What saw is right for me?

[heath86]

I am getting probably around an acre of land in next month or two to start clearing to build a home and along with cutting firewood and etc, so I've been trying to do some research and try buying the right saw for what I will be using it for, I would really like to keep it ~$200 but I went to a Stihl dealer today and looked at some saws just to get an idea of what I would want to get, and atm I am really considering getting the MS210 w/16" blade, the Stihl Dealer said he could do $230 on it. I am not for sure what all types of wood I will be cutting but it will vary, cedar, hickory, oak and etc I am sure will be some/majority. I am not going to be clearing every tree but some of the bigger ones I will probably not saw down, so majority of the tree's I would say will range from 8" to probably not over 20" but I am not 100% sure. My dad has a Craftsman saw with an 18" blade and he told me I should just go to Lowe's and pickone up and pay ~$150, but I would going with the best, and having something made with quality that is going to last me a long time.

So with a little bit of what I've explained, what would you suggest in getting? Also I found out today since my birthday is just next month my fiance is thinking of picking 1 up, so I dont want her to go overboard (cuz then that means her birthday I have to go overboard.....) so any help/advice would be great! Thanks for taking the time to read this
-Brandon

 

[Just Mow]

I am getting probably around an acre of land in next month or two to start clearing to build a home and along with cutting firewood and etc, so I've been trying to do some research and try buying the right saw for what I will be using it for, I would really like to keep it ~$200 but I went to a Stihl dealer today and looked at some saws just to get an idea of what I would want to get, and atm I am really considering getting the MS210 w/16" blade, the Stihl Dealer said he could do $230 on it. I am not for sure what all types of wood I will be cutting but it will vary, cedar, hickory, oak and etc I am sure will be some/majority. I am not going to be clearing every tree but some of the bigger ones I will probably not saw down, so majority of the tree's I would say will range from 8" to probably not over 20" but I am not 100% sure. My dad has a Craftsman saw with an 18" blade and he told me I should just go to Lowe's and pickone up and pay ~$150, but I would going with the best, and having something made with quality that is going to last me a long time.

So with a little bit of what I've explained, what would you suggest in getting? Also I found out today since my birthday is just next month my fiance is thinking of picking 1 up, so I dont want her to go overboard (cuz then that means her birthday I have to go overboard.....) so any help/advice would be great! Thanks for taking the time to read this
-Brandon

Welcome, and good choice and a nice discount offered. It is a popular saw for what you are wanting to do.

 

[livewire]

Welcome!

I'd agree with Just Mow. However, you might also look at the ms250. If not for the extra cc's but to steer clear of those quick chain adjusters.

Good luck!

 

[Sprig]

My 0.02$ worth is that you may consider something along the lines of an MS270, an under-rated mid size saw that I had a bit of experience with recently. Good power for its size and nicely set up, well built, nice anti-vibe system. I wouldn't go any smaller and you don't really need a monster saw. The one I ran had a decompression valve too, a nice elbow saving thing on it, and a 20" bar (325RS chain I think) which it didn't seem ta mind. Treated as a 'real' tool it would probably serve your purposes for many years. Its a loaded question in these parts and you're going to get many suggestions from sensible to bizarre. Just a quick thought.
Good luck and happy shopping, let us know what you finally choose eh!



Serge (and oh, welcome to AS man!) *sounds of saws and burning fishing reels*



Side note edit: Above all, go and pick some up and start em, find one that feels right, it really is a big consideration, you do seem to be on the right track tho.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Whatever you can spend, get the best saw you can, with the best dealer support available, and you'll be fine.

Welcome to AS.

(And btw...it's a "bar" not a "blade." )

Jeff

 

[hornett22]

i agree on the ms270.

i'd try and raise your budget a little though.no sense being penny wise and pound foolish.i have had excellent luck with used saws as well.

 

[Just Mow]

i'd try and raise your budget a little though.no sense being penny wise and pound foolish.i have had excellent luck with used saws as well.

Good choice, I was just trying to stay within his budget.opcorn:

 

[Just Mow]

Whatever you can spend, get the best saw you can, with the best dealer support available, and you'll be fine.

Welcome to AS.

(And btw...it's a "bar" not a "blade." )

Jeff

Very good points by Jeff as usual

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

i'd try and raise your budget a little though.no sense being penny wise and pound foolish.

Unless he can't afford it.

Good point about used saws though.

Like I said, buy the best saw you can comfortably afford and don't look back.

