woodcut70
ArboristSite Lurker
What's the best saw and why do you think that? Also what's a good firewood saw?
What's the best mid range saw for firewood? what do you prefer?
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windthrown
361 Junkie
The Wild Thang...
husky 61,262 ,
JeffGu
Antagonist/Heckler
Did I just see a Wild Thing in a saw case?
windthrown
361 Junkie
Did I just see a Wild Thing in a saw case?
Yes you did! Gott'a keep her looking perty. Brand spankin' new. Der uber saw.
JeffGu
Antagonist/Heckler
Ok... thought I was seeing things, for a minute...
JeffGu
Antagonist/Heckler
Because, you know, sometimes you see things and just wonder about them.. right?
Sagetown
Farmer and a STIHL
Gotta go along with U Plowboy, as this MS 362C is my latest addition, and the 2nd pro saw ever.
Sagetown
Farmer and a STIHL
Love it. Of all my saws past and present, this one starts so easily. Awesome engine, great power, and loud too.
p.s. I like plenty of bar oil, so I've resorted to STIHL's Platinum Bar n Chain oil. It gives me the best performance under hard use.
Sagetown
Farmer and a STIHL
Yeah; it comes in a silver jug, both quart and gallon. Same price as the woodcutter bar oil, at my dealer.
Ok, ok....
Please, no homelites, wild things, big box plastic saws, etc...
My best recommendation is to buy a good used pro saw with Magnesium case and at least 60cc's, sure it is more than you need sometimes, but it will allow you to run a 20-24 inch bar comfortably and cut bigger or harder wood. A minimally sized 40-50cc saw won't do that
Any pro brand is good... Husky 261,262xp, Stihl 036, MS360
There are always great deals here on these models of saws
Any particular budget in mind? that will influence recommendations a lot. I agree with the 60cc idea if you're trying to stick with only one saw for average size firewood logs, otherwise 50 and 70+ is a good combo. Hmm maybe I shouldn't open up that can... I started with an 036 because I was pinching pennies at the time, walked out of the dealer $199 lighter instead of the $900something 362. It's a great budget saw in my opinion, little heavy and makes your hands tingle a little more than a spring mount model but plenty of grunt for the size and at least mine is always ready to work. I ran a Husky 555 for a while at a tree company and liked it, seemed like a bit of a boat anchor but plenty of power and much better anti vibe than something from the 036 era. If you're on a tighter budget but want a brand new saw I've spent a lot of time running the 455 Ranchers at an old job, they don't really excel at anything but another decent pick that'll last for a lot of typical homeowner firewood cutting. Those are just some random thoughts from my experience, I could be more helpful with a price range.
Fabulous photo!! there is nothing about it I do not like! beautiful color! nice setting, real nice wood pile, too!! enjoyed it a lot..... why just once glance says it all !!
and as for the thread's topic:
best? it's like what is the best steak?, best French fries? what is the best beer? etc. I like parts of all of the general comments mentioned here. of course, what is best for one firewood operation may not be the best ideal for another. the commercial firewood operation may be also a commercial arborist and runs his saws all day, every day. then again, there is the homeowner type cutting up firewood for personal use. and then again, there is the homeowner type who goes out into the bush and cuts and gathers lots of wood for firewood. nothing wrong with extra power, but is it the best? there are so many variables that can come into play to answer a question such as you are asking. for a lot of firewood cutting often a bigger saw can help speed up the job. I think 3 factors certainly could influence what is best for someone. a) intended plans for use (needs) b) saw weight c) budget.
speaking from 20 years of oak wood cutting and firewood making experience using mainly 2 saws... my Stihl 019T and my Stihl 026, I would say this. I probably have used my 019T more than my 026. i cut a lot of wood. the dealer referred to the 019T as a limb trimmer and the 026 as a workhorse. I have found that the 019T is a small dynamo of a saw. I often cut downed limbs up to 10-12" even bigger at times with it with ease. issue is how sharp do u keep the chain? that lil saw has constantly impressed me. so, with it being 46.5 cc and 2.5 hp (approx.) a mainline saw in this size will or could be best for certain types of mid range firewood work. depends on size of log and how long you will be operating it. (daily use, heavy, light or sporadic) I would not like to run it all day! but for a couple of hours or so making firewood chunks to split... it is great. I like Stihl so I would say depending upon budget and need... a saw of this size could be a best saw quite capable of mid range work. the 026 has been my 'go to' saw for larger trunks and limbs. it comes in at 48.7 cc with about 3.2 hp. I have used this saw for much of a day and found it to be comfortable to operate. with a sharp chain it will go to town! chain size would be important, too... I can run .325 or 3/8ths. it weighs 11 lbs or so... the gear you wear will matter too, imo.
