chain saw help

[marks]

The value of a better saw is much more than the marginal price difference between top tier and second tier saws. I had a Homelite several years ago, and then it started to break down, and it wasn't worth repairing. Since then I've moved into Echo products, and have been extremely pleased. Just this year, they have increased their warranty period to 5 years!

As a side note, if you don't use the equipment frequently it's worth the time to drain the tank and run it 'till it stops. The dealer I use says that stabilizer products are ok, but don't count on it to prevent the fuel breakdown issues.

 

[deerefan]

Went to the stihl dealer yesterday and have narrowed it down to 2 saws, the MS 210 and MS 250. The price on the 210 was $269, the 250 is $330. I'm leaning more to the 250 b/c it can handle an 18" bar. The 250 has a 3hp engine versus the 2hp for the 210 but weighs only 1/2 lb more. I do not mind a 16" saw, it is what I have now but I have had to cut up some pretty good size stuff, especially after the storms, and it was a little much for my McCulloch eventhough the saw struggled thru it. Now the man in me really came out when I looked down and saw a MS 880 w/ a 41" bar for $1600. Would have absolutely no use for it but wouldn't it be cool to pull that out when you're having the saw comparison talk w/ your buddies.

 

[wushaw]

I have owned a 025/MS250 for 6 years, it has never failed me and it has cut down alot of Mesquite, Honey Locus and some Bodark, It's on its fourth bar and I don't know how many chains. I don't use it like I did but it does get used every winter.

 

[om21braz]

I have owned a 025/MS250 for 6 years, it has never failed me and it has cut down alot of Mesquite, Honey Locus and some Bodark.

Bodark, that's pretty tough wood according to my cousin - he uses it to make bridge plates for guitars. Yellow, is'nt it ?

 

[rback33]

deerefan,
You are following my footsteps. When we bought our house I bought the 18" Craftsman to get us by at the time. I think it last 3 year before it cratered on me. I now have a MS290 farm boss with a 20" bar (Don't get the 20" bar...that's a LOT of saw...especially since I am only about 165#). As someone mentioned, having all 2 strokes with the same mixture is the best. It's great to have ONE mixture for my weedeater and my saw. Spend the money on the Stihl, it'll be the best money you spend. As for the dull chains...took me a while to figure this out, but keep them out of the dirt and they stay sharp longer That's why my FIL can't run it anymore.. every cut was in the dirt.t

 

[RWEST]

took me a while to figure this out, but keep them out of the dirt and they stay sharp longer

Rocks are rough on 'em, too. My brother could find any rock within a 100 yard radius, I truly believe. Then, he'd bring the saw back "hey, it's not cuttin' good anymore.."

I was fortunate in that the first saw I ever owned was a Stihl, a little 014 from about 30+ years ago. Still runs great!! That was followed by a succession of larger Stihls and Huskys. Anyway, until I had a chance to use another brand lower-end saw, I didn't really appreciate the superb quality of the pro-style saws.

BTW - deerefan, make sure you let us know how your choice works out.

 

[johnk]

I actually liked my Sears 18" bar for doing a lot of my de-limbing and bucking small stuff. Started great , was light and got a lot of use out of it. I now have a 55 Rancher Husky and a 385 Husky. The 55 is supposedly a lot better than the newer 455 but I use it mostly for all my cutting up to 18" trees and firewood. When I fire up that 385 you know you have some power there. I'll be using it in an Alaskan sawmill in a few months. All depends what you want the saw for. Just like buying a tractor. Buy one with a good reputation and you have resale and probably but not neccassarily a better product. The picture with the big tree isn't me but I let the guy with the Stihl 330 { I think} use my big Husky to saw the big trunk because his bar wasn't long enough...

 

[archerynut]

Have a Husky 350 w/18" bar (think I paid around $250 at Lowes). Bought it new last spring. Roared through some good size locust trees this past spring after some wicked wind storms. Have had great luck with it. Ran circles around a Homelite and Craftsman. Also have an Echo stringtrimmer (bought this past summer), outdoes the 1 year old Homelite that I thought was a great deal at the time, now my trimming takes about 1/4 of the time. IF you can swing it, buy the best you can afford, it will save you time and money in the long run

 

[slowrev]

A 50:1 oil mixture generally denotes a better engine. Echo, Stihl, and Husky use 50:1. I have two Stihl and one Echo and they all seem like great saws. I would recommend to make sure all of your 2-stroke engines (weedwackers, blowers, etc.) take the same oil mixture. Got rid of a Poulan for just that reason. I beleive it was a 35:1.

I run my Poulan on 50:1.
Always have.

 

[slowrev]

Rocks are rough on 'em, too. My brother could find any rock within a 100 yard radius, I truly believe. Then, he'd bring the saw back "hey, it's not cuttin' good anymore.."

I was fortunate in that the first saw I ever owned was a Stihl, a little 014 from about 30+ years ago. Still runs great!! That was followed by a succession of larger Stihls and Huskys. Anyway, until I had a chance to use another brand lower-end saw, I didn't really appreciate the superb quality of the pro-style saws.

BTW - deerefan, make sure you let us know how your choice works out.

I don't loan out my chainsaws to anyone.
If they do not have one, how do they know how to safely use and care for the saw ? Or if they have one and it won't work is even worse :O