Chain saws

[arks]

OK, I'm a homeowner and my property has a lot of trees. I regularly need to trim them or just cut up fallen branches. I've had this old Homelite saw for maybe 20 years but started having carb problems. Long story short, after repeated shop repairs, it's useable but not very reliable. As a general rule I keep all my machinery maintained properly. Soooo, I want to pick up a good quality used saw. Now I don't need a brute 'cause I'm not dropping big trees, I just want a reliable small one for trimming with the capability to occasionally cut thru 18-20" logs if needed. I do use a fireplace and woodstove for supplemental heat, and we do burn about a cord/year.

Looking for saw suggestions. I think I want a 14" bar. The budget will only allow me to spend $175- 200 tops. Again, I want GOOD QUALITY used, not cheap new.
So far I've found a couple Huskys and 3 Stihls. I really want to end up with a long-lasting, reliable saw. I like the Dolmars but haven't found one near my price range so far.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Chain saws

It is hard to go wrong with a Stihl, that is all I run! Your price range doesn't buy you a whole lot but eBay and clist are great places to start. You could also head over to arboristsite.com, tons of info and great guys to make suggestions. Cheers!

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Chain saws

I second the vote for a Stihl. They are absolutely wonderful pieces of machinery. I own 2 Stihl chainsaw's, an older 14" cut and a newer 28" cut and they are awesome! Also own 2 trimmers and they are really nice too! One is 15 years old and fires right up on the first pull!
Echo's are pretty good too-just don't have a lot of experience when it comes to them.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Chain saws

Buy whatever your local dealer there specializes in, Dolmar dealers are rare as hens teeth. You wont beat a Stihl and Husqvarna are also very popular and a good quality saws.
Poulan and Homelite are pretty decent for non daily use applications.

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: Chain saws

Don't forget Echo...good saw at a good price.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Chain saws

STIHL
Sold everywhere, serviced everywhere.

 

[arks]

Re: Chain saws

I looked at a used Stihl MS200T today. I really like the weight and control. It ran smoothly and the guy only used it for wood carving. It was new in late 2007 (he has the paperwork). Only problem is the bar is only 10" (for carving). He claims to have the original sprocket, chain and bar (14 or 16) but hasn't found them yet.
What's it worth?
He wants $250 for it with only the short bar, and $300 with both.
I'm checking out a MS192 tomorrow.
Oh, and the company I work at uses a local repair shop that sells Stihl. I trust them for service.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Chain saws

I bought a used Makita 18" commercial grade saw from the rental part of Home Depot last year. Parts are replaceable much more easily on the commercial equipment and are readily available.

Home Depot keeps their gear well maintained. And they replace them on a regular basis so that they don't get overused or abused. I am VERY pleased with mine... which I got for $200.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Chain saws

Just go to home depot and get a cheapo saw. Run it for 5 years and buy another one. Why mess around fixing it when you can spend $150(tops) every few years?
I have a old homelite that is in great visual shape, ran forever. Out of nowhere it starts running like crap, now you die from exhaustion before you'll start it.
Then my girlfriends father gives me his POS Craftsman that has to be 15+ years old, and it doesn't run either. I'm just going to spend $150 and buy a new one then go buy a new one in 5 years again so I don't have to kill myself trying to start garbage saws.....lol

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Chain saws

Stihl!

 

[Bubbles Up]

Re: Chain saws

Being an avid chainsaw restorer, One of the big things that kills saws is the ethanol in fuel check for dried out fuel lines,which will plug up a carb.Make sure the spark arrestor screen is clean inhibits exhaust flow.Make sure the air gap on the magneto is correct and corrosion free.Don't forget to check the compression.

I have run many Stihl's anything from a 180T (top handle) to my 084 sporting a 48 inch bar and fully ported.Like most of my saws.

Husqvarna is another great set of saw I like the 372's I have my Rancher 55's are ported loaner saws to select few buddies.Anyone else gets my 35cc modern Homelite(plastic junk) or my Makita(Dolmar)4610

Older Poulans/McCullough/Jonserd (Husky) antique Jonserds(pre Husky days) Homelites are all fun toys!

