Posted: 4/2/2011 10:22:08 AM EDT
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Alright, I need to add a "good" chainsaw to my equipment pile. I've had a couple of McCullough(sp?) saws that have done a fair job for me but I haven't really asked much from them over the years. This last fall I added the woodstove to the BOL and have a small pile of split and seasoned wood to keep us in heat for our weekend trips to the woods but Mrs. Prepper and I will begin to spend a good deal more time there in the near future.I have visions of LARGE woodsheds filled to overflowing dancing in my head and since the weather is getting better its time to start in on the winter storm down trees but the McCulloughs aren't going to cut it.
When I was a kid, the old man always ran an old Stihl saw - always worked like a champ! I need advise for which make and model all the cool kids are after these days? The 2 McCullough cheepies I have are 16" bars and I'd like to step up to a 20" I think and have more power than necessary. My woods are mostly Ponderosa Pine and White Oak with a few Doug Fir thrown in from time to time. Opinions? Also, it would be helpful if you guys could give me an idea of what a fair price might be on a used saw, in case I can find the make/model you suggest on Craigslist... Thanks, Prepper |
Stihl 260 with an 18" bar is my firewood saw. In the new models, it would be the 261. It's light and it rocks. Don't let anybody tell you need more for a firewood saw––you don't.
The family: 
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I just picked up a Husqvarna 445 that is talked about here> http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=645313... I am not physically able to get out and run it yet. But my brother-in-law got it out, put it together and run it on his land this week . It took him a few minutes to get it started and He says it is a great saw for the money!!! I bought it to back up my Stihl 460MS. One is none, two is one thought process..... |
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I just purchased a Solo 652, a 3.5hp 52cc saw that is a direct competitor to the Husky 455 and Stihl 029. I have the 18" bar but the 20" is also available.
I like my saw quite a bit. It seems most of the makers of saws have good, medium and Wal-Mart grade saws. Just be sure of what you are getting. The oilers on the Husky 455 are known to be problematic and are plastic (non rebuildable). You'll never regret buy a slightly better saw, but you'll always regret a slightly lesser saw if you ever get the chance to run a good one. There really is a difference in good saws. Part of me wishes I'd just gone with a commercial grade saw and been done with it, but at over $900 you have to really want it. |
| I'm another vote for the Stihl Farm Boss 290. I've had one at work for 10 years now and with regular maintenance it has run like a champ. Lineman can be hard on their tools and the Stihl has never let us down. In my first 5 years we went through a Homelite a year but we've been rocking the same Stihl since 2001. I love it so much I bought one for myself at home to help feed my wood stove. |
| Yet another vote for Stihl MS290, Great all around saw. Otherwise in true Arfcom fashion I run A Stihl 019T as my climbing and limbing saw, a pair of 038Magnums as my all around intermediate saws, one with a 18" and one with a 25" bar and for the really big and nasty stuff a 066 wit a 36 inch bar. Stihl for the win!! |
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I'll be the pussy and suggest considering an ELECTRIC chain saw. They're awesome, can be run with a 1000 watt Honda genny, make little noise. I think there is a definite place for the electric chainsaw, but it won't work, at a practical level, as a firewood saw.
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Stihl farm boss! This^^^^^^^^^^^ Havent used mine in 6 mo's, got it out today 2nd pull fired right up. Love that thing!!!!!!! Yup. Mine is an old 029 from nearly 13 yrs ago, Get a spare chain and chain sharpener, will find a rock the hard way. Stihl commercial duty saws are the standard of the industry, with Husky a half step behind only b/c they don't have the dealer infrastructure that Stihl does. Ops |
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There's a lot of love in this thread for the 290 and there's nothing wrong with that. It's a good saw. But there's a reason that Stihl categorizes it as a "mid-range user" saw.
My cutting partner uses a 290, I use a 260. The 260 cuts faster and is two pounds lighter. When there's downtime, my buddy prefers to run my 260 and leave his Farmboss sit. The 260 spins the chain faster than the 290 and is far more responsive on the throttle. And that's giving the 290 about a 6 cc advantage in displacement. I'll take my 260 any day. There really is a reason that Stihl has a "professional" grade saw. They simply perform better. 
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Bar length is not an indicator of power. I could probably put a 24" bar/chain or bigger on a 30cc saw(tiny saw). If you're cutting small trees(8-10"), then a 35-40cc saw will probably work just fine for you. Arborists type saws have the handle over the engine rather than behind it, and typically balance better than rear handle saws. If you really need to cut wood, don't look at anything under about 50-55cc in a Stihl, Echo, or Husquavarna. |
| They say that even Mercedes makes a lemon once in a while...I bought a husky rancher about 4 years ago...nothing but problems out of it...hard starting, leaked oil anytime you set it down ...to the point where if the oil tank wasn't empty, you better set the saw on top of a bucket in the garage until you needed it again... finally died halfway through cutting up a hackberry tree...I was glad to see it go. I went out and bought an echo....5 year warranty. |
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I have Husquavarnas. Have two 455 and a few smaller ones. I also have fords and chevy's. I got the orange one because I had a Lowes near buy and just kept buying them. Some of the higher end echo is ok also. I have a friend that runs huge landscape crews and they run Eho.
