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Buying a saw

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notjustair

Well-known Member
I killed my chainsaw this weekend. Probably burned the piston (compression is VERY low) but it was a throwaway. It has lasted a good bit and I am pleased enough with it. I can't be without one, though.

What should I get for a new one? I use it like any farmer - tree row cleanup and dead trees around the house. I don't heat with wood but cut a couple cords a year.

The current bar is 18 inches. I will go with something close to that. I was immediately going to go with Stihl. Are there any others that are readily available and good? I don't make a living with a saw but I want something that's not a throw away. I'm not real interested in paying $500 for a saw, but this $120 junk gets you nowhere. I just want something I can rely on when a tree falls on the fence in a snowstorm.
 
notjustair,
I'm very disappointed in all 2 stroke engines, period. With today's gas, the fuel lines and carbs will not hold up. 2 strokes are a BPIA.

I have a 3500 watt RV genny that has a 120v 30 amp out. I went to sears and bought an 18 inch 4 hp electric, on sale for $100. It can cut through an 18 inch red oak log with little effort.

I'm getting old and the electric saw is the only thing that will start every time I pull the trigger and my arm doesn't get tired. My genny starts on the first or second pull every time. Genny can run for 3 hours at half power on a gallon.

I have 2 places 20 miles apart. I like the saw so much I purchased a second one. My genny only weighs 100 pounds. I can either put it in the back of truck or take it to the woods with my loader. I wore the chain out on my first saw, when I decided to buy a second saw. BTW each saw comes with a second chain.

Like you, I don't cut fire wood, just cut things that fall out of trees.

I'm very happy I got rid of the loud, smokey 2 cycle. Yes, it takes a little effort to use a 50 ft extension cord, but it's nothing compaired to trying to get a chain saw started that's only used occasionly.

So, if you have a good genny try it, bet you will like it. I sure love mine.

George
 
I do have a spare generator sitting in the shed. It does always start on the first pull. Hmmmmm, that's got me thinking.
 
I'm happy with my 3 stihls, one is from 1996, and I use them alot to cut my wood supply, and in my landscaping business. I don't think you will go wrong getting a stihl. Not to say husky or johnesreds aren't good also.
 
notjustair,

If you lived close, I would lend you mine.

I let my neighbor use mine. Let him use a 100 ft extension cord too. (I have over 450 ft of 12g extension cords.) Asked him what he tought when he returned it. His reply was, going to get one.
George
 
I bought my Stihl Farm Boss 7 yrs ago and son bought one 5 yrs ago. I heat the shop with wood and he heats home with wood so they have cut A LOT and with ethanol fuel also. No issues so far and as long as you use chisel chain (which everyone should) they will cut as good or better than any saw in the same class. Buddy has a Husky 455 Rancher which is apples to apples and I have used both and will stay with Stihl. These were both from dealer on sale with case for $329 and his $349.
 
I went to an auction sale this weekend and bought a Stihl MS 461 with a 28" & 24" bars and two new chains for $430.00 and the saw was not used enough to show any wear. It is going to replace a husky 50 special. For what your talking about a Ms 250 or 251 would be in your price range and for a little more money a MS 261 is a nice saw. I am getting away from Husky because there are no good dealers in this area to buy parts or service them if needed. Only sold by the big box stores and they do't have parts or service.
 
I have a Stihl 029 bought new in 1995. One spark plug (didn't need it), 2 or 3 sprockets and numerous chains are all that it has needed. Never rebuilt the carb or changed the fuel lines.

I would recommend buying the current equivalent NOW. Do not buy the new **1 series replacement, as the jury is still out on the new federale mandated emissions (expect trouble).

The current **0 series is still available if you act quickly.

Dean
 
We have a Stihl weed eater/brush cutter that is at least 26 years old, still runs good! Only use premium without ethanol gas with 3 oz per gal no smoke oil, probably last 50 years. The carburetor or fuel system has never been touched, gets used every summer.
 