Some craftsman saw are actully made by Roper or Poulan other big box store brands rebranded.

Makita saws are made by Dolmar I have a couple of then too.The rentals are from HD are 6401 and there are big bore kits for them,make them 84cc!

A good chain goes a long way too.Too much info to list!!!!

Got a question ask away.You guys have helped me my turn to return the favor. Im off to kiss all 25 saws good night!


Old saws always accepted cash for some.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Chain saws

I wouldn't buy the cheapest saw. I have gone that route. I stepped a little and bought an Echo. Been very happy with it for the little cutting I do.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Chain saws

I looked at a used Stihl MS200T today. I really like the weight and control. It ran smoothly and the guy only used it for wood carving. It was new in late 2007 (he has the paperwork). Only problem is the bar is only 10" (for carving). He claims to have the original sprocket, chain and bar (14 or 16) but hasn't found them yet.
What's it worth?
He wants $250 for it with only the short bar, and $300 with both.
I'm checking out a MS192 tomorrow.
Oh, and the company I work at uses a local repair shop that sells Stihl. I trust them for service.

The 200T is a professional grade top handle arborist saw, probably worth way more than the $250 than he is asking. The 192T can't hold a candle to the 200T.

But, either way I don't think either of those will suit your needs. A 290/029 in good shape is a great homeowner saw. You could step up to a 260/026 if your budget is in the $250-$300 range. The 260/026 is a very solid saw.

Cheers

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Chain saws

LOL this is a STIHL neighborhood here on iboats Do a search in this section of the forum and you will find people favor Stihl saws ........ it is my saw of choice equipped with a 16" bar.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Chain saws

My STIHL is 30 years old. Glad I don't have to run it to keep warm anymore

 

[lowkee]

Re: Chain saws

I recently bought a refurb Craftsman Pro saw (Which is really a Poulan Pro) for $50 (16" bar) and it has been great. I was replacing a 20y/o poulan with a 14" bar, so the step up was nice and I expect this one to last at least 10 years. There really isn't much to replace on a chain saw, especially for a typical homeowner. Unless you cut wood nearly every day or get some insane deal, I wouldn't bother going the Stihl or Husky route. I've worked on them all, and a Poulan Pro is a nice saw, and for $50-100 refurb you just can't go wrong.

I guess it's important to point out, the only reason I got a new saw at all is because the auto oiler got clogged on my old saw and I haven't figured out how to unclog it yet. It still runs like new.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Chain saws

About a year ago I got a Husqvarna and love it. Great running and really does some great cutting. Mine is a 20" but I go through quite a bit of wood throughout the winter.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Chain saws

Just go to home depot and get a cheapo saw. Run it for 5 years and buy another one. Why mess around fixing it when you can spend $150(tops) every few years?
I have a old homelite that is in great visual shape, ran forever. Out of nowhere it starts running like crap, now you die from exhaustion before you'll start it.
Then my girlfriends father gives me his POS Craftsman that has to be 15+ years old, and it doesn't run either. I'm just going to spend $150 and buy a new one then go buy a new one in 5 years again so I don't have to kill myself trying to start garbage saws.....lol

A stihl will SAVE you $$ in the long run.
My 15 yr. old stihl =$300.00
3 $150.00 cheapo's in 15 yrs.=$450.00

Never once failed to start and has only needed minimal maint.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Chain saws

A stihl will SAVE you $$ in the long run.
My 15 yr. old stihl =$300.00
3 $150.00 cheapo's in 15 yrs.=$450.00

Never once failed to start and has only needed minimal maint.

You forgot inflation. $300 fifteen years ago is $418 now, or $209 then is $300 now.

"Then year" money vs. "now" year money is not a one-to-one comparison.

 

[skargo]

Re: Chain saws

Stihl!

I can let you borrow my MS290 if you want to see how it does for you? I have a ton of trees, and probably dropped 5 in the past year, fairly big ones too.