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homeowner chainsaw poll

15 years ago

Hi folks,

I'm working on an article for Examiner.com about homeowner chainsaws and firewood, and would appreciate your opinions. There are three questions:

1. Hypothetically: You fell, buck, and split around four cords of mixed hardwood a year for your woodstove. The trees you drop are typically less than 15 inches in diameter at breast height. You need a chainsaw to replace one that has finally worn out. You're willing to pay up to $350 or a little more for a new (not used) saw. Durability, reliability, ease of starting, safety, and reasonably convenient access to a dealer are important issues for you. What make and model should you buy?

2. Hypothetically: You fell, buck, and split around four cords of mixed hardwood a year for your woodstove. The trees you drop are typically less than 15 inches in diameter at breast height. You need a chainsaw to replace one that has finally worn out. Money is a real issue at the moment, and you have budgeted $250 for a new (not used) saw, and would prefer to pay less. What make and model should you buy?

3. Hypothetically: You fell and buck trees, and split your firewood by hand (no hydraulic splitter). What are your favorite trees to make into firewood?

There are no wrong answers to this poll--I'm just looking for honest opinions. Feel free to answer some or all of the questions. Thanks in advance for your help!

Best regards,

Jeff Serena

jbserena@comcast.net

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Comments (4)

ladylake
15 years ago
1 Dolmar 5100s a little under $400
2 CS370 or CS400 Echo Can be bought off Ebay for less if you know how to tune a saw.
3. Red oak, white oak or birch
When buying any new saw make sure to set the carb right, most are set to lean and ethonal only makes it worse. Steve
canguy
15 years ago
My newest saw is a 20 year old Husqvarna so what do I know.
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What the quality differences between a stihl pro saw and a homeowner saw? A while back when I was looking for a new saw, I ended up with the ms250 since this saw was the best fit for my needs. I think this saw is well built, solid, lots of power, runs great, and cuts pretty darn good. My father in law gave me and Mac 3200 and the quality between the saws is quite obvious. The mac just feels cheap and you can tell its not well built, not to mention their is always something wrong with it. I realize that the pro saws will have more options than the homeowner saws. The differences I found on the ms260 vs the ms250 were that the ms260 had slightly more power, a better air filter, the intellicarb, and a better anti vibe system. The ms250 uses the same forged crank and needle bearings that the pro saw uses, so what are the quality differences?
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Could not agree more Steve. As I have indicated previously the Wood Boss 290 Series has to be the worst Model Stihl has ever produced lol . Husky has a few Boat Anchors also. That is why I narrowed it down to the 50-60cc Pro Class of the Manuf. the OP Favoured . Like any Equipment or Tool Purchase especially when your spending $300.00-$600.00 you have to do your home work. You make a point that you get Pro-class from all the other 5 Manufactures at equal price or less , that I would hesitate to agree with . Only since I have not used or wrenched on their similar unit other than the Efco & Echo. Attending a Dealership and comparing and actually using the Saw is the Key. Even if you are only shopping you are getting 1st hand knowledge to better use within your final selection. Buying from a Internet Box Store , you really have to know what your Specifications are and what it is that you are getting . I agree that the other 5 Manufacturers that you indicate have 1st class units , but hesitate to recommend same to a New Saw Owner unless he can Hold One and make a few cuts . I guess check the Yellow Pages and try to find local Dolmar or Echo , Redmax..etc Dealers is the point of info I would make. I have Echo , Stihl & Husky locally but would have to travel a few hundred miles for the other Brands . Good Post Bro !
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well, I got about 4 now and have had most models made. Yes some are build and engineered alot better than others for people that have to use them every day. For use that have owned and used chain saws for years any new saw will do light work if you know how to maintain the chain and clean it up AFTER every use. With that said I found a 14" green polan on sale for 59. bucks. Too cheap to pass up. This saw has done everything I have ask it to do from trimming limbs, cutting down small trees, and cutting out cedar stumps which IMO will tear up a saw quickly if you don't keep it out of the dirt and the chain sharp. Knowing how to sharpen the teeth, keep proper tension on the chain, and keeping the bar grooves and oil feeder holes clean it the key to any chain saw cutting ability. Even the most expensive saws will not cut it the chain is dull IMO this is why you need to hit the teeth three or four swipes after every use. I would not recommend 18" polans and there knockoffs. I have found that the bars are too thin and will bend easily causing the saw to not cut or cut crooked. I got a brand new Hus 345 that's never been out of the box, it's 4 years old. I haven't had a need yet to break it out. All I do anymore is maintain about 45 trees on 1.5 ac. I've cut down about 20 so far which includes the stumps beings I'm in soft sandy soil.
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Since 05 when this question was asked the chains of distribution for both brands have changed for the better. Efco opened its own central office and warehouse and signed distributors in strategic areas of the US and Canada and Solo has done basically the same. As far as the chainsaws themselves I am a fan of out board clutches as in most of the Husky models and all the saws of old,it keeps heat away from the oil pump as well as the PTO seals and makes chainbrake and oil pump repair and maintenance so much easier. For that reason I myself prefer the Efcos I find them to have the simplicity and ease of maintenance of the 90's ERA Huskys with the emission technology of today.Not to mention the performance and engineering the Italian's are famous for and with Husky and Stihl continually cheapening up their products to hit price points its nice to see some manufacturers staying the coarse. As far as the Solo's go I know that they share a few models With Dolmar which are great performers in there own right,other than that I can't say that much about them. Oh and FYI Efco will no longer be supplying JD with there saws JD just inked a deal with Stihl for all their hand held equipment,all JD dealers will be able to carry Stihl equipment no matter where the nearest Stihl dealer is.
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fruithack
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Husky or Stihl (got my 032 in83). Split with "Monster Maul.
masiman
15 years ago
Unfortunately I do not know saw prices off hand to give specific recommendations for questions 1 and 2.

The recommendations I usually give are a Stihl or Husqvarna because dealer support is usually more readily available for the HO.

After that I'll recommend a larger heavier or lighter saw depending on needs. Since firewood is involved, the larger the saw the better for the most part in these price ranges.

I like the oaks for bang for buck splitting. Poplars are light and easy, but don't burn as long as the denser woods. I don't have experience with alot of other varieties.

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