Best and worst chainsaw?

[sixdogs]

Ah heck, there is no good chainsaw. They all create a lot of work.
The best one is the one that starts good and has a sharp chain.

The man has a point ...

Anyone try a carbide saw chain for longevity?

 

[kenmbz]

The man has a point ...

Anyone try a carbide saw chain for longevity?

There was a whole discussion on arborsite, I don't think anyone who bought one ever bought a second one. They were hard to sharpen if I remember correctly, even though they took longer to dull out.

 

[aesanders]

I had a 590 echo that I bought based off good reviews for the product and I sold it after one use. My Husqvarna 372xp or Stihl 500i will cut circles around the echo. That’s not surprising considering the cost and size difference but the title said best not best value. A more reasonable comparison would be my Makita 6100 vs the 590 and it would cut circles around the 590. I’d really say that my 261 Stihl that’s under sized for the comparison would run close to the 590.

LOL. Yes the Husqvarna you list costs double what the 590 does, and the stihl cost triple. They better cut circles around the 590. I know you said best not best value. However, cost does come into play especially for acreage owners that maintain property but don’t cut trees for a living. The 590 is a damn good all around saw, especially for someone maintaining property. There is always a more expensive better saw (and if not now, wait a year or so).

 

[gsganzer]

A Husky 562XP would be the sweet spot for almost every firewood cutter. The Husky XP saws are a whole different breed from the models at the big box stores.

 

[4570Man]

LOL. Yes the Husqvarna you list costs double what the 590 does, and the stihl cost triple. They better cut circles around the 590. I know you said best not best value. However, cost does come into play especially for acreage owners that maintain property but don’t cut trees for a living. The 590 is a damn good all around saw, especially for someone maintaining property. There is always a more expensive better saw (and if not now, wait a year or so).

Comparing the 590 with my 6100 Makita or 261 Stihl that both cost more but much closer comparisons the 590 still remains my last pick. That saw is really overrated IMO. Compared to a 30 cc poulan saw I guess it’s impressive but compared to any other decent saw it’s ok at best.

 

[5030]

On carbide tipped loops. what first responders use when cutting through roofs during a house fire. They are expensive and must be sharpened with a diamond wheel. I'd like to have one, problem is, my wallet isn't that large.

On mufflers, they are all restrictive, especially Stihl mufflers. Even my ancient 028 got a muffler mod via the milling machine.

 

[5030]

After destroying an almost new 700 buck Stihl top handle professional arborist saw (ran it over with a chipper truck), I said no more and bought an Echo CS top handle saw. It's lighter than the Stihl was but stock, lacked the grunt the Stihl had until I pulled the limiter caps and exchanged the muffler for one without the cat inside and of course enlarged the exhaust openings inside as well. You can buy non cat mufflers for Echo saws, got mine from Saw It Again. It's actually a genuine Echo muffler, minus the cat. After that, it makes excellent power but the best part is it's feather light and I've come to use it more than my larger saws. Starts 2nd pull every time, That is important to as I really dislike a balky to start saw. Echo tends to set their mixture screws pretty lean so removing the limiter caps and richening them up helps alot.

Even my 40+ year old 028 starts second pull.

 

[dougtrr2]

I use Stihl professional model saws, may be overkill but I still think you get what you pay for. But I do heat with wood and cut and split about 6 cords of hardwood a year.

I think the big difference between professional models and regular saws is the anti-vibration mounts. My brother and I took down and cut up an ash tree for my father in law. At the end of the day I was fine, but the brother in law complained that his hands were numb.

I do also believe that if you don't have a sharp chain, it really doesn't matter what you have driving it.

Doug in SW IA

 

[aesanders]

Comparing the 590 with my 6100 Makita or 261 Stihl that both cost more but much closer comparisons the 590 still remains my last pick. That saw is really overrated IMO. Compared to a 30 cc poulan saw I guess it’s impressive but compared to any other decent saw it’s ok at best.

Both of those are professional models. Could at least compare to a 620p, no? And I don’t believe the Makita is available any longer.

 

[5030]

Bottom line is, they are all good so lo9ng as they start reliably and you run a sharp chain loop. The exception would be the Chinese built, sold on Amazon cheapo saws because they aren't build to be long lasting for the most part.

This thread distills down to whatever model a person owns and what they like. In my humble opinion, they are all good. Except the cheapo Chinese saws because without extensive modification, the longevity is in question and when I buy ANY saw, I want it to last a long time and be basically trouble free.

Really don't matter if it's a Stihl or a Echo or a husky or whatever. It all comes down to running a sharp chain and not using corn squeezed gasoline in it because when they sit with corn squeezed gas in them, it becomes a crap shoot whether they will start when you need them after sitting for a prolonged time, why I run Alkyd (canned gas) in mine simply because they may sit for months on end without using them and I want them to start and run reliably.

Nothing worse than phase separated pump gas in a saw that requires a carb rebuild or replacement to get it to run when you need it. Make no bones about it, e-gas will phase separate and gum up a carb if let sitting for an extended period of time. That don't just apply to saws either but anything with a carburetor, motorcycles and ATV's included.

