Chainsaw Recommendations

[happysawer]

Is one pic the 'before' and one the 'after'? Which is which?


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No one is from the side other from front.

 

[Egon]

Steel toed boots are fine but there are regular chainsaw boots that offer much more protection.

 

[Jo D]

Firstly, I am gratified that you are, in fact, shopping for chainsaw shops, Hopefully you will find the extra time well spent. Secondly, I am happy you have involved your husband in the process. Receiving a "surprise" gift of a new tool is often a disappointment for the recipient.

Actually he has been involved since day 1. He said to get him a chainsaw for his birthday. He knew he wanted one the question was which one. We have stuff we need to get done. Stihl was first brand he mentioned but he asked me to ask a couple people for recommendations. One said Stihl, the other came up Stihl. Husqvarna or Jonsered. He had a limit he didnt want me to cross, we both didnt want to have to buy another. (we have owned Battery & Electric before and he didnt want either) We wanted a good one that would last. I started doing my research and landed on an older board in here, and cant tell you all how happy I am to have gotten the information and suggestions that I have received.

 

[Jo D]

We had a local place pop up on the Stihl site (it hadnt prior, Ace kept coming up) and I spoke to then on the phone Saturday. I liked the vibe I got speaking with them and we will be going in tomorrow morning to see the place in person, talk some options (will honestly boil down to price but will be likely comparing the 271 and 261) We will be discussing options of a few things, like an extra bar, chains etc. We will be getting the pre mix when we buy.

 

[rademamj1]

We had a local place pop up on the Stihl site (it hadnt prior, Ace kept coming up) and I spoke to then on the phone Saturday. I liked the vibe I got speaking with them and we will be going in tomorrow morning to see the place in person, talk some options (will honestly boil down to price but will be likely comparing the 271 and 261) We will be discussing options of a few things, like an extra bar, chains etc. We will be getting the pre mix when we buy.

Remember, if you purchase any Stihl chainsaw with Stihl premixed fuel at same time, Stihl will automatically double the warranty for you. The dealer can also do your warranty registration for you at time of purchase. Ask them to do that for you, it takes them just 5 minutes to complete your "double" warranty.

 

[Jo D]

Remember, if you purchase any Stihl chainsaw with Stihl premixed fuel at same time, Stihl will automatically double the warranty for you. The dealer can also do your warranty registration for you at time of purchase. Ask them to do that for you, it takes them just 5 minutes to complete your "double" warranty.

Thank You. Although I was aware of the doubled warranty, I didnt know they could do the warranty registration. Definitely good to know as its so easy to forget to do them.

 

[ArlyA]

I own a pro Stihl which sadly stays home 95% of the time. It has not been out this summer at all and we burned about 5 gallons of saw gas per season. (we are still clearing trails today) I recommend a pole saw, weather its battery powered or gas.

 

[Frankenkubota]

I prefer Stihl but you pay extra for the name. I lived in Raleigh during Fran in 96'... had to cut up 40+ trees that sat under flood waters. Had to change chains 3 times during the day and sharpen the chains at night for the next day. That was with a Stihl 028... bought my wife and "easy start" professional Stihl 193CE; I quit using the 028 (had no reason to pick up a big saw when all I needed was light weight stuff). That is a great little saw...

Fast forward to today, I use EGO 56 volt chainsaw, yes electric but more than capable... I still have the other two saws, after not being able to start them (left gas in them) I replace both carburetors and put them on a shelf, ready if I need them again. Problem was for small tasks, I was using a bow saw or hand saws to cut up the little stuff that you run into weekly. It was not worth gassing up the big saws to do a little bit of cutting. Electric saw are great these days... much better engineered and I have 4 batteries and I would be worn out before the saw ran out of batteries... (I know you are not interested in electric now... pretty sure you will some day).

I cut down a 18" Leyland Cypress and limbed it all up (40 feet) and the neighbor didn't even hear the electric chainsaw.

I lived in Raleigh/Cary in 96 when Fran hit. Amazing amount of damage. Could not buy a chain saw for weeks!

Back in the day, Cary was the last stage coach stop on the way to Raleigh. Raleigh is where Barney goes to party!

Cary has since become a part of Raleigh but still referred to as.....

Concentrated Area of Relocated Yankees. CARY

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I have an Echo CS-490 which I loathe. It's a pain to start, finicky as all get-out, and guaranteed to leave me with weeks of rotator cuff pain.
It was the echo that drove me to try out a Milwaukee battery powered chain saw, which works well from a power perspective but gets pinched too easily, derailing the chain.

I'm not sure what I'd buy for gas powered if I was replacing this odd duo above. If money is no object, get a Stihl. If you're less loyal to brand and more loyal to your wallet I'm not sure what to suggest I shy away from Husqvarna equipment because of the repeated customer feedback they get when they fail to honor waranty's, but hey, you can't believe everything you believe on the web. I will not buy another echo.

I've always liked how easy my Honda equipment starts, my brush cutter is always a one pull start. Don't think they make chain saws though.

Good luck, curious what you get and how you like it.

 

[old and tired]

...Could not buy a chain saw for weeks!

My uncle owned a chainsaw shop in McGraw, NY - He sent me a care package of a new bar, several chains, oil and most important a box of Files for my Stihl 028...

Cutting trees at dusk, it looked like I was grinding metal... sparks flying everywhere. I lived on Crabtree creek and flood water was 6" in my first floor "basement". House was hit with a 27" Tulip Poplar, 120' tall... Fun time cutting that tree off the house. I would strap a 24' ladder (on top of the roof) to the tree because once you cut the tree, it would spring up a bit and expand the ladder.