New Chainsaw Question

[Haneyrm]

Not sure this is the right forum but here goes. I plan to buy a new chainsaw in the next day or two. I have been through two Craftsman saws in the past two years and have had it with these saws. I have narrowed my choices down to the Stihl MS250 with an 18" bar and the Husqvarna 350 with an 18" bar. Both saws look to be built well and have good dealer support. Both appear to be price right around the $300 mark. The is full MAP price. It looks like the Husky is on sale.

Does anybody have any personal experience with either of these saws or can otherwise provide advice on them?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[L4400]

I have the MS250. I wasn't real impressed with mine. I have the 16" bar on it. It sure seems to struggle with that. I straight piped the exhaust and richened up the carb mixture and it runs pretty good now. I have been thinking about trying the 18" bar the way it is now. I know you can get this saw with the 18" bar, but wouldn't recommend it if keeping the saw stock.

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

I have the MS250. I wasn't real impressed with mine. I have the 16" bar on it. It sure seems to struggle with that. I straight piped the exhaust and richened up the carb mixture and it runs pretty good now. I have been thinking about trying the 18" bar the way it is now. I know you can get this saw with the 18" bar, but wouldn't recommend it if keeping the saw stock.

I own the 359 with a 20" bar and it runs well, my buddy that cuts with me often owns the 350 with 18" bar and it struggles. I do not know why but the 350 seems to be a underpowered for the specs. I really like Husky saws but I am not impressed with the 350... of course you can buy the 350 at sears, maybe it is more of a consumer model. Just my two cents. I have run about 30 cords of soft wood (aspen) and about 20 cords of shaggy bark juniper (hard on a saw) through the 359 and love it.

 

[ccsial]

I have three Stihls including the MS250 and have never had any problems with them. I had a Husky some years back. don't remember what model but it was a 14" bar, and it worked fine but had one annoying problem no one could seem to fix.

When holding the saw at idle, and then raising it up, it would die.

 

[ToadHill]

I have the MS250 and am very happy with it. Mine was even well priced, I won it as a door prize. I use it and a Stihl 026 to cut all my fire wood. I've used the 026 for over 15 years and the MS250 for the last 4.

 

[Ductape]

I currently own 3 Huskys, one consumer grade (455 Rancher), and two pro grade (346 & 372).

I own one Stihl, an MS 210 (consumer grade).

I think you will do well with either saw. I lean toward my Huskys, but Stihls are possibly the most revered saws on the planet. Though i don't own the exact model of either saw, i follow saws on other forums. I have read great things from owners of both saws. I'm no professional woodsman, but i cut the better part of ten cord per year now, mostly for my own personal heat (i have sold a cord or two to folks i know). My own opinion is to now stick with ONLY pro grade saws from here on out, but if you only cut a couple cord per year..... or only cut up downed trees on occaision, then one of those two saws will do you well for many years.

 

[chh]

I bought the Stihl Farm Boss (sorry I don't remember the number) and it has been a great saw. The dealer I got it from still serviced Husky's but refused to sell them. He claimed that they were now a rebadged poulan and not the true Husky that they used to be. My brother in law bought one from Lowes just before I bought my Stihl. He has had quite a bit of trouble out of it. My Stihl didn't cost very much more than his Husky. As I recall his was just under $300 and mine was just over.

 

[johnk]

I don't think you'll go wrong with a brand name. Some are commercial and some are for homeowners. You get what you pay for in chainsaws and tractors. Buy a good commercial saw and use it for a long time and it still has the resale. Stihl and Huskys are GREAT saws...From the pics I guess you can figure out my preference...

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I bought the Stihl Farm Boss (sorry I don't remember the number) and it has been a great saw. The dealer I got it from still serviced Husky's but refused to sell them. He claimed that they were now a rebadged poulan and not the true Husky that they used to be. My brother in law bought one from Lowes just before I bought my Stihl. He has had quite a bit of trouble out of it. My Stihl didn't cost very much more than his Husky. As I recall his was just under $300 and mine was just over.

