best chainsaw?
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btolle
Platinum Member
I live in East Texas and the major industry here is forest products so there are lots of professionals in the area and 90% use Stihl and 10% Huskie.
You wouldn't believe the abuse some of these saws get and keep on going.
I bought a Stihl and 2 extra Stihl chains. If I don't feel like taking the time to sharpen a chain (like when it is 100 degrees outside) I can just swap it out and sharpen it later.
Buy a couple of files and learn to sharpen the chains. When a chain starts throwing sawdust instead of chips it is time to sharpen or change chains. The longer you use a dull chain the harder it will be to sharpen.
Turn the bar over every time you change the chain so it will wear evenly.
Bill Tolle
You wouldn't believe the abuse some of these saws get and keep on going.
I bought a Stihl and 2 extra Stihl chains. If I don't feel like taking the time to sharpen a chain (like when it is 100 degrees outside) I can just swap it out and sharpen it later.
Buy a couple of files and learn to sharpen the chains. When a chain starts throwing sawdust instead of chips it is time to sharpen or change chains. The longer you use a dull chain the harder it will be to sharpen.
Turn the bar over every time you change the chain so it will wear evenly.
Bill Tolle
johnk
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MMM
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I'll have to say 044. I got mine for nothin from a divorced lady . It sat arounf for years with old gas in it but I took a chance and sent it to the shop as it had good compression. Spent$100 for labor, carb kit, new bar and chain..... 8yrs ago. I don't hardly bother with the little Poulan any more except for close to ground cutting (bars and chains are much cheaper).
rozett
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BrettW, I have an Stihl 029, which is the older version of the same saw. It is certainly not a saw that you would take out to do limbing or other overhead work as it weighs over 13 pounds. But it is an outstanding saw for working at ground level. It has plenty of power and takes a good sized bar. I have cut 100 cords of firewood with mine this year alone. With good maintenance it will outlast you. I highly recommend it!
btolle
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here's an old one I'm trying to get working once again. )</font>
I have an old dog like that and I don't get much work out of her either /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill Tolle
I have an old dog like that and I don't get much work out of her either /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bill Tolle
I have a MS 290 with a 16" bar and man that thing screams.
I spent a lot of time searching and that was what I came home with and glad I did. Make sure you have a good hold(foot) on that thing when you try to crank it. You can feel the compression. I wanted the 16" bar for more torque.
I spent a lot of time searching and that was what I came home with and glad I did. Make sure you have a good hold(foot) on that thing when you try to crank it. You can feel the compression. I wanted the 16" bar for more torque.
billbill1
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I bought an 015 Stihl in 1980, a small trim saw and I completely wore it out. It still runs but the power is gone and you can't buy parts any longer, I loved that little saw. I have an 041 AV Stihl that I got used in 1980 and it still runs today but it is a little too heavy for the old back anymore but I still use it on big stuff. About 12 years ago a friend gave me an 024 Stihl and I use it every day that I cut. What I like about Stihl is the ease of starting and they will idle until they run out of gas without dying. I have heated entirely with wood since 1980 so my saws have run alot. I have friends that have Husky's and they love them-they are very good saws!!! Nothing but Stihl for me though, they've been good to me.
sendero
Gold Member
I bought my place about 2.5 years ago. It is mostly trees, and I've spent a lot of time cutting them down to make way for my mobile home, to clean up the area around the home, make way for my shed, my pond, etc.
I bought a little Husky 350 with a 20" bar and I've been very happy with it. I've cut down literally hundreds of small trees and maybe 50 big trees. I've cut a bunch of them into firewood slices.
The thing always starts. It is not too heavy. It has plenty of power to run a 20" bar. It was cheap at $328.
The only problem I've had with it was the kill switch quit working. I took it apart (very easy to do) and the wires had somehow popped out of their "channel" and got shredded by the starter pulley. I fixed that pretty easily - have to admit I have no idea how that can happen.
Anyway, I'm certain that Stihl makes a top-notch saw. I just wasn't willing to pay the extra $$$ and I've had no regrets with the Husky /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I bought a little Husky 350 with a 20" bar and I've been very happy with it. I've cut down literally hundreds of small trees and maybe 50 big trees. I've cut a bunch of them into firewood slices.
The thing always starts. It is not too heavy. It has plenty of power to run a 20" bar. It was cheap at $328.
The only problem I've had with it was the kill switch quit working. I took it apart (very easy to do) and the wires had somehow popped out of their "channel" and got shredded by the starter pulley. I fixed that pretty easily - have to admit I have no idea how that can happen.
Anyway, I'm certain that Stihl makes a top-notch saw. I just wasn't willing to pay the extra $$$ and I've had no regrets with the Husky /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Boondox
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This sort of question always seems to result in brand wars, so as one who has a Husky, Stihl and and a Jonsered and likes them all, I'd prefer to focus on good features:
1: Get something you can get repaired locally. Often I'll buy a particular brand simply because my local repair shop likes them
2: Look for a decent power to weight ratio, but don't get one heavier than you can safely and comfortably handle
3: An easy start feature is really nice (some call it a compression release)
4: The chain should be simple to tighten. My Husky 372 uses an adjustment screw. My little Stihl 250 is a tool free adjustment. I like them both but find myself more likely to adjust the Stihl because it's so easy.
