1st chainsaw- what model

RollTideRam · Sep 4, 2006

I have decided it is time to buy my own chainsaw. I have borrowed and fixed my brothers poulan for the last time. I believe that I'm going to get a stihl, since I've had good luck with their trimmer and blower. I just don't know what model to go after. I will only occasionally use it, mostly for cutting up already downed wood for campfires. Also some limb trimming. I just don't want to go to small in case I do need to cut a tree. Any suggestions? JC

wushaw · Sep 4, 2006

My vote is MS250 consumer saw.
I have had a 025 now MS250 for five years now that has cut many many Mesquite and Honey Locus trees a few Bodark (Osage Orange) and Hackberry trees. It has been through four bars and 25' of chain, I would recommend after you wear out the consumer sprocket get the rim set-up because rims are a whole lot cheaper than the consumer sproket.
I also run a 16" bar on it.
Now if you want a great pro saw the MS260 is the stuff but it does cost a bit more.

rickmacheske · Sep 4, 2006

You might try arboristsite.com. I'm sure they will have some suggestions. I wanted a good 20" saw and decided on a Makita. I just couldn't justify going with the Stihl but it was my first choice. Stihl makes some affordable 18" saws like the MS 250C. BTW....baileys is the place to get loops.

Birdhunter1 · Sep 4, 2006

I have an 029 and an MS290 on the farm (same saw) and you can run a 16" bar or a 20" bar on it and it powers either just fine. It is a good value when you look at ability vs. cost.
Of course the MS 310 and 361 are good saws, cost a bit more.
Like said above the MS250 is a very good saw too, stay away from the cheapy feature that "quickly adjusts" your cahin tension, get one with the two tightening nuts and screw adjustment instead.

DmansPadge · Sep 4, 2006

Sounds like you are stuck on Stihl (not a bad thing) but I will say that I bought a new saw after Hurricane Rita and ended up with an Echo. It is a CS440 with an 18" bar and cost $299. It is a really nice saw and has seen a lot of use with no problems. My neighbor has an Echo thats about 7-8 years old and he loves it.... that factored into my decision. I think Echo makes some really good equipment and costs a little less than the other brands. I didn't want to buy "cheap" and knew that I would keep it for a long time since it doesn't see much use anymore. It seemed like a logical choice for me.... maybe you too.

rdln · Sep 4, 2006

those are all too big for your described job, i have done fine with the 017 or maybe it is called 170 now. It has a 14" bar with a narrow kerf, you can lug it around all day, and limbs in a flash. I cannot speak for Stihls new chain tension device, I have never tried one out.

jeffghs · Sep 4, 2006

I also agree that it is really hard to beat a Stihl, but they can get pricey. Just remember in the means you are describing using one, it would likely last you a lifetime. I have an Echo, which is a good saw also, but not quite the quality of the Stihl. I was kind of stuck when I got it because it was after Hurricane Ivan, and I had a Poulan Pro (ok for entry level, but definately anemic feeling after using the Echo or Stihl) it was on the back of my truck with the tailgate down. My wife decided to take my truck and run and get some water, all with the tailgate still down. When she got back I got some water and found all my tools missing, saw, circular saw, cordless drill, 2 gas cans, and various other little things. Well, we then made a trip to Home Depot to replace what we could, they had just gotten a pallet full of the Echo saws in and were selling for $199, I looked at them and decided I didn't have a lot of choice so I got one. I did some checking afterwards and found out the saw I got normally sells for $300 and the whole lot of them were mismarked. I also found out I could claim the saw with FEMA and they allowed $250 for it, so all in all it worked out ok. The Echo has been through several hundred trees by now, and still hasn't let up. I would recommend an 18inch bar with capability of a 20 also.

hockeyhead · Sep 4, 2006

stihl very good choice, but there are others:
ms290 ($339) ms310 ($400) ms390 ($500) are all good consumer saws running 4 or 5 weekend a year.
ms361 is one of the best 60cc saw out there today. this is a pro grade saw . This saw with a 20" bar is $600
I run a modified poulan pro 295 with a 14" bar and a husqvarna 357 with a 20" bar. the husky is a pro grade saw.
the arborist site is good, They will push you to a pro grade saw and most will not talk fondly about any consumer grade saws. But these guys cut for a living and their saws are very important to them.
baileys is another good site they sell Huskys saws, bars, chain, and other logging equipment.
Their Woodman Pro chain are very good, and cheap in price, but these are not safety chains or even low kick-back.
They cut really fast, stay sharp, but they wil kick hard and often if improperly handled.
good luck with your choice.

NewToy · Sep 4, 2006

I have an MS290 "Farm Boss" and it has been a great saw. Use it several weekends per year and it always starts right up. Mine has an 18" blade and I have never felt it to be underpowered. I haven't ever had the sparkplug out of it, it's 2 years old so I might just do that.

John