new chain saw

Q

qaztwo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2004
Messages
384
I went to sears today to pick up a pole pruner to limb some trees around the house, when it warms up. Saw a 18inch chain saw on the close out rack for $60 well I could not pass it up. At the store thought the blade and chain seemed small when I got home and compared it to my stihl 390 could not believe the difference. The stihl has a 20inch blade but the chain was almost twice as thick. Anyway not complaining just surprised by the size difference, will see how it cuts this spring.
 
Windykid

Windykid

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
1,177
Re: new chain saw

Stihl is still the top of the line in my opinion.:)
 
E

External Combustion

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 21, 2007
Messages
608
Re: new chain saw

Your 390 Stihl ver likely has a .375 chain. Most of the larger saws of all makes has it. The chain is rated for up to 9 HP. The other one could even be as small as .250 but is probably a .325. The smaller chain is easier to drag through the cut so it requires lower hp to saw. The down side is the smaller thechain the lower amount of horse it will take before it breaks. Thinner bars also bend easier.

Pole saws frequently use .250 chain because the weight is reduced.

Watch out for closeout saws. Most will not ever be able to be serviced as replacement parts are no longer made. McCullough is a prime example.
 
I

island boy

Seaman
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
53
Re: new chain saw

Personaly i would take a stihl over any kind of saw out there they are very strong and have great reliability. Like the other guy said you have to very careful of the marked down saws. Especialy a chain saw for 60 dollars lol i think the old matra of you get what you pay for comes into effect. o well good luck.
 
Q

qaztwo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2004
Messages
384
Re: new chain saw

the 60 dollar saw is a 18inch craftsmans 40cc. Believe me the stihl has been a good saw to me its just to big for the small jobs it does have the 3/8 chain. My back begins to hurt if hunched over with it. I was really wanting a 16 inch, but like was said for 60 bucks I'll give it a try. If you looked at the 18" chain compared to the 20" you would laugh. The pole saw has me for the power.
 
Kenneth Brown

Kenneth Brown

Captain
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
3,481
Re: new chain saw

The craftsman is the same as a poulon. You can pick up a 16" bar and chain at wally world for it.
 
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