New firewood saw suggestions wanted (Jonsered?)

16 years ago

27 years ago I bought a used Jonsereds 621 to clear our lot and to cut a small amount of firewood (maybe a cord a year). The wood lot is mostly oaks 12-18" diameter.

Now we are heating (and getting hot water) with wood (~5 cords a year), and the old saw has gone to Valhalla.

My local repair shop (and Jonsered dealer) recommends replacing the saw with either a 2152 ($429) or a 2159 ($499). I loved the old saw - it was built like tank, but it weighed like one too.

My first thought was to buy another Jonsered, but they seem to have a much smaller slice of the market than Stihls or Huskys, so...

Anyone have a suggestion about a good Stihl or Husky replacement, or about my dealer's recommendation?

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Comments (3)

yakimadn
16 years ago
You can probably get a nice Stihl at a compareable or lesser price. I've got an MS250 that does real well as an allrounder (cost was $270 around Xmas) but there is a MS270 wood boss that looks real appetizing for around $350.
Can't beat the Stihl customer service (my experience anyway). Someone said to make sure that you get a German made Stihl as opposed to one made in the USA but I can't comment on that. I live in Germany but my saw was bought back home and sent to me. The local dealer said that on the MS250 the only difference in the German and American model is the muffler. The same dealer also carries Husqvarna that are considerably more expensive than Stihl, but steers customers to stihl for whatever reason.

Good Luck,

Dave
masiman
16 years ago
The Husky's in comparable models are not more expensive that the Stihls. In fact I think the comparable Husky's are slightly cheaper than the Stihls, at least in the pro saw market. As a comparison, the Husky 346xp is $420 at Baileys, and I think the equivalent MS260 is ~$500.

If you are cutting that much wood you might want to consider a Stihl 361. It seems to be a great all arounder of pro quality. It can handle an 18" bar and I think it could also do 20" but if I remember, not beyond that. If you don't go pro quality, the 250 is okay but maybe you would appreciate a little more power with all your cutting. I think the 280 and 290 would fit that. Of course they will be a little heavier than the 250. I also have a 250 that I am about to sell. It is a decent limbing saw but I wouldn't want an 18" bar on it. 16 seemed to fit it nicely. I just replaced it with a MS026 Pro (older 260) this weekend. Unfortunately I have not yet had a chance to try it out.

I have not heard much about the differences between German and US built Stihls. It does not come up in topic very often.

The used market can save you quite a bit. I personally do not trust ebay so I look through craigslist so I can see the item in person.
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canguy
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The Jonsered is the sister saw to Husqvarna and shares many parts. Your dealer is steering you toward another pro saw instead of a lighter home owner saw like the MS250. As others have said, this Stihl model is a little under powered for an 18" bar. He sounds like a good dealer, this is more important than brand choice.

New firewood saw suggestions wanted (Jonsered?)

Comments (3)

yakimadn

masiman

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canguy

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