Chain saw recommendation

stumpfield · May 25, 2006

I bought a Craftsman 42cc 18" chain saw and try use it to cut the branches off some fell trees last weekend. It was a frustrating experience. I spent more time trying to fix and adjust the saw than doing any real work. This thing is brand new. It's going back to Sears. I hope I can get my money back.

Here's my real question. What is the best chain saw for cutting fire wood and general use at the ranch? Brand/Model/Size? I want something that's realiable. May be something the pros use. I figure if it good enough for someone to make a living on it, then it's more than good enough for me. This time, I'm not looking for something "on sale" anymore. I just want to right tool for the job. Thanks for your help.

stumpfield · May 25, 2006

I bought a Craftsman 42cc 18" chain saw and try use it to cut the branches off some fell trees last weekend. It was a frustrating experience. I spent more time trying to fix and adjust the saw than doing any real work. This thing is brand new. It's going back to Sears. I hope I can get my money back.

Here's my real question. What is the best chain saw for cutting fire wood and general use at the ranch? Brand/Model/Size? I want something that's realiable. May be something the pros use. I figure if it good enough for someone to make a living on it, then it's more than good enough for me. This time, I'm not looking for something "on sale" anymore. I just want to right tool for the job. Thanks for your help.

SkyPup · May 25, 2006

Stihl 026 or 028 or Husquvarna 346or350, all lite weight 50cc PRO powerhouses with 20" bar-chain combo.

SkyPup · May 25, 2006

Stihl 026 or 028 or Husquvarna 346or350, all lite weight 50cc PRO powerhouses with 20" bar-chain combo.

JRobyn · May 25, 2006

look for threads in the archives from CT_Treeguy (or something like that). He's a long-time pro and has pages and pages of advice based on real experience.

JRobyn · May 25, 2006

look for threads in the archives from CT_Treeguy (or something like that). He's a long-time pro and has pages and pages of advice based on real experience.

Dallas_Lilly · May 25, 2006

I have cut around 20 cords of dirty juniper wood with my Husky 359 and have enjoyed every minute of it. My cutting partner has the 350 and I would definetly recomend the 359 over the 350, I would not want to run a 20" bar on a 350. I see the 350 for sale at sears, I beleive that it is their consumer line and not a professional saw.

Dallas_Lilly · May 25, 2006

I have cut around 20 cords of dirty juniper wood with my Husky 359 and have enjoyed every minute of it. My cutting partner has the 350 and I would definetly recomend the 359 over the 350, I would not want to run a 20" bar on a 350. I see the 350 for sale at sears, I beleive that it is their consumer line and not a professional saw.

Phils · May 25, 2006

"It's going back to Sears. I hope I can get my money back."

You can if you want to with enough insistance. I was trying to return a defective router one time. It had been repaired once and had broken again at the same part. They wanted to repair it another time.

I had to finally ask for a manager and then point to the sign over the entrance door "Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back" or some similar wording. They relented (somewhat) and agreed to take the broken one and credit me what it cost against a better model (which was fine with me).

Many weeks later the old (repaired) router showed up on my doorstep having been delivered by UPS. I gave it away as it wasn't a very good one.

Phil

Phils · May 25, 2006

"It's going back to Sears. I hope I can get my money back."

You can if you want to with enough insistance. I was trying to return a defective router one time. It had been repaired once and had broken again at the same part. They wanted to repair it another time.

I had to finally ask for a manager and then point to the sign over the entrance door "Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back" or some similar wording. They relented (somewhat) and agreed to take the broken one and credit me what it cost against a better model (which was fine with me).

Many weeks later the old (repaired) router showed up on my doorstep having been delivered by UPS. I gave it away as it wasn't a very good one.

Phil