What is junk and what isnt in chainsaws?

[keith c raymond]

Quick and dirty advice,they will argue all points till the cows come home on the good/bad about any and everything on this forum.Just look through it for the soundest advice.All have made great points on all saws.My 2cents Look on this site for a good used saw,There are some very reputable people here and they will have some of what you are looking for .I also think you should seek a local dealer whom you can rely upon and you will not be sorry,Regardless of brand.

 

[Al Smith]

Say,I forgot about the dealer option.As luck would have it,several weeks ago I picked up an 038 Super,with a broken handle from a dealer,for $45,no bar or chain.New sprocket,my typical barn yard fix on the handle,total,less than $100,viola classic mid size hot rod saw.You just never know,until you check around.

 

[Fireaxman]

The reason I mentione Homelite is I seem to remember when they were well thought of. I guess sometimes it aint easy for me to realize things change.

Yeah, Homelite used to make very good saws. I recently inherited an XL-12, an SEZ, and a 330, and I wouldn't take anything for them. But now, in the days of plastic discount store models, stay away from Homelite, and I have freinds that will tell you the same about Poulan.

4pwr, I think you should buy a good saw, I recomend Stihl or Husky; but get a saw with good dealer support. Get something that is REALLY CAPABLE OF PULLING a 3/8 chain on an 18" bar, and something with a warranty and good dealer support so if it doesn't start on the third pull you can dump it on someone's work table and not have to fool with it. You will spend less time bending over and kneeling down and cursing, all very important considerations for us as we get closer to heaven. I offer this personal experience:

I cut about 25 "Face Cords" this year, but when I first got interested in this I was only cutting 4 or 5 cords a year. I was using "Cheapie" Homelite saws with short bars and narrow cuts, and 5 cords was about all I could stand. When my Homelite 240 started smoking like a tire fire I decided to get a saw big enough to really do the work. The difference will amaze you. Someone on this web site has it in his signature, something like "The faster she cuts the sooner you can put her down". It's true, and it is especially important for men our age. My newest saw is an MS-260, and I love it. And my dealer is a real sweetheart too, especially since he picked up all my old Homelite problems as part of the deal.

I just talked my brother (also 50+years of age) into putting his plastic discount store saw down for an MS-260 Pro (because of the compression release for starting) and it changed his whole attitude about fire wood and chain saws.

 

[SawTroll]

I just talked my brother (also 50+years of age) into putting his plastic discount store saw down for an MS-260 Pro (because of the compression release for starting) and it changed his whole attitude about fire wood and chain saws.

Not very surprising!
If vibration is a concern, try the similar sized Huskys or Jreds that I mentioned earlier, though - as they run a lot smoother. The MS260 is a 17-18 year old construction, and some people dislike them because of bad vibration dampening and bad air filtration. Personally, I think they are nice saws anyway, but that's me....
I would not use 3/8" chain on any of these saws, and the manufacturer's doesn't recommend it either.
If you want to use 3/8", you will want at least a 359 or 2159 pretty fast, I think.

 

[Blowdown1]

Having a 359 and using it mostly for firewood I have to say it has been a great saw. But I'd say too big for 4pwr due to the weight. I'm fairly young and athletic, and that thing gets heavy after awhile.

I'd think something in the 50-55cc range would be adequate in power and save a pound or two.

 

[Gumneck]

4pwr
Sears has a 55 cc 18" bar on sale for $179.00. Buy it use it refurbish it sell it on ebay for $100.00. Done

 

[whatsnext]

4pwr
Sears has a 55 cc 18" bar on sale for $179.00. Buy it use it refurbish it sell it on ebay for $100.00. Done

Is that the black one with the 'easy start' feature or the relabled Solo? Either one seems like a good deal at $179.00.
John..........

 

[Gumneck]

The add I saw it in it was black. Didn't look real closely at it.

I can't imagine a homeowner needing more than this for no more use than he plans to use it for.

Everyone on the site is recommending an expensive Stihl or Husky so they can get it gently used on EBAY in the near future.

 

[Fireaxman]

Allegation Denied

Everyone on the site is recommending an expensive Stihl or Husky so they can get it gently used on EBAY in the near future.

