws are the worst.

 

[clearance]

Has everyone here giving advice actually used cut-off saws? I have used Stihl cut-off saws a lot, concrete, rebar, pipe, they are awesome, used many 350 saws, just used the 400 to cut rebar. Derag-clean the air filter, that needs to be done often, maybe this will help. And I have cut those tiles as well, I am sure it will work just fine, resale, hmmm, pros will be buying this saw, they want a Stihl.

 

[Lakeside53]

Always.

I've been in the Lumber & Millwork business for 35 years and am never without hearing and eye gear.

And dust protection, even when cutting "wet".

 

[Derag2]

its not the air filter trust me, its been a dog since the day it was boughten..... Its gone back the stihl dealer and he says its fine, but our partner saw runs circles around it and isn't near as heavy. I clean all of our saws on a regular basis.

time is money, the longer it takes to cut block the less money your making..... Im tellin ya get a partner saw......

 

[Leebo]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'm not opposed to checking out a Partner or other brand. I'm just loyal to Stihl products because of a good dealer and the best tech in Ohio (according to the Sthil rep). As usual, good info from Lakeside. Thanks again.

 

[shalx]

As a commercial plumber I have used cut off saws to cut almost everything: rebar, steel decking, large pvc pipe, ductile iron, cast iron,all thread, stainless, block, brick, stone, concrete, and asphalt. I have cut overhead and underwater, in confined spaces(OSHA not allowed to read this). I have many hours on ts350 ts400 ts700 and ts760, makita and partner. I own a ts 350 (good saw at great used price barely used condition) I love my stihls and am lucky to have and deal with four great local dealers (some close to house and some close to jobs). BUT when my money is on the line again for a new saw partner will more than likely get my buck! Great cut off saws all that I have abused (used) start easy , torque on rev less , and seem lighter (no scale on jobsites. And while my stihl knows the shop well and thanks me for it I know of concritters that don't even know where the air filter is on there partners.Sorry for such a long post especially for my first tell me I know nothing and go to sleep already!

 

[itsgottobegreen]

As much as I love stihl chain saws. My vote is for a partner. Almost every fire department has a partner K-12 rescue saw. When you just need to cut it now, the partner does it. When your standing up on a roof trying to cut a hole in it to vent smoke from a fire. The partner will always start when you need it the most. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Lakeside53]

As much as I love stihl chain saws. My vote is for a partner. Almost every fire department has a partner K-12 rescue saw. When you just need to cut it now, the partner does it. When your standing up on a roof trying to cut a hole in it to vent smoke from a fire. The partner will always start when you need it the most. :hmm3grin2orange:

It's probably regional choices - out here the FD just bought Stihl TS700's and MS460 rescue saws.