The consumer versions of Husqvarna saws are like the Poulans, the commercial saws are true Husqvarna saws and are very good saws. Your dealer either didn't know much about Husqvarna or he had problems with Husqvarna and was bad mouthing them as an excuse.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I have a Husky 460 ( a 455 with more power) and I love it. I had the dealer install an 18" bar as I don't need a 20". I don't think you will go wrong with a Stihl or a Husky.

 

[chh]

The consumer versions of Husqvarna saws are like the Poulans, the commercial saws are true Husqvarna saws and are very good saws. Your dealer either didn't know much about Husqvarna or he had problems with Husqvarna and was bad mouthing them as an excuse.

Very well could have been. They still don't carry them, but are the biggest Stihl dealer in the area. Bought a weedeater from them this spring(went commercial grade on it too)

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I've had a MS250 for two years now and have not had any problems with it.

 

[Egon]

I can't remember the poster but not too long ago someone explained what products Husky makes and what the badge names are.

He also mentioned that Husky saws made in sweden had a tag attached to the saw stating this. Those with no tag could be rebadged saws of another make and not for commercial use.

Note: this is from memory and my memory aint good so the reliability of this information aint the best!

I've got a Husky 365 with a badge on it.

 

[mjfox6]

I have an MS250, bought it used 4 years ago. Hard to start sometimes, but cuts great. I cut 3 cords of oak and hickory with it last year. I run a 16" bar, which it turns fine. I don't cut a lot of 30+ inch trees, so the 16" is perfect for me. Unless you need it, I wouldn't get an 18" bar. Long bars seem to find the ground a lot easier. If you need it, you probably need a bigger saw (or two saws!).

 

[Haneyrm]

I noticed that on the Husky site they list the 345 as the "most affordable swedish made saw". I assume that means that everything below that is a rebadged unit from another manufacturer. Husky does the same thing with their riding mowers. I went out today at lunch and bought the MS250. I will try it out this weekend and report back. I was a little surprised that the saw did not come with a case. Even the $79 Craftsman came with a case. Thanks for the replies.

Mike

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

enjoy the saw - I've got a couple of old Stihls, a Husky 372, and a Craftsman (rebadged Poulan)
Stihl makes a great saw - just be careful what kind of gas you're using for mix, since the "super clean" formulas and ethanol blends can separate out the oil within 10 minutes of mixing -- I have a friend that scored a piston within minutes of firing up her saw, and warranty didn't cover what they considered negligence on her part. (i generally shake up the gas can before fueling just in case)

since you didn't get a case, I recommend the Husky "Power box" they sell at Lowes and Home Despot for about $35. It's a plastic box with a slot for the bar cover and has slots inside for tools, oil, etc... flat on top and sides so it packs into spaces handy - and you can set things on top of it during storage.
Very handy.

good luck and enjoy!

 

[shaley]

Are the Stihl saws with even model numbers still made from magnesium or is everything now made with alum.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I have no idea about that - I just remember being told by a dealer/repair shop owner that odd numbered Stihl saws are consumer grade, even numbered ones are professional grade -- hence the price jump between otherwise very similar models. (especially the little ones! - arborist limb saws are pricey!)
Of course, he was trying to sell me a jonsered that weighed almost as much as my lawn mower, but...

 

[RWEST]

I've got a Husky 365

Quite possibly the best all-around saw ever made, IMO.

I have a pile of Stihls and Huskys, ranging from small (very old 014 Stihl and 357 Husky) to large (066 Stihl and 385 Husky), and, for general all-purpose work, the 365 is the one I grab. I liked it so much I got a spare, just in case they quit making them. Hmm, looking online Chain Saws - Husqvarna Chain Saws, I don't see the 365, so I made the right decision, I guess.

All this is totally unrelated to the question at hand, I realize.

Odd-numbered Stihls have historically been "consumer" oriented, evens are "pro" style. Huskys with an "XP" in the designation are pro line, I think.

Get an extra chain. Eventually you'll bump a rock or the dirt or something, and yours will be toast.

 

[VT365]

I've got a Husky 395XTP, 335 XTP and a Stihl 390. All have been trouble free. Although the Stihl is quieter, with slightly less vibration. ( I used to have a stump grinding business and needed the large Husky)