That of course is a non issue with canned 'gasoline' because it contains no corn liquor. Of course canned gas is a lot more expensive than pump gas is but rebuilding or replacing a gummed up carb can quickly add up to the increased cost of the canned gas. Why I use it.

My saws can sit for months on end and start right up, no issue. Like my Stihl FS66 brush trimmer. It sits all winter and always fires up reliably in the summer, when I need it to run.

 

[5030]

really, the only difference between a 'Pro' saw and a 'Prosumer' saw is how they are built and internal components and for most users, spending a premium amount of cash on one is really needless for the amount of total use incurred.

 

[Rockbadchild]

really, the only difference between a 'Pro' saw and a 'Prosumer' saw is how they are built and internal components and for most users, spending a premium amount of cash on one is really needless for the amount of total use incurred.

yes but as far as the question goes what is the Best chainsaws reliability, performance and power are the key measurement metrics and it is safe to say professional saws are the best ones by far in these metrics, can it be overkill for some? For sure. Now if you add Best chainsaws for the Price that's a different question and that would bring you down from pros series.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Worst saw, and I own it….

GreenWorks 80v saw. Turd

 

[BnRidge]

Ah heck, there is no good chainsaw. They all create a lot of work.

Oh I don't know. I have many pictures of dad and grampa cutting old oaks with a wip saw. In 1959 they got a Mall 12a. $325. That was a lot of money at the time, but apperently thought well worth it, and a huge labor saver. For me the worst was that old Mall, heavy oily thing, next a Husky 55 (gave it away), then ms261 and ms462. That and a loader I don't need to work up a sweat to bring in the old oaks they were working on. I like the pro saws. But anyone with any power saw, we've all got it made. As long as it starts and has a sharp chain.

 

[stevem5215]

A good saw = one that starts each time you need to use it

A bad saw = junk from day one and never starts when you need it

All other saws are useable saws and require maint from time to time before, during and after use.

 

[Rockbadchild]

A good saw = one that starts each time you need to use it

A bad saw = junk from day one and never starts when you need it

All other saws are useable saws and require maint from time to time before, during and after use.

My standard are higher then this.

 

[5030]

..could go on forever about the pro's and con's of any saw.

 

[gsganzer]

Really don't matter if it's a Stihl or a Echo or a husky or whatever. It all comes down to running a sharp chain and not using corn squeezed gasoline in it because when they sit with corn squeezed gas in them, it becomes a crap shoot whether they will start when you need them after sitting for a prolonged time, why I run Alkyd (canned gas) in mine simply because they may sit for months on end without using them and I want them to start and run reliably.

Nothing worse than phase separated pump gas in a saw that requires a carb rebuild or replacement to get it to run when you need it. Make no bones about it, e-gas will phase separate and gum up a carb if let sitting for an extended period of time. That don't just apply to saws either but anything with a carburetor, motorcycles and ATV's included.

That of course is a non issue with canned 'gasoline' because it contains no corn liquor. Of course canned gas is a lot more expensive than pump gas is but rebuilding or replacing a gummed up carb can quickly add up to the increased cost of the canned gas. Why I use it.

My saws can sit for months on end and start right up, no issue. Like my Stihl FS66 brush trimmer. It sits all winter and always fires up reliably in the summer, when I need it to run.

Non-ethanol gas is certainly preferred. Stihl recommends no more that 10% ethanol.

As far as fuel stability, I was always under the impression that a quality 2-cycle oil, like Stihl Ultra HP, provided fuel stability. However, looking at their website, they say it's preferred to use the fuel in 30, 45, 60 days.

I've always bought mid or high octane gas for my small engines, as well as add Stabil. I wonder if they would typically have less ethanol than the low octane. I guess I'll have to google it.

Edit:
I just googled it and higher octane fuels might actually contain MORE ethanol. So much for that theory.

 

[5030]

Chainsaws do just fine on regular no lead. I still prefer canned fuel however. Had a tree limb come down on my buggy last night and had to have one of my arborist friends come out and take the tree down but I gave him a hand and I have not fired my 028 Stihl since early spring and it popped right off, 2nd pull.

I've found (from experience) that all my saws run better on canned fuel and especially idle better. My 028 has always been an erratic idler on pump gas (no lead with Stihl small bottle pre mix added) but it idles much better on Echo Red Armor 50-1 canned gas.

That was a quick 1500 bucks, but it is Sunday and he brought a crew and had to use his High Ranger as well. I'll roast everything left he didn't chip. Cannot wait to find out how much the bump shop is gonna charge me. Least I have full coverage, 100 buck deductible. I figure around 3 grand or so.

If you use stinky Red Stabil, it's basically worthless. You want the blue marine Stabil. What I use in all my small power equipment except of course, the saws and the brush cutter.

 

[5030]

Stihl recommends no more that 10% ethanol

Every small engine manufacturer recommends no more than 10% corn alcohol in their engines. I think the reason is, e-gas burns hotter than regular no corn alky gas. Not sure though.