Which Chainsaw?

[WillandHelen]

Hey,

I am about to cut down about 30 hardwoods. Most of which are about 24 in-30in diameter. After that I will be using the saw around the farm, hopefully for a long time. That being said. What saw should I buy? It appears that the Stihl's are highly recommended. Does anyone here have an opinion on the model saw and size bar I would need? Thanks!

[jeffro]

I saw keep the costs to a realistic level. The Stihl Farmboss (currently the model 290) can use a 20" bar. I am considering the 390 which can take a 25" bar, it is basically the 290 with slightly more power. The 290 is about $350 and the 390 is about $450. You could get the job done with a smaller saw, but the farmboss size is about where I would start looking.

To move up to a larger bar saw gets you into the $600-$800 range. For that much more, I can just cut from both sides of the tree if I ever need to. A 20-25" bar will do anything you want on a log home, unless you are building with giant redwoods.

Jeff

[WillandHelen]

Thanks Jeffro. You are always a wealth of info. I'll check that out. My preffered small engine shop sells stihl's so I am going to go and pick one out. 350 isn't so bad, I agree that it is hard to justify 2x the money for what you get in an upgrade, perhaps is I used it everyday it would be worth it...but I certainly don't want to use a chainsaw everyday...I'd like to live to see 30!

[Basil]

I did all the log work on my house with a farmboss with a 20" bar. I've also cleaned up portions of my farm, felled trees, and done some more delicate work as well. I HIGHLY recommend this saw-

[rreidnauer]

Yea, either Stihl of Huskqvarna.

But I'm going to recommend a bit opposite that of Jeff. In the past, I've bought a metal lathe, and found it was too small for my purposes. I bought a drill press, and found it was too small for my purposes. I bought an air compressor, and found it was too small for my purposes.

So it stands to reason, that I should buy a larger chainsaw. I bought the Husky 395 . . . . . . and I am already starting to regret not buying the 3120.

I guess I'm just slow to learn. :?

[jeffro]

I bought the Husky 395 . . . . . . and I am already starting to regret not buying the 3120.


I'm not sure I want to do anything that the 395 would be the limiting factor in! That monster has about 2x the power of the Farmboss or the 390 Stihl. Should be more than enough for milling large logs into lumber too, so you did have a reason to go big. :wink: I would not mind having one at all, but there are only so many dollars I have to buy all this stuff with and not go broke trying to build an affordable house. :shock:

Rod is right though, you should consider your future needs in order to get the right saw the first time.

Jeff

[rreidnauer]

I hear ya. I just went back to the website (http://www.portable-electric-power-generators.com/p_husqvarna_chainsaw_chain_saw.htm) where I bought mine a little over a year and a half ago, and I can't believe the price has gone up another $100. Geez, I'm glad I bought it when I did, and just stashed it away.

I do admit, this is the first "big" saw I've owned. I look forward to seeing what it's capable of.

[WillandHelen]

I am going with the stihl farm boss. It seems like a great saw for the 360 dollars (20" bar). Hopefully it will last a lifetime. I like how stihl stays out of Home Depot and Lowes. I think those stores generally drive down quality and service.

[rreidnauer]

It's not so much that they stay out of the big box stores, rather, Stihl operates via an exclusive dealership arrangements. I went with Husky, because I like the open availability. I had a bad experience from an exclusive dealership arrangement, so I tend to avoid them now.

Whichever of the two you choose though, I don't think you can go wrong.

[WillandHelen]

Yeah, I've been talking to a stihl sales rep....can you tell?!

The Husky 455 just seemed a bit flimsier, I don't trust those switches. Other than that I couldn't tell much difference.

[Bronco]

Hi all, I got my sthil about 24 years ago [032] I have cut lots,lots of cord wood with it ,some demo work, brush work,and some times a little dirt work :lol: I put a 24 inch bar on when new.I dont think I have ever changed the plug or draned the gas tank just keep filling it,All this time never have had to work on the saw.

[jawasan]

I went down to the local pawn shop here and found 2 saws and really wanted to purchase one but really have no idea which one or any of these at all.

First one was a *Husqvarna 66 for $399

The other was a *Stihl 048AV for $249

Any thoughts on these particular models and if they will be sufficent now and later? Of course they need to be cleaned up and I would have them "tuned up" as well.

Also while there we found some auger bits in 1" down to 3/8" that were really heavy duty and BRAND NEW for 20 bucks.

I just do not want to wait till after Febuary to purchase tools when I have some of the means right now. Let me know if either of those saws fits the bill.

Thanks,
Leo