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.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

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

The reason saws get more 菟ro 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.

I agree, there are no beginner saws, all will cut you bad!

As for pro saws, along with lighter, and a bit more power, they ARE built out of better materials where it counts, to make longer lasting saws.

For some that's useful, for others, not so much.

SR

 

[xyz123]

IMO look at the echo 400 or older stihl 250 over the 251 or makita 4300. Both still light and better for the wood size you mention.

 

[Egon]

There seem to be about four or five quality chainsaws on the market. Look them over and choose a professional model. A size equivalent to the Husky rancher 55 should suit your requirements. Bar length is easily interchangeable as are different chains as long as they fit the bar and drive sprocket. Having a couple of different length bars may be advisable.

An essential are proper boots, pants and face shield. They should be the first purchase.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have bigger Stihl saws but I really like using my little Stihl 017. It has been a huge headache over the years, to get it and keep it running, and the thing is a plasticy piece of consumer junk. You can twist the whole thing and often linkages come undone or plastic junk things snap out of place.

I am looking to buy another small quality saw this time. I was considering Makita (Dolmar) but they have been difficult to locate and I want to try a saw before I "order" it from a dealer that "can get it". The regional rep was supposed to E-Mail be information and never did!

Echo makes some great saws at a good price and even the parks and rec. departments are buying them over Stihl.

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.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Is it, how much bar sticks out from the saw? Just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting fooled.

Yes...

BUT, that doesn't mean it will use the same amount of drive links, even though it has the same length of bar as another brand...

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I actually dropped in at a large rental place that was also an Echo dealer. There were new saws but also a bunch in the rental fleet I could actually try.

Also, the sales guy was a Mennonite that used to cut a hundred cord a year. I put more credit in what he says than a salesman with smooth hands that plays Golf on the weekends! lol

 

[hslogger]

For a little pooper chainsaw the MS170 is real good. I have a couple of them. They come with 16 inch bar. I ordered mine with a 14 inch bar and a free floating sprocket instead of the standard star drive. This little saw just rips with the 14 and is real handy. It aint the size of your wand but the magic behind it. I recommend this saw as set up like I have them to first time and limited use people who ask me personally.

 

[Jstpssng]

The biggest problem that I've had with the smaller saws is that the smaller chain comes off way too easily; especially since you say you will be cutting a lot of brush. I also reiterate what others have said; get decent chaps, hearing protection, and hard hat. You also might consider finding a chain saw safety course; ask at your local cooperative extension service. You will get a lot of helpful, potentially lifesaving lessons.

 

[JK22]

I hate my echo. Real pain to start (if at all). Finally bought a Stihl. Should have spent the money up front. Now I’m out the money I dropped on the echo.

 

[Industrial Toys]

What model was it? I noticed right away, where the consumer stuff ends and the commercial stuff begins when looking at the saws in real life. Don't ask me how. But, I think it's a little ways up there in ccs.