Beginner saw

[Wardo08]

Hello everyone I’m looking at purchasing my first chainsaw. I’m looking to get a small beginners saw. I’ve been reading up a lot on the Stihl MS 170 and I’m pretty impressed with the reviews it has. I’m also interested in the Husqvarna 135. Would the Husqvarna 135 be the equivalent to the Stihl MS 170? Has anyone operated these saws? And if so what’s you’re opinion on them good and bad? I appreciate any response, Thanks!

 

[dragoneggs]

What is your mission? Occasional use or regular? How big of jobs/logs? Stihl is a great brand (I have several of their various tools) and Husky makes good saws too. If you want some good advice, let us know what are your needs/expectations.

I have had various chainsaws, including Craftsman, Echo, Stihl, Homelite. Now for my needs, I am seriously thinking about a battery powered Stihl.

 

[Wardo08]

What is your mission? Occasional use or regular? How big of jobs/logs? Stihl is a great brand (I have several of their various tools) and Husky makes good saws too. If you want some good advice, let us know what are your needs/expectations.

I have had various chainsaws, including Craftsman, Echo, Stihl, Homelite. Now for my needs, I am seriously thinking about a battery powered Stihl.

Thanks a lot for the reply! Il be using it regularly for cutting firewood and in the bush clearing our trails of fallen trees. The logs will be between 10 and 14 inches.

 

[dragoneggs]

Seems a bit underpowered. Might want to consider a MS 251 CBE in the Stihl brand... don't know much about equivalents.

Check out this link...

Homeowner Chainsaws - Mid Range Chainsaw Features | STIHL USA

 

[widefat]

I have an MS170 - a great little saw for light trimming work, but definitely underpowered for cutting firewood. I think you would be disappointed.
Same with a Husq 135 - too small.
I also have a Husq 455 with a 20" bar, which I use for larger tasks, ie, firewood.
Dont get me wrong, the MS170 or Husq 135 will work for you, but if you were to do a side by side comparison of small vs. large,
you would be amazed at the difference in time and effort it takes to do the job.

 

[dougtrr2]

I am not sure there is really such a thing as a beginners saw. You want to get a saw with adequate power for the tasks at hand. An underpowered saw will just be frustrating and encourage you to do unsafe things. I would go with a higher end saw ( I am a Stihl fan). I think that one of the big differences between lower end saws and the better ones are the anti-vibration features. I can use my two Stihl saws all day and my hands still feel fine. When you buy your saw invest in safety gear (safety glassesmuffs, chaps, helmet) and extra chains. Keep your chains sharp, if your chain is dull it really doesn't matter what powerhead is driving it. Just my two cents worth.

Doug in SW IA

 

[sea2summit]

Thanks a lot for the reply! Il be using it regularly for cutting firewood and in the bush clearing our trails of fallen trees. The logs will be between 10 and 14 inches.

Still reading but what you just described is too much work for a 170 IMHO.

ETA

How much fire wood are you thinking you値l cut per year? 251 is probably the minimum unless you say 4-5 cord+ a year then I壇 probably say go with a pro saw like the 261.

Someone else said there is no beginner saw and I agree. The other thing about small saws is small chain sizes, they get dull fast and correctly sized files are a little harder to find. Most of the time they are also very disposable so the cost of a repair/rebuild is more than a new saw.

 

[CobyRupert]

You almost have conflicting uses.
For cutting firewood I want a 3/8" chain and some power (or I should say a good power-to-weight ratio).
When cutting brush, especially saplings, and small trees branches where one is "reaching out" more a light weight saw gets less tiring. A .325" chain will kick less and is good for beginners. A .325 safety chain will kick even less (and saw less ). As been, said: there really is no "beginner" saw. You can't be 99.999% safe, it has to be 100%.

I have an older version of the 455 (when they called it a 55 Rancher) 18"' that's my go to saw for most things, and was my only saw for a decade. It came with a .325" safety chain, became twice as good when I replaced that with a regular .325", and then twice as good again when I converted it to 3/8" chain. IMHO, it's perfect size for most versatility.
I was recently given a one-nut Husky 435, which is comparable to a 135. It's really light and fun for trimming, but I wouldn't want to spend a day cutting my firewood with it.

 

[Jchonline]

I agree there are no beginner saws. Any of the will cut you if you arent careful!

The reason saws get more “pro” is really just a bit more power and a bit less weight. If you are cutting all day that matters. Get a mid size saw, I think Husq or Stihl are fine choices. 251 ish is about right.

 

[mcfarmall]

90% of the chainsaw work that I do is the same as you describe in the original post. Have 2 saws, a Stihl 021 and a Stihl 029 Farm Boss. The 021 gets WAAAYYYY more hours on it than the 029 and is lightweight and powerful with a 14" bar. I only pull out the whopper for the big stuff. If I had to do it over again I would buy a third saw...a top handle climbing (arborist) saw as well. I'd use the top handle saw strictly for limbing, the 021 for bucking 80% of the trees I cut and the 029 for the occasional large diameter tree.

Your lower back will thank you for picking the small, lightweight saw.

However, I too am very interested in the Stihl battery saws.