Posted: 5/2/2009 11:55:16 AM EDT
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My wife had a tree service fell a couple of trees so I need a chainsaw to get my lawn back.
I used a friend's Craftsman 18" last year to cut up a couple of trees and it worked fine. Anyone have any preferences? I'd like to keep it around $200. |
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If you are going to buy a Chain saw get a husqvarna if something happens it can be fixed by a reputable mechanic and it will last a life time
I have bigger saws than your looking for (272xp) 32" (396xp)32" ,bars and they are the best saws, balanced well for falling trees, and plenty of power easy to work on for simple stuff .. |
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Pony up and buy a Stihl. It'll last a lifetime and is well worth the investment. <–– Happy Stihl MS290 owner  yeah, spend a little more and get much better equipment this is not something that you want to fail on you ms230 or so might be just fine for you (16" bar) |
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Pony up and buy a Stihl. It'll last a lifetime and is well worth the investment. <–– Happy Stihl MS290 owner yea, spend the $400 for a Stihl ms290. it's the best value in a saw you will find. there is not a $200 saw on the market that is worth a crap. i have a Homelite 35cc saw that i paid $179. i cut about 2 cords of wood and went and bought the MS290. if you still only want to spend $200. hire someone else to cut the trees and don't bother with a worthless saw. |
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Stihl or Echo, both are good chain saws; I own both. Echo is a little bit easier to pull the start cord due to engineering differences. The big deal is to keep a good sharp blade. The first time you touch the dirt with the blade while it is running, it will be dull.
If you are trying to stay in the $200 range, then you should just rent one. A good chain saw will cost you $375 and up. If you go to the used market, be sure to check it out carefully. |
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I need a chainsaw do not click this link, i repeat, do not click this link: http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9 for you, i would suggest a Stihl MS211 or if you can swing it an MS250. either will last you the next 15 years. http://stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS211.html http://stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS250.html ar-jedi |
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yea, spend the $400 for a Stihl ms290. it's the best value in a saw you will find. if you are going to spend $400, get an MS270. in contrast to the MS290 (aka the "Farm Boss") the MS270 has a MUCH better anti-vibration system, is nearly 2 lbs lighter, is better constructed, and is easier to rebuild. In Stihl's lineup, bigger numbers don't always mean better saws. In the midrange Stihl line, the reality of it is that in order, the MS290 is bettered by the MS270, and the MS260 tops all of them. The MS260 is actually classified by Stihl as the first entry of their "Professional Use" lineup. ar-jedi |
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Well, I'd say throw $200 out the window, and say... $400.
Because if you want a good rifle (this is AR15.com afterall) do you want to save some coin and have a piece of shit, or just buy the right fucking tool the first time and have years of good service with minimal trouble? The biggest thing to keep in mind is dealer support. Stihl Husqvarna Dolmar Jonsered and Solo will all make pro-grade saws. They also make homeowner grade saws, which will get sneers from anyone who uses and pays for a pro-grade saw. Go find a good dealer, talk to him, ask questions and let him set you up with a product that will get the job done. Now, if this is only a one time job, go to Home Depot and rent a Makita DCS 6401. Its a pro-grade saw, should be in good shape and you can return it after the weekend when you are done with it. |
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Quoted: Quoted: yea, spend the $400 for a Stihl ms290. it's the best value in a saw you will find. if you are going to spend $400, get an MS270. in contrast to the MS290 (aka the "Farm Boss") the MS270 has a MUCH better anti-vibration system, is nearly 2 lbs lighter, is better constructed, and is easier to rebuild. In Stihl's lineup, bigger numbers don't always mean better saws. In the midrange Stihl line, the reality of it is that in order, the MS290 is bettered by the MS270, and the MS260 tops all of them. The MS260 is actually classified by Stihl as the first entry of their "Professional Use" lineup. ar-jedi +1 While I'm completely happy with my MS 290, I wish it was a tad lighter (like when trying to cut overhead with one hand, a 13lb saw with a 20" bar is a little rough  ). A couple times a year, I end up carting that thing all over creation, and at the end of the day 13lbs of saw seems like a heck of a lot. I usually cut trees into 3-4' billets about 14" in diameter that go straight into the fireplace like that (it's a damn big fireplace). So I mid-sized saw might be a little overkill for what you're doing. You might want to look into a big occasional use saw, they are light and plenty powerful. |
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At work, our parts guy has worked on small engines for his entire life. I once told him "I need your advice, what kind of...." He cut me off, and said "Buy an Echo.". I said "But I wa..." "Buy an Echo." I gave in, and did as he said. I have never regretted it. What model did you get? |
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I've got a Jonsered in MI but when I was in AZ you couldn't find a stocking dealer everywhere. My next chainsaw will be a Stihl Farm Boss most likely. Seems to be Stihl dealers on every street corner.
They have chainsaws in every price range but I would get a mid-range use one for myself. Use the Stihl oil, I believe it is synthetic, that is what I buy for my Jonsered. Back in the 70's I worked on a Michigan crew cutting pulp wood for two years and the Husqvarna and Jonsered were the saws everyone used at the time. (I think Husqvarna owns Jonsered). I will be picking up a second chainsaw shortly to clear some land in Michigan I own of a bit of white oak before building on the land. The Farm Boss is powerful enough to do the job I'll have to do which is more than most homeowners cleaning up after a storm. Price around $365.00 with an 18" bar. While I wouldn't get one this small myself it is not far from your price range. here http://www.stihldealer.net/locator/skulocator.aspx?sku=ms200&pc=1 http://www.tilton.usa.jonsered.com/node246.aspx |
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Well, I'd say throw $200 out the window, and say... $400. . I see the error of my ways. I went browsing the local stores and the $200 saws are pretty weak. Just looking at the bar you can tell the difference between the entry-level and pro level saws. I saw a Husqvarna that looks like it will fit the bill. Thanks for the help! |
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rent a Makita DCS 6401. rebadged Dolmar, correct? ar-jedi Yes, DCS stands for Dolmar Chain Saw You can buy them, from some Home Depots for cheap... and buy a 79cc piston/cylinder and have a 79cc saw... that is probably one of the best 70+cc saws ever made. (Stock) |
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You can buy them, from some Home Depots for cheap... and buy a 79cc piston/cylinder and have a 79cc saw... that is probably one of the best 70+cc saws ever made. (Stock) yep, i see the kits on Baileys website and folks over on AS doing the P&C swap. regards, ar-jedi |
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You can buy them, from some Home Depots for cheap... and buy a 79cc piston/cylinder and have a 79cc saw... that is probably one of the best 70+cc saws ever made. (Stock) yep, i see the kits on Baileys website and folks over on AS doing the P&C swap. regards, ar-jedi Over on AS eh? 
/me goes to do a member search for ar-jedi on AS |
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Over on AS eh? /me goes to do a member search for ar-jedi on AS oh, i'm there, but not with this moniker. long time lurker on AS more than anything. i just tore into an old 021 i have and i'm taking all kinds of flak for trying to resurrect it. i would like to give it back to my well-off in-laws and have them get another 10 years out of it. i sort of look at it as a long term investment... 
oh and btw, in case you didn't get the memo, boy there are some polarized people on AS!!!
ar-jedi |