I have a 30 year old Stihl 031AV that still runs rings around many new saws. A good pro level saw that has been used some is a great buy if cared for. Jim
 
I have echo and husquvarna,the echo is 16",one husky is 18",and one 42"husky that"s 120cc,if your young that"s my choice there isn"t a tree it wont cut up,they can be bought reasonable on cl,mine is from 1989
 
I have Huskvarna and love them. I look at there specs and pick the most cc's for the size and weight. Study specs carefully.
 
My experience is that the large saws will hold up better. The smaller ones are just too fragile. I had an 066 magnum Stihl and now have MS660 magnum Stihl. The 066 was stolen when it was 10 years old or I would still have it.
 
I use both electric and gas saws, like both of them.
The electric is a Makita 15amp.

For an 18" bar size, I use a Stihl MS260 Pro, runs and cuts very well.
My brother has a MS280 also with an 18" bar - -can"t see a lot of difference in them, especially for ocassional use.

The bigger Stihls (MS361, 440,660, etc) are fast, strong, and need to be handled with respect - also cost a lot more than the Farm & Ranch size saws.

If I were you, I"d look at a MS271 Stihl and an Electric saw.

Best Wishes & be Safe!
John
STIHL CHAINSAWS
 
I"ve got a '97 year model Huskvarna 55 that I bought about 12 years ago in a pawn shop. If I remember right I gave around $150 for it back then.

It"s got an 18 inch bar, and I"ve cut up a bit of everything. The largest, by far, was a downed oak that was 7 feet in diameter at the base, with limbs that I had to go at from both sides to get through. Then there's the usual brush clearing, on top of about 5 years of steady cutting firewood, as it"s currently my main source of heat. It's gone through many, many chains and shows no signs of stopping.

Over the years the only thing I have done to it, other than a routine air filter cleaning, was to change the spark plug twice... the second time was this past weekend. Beyond that the old girl just keeps running along.

One thing to look into if you do brush clearing, etc is to get yourself a hard nose bar vs the roller tipped bar. They cost alot more upfront, but they are much longer lasting. Mine had one on it when I bought it and it"s lasted all that time without me having to do anything but file the wear burrs off the sides every year or so.

As far as Sthil's go, if you go that route get an older one. I've known several guys that have the newer ones that, when you look at them, have two air passages. Basically one goes through the carb with a butterfly valve, and the other seems to bypass the carb. I think they are the "environmentally friendly" ones, and they seem to fit the bill quite nicely because they can't pollute when they aren't running....and everyone I know that has one plays he!! getting and/or keeping them running after they get even a little age on them.......

So, my advice, hit a few local pawn shops and find a good used one. It"ll cost you less than new, and will be running long after the "environmentally friendly" ones are being scrapped and made into new weed eaters. Just my .02
 
Both Stihl and Husqvarna build good equipment. Couple years ago I gave a tree to some neighbors to get it out of my yard. They had two Husqvarnas and they did a good job. My ex-SIL had a Stihl, and if any piece of equipment can survive the way he treats it, it is good!
Couple years ago, an acquaintance dropped off a Stihl 4180 powerhead for me to check. Adjusted valves, that helped, but it seemed that the ign. module was almost touching the flywheel. I paid $8.24 plus $5.00 shipping for a service manual, all 51 pages of it, and it did NOT give any clearance specifications for setting the flywheel to ign. mod. gap. You have to buy a special tool from Stihl! That kinda soured me on Stihl right there. Just me talkin'
 
I have a Stihl 025 and my wife has one of those electric gator saws with the jaws. I tend to use hers whenever I can. They"re great for limbing and like George said, it always starts when you squeeze the trigger. It won"t fall a tree but it"s lightweight for trimming and the like. The 025? Probably cut a 100 cords and the only thing to remember is to keep the gas fresh and the chain sharp.
 