 

[hornett22]

i guess i should have explained what i said better.

sometimes it's better to wait a little while longer to save up a few more bucks.like to buy a 359 instead of a 455 rancher.or an ms361 instead of an ms250.
as far as used saws go.try ebay.if the pics look good and their feedback is good,you're usually safe.if it looks rough in the pictures,it was probably treated rough or worked everyday.
bailey's has great prices as well.i wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

 

[heath86]

thanks alot for all the feedback so quick, since i probably wont make a buying decision right away, since my birthday is end of feb. im going to be looking into which saw is the best and take everything into consideration, because like i said, i am wanting quality and something that if taken care of will last as long as i need it, and since my fiance may atleast put some finances into it as a birthday present, it could be arranged to spend a lil more and possibly step up to maybe a ms250. that i am aware of theres no husqvarna dealers where i live (somerset) so that was why i am leaning towards stihl (that and from about anyone i talk to, have said stihl is the best and etc)

 

[hornett22]

at least get...........

the MS270.

 

[livewire]

Whatever you decide...

...You should really, really, really talk to your dealer. They will work with you in making a decision that will suit you well. Weight, power, longevity, and so on are all things that you need to consider when you pull the trigger.

Ask ALOT of questions. If you make an educated decision you most likely will not be disappointed. And if for some reason you are disappointed take it back and trade up!!!

Just tell us what you went with!

 

[heath86]

Yeah, the guy at the dealership was recommending the MS210 and would put on a 16" bar, was priced for $249.99 and said he could knock off about $20 or so.

The thing is I dont really wanna spend a whole lot because after I clear the lot to start building and etc I am not really gonna be using it a great deal, just to cut some firewood when its cold, or when storm knocks some tree's down, so would you think the 210 would be good enough or go with the 250/270? Also what is average price for a new 270, its probably close to 350 isnt it? I know the ms 250 at the dealer was 299?

 

[bytehoven]

Since you are not in a hurry, definitely take your time. Visiting a dealer is a great idea.

You might also expend on your intended use and most of us will be glad to comment on which saws make the most sense.

You should note there is a difference between Stihl homeowner and mid-range saws, and those they list as professional saws. Besides the obvious difference in price, there is the engine design and fabrication, anti-vibration, increased cutting power and HP for the pro design of the engine, easy of starting on saws with a decompression valve, mecahincal life of the engine, less weight for greater cutting power, better long term value if you would ever want to trade up.

You might say to yourself, "...well if the 361 costs twice as much as the 250, is it twice as good?" The answer is it's better than twice as good.

If you can wait long enough, there has been talk about a MS261, which would be an upgrade design to the 260/260Pro.

Good luck with your choice and you will find the folks here very helpful if you talk a little about how you would be using the saw.

 

[heath86]

been reading alot about dolmar 5100's being really good but lack of dealers, around how much do they run new? having a hard time finding some pricing online to get a rough estimate

Edit:Found a price of around $400

 

[bytehoven]

The best 5100S price I found online was $350 + $20 shipping. One of our sponsors was just a tad higher and would be a better place to buy.

(3) of the (4) Dolmar dealers in my area were $409, which is the MSRP on the saw. I had on dealer who would sell for $375, but he was almost an hour away.

I found my local Stihl dealer was willing to sell at almost 10% off the saw list price, so it became a little easier to buy from him. I also bought more than the saw and he discounted those goodies as well.

Had the one Dolmar dealer close to me been willing to sell the 5100S at a discount from MSRP, I might have bought it over the MS361. However, I think after running the 361, I'm glad he didn't because I found the perfect mid-range saw for me.

 

[heath86]

yeah i plan on atleast getting some pants/chaps and at my local saw shop/stihl dealer he said if i got a saw there i could get the pants at cost/$45 compared to the $80 normal, so in next week or two after i look into the saw's i will probably go back down to the dealer (1 of the 2 locations is only a 5 min drive from my house, other about 15 min) to see what all is in my range of what i'd like to spend and what would be best for what im gonna be cutting and etc

once again thanks alot for all the help i have gotten so far

 

[Indiana John]

Ms250!

I'd go for the MS250 with a 16" bar. Can be gotten for under $300, and would be plenty of saw for the use you are describing. It's a proven design, and should serve your purpose just fine. Lot's of folks here are going to try to sell you on much bigger saws, but for what you are doing, the 250 is plenty! If your needs change in the future, you can always trade up then.No sense in buying more saw than you really need. :greenchainsaw:

 

[Fudomyo]

Yeah, the guy at the dealership was recommending the MS210 and would put on a 16" bar, was priced for $249.99 and said he could knock off about $20 or so.

The thing is I dont really wanna spend a whole lot because after I clear the lot to start building and etc I am not really gonna be using it a great deal, just to cut some firewood when its cold, or when storm knocks some tree's down, so would you think the 210 would be good enough or go with the 250/270? Also what is average price for a new 270, its probably close to 350 isnt it? I know the ms 250 at the dealer was 299?

I'm starting to understand why Stihl makes so many models. The first one you spend more than you thought you would. However it turns out that you really use this a decent amount, but it is just too small. So then you buy another one, the right size.

I say save your money and get something 50cc's or bigger.