The bigger question is what are you really going to use it for. I run my 455 often. Several times a month. Ill run it a couple hours and always feel it the next day. My wife can run it but its a bit much for her. As soon as I bought some smaller saws I found myself grabbing the smaller saws 80% of the time. I keep a smaller saw in my trucks always. If we have a big storm Illl add a big saw but can do 90% with a smaller saw. |
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Like many here, I have a lot of experience with chainsaws. Until recently, I thought a Stihl MS290 Farm Boss (formerly 029 and now 291) was all the saw I needed. I cut a lot of wood each year managing our property as well as about 10 cords for firewood, all hardwood. Last year, I decided to step up to a professional saw; it was some of the best money I've ever spent. In the end, I bought a Husqvarna 372XP. It is around 5.5 HP and the power to weight ratio is unbelievable (better than a comparable Stihl 441). It cuts exponentially faster than my Stihl MS290 and less than a pound heavier.
A professional saw isn't cheap, but if you use the saw a lot it's like buying spare time. I can cut a tri-axle load of hardwood logs in a few hours with the 372XP, it took me a few days to do the same with the Farmboss. The 372XP might be a little too much saw for some people, especially if it's your only saw. If you only own one saw and you're cutting softwood, I'd look hard at a 60cc class Stihl MS362. In the 50cc range, the Husqvarna 346XP is king, and as I said, in the 70cc class, I like the Husqvarna 372XP best. Regardless of whether you buy a Husqvarna or a Stihl, understand that their professional saws are typically of much higher quality than their homeowner lines. Pro saws aren't available at big box stores. |
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I have a husky 272 and 372 among others, and they are great saws, and my first choice in most situations. They are also a little larger (heaver, stronger, and with a better power to weight ratio) than the traditional homeowner saws. You are purchasing a mid size professional logging saw with this choice. Nothing wrong with that, but not everyone needs a saw this large or this expensive. I think my last one was $729.00. Add to that a spare bar, a few chains, a sprocket, air and fuel filters, a couple files and you have another $150 in it.
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Stihls have been hanging on our shed for years.Husky makes a good saw, too.
I am in now way slamming the OP, just offering some thoughts on saws in general, if you already know it then carry on. If you live in an area where you can buy your saw at a real "Saw Shop" then I think it would be worth doing so, making that connection with guys who know the stuff is much better than dealing with the tile expert at the home shop who is working saws that day. We try to keep an extra bar and a half dozen chains for all the operationals saws in the shed, which, right now are two Stihls and an ancient Homelite Super EZ, which just refuses to die. Dad bought it in 1975. The thing is loud, finicky to get fired and smokes like a genuine 2-stroke but she cuts like the dickens. I worked in the woods one season when I was a kid setting chokers,and an old timer faller showed me how to file a chain and get it sharp. Buy yourself a set of files and a file guide when you buy those extra chains, the day will come when you clip a rock, or bite into some real hard, dry oak and dull the chain. Get a couple spark plugs, too. Having spare chains, and knowing how to sharpen them might be worthwhile when times get hard and the local saw shop isn't around. |
| any Stihl with an 18 bar will get you thru any reasonable task, unless you are a lumberjack. i have a little homelite with a 16in bar that i use for limbing. nice and light, but falls short when getting into dropping bigger trees. can't go wrong with a stihl in my opinon. |
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Quoted: I just picked up a Husqvarna 445 that is talked about here> http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=645313... I am not physically able to get out and run it yet. But my brother-in-law got it out, put it together and run it on his land this week . It took him a few minutes to get it started and He says it is a great saw for the money!!! I bought it to back up my Stihl 460MS. One is none, two is one thought process..... Buy this saw, use the code and its like $160. its a much better saw than the Macs you are using. it will rip right through the pine and fir. you will be happy. |
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Quoted: snip ––- and an ancient Homelite Super EZ, which just refuses to die. Dad bought it in 1975. The thing is loud, finicky to get fired and smokes like a genuine 2-stroke but she cuts like the dickens.  I have one of those Super EZ's also. Everything you said is spot on. That saw has had an amazing long life and is still going strong.  |
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Stihl is the only choice, been using them all my life.
