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

woodlot · May 25, 2006

( Here's my real question. What is the best chain saw for cutting fire wood and general use at the ranch?)

Man, you'll get a lot of opionions with a question like that, I'll offer mine too. I use a Jonsered 2152 for a mid-sized saw and I love it, it rips! I'd go with a 16" bar for the work you described.

Jonsered 2152, see it here

woodlot · May 25, 2006

( Here's my real question. What is the best chain saw for cutting fire wood and general use at the ranch?)

Man, you'll get a lot of opionions with a question like that, I'll offer mine too. I use a Jonsered 2152 for a mid-sized saw and I love it, it rips! I'd go with a 16" bar for the work you described.

Jonsered 2152, see it here

63DH8 · May 25, 2006

Years ago, I worked for a logging outfit. I asked the same question. They said Stihl or Husquvarna if I was going professional. If all I wanted to do was cut several cords of firewood a year, a Poulan Chain Saw is a good inexpensive choice. That's been ten years ago. It's still running strong and never given me any problems. The only thing I've done to it was change the chain and bar with an aftermaket (Oregon) brand.

63DH8 · May 25, 2006

Years ago, I worked for a logging outfit. I asked the same question. They said Stihl or Husquvarna if I was going professional. If all I wanted to do was cut several cords of firewood a year, a Poulan Chain Saw is a good inexpensive choice. That's been ten years ago. It's still running strong and never given me any problems. The only thing I've done to it was change the chain and bar with an aftermaket (Oregon) brand.

stumpfield · May 25, 2006

( 

Man, you'll get a lot of opionions with a question like that.....

)

All right, How about this...

Suppose you lost/destroyed your saw. You are going to get one tomorrow. What would you get?

stumpfield · May 25, 2006

( 

Man, you'll get a lot of opionions with a question like that.....

)

All right, How about this...

Suppose you lost/destroyed your saw. You are going to get one tomorrow. What would you get?

3RRL · May 25, 2006

stumpfield,

It seems your sawing needs will be very close to mine. I started one of those other threads that were mentioned. After tons of feedback, I ended up with a Stihl MS310...great all around saw for the money. I wanted to get the MS360 but didn't. I also considered the Husquevarna Rancher 455 or 55, whatever it is as well as their 346 or 350. I get an 18" or 20" bar and either the .325" or 3/8" chain. I also ended up getting a Solo 633...great little 2hp saw for limbing and such.
For our needs, any of those will do you right.

3RRL · May 25, 2006

stumpfield,

It seems your sawing needs will be very close to mine. I started one of those other threads that were mentioned. After tons of feedback, I ended up with a Stihl MS310...great all around saw for the money. I wanted to get the MS360 but didn't. I also considered the Husquevarna Rancher 455 or 55, whatever it is as well as their 346 or 350. I get an 18" or 20" bar and either the .325" or 3/8" chain. I also ended up getting a Solo 633...great little 2hp saw for limbing and such.
For our needs, any of those will do you right.

Spiffy · May 25, 2006

If all I wanted to do was cut several cords of firewood a year, a Poulan Chain Saw is a good inexpensive choice. That's been ten years ago. It's still running strong and never given me any problems. 

Actually, Poulan makes the Craftsman saws; Husquvarna is under the same ownership as Poulan now too FWIW. Some fancy add-on, or sometimes just the color was they only difference when I bought the Craftsman [over 5 years ago] to a near identical Poulan. Poulan has cheap saws all over now (maybe sells good ones some places too yet, though they may leave that to Husquvarna - who's "big box store" products may or may not [I have no idea] be worthy of the name); anyway, I figure there's a reason they can sell a package for $125.

I did go with Craftsman's "top of the line" at the time (though caught a really good sale); it paid it's dues. They don't carry that one anymore; they do have a 55cc, but I think my 46cc looked better built - based on a quick glance anyway.

Anyway, my Craftsman needed about $50 in parts recently: I decided it deserved it and am fixing it; however, I have some projects this summer that will require some torque, so I'll be spending some money at the Stihl dealer first.

Spiffy · May 25, 2006

If all I wanted to do was cut several cords of firewood a year, a Poulan Chain Saw is a good inexpensive choice. That's been ten years ago. It's still running strong and never given me any problems. 

Actually, Poulan makes the Craftsman saws; Husquvarna is under the same ownership as Poulan now too FWIW. Some fancy add-on, or sometimes just the color was they only difference when I bought the Craftsman [over 5 years ago] to a near identical Poulan. Poulan has cheap saws all over now (maybe sells good ones some places too yet, though they may leave that to Husquvarna - who's "big box store" products may or may not [I have no idea] be worthy of the name); anyway, I figure there's a reason they can sell a package for $125.

I did go with Craftsman's "top of the line" at the time (though caught a really good sale); it paid it's dues. They don't carry that one anymore; they do have a 55cc, but I think my 46cc looked better built - based on a quick glance anyway.

Anyway, my Craftsman needed about $50 in parts recently: I decided it deserved it and am fixing it; however, I have some projects this summer that will require some torque, so I'll be spending some money at the Stihl dealer first.