what exactly is the difference between pro saws and homeowner saws?

[phendyr]

I tried searching but couldn't find anything, probably just didn't have the right words, but what exactly is the difference between the pro saws and the homeowner saws? is it the materials that they're built from? design? other?

I've got my choices narrowed down to 2 saws, the 280, or jumping up to the 361 - that 361 is a reach for me $$-wise. I like the 280 but if the pro saws are built that much better and stronger, I'd op for a pro saw.

thanks in advance for the continued friendly advice

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

In a broad sense; they are built to be more easily serviced, allowing them to be rebuilt once or twice instead of being simply thrown away. They are also built to be more robust, so they will run many more hours before needing a major servicing.

Power to weight ratio's, air filtration, and anti-vibration systems will also be better on the pro grade saws.

So yes, they are better built saws.

 

[Mold Mechanic]

The MS 361 is a really nice saw, I bought one in February and have been very happy with it. I almost talked myself into a 390, and now that I've run a friend's 390, I'm sure glad I bought the 361, it's lighter, faster, sound better and makes better power...and the AV is nice too!

 

[Ductape]

I'd like to recommend the 351

 

[Ductape]

In all seriousness, you must weigh out your intended use. If you are going to use it a few times a year, get a home owner grade. A fair amount, something like a "rancher" or "farm boss".... sort of middle of the road. Or... you intend to use it alot, for many years a pro quality saw is the way to go.

 

[huskydave]

I would get the 361. You won't regret it. Everyone that I talk to loves theirs. Homeowner saws get a bad wrap though. The other models are good saws too just its like comparing apples and oranges. I say how often do you need it? if more often than get a good pro model. How big of a tree do you plan on cutting? Ever try to cut 28"dia tree with a smaller saw? You don't want to do that too often.Maintaining a pro saw is a little easier as they usualy have easy access to the piston cylinder and carb/air filter they have adjustable oil flow. The pro models use the latest alloys such as magnesium and have stronger crankshaft and deliver better performance at a reasonable weight. But if you only use a saw a handful of times and don't cut anything too big you might be better off with a good homeowner model. Thats where you have to make the choice is it worth me spending the extra money and having a good pro quality saw that is lighter high performance easy to maintain and worth rebuilding or can you get away with the homeowner grade which is also good but for different reasons such as economical and most are very user friendly some have easystart and no tools chain adjusters less poluting and work great for ocassional use. That choice is up to you. I would definately shop around find a good place to deal with that employ people that you trust and get lots of advice before you dish out your money.

 

[West Texas]

Your question: "is it the materials that they're built from? design? other?"

Answer: Yep!

 

[phendyr]

heh, well I guess that was a loaded question to ask... I mean really, a pro saw better be built to a higher standard than a weekend warrior saw, :bang: I guess I was looking for specifics, like "X is built out of this and on the pro saw it's built out of Y"....but it's not important, ya'll summed it up pretty much any way.

tomorrow I'll be coming home with something, found a dealer just minutes from where my new property is, so that will be nice. already have the ear/head/leg gear on the way, time to pick the toy up and go to work

 

[ShoerFast]

Yes,

The 290 , 310 390 are basically the same composite frame, plastic, good saws, muf-mod them and they will cut truck loads of wood.

Never ran a 280, one specific you may consider, the 280 dose not have an "H" screw, it dose all that for you electronically, most here don't like that idea,,,,, for most here, that alone would wreck a sale for the 280, there are not many out. Stihl dose brag the idea up, they have my respect, but would not want one,,,,, I would be switching that carb out in like a week!

Like many here, I sold my 310 and bought an MS-361,,,, tools don't cost, thay pay,,,,,, my 361 dose not owe my a dime for all the trees I have laying around everywhere, I would buy another in a second!

361's are a chunk of change, but not a huge chunk over the 290 - 390, and there good saws,,,,the 361 is well worth the extra couple hundred.

 

[Lakeside53]

Not all the 280's are IEM. Still have yet to see one out here. A couple of guys I talked to that have used them really like them.

 

[Cheese]

I am intrigued nothing good came up in search.

There were a couple entertaining threads about what constituted a homeowner, pro, etc. In particular, I think there was a rancher who rented his home and sawed semi-professionally, what a conundrum.

