Stihl 024
>> Nice older saw (1980s). When I first ran it years ago the chain speed impressed me. Seized up once and is now living on borrowed time...
Jonsered 2050 Turbo
>> This was purchased to replace my old 451AV. Okay saw. Blew a starter housing on kick-back and a ignition module failed. Tends to kick-back on starting. Parts tend to fall off or come apart (air filter element, breather tube). Consumer saw? 2051 with detatchable cylinder looks like the pro model. Better made too?
Echo 510
>> A REALLY nicely engineered and easy starting saw. Long starter cord and turns over smooth with no kick-back. Great air filter and serviceability. Not broken in yet, but seems to cut okay too. Chrome-lined bore? My first experience with a Echo, but I may now be sold on them now.
Solo 690
>> Nicely built honking big (90cc) saw. German quality. Great assistence from the Solo people when I had a couple of questions and requests. Runs very strong and starts easily with compression release. Will not use it much until fall/winter when I plan to begin milling with it. (Big red pine in my sights then black ash). I would definitely like to get a 451 Solo.
=====
Homelite Super 2 (brand-new P.O.S. w/gummed carb)FREE
Jonsered 451AV (retired) ($45 used and it ran 10 years)
Homelite 150AO (retired) (First saw in 1976. Still runs).
16" Crasftsman(Poulan), PoulanPro 295, Echo 330EVL, Echo 550 EVL, Husky 372XP and debating on a 395XP versus a 3120XP for milling. the milling would be a part time thing. Is the 395XP enough for milling?
Leaving out Oregon and Mastercraft, neither are saw manufacturers and including Echos and Solos would have given us more meaningfull results. Include Sears/Poulan as one, which is true for the most part.
I'd encourage you to try it again. I don't truly know how or I'd do it.
I've been running an newer 290 stihl w/ an opened muffler. I'm running a 16" bar, so it's a screamer. I just bought an 026, older saw, from a guy off this site, I look forward to tweaking it up and out cutting my dad w/ his 029. It's about 100 degrees here in Arkansas today, so I had to get out and do something productive. My dad and I went up to our cabin and took an old logging road up a couple rough hills and found some lightning struck tree tops. We filled my little 4x4 toyota up to the top and headed in.