TOP handle redmax

[Small Job Tim]

dropped my trusty craftsman top handle while in the tree this weekend....still runs fine, but made me realize it is time for a new saw...
looking at the Redmax G3100 with a 12" bar....found it online for $199.....good deal for a climbing saw, but is it a decent machine?
thanks for the input folks....

 

[Blakesmaster]

dropped my trusty craftsman top handle while in the tree this weekend....still runs fine, but made me realize it is time for a new saw...
looking at the Redmax G3100 with a 12" bar....found it online for $199.....good deal for a climbing saw, but is it a decent machine?
thanks for the input folks....

I've never used the craftsman and wouldn't cause I'm a saw snob. Methinks for that price you could find a used 192 or even a 200 stihl. I bought a used 200 last fall for a hundo, spent another 215 on anti vibe mounts, chain brake, bar, chain, air filter, plug and a general working over at the local shop. Voila! Only $315 spent and I gots another prom queen in my stable.

 

[Small Job Tim]

redmax

blakes,
i'm retiring the craftsman, mainly because it is unreliable in the tree and has no chainbrake....

the real question is....how do these REDMAX top handle saws hold up??

 

[treemandan]

blakes,
i'm retiring the craftsman, mainly because it is unreliable in the tree and has no chainbrake....

the real question is....how do these REDMAX top handle saws hold up??

Make sure you can get it fixed at your saw shop. When people bring those kinds of saws into the one shop I go to they say they don't work on them.

Also if you are planning to order it from some obscure catalouge... don't. You best value is a saw bought from a store that has a competent shop as well. You get the warranty adjustments and whatnot. Its going to need work eventually, save money go with something common.

 

[tree md]

Make sure you can get it fixed at your saw shop. When people bring those kinds of saws into the one shop I go to they say they don't work on them.

Also if you are planning to order it from some obscure catalouge... don't. You best value is a saw bought from a store that has a competent shop as well. You get the warranty adjustments and whatnot. Its going to need work eventually, save money go with something common.

That's the main reason I go with all stihl saws. Sure there are some great huskies and others but stihl is king around here (and nothing beats the 200T). easy to get parts and service for. Your climbing saw is not a piece of gear you want to have down for long periods waiting for parts or service.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

That's the main reason I go with all stihl saws. Sure there are some great huskies and others but stihl is king around here (and nothing beats the 200T). easy to get parts and service for. Your climbing saw is not a piece of gear you want to have down for long periods waiting for parts or service.

I would have to disagree with the great huskies part. The first saw I ever bought was a husky. Ran great. Would really eat some wood. Two months later, she catches on fire from a chainbrake malfunction. The brake band was rubbing the clutch. Friction prduces heat, heat causes flame. Husky told me it was my problem. Warranty? What warranty. They screwed me. DONT BUY HUSQVARNA!

 

[Mama Tried]

I would have to disagree with the great huskies part. The first saw I ever bought was a husky. Ran great. Would really eat some wood. Two months later, she catches on fire from a chainbrake malfunction. The brake band was rubbing the clutch. Friction prduces heat, heat causes flame. Husky told me it was my problem. Warranty? What warranty. They screwed me. DONT BUY HUSQVARNA!

Wow....

 

[Small Job Tim]

stihl thinkin about it

I do plan on buying a high end stihl tree saw in the next few years when finances are more steady. I just need a dependable top handle saw to last the next year or two that won't run me an arm and leg like stihl, husky, and jonsered would.
Has anyone used these Redmax top handles???

 

[UrbanLogger]

I have 3 Redmax saws (look below) and have no real complaints with them. The G3100T is made by Efco, its a 132S. If you are going to buy a Redmax, go to a local dealer and buy it, then you can take it back for warranty and/or service, parts......

Most of my local Redmax dealers dont carry saws, but can get then (they tell me they dont carry them cus they cant compete with Stihl/Husky) but what ever, if you want one/like them, I say go for it.

 

[pdqdl]

I would have to disagree with the great huskies part. The first saw I ever bought was a husky. Ran great. Would really eat some wood. Two months later, she catches on fire from a chainbrake malfunction. The brake band was rubbing the clutch. Friction prduces heat, heat causes flame. Husky told me it was my problem. Warranty? What warranty. They screwed me. DONT BUY HUSQVARNA!

Please don't take this wrong, I'm not trying to pick a fight.

Chain brake bands are generally considered a "consumable" item. If you managed to catch it on fire, it was either locked on or improperly aligned.

I would bet that it got some junk under the band or got pinched during a hasty installation of the chain cover. Then it only rubbed enough to get really hot: Poof! You have a fire. Remember the first part of your comment? "The first saw I ever bought..." That suggests the possibility of inexperience and operator error.

If I was a saw manufacturer, I would only warrant broken parts on a chain brake mechanism, not heat damage of any sort.

Husqvarna has too many professional users deeply loyal to their product. It's not really fair to say "never buy..." unless the entire product line is crap and the manufacturer has a bad rep too.

 

[VINIFIREWOOD]

If you have a Dolmar dealer near by go check them out the 3410 is an awsome saw and reasonably priced compared to Stihl or Husk

 

[Bearcreek]

Take a look at the echo saws. No comparison to the stihl 200 but sure better than a craftsman.

 

[dbotos]

You anywhere near Wilkes-Barre? Stihl online pricing says you could throw another hundred or so down and get yourself an MS 192 T C...

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS192TCE.html

P.S. Please elaborate on "dropped". As in "onto the ground" or "strap swung it back into the tree"?

 

[Small Job Tim]

fell

dbotos,
when i say fell, i mean i dropped from about 40' up......smashed off a rock....time to call it quits on that saw anyway...it was a hazzard!

 

[Tree Pig]

A less then adequate saw bogging down when making technical cuts up in a tree can get you hurt. Find the best saw you can afford spend a little more and get the one better then that and in the end youll be happy you did.

I have a echo 330t and a stihl 200t for the money the 330t does a decent job but its nothing compared to the 200t.

 

[dbotos]

dbotos,
when i say fell, i mean i dropped from about 40' up......smashed off a rock....time to call it quits on that saw anyway...it was a hazzard!

With your next saw, get one of these:

I have the yellow one with the two rings and one loop. Loop makes a girth hitch around your saw's lanyard ring, the ring on the far end goes first into a non-locking paddle carabiner on the belt of your saddle (with the gate facing out and the big end down), and the ring close to the loop (and your saw) goes in that carabiner too. When you're ready to cut, simple take the ring close to the saw out of the carabiner and go to town (leaving the other one in of course in case you need to let the saw hang low or you butterfinger it.

 

[Tree Pig]

I use the same and it can come in handy to walk the dog in a pinch too.

 

[dbotos]

I use the same and it can come in handy to walk the dog in a pinch too.

Don't want the dog to fall out of the tree either. Must be taking it for a limb walk. Har har har. :yoyo:

 

[stihlhere]

I've never used one, sold on 200t, but the solo top handle seems to have some good features and equal displacement to 200t not sure of price 350.00 maby check baileys. Also if you were to order you would have gooood customer support. that being said i would go 192t. o yea better compare weight on solo altho probly lighter than crapman.

 

[TreeClimber57]

I have a echo 330t and a stihl 200t for the money the 330t does a decent job but its nothing compared to the 200t.

I agree, and I have both. The 330T works its little but off .. but when all is said and done the 200T can outperform it.. but then it did cost more so more is expected from it. For the money the 330T is a good little saw.