Thinking of getting a new smaller chainsaw

[2manyrocks]

If the nano chain is proprietary, looks like the regular chain would be less expensive to replace. Seem to recall ArlyA saying his personal opinion of another company's nano chain on a pole saw wasn't as durable as regular chain.

Don't know where you personally fall on the chain sharpening spectrum, but keeping the chain sharp is key to cutting performance and personal safety. I am seeing more consistent and better sharpening using an Oregon electric chain sharpener, but I also have a version made by Vevor which I also think works well.

Some guys sharpen well using a file. You may be one of them. Whatever works for you, but it's nice knowing I can just replace my chain with a regular Oregon chain when needed.

 

[kozal01]

I would not be afraid of a nano chain. I run a Stihl 1/4" Picco bar/chain on my Echo 2511 and it actually holds up better than I thought it would and its super easy to sharpen and is much faster and smoother cutting than the 3/8" pitch chain it came with stock. I use the Stihl 2 in 1 files to sharpen and they work great.

 

[ericm979]

Seems like a small saw like this is the perfect case for a nano chain, what's the downside?

Goes dull a little faster in normal use and more faster if the wood is dirty. I like the pico chain on my small Stihl and Echo. I ran narrower .043 chain on the echo for a while but it didn't cut all that much faster and cutting speed on the Echo isn't much of a concern since I use it mostly for brush.

I'm guessing the bigger chain version wasn't selling as well. The nano version is currently $160 more because the bigger chain one is on special... wondering if you can get a new bar & chain & sprocket to DIY a nano version for less.

I bet Baileys has the parts.

 

[ponytug]

Reading & watching reviews of the Echo I'm very tempted. Pro quality saw seems like it'll be more likely to last and that thing is hella light.
HomeDepot has a special right now but it's on the 0.050/⅜ chain version (DCS-2500T), not the 0.043/0.325 version (DCS-2500TN). Seems like a small saw like this is the perfect case for a nano chain, what's the downside?

I'm guessing the bigger chain version wasn't selling as well. The nano version is currently $160 more because the bigger chain one is on special... wondering if you can get a new bar & chain & sprocket to DIY a nano version for less.

Bigger chains require more HP to get the same cut done. The flip side is that bigger is usually more durable, but some of the 1/4" chains are made of different materials that may be more durable.

If it were me, and I went for the Echo, I would try the 3/8" as a starter, knowing I could downsize the chain, and port it if needed, and probably still come out ahead.

Some discussion here on the nano chain, but I haven't used it myself. I do use 1/4" on some of my electric saws, and don't notice any durability issues, but I'm not cutting cords nd cords of wood.

Nano

Oregon 80TXL SpeedCut Nano .325 Pitch .043 Gauge Anybody seen this chain yet? This is designed for cordless chainsaws. Faster, smoother, longer run time, and loads the saw less.

opeforum.com

All the best,

Peter

 

[MossRoad]

Well, search for small chainsaw and this came up.

 

[airbiscuit]

Reading & watching reviews of the Echo I'm very tempted. Pro quality saw seems like it'll be more likely to last and that thing is hella light.
HomeDepot has a special right now but it's on the 0.050/⅜ chain version (DCS-2500T), not the 0.043/0.325 version (DCS-2500TN). Seems like a small saw like this is the perfect case for a nano chain, what's the downside?

I'm guessing the bigger chain version wasn't selling as well. The nano version is currently $160 more because the bigger chain one is on special... wondering if you can get a new bar & chain & sprocket to DIY a nano version for less.

If the 2511t is on sale for $160 less than the TN model that's a bargain. Usually the TN model is only $10 more. I have the TN Nano chain model, and it cuts faster and with less chatter than the stock chain.

You could buy the stock version and get teh Nano kit later if you wanted to.

 

[ning]

Bigger chains require more HP to get the same cut done. The flip side is that bigger is usually more durable, but some of the 1/4" chains are made of different materials that may be more durable.

If it were me, and I went for the Echo, I would try the 3/8" as a starter, knowing I could downsize the chain, and port it if needed, and probably still come out ahead.

Some discussion here on the nano chain, but I haven't used it myself. I do use 1/4" on some of my electric saws, and don't notice any durability issues, but I'm not cutting cords nd cords of wood.

Nano

Oregon 80TXL SpeedCut Nano .325 Pitch .043 Gauge Anybody seen this chain yet? This is designed for cordless chainsaws. Faster, smoother, longer run time, and loads the saw less.

opeforum.com

All the best,

Peter

Ordered an Echo DCS-2500T.
30-day return policy but I'm excited for the new useful t̶o̶y̶ piece of equipment!

Now wondering... our Echo SRM-2601 trimmer is getting long in the tooth. The battery equivalent today is the DSRM-2600. We run 0.155" line (mostly cutting rough stuff, heavy grasses/oak saplings/bunch grass/blackberries/hopefully-not-poison-oak, or a 2-prong blade, on the 2601; the DSRM-2600 literature describes a 0.095" trimmer line, but looking at the internet archive I see that the SRM-2601 also talked about a 0.095". I wonder how the DSRM-2600 would like 0.155"

 

[Skeletor]

What you DON'T want is a Stihl MS194T. Nice looking little prunning saw - if you can ever get it cranked. Best to have a spare set of elbows or a gorilla handy...

Mine fires right up and I’ve had it maybe 3 years now.

 

[airbiscuit]

The OP bought a battery powered Echo (I missed that). It looks like he got a pretty good price. Will look forward to getting a review.

 

[ponytug]

Congratulations! Hope that you like the Echo.

FWIW: I use a Stihl fs130 with a sharp trilobe blade. Our thistles just laugh at 0.155 X string, ditto the mustard. I only use string right against buildings or walls, and even then it's a toss up whether a scythe or a grass whip isn't faster.

All the best,

Peter