Beginner saw

[ericm979]

Don't forget to budget in all the safety gear. Steel toe boots, chaps, eye protection (and/or face shield), hearing protection. If you're a book type person "To Fell a Tree" is a great reference on felling and cutting up trees. Or find someone who knows what they're doing to show you. Partially fallen trees can be dangerous and tricky to cut.

A peavy or cant hook is really useful for rolling logs over.

You'll also need gear to maintain the chain saw. The correct size file and a handle at the minimum. There's a lot of gizmos for sharpening saw chain; you'll want to experiment to see what works for you. Saw chains need to be sharpened often (I do every two tanks of gas at most. sometimes less). A sharp chain makes cutting easier and safer.

 

[John_Mc]

For what you are describing, I would be looking for at least a 50 cc saw, perhaps consider 60cc if you will be doing a lot of cutting on a regular basis. In the mid range saws, the Stihl 251 or Husky 450 are good choices (I'm not so much a fan of the 455 - it cuts fine, but adds significant weight for only a marginal increase in HP over the 450). In the more pro-level saws, The Husly555 or 550XP are nice, as is the Stihl 261. In fact, I consider the Stihl 261 and the Husky 550XP to be two of the best 50cc saws on the market today - but they are expensive.

This is going to sound like sacrilege to the hard-core chainsaw fanatics out there, but... If this is your first saw, consider not going with a pro-level saw, unless you are going to do a serious amount of cutting (more than just your personal firewood and clean-up). Learn to take care of it on a saw where your mistakes are not so costly. A good midrange 50cc saw will last you a long time if you take care of it. My recommendations (in no particular order): Stihl MS 271, Husqvarna 450, Echo CS 501. (The Echo 501 has a lot of pro features for a good price.) Dolmar/Makita makes some good stuff too, but I'm less familiar with them, since there are no good dealers in my area. If you are set on a pro-level saw, I can recommend a few (I own several).

I'd go with a 16" bar on any of the 50 or 60cc saws mentioned. The balance is far better than the larger bars that some stores try to sell them with. It's also less cumbersome to maneuver - especially if you are using it as a general-purpose saw, for both limbing and bucking.

If it were me, how I'd decide on a particular brand is by who has the best full-service dealership near you. Despite the claims of the various brands' fan-boys, any of these manufacturers make some darn good saws. Go with the dealership that has a reputation for supporting them. (Yeah, you might find them cheaper on-line or at a big-box store, but having someone who knows their stuff to help you take care of it is work far more than a few bucks off the initial purchase price)

 

[newbury]

I'd recommend 2 saws. A "small" electric saw (or even a cordless electric pole saw) for the brush clearing and a 50CC or so for the bigger stuff.
I've got Stihl saws from 35 to 120 CC. The 120CC will clear trails in a hurry, but wears my arms out FAST. The 35CC has almost been relegated to my history museum. I prefer using a 40V electric for most of those small jobs.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had the Stihl 017 and two 036s for twenty years. There is too big a spread between the two saws. I will replace my one crushed 60 cc 036, with a 50 cc saw. Maybe that Echo CS 501. I just found that I was usng the 017 for work it shouldn't be doing as it was so much nicer to use. I only got it for limbing.

I also have an Oregon 48Volt self sharpening saw which is kind of heavy for the size of saw, but just take it along in the Utility vehicles in case something needs attention.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I finally got the E-Mail for the Makita Saws, in Canadian Pricing. Cottage Life Show, SPECIAL PRICING.

EA4300FREC - $415.00

Makita Canada Inc



DCS5121REJ - $475.00 (50cc saw) 12 Pound saw. Up there for a 50cc saw, but you want quality, maybe that's the penalty.

Makita Canada Inc



EA5000PREL - $725.00

Makita Canada Inc



EA5600FREE - $580.00

Makita Canada Inc



EA6100PRGE - $685.00

Makita Canada Inc



EA7300PRFE – $1000.00

https://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=3125&catid=40



EA7900PRFE - $1,199.00

https://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=3273&catid=40



It's kind of interesting that their saws are not assembled on an assembly line. Each saw is put together by one person. Not sure, how much that matters.

 

[oosik]

I have two Stihl chain saws. A bigger one with a 20" bar - MS280 and my favorite with a 12" bar - MS192.

The big one is used on my enormous ancient Ponderosa pines.

The small one is used to thin my pine stands.

 

[Wardo08]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I went down to the chainsaw dealer today and ended up buying a Husqvarna 135. Really appreciate everyone’s input, thanks again!

 

[John_Mc]

BTW, Does anyone know how you measure bar length? Is it, how much bar sticks out from the saw? Just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting fooled.

If you ever figure that one out, be sure to let us know.

 

[John_Mc]

I finally got the E-Mail for the Makita Saws, in Canadian Pricing. Cottage Life Show, SPECIAL PRICING.

EA4300FREC - $415.00

Makita Canada Inc



DCS5121REJ - $475.00 (50cc saw) 12 Pound saw. Up there for a 50cc saw, but you want quality, maybe that's the penalty.

Makita Canada Inc



EA5000PREL - $725.00

Makita Canada Inc



EA5600FREE - $580.00

Makita Canada Inc



EA6100PRGE - $685.00

Makita Canada Inc



EA7300PRFE – $1000.00

https://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=3125&catid=40



EA7900PRFE - $1,199.00

https://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=3273&catid=40



It's kind of interesting that their saws are not assembled on an assembly line. Each saw is put together by one person. Not sure, how much that matters.

Makita is the same thing as Dolmar (Makita bought Dolmar year ago, and had the good sense to keep the Domar designs). Identical saws (except for the color) have been sold for years under both names. In general, they are well-designed and well-built saws. On many of them you get pro-saw type construction at a non-pro price. They do tend to be a bit heavier than the Pro-level Husqvarna or Stihl saws, but if that does not bother you, most of them are darn good saws. I would probably own one except for the fact that there are no good dealers in my area.

 

[Jstpssng]

If I go into the saw shop and say "I want an 18" bar", they sell me one that says 18" on the sleeve. That's the only way that I can tell.