Wrong, gumneck. I have my saws, more than I need. I'm not looking for any others. My motives are purely altruistic. When I first started fooling with these things I took the cheap route (discount store homelites). Now that I know what a real saw is like I see all the misery I went through with the "toys" as needless suffering.

One last thing. My XL-12 was left to me by my dad when he died 4 years ago. He had never used it much, but he was always proud of it. It's hard to explain the pleasure I get out of using it now. They will never see it on EBAY as long as I am alive.

 

[Blowdown1]

Yup. Read my previous post. 4pwr isn't buying something to use to clear some brush and then be done. He is getting a firewood saw. And as I pointed out earlier, buying a cheap saw, even for irregular use is still not worth the $100 or $200 saved.

I'd rather use the heavier, more cumbersome 359 that is super smooth than the buzz bomb POS Wild Thing that rattled the jetting out of adjustment every time it ran. The WT is lighter, but w/ no anti-vibe it left you feeling more tired, not to mention it simply was junk. The point; you get what you pay for.

 

[Gumneck]

Your right, "the wild thing" and the 55 cc craftsman are different in price therefore by your logic the 55 cc craftsman must be a better saw. This fella is probably not going to hang his saw from a saddle beating upside the tree trunk, probably not going to throw it in the back of the boss's work truck to rattle around the highway at 70 mph, probaby going to use it with some common sense and not use it like a trench auger. Evidently all the trees I've taken down and cut up in the last 12 years with a Poulan 3300 must have been my imagination. I paid $150.00 for it and I'm positive I've cut more with it than he plans on cutting based on his description.

Again case closed.

 

[whatsnext]

I've run mostly Stihls for a few years now so I would recomend them but honestly the 55cc black Craftsman with the 'Easy Start' looked like a pretty nice saw. Much nicer than the Craftsman/Poulans. I'm suprised Sears is offering them for $179 but that means that my local Sears recycling center will have them for $129, with a case. They feel like a Solo 651 in your hand only with a slightly lower center of gravity. I'd like to hear one run.
John.....

 

[sawdust]

Is that the black one with the 'easy start' feature or the relabled Solo? Either one seems like a good deal at $179.00.
John..........

Does any one know the model number of a craftsman that is a relabled Solo? Is this Solo still available? I think this saw would be the way to go if it's really out there .

 

[sawdust]

good saw with out the name premium

There is a very clean looking Makita 520i on ebay right now that's at $49. This is a 10 pound, 52cc saw. It's light with plenty of power. It will probably close arround $100. This is lighter than an 026 with as much power, just without the name premium. The 520i will do the same work as the 026, IMO. I have both. I like both. Isn't shopping for saws great? I Love it! Have Fun!

 

[Gumneck]

Done

He's made his mind up and posted in a new thread. Stihl won the peeing contest.

 

[Blowdown1]

Gumneck, can you read? Peeing contest?

Let's see, Craftsman is ~$200, 1 yr warranty, 17.6 pounds, manufacturer ???, service down the road from ???

For ~$50-$100 more he could have a brand new 353, Dolmar 540, Echo, Efco. Stihl will cost him a bit more.

As for more $$ = better, you are making a stretch of an analogy. My point is that for a little more money you can get a lot more saw (more being quality, dependability, features, etc).

So your $150 Poulan isn't even available anymore. I don't know how the Poulans of that age compare w/ today's, but it seems like you are getting defensive because you don't have an orange saw and feel attacked for it. Get over it.

 

[Gumneck]

Blowdown! On This

I've got a 385XP. I dont think he should pay for more than what he needs.

Yes I can read. I can even comprehend. You??

 

[whatsnext]

Does any one know the model number of a craftsman that is a relabled Solo? Is this Solo still available? I think this saw would be the way to go if it's really out there .

The model number is somewhere on this site, or at least the first three digits telling you the mfg, but I've searched Sears all over the place and was not able to find any of them anywhere.
Good Luck but I wasted a few hours already trying to locate one, John.........

 

[tony marks]

one thing to consider in saw wts is that an say 12 lb saw can be easier on u than an liter saw if u talking mostly cutting firewood length logs. with a good cutting head the wt does all the work . u just move it from place to place. stihl with the original poster i think id stay at close tro 10 lbs. as u certainly not gonna get any younger.good luck jmo

 

[Chris J.]

I'd like to know more about the

Craftsman/relabelled Solo?.