5: Make sure it has safety features you can live with. Some of the cheaper brands are less expensive because they skip things like chain brakes that I consider absolutely essential.
Pete
1: Get something you can get repaired locally. Often I'll buy a particular brand simply because my local repair shop likes them
2: Look for a decent power to weight ratio, but don't get one heavier than you can safely and comfortably handle
3: An easy start feature is really nice (some call it a compression release)
4: The chain should be simple to tighten. My Husky 372 uses an adjustment screw. My little Stihl 250 is a tool free adjustment. I like them both but find myself more likely to adjust the Stihl because it's so easy.
5: Make sure it has safety features you can live with. Some of the cheaper brands are less expensive because they skip things like chain brakes that I consider absolutely essential.
Pete
Boondox, check out the age of these posts. However, what you say is still true. We have two very good saw dealers in town; one sells Huskie, the other sells Stihl. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either saw.
beenthere
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I agree with your 'philosophy' on the saws. I have friends I cut with who have Husky and they don't like the 'feel' of my Stihl (obvious that they are not used to it) and I am the same about the 'feel' of their Husky for the same reason. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
However, there are some new features in the Stihl line-up that are worthy of consideration. The 'brake stop' feature when letting off the throttle is a good one, and one that works better than I originally understood when I bought my new Stihl last year. I thought it engaged the brake and before cutting again, I'd have to 'dis-engage' the brake each time. That turns out not to be true. Just pull the throttle and the saw is running again. I wish I had it now.
The other feature is the spring-assist for starting. Pull the starter rope and the spring winds up until it gets enough energy to spin or turnover the engine. Really takes the hard jerk out of the rope start. Just a nice gentle pull will start the saw. It is available on the medium size saws, but not the bigger ones like I have (MS361).
If you have a good Stihl dealer, might want to check these features out if buying new.
However, there are some new features in the Stihl line-up that are worthy of consideration. The 'brake stop' feature when letting off the throttle is a good one, and one that works better than I originally understood when I bought my new Stihl last year. I thought it engaged the brake and before cutting again, I'd have to 'dis-engage' the brake each time. That turns out not to be true. Just pull the throttle and the saw is running again. I wish I had it now.
The other feature is the spring-assist for starting. Pull the starter rope and the spring winds up until it gets enough energy to spin or turnover the engine. Really takes the hard jerk out of the rope start. Just a nice gentle pull will start the saw. It is available on the medium size saws, but not the bigger ones like I have (MS361).
If you have a good Stihl dealer, might want to check these features out if buying new.
Cottonhawk
Gold Member
This is an excellent thread regarding Chainsaw brands. I read every posts and it appears that Stihl is the most popular and most reliable brand of Chainsaw. I own Shindaiwa and Echo chainsaws and I don't need another saw. After reading these posts, may be I should reassess my "nice to have" list and go see my local Stihl dealer to buy a Stihl saw.
gmsssi
Platinum Member
If it matters, I vote for the Jonsered, you should at least give them consideration. They are as good as Husky's and Stihl's, no doubt!
gmsssi,
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jonsered, you should at least give them consideration. They are as good as Husky's )</font>
You are correct as Jonsereds are pretty much red Huskys. They are both owned by the same company.
From Jonsered website:
Jonsered is a wholly-owned subsidiary company of the Electrolux group, which is one of the biggest industrial groups in the world.
From the Husqvarna website:
Husqvarna is now a part of the Electrolux Group.
Phil
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jonsered, you should at least give them consideration. They are as good as Husky's )</font>
You are correct as Jonsereds are pretty much red Huskys. They are both owned by the same company.
From Jonsered website:
Jonsered is a wholly-owned subsidiary company of the Electrolux group, which is one of the biggest industrial groups in the world.
From the Husqvarna website:
Husqvarna is now a part of the Electrolux Group.
Phil
Boondox
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Boondox, check out the age of these posts. However, what you say is still true. We have two very good saw dealers in town; one sells Huskie, the other sells Stihl. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either saw. )</font>
Darn -- I forgot my reading glasses again!
Darn -- I forgot my reading glasses again!
Boondox
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I have that spring assist on my little Stihl and agree it's a very nice feature especially when working off the ground!
Pete
Pete
beenthere
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Which Stihl models come with that assist?
stevenf
Platinum Member
beenthere, I did a lot of research on the easy2start saws the option is only available on MS 180,210,250 C's as far as what their web site list the way that it works as described by my dealer is like a clock spring when you pull the starter rope out it winds the spring and on the release or rewind it starts the engine. My dealer was not to knocked out on the option and said that they had to do work on several of them already although its a fairly new option mainly because as the saw gets a little age to it, the spring loses its stength plus the saw unless perfectly tuned wouldn't fire off consistently on the first or even the fifth pull and release. I ended up buying the MS260 pro with the manual compression release it is wonderful so far. I think most of the larger saws have some sort of decompression valve to assist in starting the 260pro just has it as a manual button you push and has proven to be trustworthy.
Steve
Steve