Personally, I bought a Wrap 440 a couple months ago. I am a student, cut wood most weekends and want a saw that will last. I am also hard on things, but try to take care of my tools.

 

[WCS99no1]

From what I've seen about Pro and non-pro saws: Non-pro saws don't seem to have a bar bigger than 18 inches. Also, non-pro saws have extra safety features to prevent kickback that the pro saws don't.

Joel

 

[Cam501]

From what I've seen about Pro and non-pro saws: Non-pro saws don't seem to have a bar bigger than 18 inches. Also, non-pro saws have extra safety features to prevent kickback that the pro saws don't.

Joel

I think that's too general of a statement. In my area it's not a matter of a saw being pro or not pro it's about displacement. Both our stihl distributor and husky usa won't send us a saw regardless of intended use or power without safety chain unless it's larger than 62cc.

 

[NovaMan]

phendyr, before you buy a saw, consider this:
If you buy less saw than you need, you'll be unhappy and need to upgrade.
If you buy more saw than you need, it'll cost more initially, but you might never outgrow it, and it might last your lifetime.
That's why I bought a semi-pro saw instead of a homeowner saw, and I'm very happy with my decision.

 

[SawTroll]

There is no exact differense......

As I see it, the difference between pro/farmer/semi-pro/intermediate/consumer/homeowner saws are not set in stone.
Home brands even market their models differently on different markets.


The 280 has a magnesium case, and I believe about the only reason it isn't categorized (and accepted) as a pro saw, is that it doesn't have a vertically split crank-case.

Not all the 280's are IEM. Still have yet to see one out here. A couple of guys I talked to that have used them really like them.

That's what I thought, nice to have it confirmed..

Phendyr, if in doubt what you need, just get the 361 straight away - it isn't much heavier than the 280, and has a lot more power - just in case......:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

From what I've seen about Pro and non-pro saws: Non-pro saws don't seem to have a bar bigger than 18 inches. Also, non-pro saws have extra safety features to prevent kickback that the pro saws don't.

Joel

I think that's too general of a statement. In my area it's not a matter of a saw being pro or not pro it's about displacement. Both our stihl distributor and husky usa won't send us a saw regardless of intended use or power without safety chain unless it's larger than 62cc.

That one is far too general also.......:biggrinbounce2: :biggrinbounce2:

 

[046]

to me difference between a pro saw and home owner saw is construction, price and performance difference.

most similar to a person that uses snap-on vs craftmans vs junk tools.
which category do you belong to?

yes budget and frequency of use are primary factors. for the person that uses snap-on tools. he's not going to be happy with home owner polan green machine, no matter what the frequency of use. he's headed for a 260/460 combo or equivalent.

craftmans type guy is probably headed for a stihl 280 or husky 350 type saw.

junk tool user will probably be happy with that polan green machine :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

As I see it, the difference between pro/farmer/semi-pro/intermediate/consumer/homeowner saws are not set in stone.
Some brands even market their models differently on different markets.
......

Correction to my earlier post in red..........:monkey: short edit limit.....:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Cam501]

That one is far too general also.......:biggrinbounce2: :biggrinbounce2:

Niko...Just to clarify my previous comment. I'm not talking about displacement determining whether it's pro or homeowner, cause that's obvioulsy way to generalized. I was referring to the chain that comes on a saw. Our stihl distributor determines safety or non safety chain on the saws we order from them on displacement alone. All saws we order that are above 62CC get non safety chain and all saws under that get safety chain regardless of any request we make or pro/homeowner model. I have no say so in the type of chain a Stihl comes with when shipped to us. So even though a 361 is pro grade it always comes with the 33RSC3 safety chain and a 390(which we rarely order) always get shipped with 33RSC non safety even though it's not a pro saw.

 

[andrethegiant70]

To be sure, homeowner vs. pro seems to be an "I know it when I see it" phenomenon. I will say that there are a few clear signs, though. The saws in which the cylinder forms the top of the crankcase are always (big word) homeowner saws. The examples I'll give are the Stihl 025, 029, 031, Husqvarna 141. These were all homeowner saws in an otherwise pro lineup and all have the crankcases that split horizontally.

There are still clearly some homeowner saws in which the case splits vertically, though. Those are harder to parse out.