to me how one sources the stock for firewood would matter too, and influence saw size. certainly type of wood would be a factor also. operator size would play an important role, also. and what you want out of a saw also comes into play for what is 'best'. for one guy, as an example, a 1/2 T pickup V6 suits him well. for another a 1T dually V-10 is the way to go. plans for use, capacity and budget all come into play for each to get the 'best'. full time firewood making for sale, or nice equipment to make firewood wood for home use? new or used? and I would want to also consider the type of splitter being used too. as to saws, there are 3-4 very good, popular brands out in the marketplace. each has their own following. for most firewood making as in getting down and doing some work, ie, making chips... and on a budget I would say 3.5 -5 hp 45 to 50 cc's. used and in good running condition usually means about 1/2 or so of new saw prices. if it starts and runs good, a quick look into the exhaust port will tell u a lot about how it has been used and cared for. in general, a carb kit install is simple to do, most used usually need one or could use one do to age of pulse fuel pump, metering valve, seats, etc. bigger budget, bigger guy... select accordingly.
well, in any event... no doubt whatever buy decision you make you will want it to be an informed one. hope this provides some information that at least for me has been time tested and may possibly be of help to you. let us know what you decide upon if your plans do suggest you buy a new chain saw. I wonder how helpful this thread will prove to be for you in the decision you finally make?
best?
it's like what is the best steak?, best French fries? what is the best beer? etc. I like parts of all of the general comments mentioned here. of course, what is best for one firewood operation may not be the best ideal for another. the commercial firewood operation may be also a commercial arborist and runs his saws all day, every day. then again, there is the homeowner type cutting up firewood for personal use. and then again, there is the homeowner type who goes out into the bush and cuts and gathers lots of wood for firewood. nothing wrong with extra power, but is it the best? there are so many variables that can come into play to answer a question such as you are asking. for a lot of firewood cutting often a bigger saw can help speed up the job. I think 3 factors certainly could influence what is best for someone. a) intended plans for use (needs) b) saw weight c) budget.speaking from 20 years of oak wood cutting and firewood making experience using mainly 2 saws... my Stihl 019T and my Stihl 026, I would say this. I probably have used my 019T more than my 026. i cut a lot of wood. the dealer referred to the 019T as a limb trimmer and the 026 as a workhorse. I have found that the 019T is a small dynamo of a saw. I often cut downed limbs up to 10-12" even bigger at times with it with ease. issue is how sharp do u keep the chain? that lil saw has constantly impressed me. so, with it being 46.5 cc and 2.5 hp (approx.) a mainline saw in this size will or could be best for certain types of mid range firewood work. depends on size of log and how long you will be operating it. (daily use, heavy, light or sporadic) I would not like to run it all day! but for a couple of hours or so making firewood chunks to split... it is great. I like Stihl so I would say depending upon budget and need... a saw of this size could be a best saw quite capable of mid range work. the 026 has been my 'go to' saw for larger trunks and limbs. it comes in at 48.7 cc with about 3.2 hp. I have used this saw for much of a day and found it to be comfortable to operate. with a sharp chain it will go to town! chain size would be important, too... I can run .325 or 3/8ths. it weighs 11 lbs or so... the gear you wear will matter too, imo.
to me how one sources the stock for firewood would matter too, and influence saw size. certainly type of wood would be a factor also. operator size would play an important role, also. and what you want out of a saw also comes into play for what is 'best'. for one guy, as an example, a 1/2 T pickup V6 suits him well. for another a 1T dually V-10 is the way to go. plans for use, capacity and budget all come into play for each to get the 'best'. full time firewood making for sale, or nice equipment to make firewood wood for home use? new or used? and I would want to also consider the type of splitter being used too. as to saws, there are 3-4 very good, popular brands out in the marketplace. each has their own following. for most firewood making as in getting down and doing some work, ie, making chips... and on a budget I would say 3.5 -5 hp 45 to 50 cc's. used and in good running condition usually means about 1/2 or so of new saw prices. if it starts and runs good, a quick look into the exhaust port will tell u a lot about how it has been used and cared for. in general, a carb kit install is simple to do, most used usually need one or could use one do to age of pulse fuel pump, metering valve, seats, etc. bigger budget, bigger guy... select accordingly.
well, in any event... no doubt whatever buy decision you make you will want it to be an informed one. hope this provides some information that at least for me has been time tested and may possibly be of help to you. let us know what you decide upon if your plans do suggest you buy a new chain saw. I wonder how helpful this thread will prove to be for you in the decision you finally make?
TreeswingerPerth
ArboristSite Operative
Husky 365 , bulletproof saw . We have two that run all the time and give no problems .
Ferguson system
Iggesund Forest dealer
A good 50-70 cc pro saw.
Whatever brand you buy I would suggest something that runs a minimum 18" bar as standard from the dealer. Me personally I have two saws. A ms180 for limbing small branches and a ms660 with bars ranging from 16"-42"