Have a great big ol' honkin' 029 Farm Boss, sitting up on the shelf, found that the MS-180 Stihl cuts all I need, a smaller kerf, lighter, have run it lots, hot and heavy for 10 years or so, wouldn't go back.
 
no matter what you get try a 20" bar, you"ll find that you don"t have to bend over near as much...I have one of each and never use the 18..
 
(quoted from post at 22:08:29 10/28/13) Both Stihl and Husqvarna build good equipment. Couple years ago I gave a tree to some neighbors to get it out of my yard. They had two Husqvarnas and they did a good job. My ex-SIL had a Stihl, and if any piece of equipment can survive the way he treats it, it is good!
[b:e867e68701]Couple years ago, an acquaintance dropped off a Stihl 4180 powerhead for me to check. Adjusted valves,[/b:e867e68701] that helped, but it seemed that the ign. module was almost touching the flywheel. I paid $8.24 plus $5.00 shipping for a service manual, all 51 pages of it, and it did NOT give any clearance specifications for setting the flywheel to ign. mod. gap. You have to buy a special tool from Stihl! That kinda soured me on Stihl right there. Just me talkin'
Click to expand...

What valves are you adjusting on this Stihl?
 

Stihl, Husky, Jonsered, Echo, Dolmar and if you go older add in some of the Poulans, McCulloch, Pioneer, Homelites. What matters is find a dealer that knows saws, isn't out to sell you something you don't need and will support the product. Much of this is realtive to what you're doing with them. Someone referred to his 029 as a "honkin big saw", but an 029 is a little teeny saw to those of use with 5 and 6 inch (80-100 cc vs the 029's 55cc), so what you're doing is relative. I wouldn't turn my nose up at a use saw at all. Older Stihls and Huskys were, IMO as a dealer/mechanic, better in many ways than the new ones.
 
I agree with the two saw people.

I have a Stihl that I bought at a rummage sale last summer. Started on the second pull. Best $60 I spent in a long time.

My second saw is a HF electric. With 100 ft of good extension cord it gets quite a workout. It has cut most of the two face cords of wood I have stacked so far.

I bought the HF with the extended warranty. I think it was $40 for the saw and $9 for the warranty when you use the coupons. Since the HF store isn't far, I figure I won't even need to buy a file to sharpen the chain. Even the guy at the store said to cut some gravel when the warranty is about to run out.

I still have my dad's Mac10 he bought in the '60s and that gets used once in a while.
 
What were you working on because 4180 is not a model of a Stihl powerhead it's an air filter parts number?
 
I like my Stihl's, I have an MS360 (7/32" chain) and a MS260 (3/16" chain). Both are professional grade with 16" bars. The 260 has a smaller chain to better match its power. As I recall the MS260 has one of the best power to weight ratios. I do trail breaking, firewood, and a little logging. I prefer my MS260 but in heavier woods I use the MS360, its my big horse.
Bar length I find is a real personal preference unless you are cutting really big stuff. I like to keep it shorter for safety, weight, and number of teeth to hand sharpen on each rotation of the chain. It also works good for firewood block measurement. The 20" comment below for less bending is also a real good comment, especially as I get older.
Look at the number of steps it takes to start a saw. The Stihl's are real simple to start.
Oh, I also have a Stihl pole saw and string trimmer.
Many years ago I had XL12 and EZ Automatic Homelites. I thought those were great saws. I also had two John Deere saws, those were pure junk.
I don't know about any of the others. After Homelite my Dad went to Huskavarna, he liked it. Now my bothers tend to go to Huskavarna. I like my Stihl's better, easier to start. Oh, both my Stihl's have compression relief for starting.
Paul
 
I have a few saws all stihl. Have been happy with them and see no reason to buy anything else. They are expensive though.

I have a 018 stihl that I got for free put a piston/cylinder in it and has fast become my favorite cause it is light and uses micro mini chain and 14" bar that makes it cut fast for the size of the saw. I also have a MS260 with 16" .325 chain. I had a 20" bar at one time and it was too much for the saw in my opinion. My soon to be replaced 034 has been a workhorse. I use them all regulaly around the farm and cut firewood.