I got a new Stihl MS260 PRO for xmas and it works awesome. It sings through firewood up to 12" with no effort at all. It came with a 20" bar but I put a 16" bar on it because that is more inline with what I cut. |
| What type of wood do you plan on cutting? Soft wood or hardwood? Average diameter? Those are the questions you should be asking first. The answers to those questions will determine the size saw most appropriate. Best bet is to stick to name brands Husky/Jonsered or Stihl. Dolmar makes good saws too but dealer support can be spotty. Buy the best saw you can afford if you plan on using it regularly. If there is the possibility of having to rebuild it at some future date a pro grade saw is easier than a homeowner grade saw. Learn how to keep the chain sharp, it puts much less strain on the powerhead and user than a dull chain. Run fresh gas and oil in the saw. More saws are cooked by straight gassing them than just about any other problem. |
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Quoted: My dad had one of those. Tough as an anvil. He backed over it with his pickup and broke the top handle. He patched it up and kept using it. Later he caught it in a wire fence while cutting. It kicked back and sliced through his nose and upper lip. He patched that up and kept using it. I don't know happened to that saw. Dad died years ago.... ancient Homelite Super EZ, which just refuses to die. Dad bought it in 1975. The thing is loud, finicky to get fired and smokes like a genuine 2-stroke but she cuts like the dickens. Whatever you get, get at least one extra bar and some extra chains. If you do a lot of cutting, invest in an electric chain sharpener. Worth their weight in gold. |
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There's a lot of love in this thread for the 290 and there's nothing wrong with that. It's a good saw. But there's a reason that Stihl categorizes it as a "mid-range user" saw. My cutting partner uses a 290, I use a 260. The 260 cuts faster and is two pounds lighter. When there's downtime, my buddy prefers to run my 260 and leave his Farmboss sit. The 260 spins the chain faster than the 290 and is far more responsive on the throttle. And that's giving the 290 about a 6 cc advantage in displacement. I'll take my 260 any day. There really is a reason that Stihl has a "professional" grade saw. They simply perform better. ^^^ this man knoweth what he speaketh of. one other thing: the MS290/029 is a clamshell engine, whereas the MS260/261/262/026 is a jug-on-case engine. the latter will be more durable over the long haul. ps to OP: the ARFCOM of chainsaws: http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/ ar-jedi |
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What Feral said!
I've got an older 026 that I have used the crap out of several years and as long as I do my part (which I believe is the key to a chainsaw) it should last many more. I believe the 026 to be the forerunner to the 260 he quoted if not mistaken. OP, with any say, learn how to maintain and service it. Keep good gas/oil mix, keep the breather and oil flow hole and channel clean, chain properly tightened and go at it! KEEP IT OUT OF DIRT AND ROCKS!!!!!! |
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OP, i forgot to mention –– get yourself some good PPE (personal protection equipment), including a set of chaps. the *average* chain saw accident results in 250 stitches! http://www.baileysonline.com/category.asp?catid=12177 
do not click this link: http://www.google.com/images?safe=off&q=chain%20saw%20accident&biw=1191&bih=958 ar0jedi |
| I have a Stihl Farm Boss with a 20 inch bar that occasionally wears a 24 inch with a full skip chain. It was the most power I could get for the money at the time and am very pleased with it. It's only down fall is the weight. I've come to understand that the sharpness of the chain is more important than the power. Like in most things buy once cry once. If I were starting all over I'd spend the money to get that power with less weight. You'll be spending money on chains, sharpening, bar oil, replacement bars, etc. I wouldn't sweat an extra $100 to get a lighter saw. Most people make the worst mistakes when they are tired or sore and not using proper form. |
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My dad had one of those. Tough as an anvil. He backed over it with his pickup and broke the top handle. He patched it up and kept using it. Later he caught it in a wire fence while cutting. It kicked back and sliced through his nose and upper lip. He patched that up and kept using it. I don't know happened to that saw. Dad died years ago.
... ancient Homelite Super EZ, which just refuses to die. Dad bought it in 1975. The thing is loud, finicky to get fired and smokes like a genuine 2-stroke but she cuts like the dickens. Whatever you get, get at least one extra bar and some extra chains If you do a lot of cutting, invest in an electric chain sharpener. Worth their weight in gold. EDIT: some how I managed to mess up the prevous quote, sorry. I do a lot of cutting, and I have never needed one. I like to feel my chains as I sharpen them, and you can't do that well with an electric sharpener. It is just too easy to take more metal than needed anyways, and that lost metal is lost life of the chain. There is usually no electric where I am working anyways. |
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OP, i forgot to mention –– get yourself some good PPE (personal protection equipment), including a set of chaps. the *average* chain saw accident results in 250 stitches! http://www.baileysonline.com/category.asp?catid=12177 http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/3132/images/pg13_dgm1_401x253.jpg do not click this link: http://www.google.com/images?safe=off&q=chain%20saw%20accident&biw=1191&bih=958 ar0jedi Excellent advice. I'm carrying a scar 1 1/2 inches above and 1 inch to the inside from my kneecap resulting from a kick-back while clearing some brush many years ago w/ a chainsaw. Yep VERY dumb... Just a little closer and the CrazyGlue wouldn't have been an expedient solution. 
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