Chain Saw suggestions?

[LaVern Matherne]

I am starting to look for a NEW chain saw to add to my Hurricane Supplies and for general use around the farm. It will be used for personal use; firewood, and trimming a few trees. Any suggestions on a brand/model? Thanks in advance.

 

[Charles1959]

Stihl
Didn't we do this few months ago?
I think Husqvarna and Stihl split the vote. I got Stihl experience and love it. No exp. with Husq.
My 2cents worth.

 

[brfd557]

Stihl or Hus will serve you well.

 

[LaVern Matherne]

Stihl
Didn't we do this few months ago?
I think Husqvarna and Stihl split the vote. I got Stihl experience and love it. No exp. with Husq.
My 2cents worth.

I call myself searching before I posted. Still very new on here. If there was a post, can you post that link so I can read it. I will try to do better job searching. And thanks for your suggestion.

 

[charliepapa]

Stihl. Get it over with; buy once, cry once. You won't regret it. The Poulan, McCulloch, Homelite, etc. available at the big stores are disposable in comparison.

 

[Charles1959]

My Mistake LaVern,
That thread was about weedeaters.
It's like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
That said, buy quality, not price. Take into account how accessible your servicing shop is (distance, hours of operation, reputation) because if you use the damn thing sooner or later it's gonna go Tango Uniform on you and it's sure to be when you're gonna need it the most.
Good Luck,
Charlie

 

[Hunh Bruh]

Buy the brand closest to you. Stihl, jonsered, husqy....

 

[SpencerSS]

Husqvarna 455 rancher.

 

[CEHollier]

Stihl
Didn't we do this few months ago?
I think Husqvarna and Stihl split the vote. I got Stihl experience and love it. No exp. with Husq.
My 2cents worth.

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
I have a Stihl. Husky's are very good also. Never loan it out. When people need things cut I do it myself.

 

[Scott.Thornton]

Stihl. And buy a bigger saw than you think you need. Nothing like needing a larger saw later on.

 

[Scott.Thornton]

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
I have a Stihl. Husky's are very good also. Never loan it out. When people need things cut I do it myself.

And this. Nothing like people cutting dirt. Also buy chaps at least.

 

[CEHollier]

And this. Nothing like people cutting dirt. Also buy chaps at least.

Yep. Dirt ain't good. But running it without bar oil or forgetting to put oil in the gasoline is worse. A friend of mine has two burned up chainsaws. He also has two good ones he keeps hidden. Guess which ones he let's people borrow when they ask?

 

[bassicpackrat]

Stihl. Get it over with; buy once, cry once. You won't regret it. The Poulan, McCulloch, Homelite, etc. available at the big stores are disposable in comparison.

^This^ Ive used Stihl and Husqu and they are both quality units. I have also used and worked on McColloch and can attest to the fact that they are(at least the one I had) the most UN-user friendly POS to fix Ive ever had. Avoid them at all cost unless you relish battles of frustration in the future anytime they need service.

 

[JCcypress]

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
I have a Stihl. Husky's are very good also. Never loan it out. When people need things cut I do it myself.

+1

I bought my Stihl in 2005 to help with relief efforts in NO post-K. It's had a life of persecution and neglect... run hard and nasty for days at a time, then left to sit cold for up to six months, and would always start back up on the 1st or 2nd pull. Until two months ago, I had never brought it in to be serviced. It finally started to strain a bit, so I brought it back to the dealer. A week and about 40 bucks later, it's running like new again.

Stihl frickin' rocks like a big dog.

 

[Blackhawk]

I've been using power saws for light duty use for over 30 years, and did maintenance on all his professional saws for a close relative who is a logging contractor. Have personally owned most of the brands mentioned, and found them to be both good and bad. Whatever you choose, pay attention to proper gas/oil mixture, chain-oil fill, chain sharpening, and general maintenance. Longer blades are better and I don't think I'd ever buy a saw with a blade less than 18". Those packages that come with an extra chain make sense to me.

I'd recommend buying from Lowe's and purchasing their maintenance plan - if anything breaks, they'll just replace the saw immediately, rather than having to wait to have it fixed, and paying for repairs.

Here's one example of a decent deal from Lowe's, at a price less than $200:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_353792-86886-PP5020_4294747183__?productId=3353618&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

 

[jguilletjr]

Dolmar. Best saw for the money. I have a PS 510 Check it out on line, and find a dealer near you.

 

[Golden-Eagle]

I picked up a Stihl 045AV for $100.00 off EBay ten years ago and it saved us after Katrina. It has no trouble powering a 30" bar. The only thing I have ever done to it is sharpen the chain and keep it clean.

 

[Storm52]

Stihl. Reiterate don't loan it to anyone, even a neighbor that burned up 2 Craftsman and still had more to cut. I helped him but everytime he tried to lift my saw he got hit with an axe handle, which he happened to break using it as a lever.

 

[Cochise]

Anything BUT a stihl. I love my craftsman, and my dad's husquvarna has never failed either.

 

[Emperor]

Stihl. Get it over with; buy once, cry once. You won't regret it. The Poulan, McCulloch, Homelite, etc. available at the big stores are disposable in comparison.

Just so you know, Husqvarna makes Poulan.