I think as an only saw I would have my ms260. Its expensive to buy new but will last a lifetime of mild use. If you look at the specs it has better power to weight and balance of the cheaper saws too. I feel the real key to good running saws in the age of the EPA is to use them regularly to keep the fuel fresh.
 
I have had to Sthil saws, neither were good, but I got them used. I have an older 18" Poulan, has been great, have a 16" Echo, very hard to start, but works good, and an old 20" McCulloch that was given to me, starts on the first pull and cuts like heck. So, I believe the best brand is whatever brand you happen to have good luck with. All three i currently have people love or hate, but they work for me.
 
We have an 038 Magnum, MS250 and P41 Pioneer. Haven't had the Pioneer long, but it's a heck of a saw. Keeps up with the 038. The O38 was bought new, and has never caused a problem. Replaced the filter and plugs as needed, but otherwise, no problems. The MS250 has had a few annoying fuel line issues, but other than that, 1 plug and 1 filter. Close to 10 years old. 038 is 20 years old. Pioneer is 33 years old. Look for a Stihl with a black and white handle. The orange and black are consumer models. white and black are Pro models.
 
I was going through some old papers the other day and came across the receipt for my 031AV- 1973! So 40 years on that saw, and it still works great.

I got a little Stihl (don't remember the number, but its the one they advertise all the time for about $169.00) for my wife to use in clearing limbs on trails. Its balky to start, but once you get it going, it works fine. I have to start it before she leaves for the woods and warm it up good, so it will start for her when she gets there. And I find myself using it more than the 031- I don't know the physics behind the phenomenon, but it has gotten heavier over the years. LOL
 
I think the little saw your talking about is a MS 170 with the Micro chain. They are a nice saw to clean up tops and limbing.
 
Well, I have the book right here in front of me and it says, "Stihl Series 4180 Powerhead". The sticker on the plastic bag says,"4180 workshop manual". That's all I have to go by. Reckon that's why I had problems? LOL
 
ShadetreeRet I looked that number up again and there is a manual for 4180 Powerhead and it covers 17 differant models of 4-mix powerheads and it is also a number for an air filter.
 
Well,now,that would get a little confusing, wouldn't it? Probably not the first time it's ever happened. Maybe they do that just to see if anybody's paying attention.
 
I ll put my 10 year old $100 Home Depot Homelight 14 inch saw up against the others

Slightly larger engine than many of the others and guess what it still runs like the day I got it

Yea it can be temperamental but once it's warmed up it cuts like better than the best of them.

I think if you keep the chain sharp and be generous on the oil in the gas mix any of them will last

Sure got my $100 out of that saw
 
Just for nostalgia , I still have the McCulloch 200 that we bought new back in 1962 when we moved to the farm which had 12 acres of wood. Big powerful low rpm saw (and heavy) with a chain that looks like a bicycle chain with teeth. Still runs and cuts but crank seal is leaking a little and gets oil mist on points after a while and won't start until ya clean them. Now that I'm retired I hope to find time to restore the ole girl and use it a little just for ole times sake.
 
Stihl has made an engine for weedeaters that has valves ( 4 - Mix engines) but take a fuel mixture through crankcase to lube it and than burns it. They have made this engine four more than five years. I have had one for about three years. They don't run as fast as a 2 stroke and are quite.
 
(quoted from post at 17:21:33 10/29/13) Just for nostalgia , I still have the McCulloch 200 that we bought new back in 1962 when we moved to the farm which had 12 acres of wood. Big powerful low rpm saw (and heavy) with a chain that looks like a bicycle chain with teeth. Still runs and cuts but crank seal is leaking a little and gets oil mist on points after a while and won't start until ya clean them. Now that I'm retired I hope to find time to restore the ole girl and use it a little just for ole times sake.
Click to expand...

You should be able to find the seals. If not go to aboristsite.com and ask. They can likely set you up.

FWIW- I have a 250, 300 and 1-51. Heavy, slow running and powerful!
 
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