Looking to buy new saw, Husky or Stihl
- Thread starter Information
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
banjobart
ArboristSite Operative
Between the 455 and MS290, I vote for the better built and lighter MS 270 at $399 new.
fishercat
Addicted to ArboristSite
for the money and weight..................
I would buy the 50cc 346xp over the 455 rancher or the MS 290 any day.
I would buy the 50cc 346xp over the 455 rancher or the MS 290 any day.
smilin possum
Addicted to ArboristSite
smilin possum
Addicted to ArboristSite
Go with the Stihl. Around here I can put you in a new 290 for $359 plus tax. They are good little saws. I'm a Stihlhead though.
Not bashin the Huskey, but you can find you a good 044 and you wont need anything else. It'll do all you want to do. They are great saws and have plenty of power and will outlast you if you take care of it. It'll pull a long or short bar what ever you need. Just my opinion
Not bashin the Huskey, but you can find you a good 044 and you wont need anything else. It'll do all you want to do. They are great saws and have plenty of power and will outlast you if you take care of it. It'll pull a long or short bar what ever you need. Just my opinion
Here's my recomendation over either the 445 or the 290. Price is right, and they are excellent saws. A simple carb tweak and your cutting firewood for years without any worries:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150408669206&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150408669206&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT
+1 on the used saws. I've never ran a husky, so I can't comment on them. I have talked to a handfull of Stihl guys who's experience and opinions I trust, and none of them really cared much for the 290. Here's my take on Stihl saws.
The 026 is an excelent light weight little saw, but has enough umph to cut firewood. I wouldn't use it as my only saw, but I think it is perfect for a 2 saw plan. I run it's older, smaller cousin the 024. I use it mostly for limbing and general clean up. I like it, but the 026 is a better saw IMHO.
The 028 is an excelent all around saw, and IMHO, it is way better than the current 290. With a 18" bar and a .325 chain, it would make a very nice saw for what you are wanting, and I've seen a lot of good ones sell for $175. Most folks on here jump straight to the 040 class Stihl saws because most of them cut a lot of bigger wood, but most chainsaw useres just don't spend that much time in anything over about 20". For this reason, I think the 028 is probably THE occational use saw.
The 034 and 036 saws are great too. If you are patient you can find a good one for around $200, but they often sell for closer to $300. These saws will be big enough to do just about anything you ever need them too (25" bars and under), and they will flat out eat firewood, and are light enough that I can run them all day long. I would consider them to be the bottom end of the "work horse" saws. They are a great all around saw, and a very good middle saw for a 3 saw plan. This is currently the upper half of my 2 saw plan which may someday grow to a 3 saw plan
I run an 036 with an 18" bar, .325 chain, and a 9 pin rim, and it makes a GREAT go-to saw for all my firewood needs. I cut a lot of white oak, hickory, ash, and black locust. I scavange my wood, and someone else has usually cut the medium size stuff, so a lot of my wood comes from the tree trunks that someone else didn't want to mess with because of the size.
The 038, 041, 044, and 046 saws are some serious work horses. We ran an 041 for almost 20 years. Great, long lasting saws, but they are a little heavier than the 034/036. Hard to beat though. Tough as nails. Again, a great upper half of a 2 saw plan. If you cut a lot of wood that's 24" or bigger, these are the the saws to use.
Anything bigger than an 046, I would probably jump straight to the 066. I've never run anything larger than the 046, but I've never heard anything bad about the 066, and I've read a lot of good about it.
For what you've described I would recommend something between an 028 AV and an 041 AV depending on what you really want to spend and how big most of your wood is. If you only rarely cut anything over 20", then I really think you would be quite satisfied with a good 028 AV, especially if your bench mark is Poulan.
Either way, you need a good set of chaps and a helmet. I've haven't yet had an incident with a saw, but the PPE is worth it's wait in gold (or maybe blood).
Just my 2 bits,
Mark
The 026 is an excelent light weight little saw, but has enough umph to cut firewood. I wouldn't use it as my only saw, but I think it is perfect for a 2 saw plan. I run it's older, smaller cousin the 024. I use it mostly for limbing and general clean up. I like it, but the 026 is a better saw IMHO.
The 028 is an excelent all around saw, and IMHO, it is way better than the current 290. With a 18" bar and a .325 chain, it would make a very nice saw for what you are wanting, and I've seen a lot of good ones sell for $175. Most folks on here jump straight to the 040 class Stihl saws because most of them cut a lot of bigger wood, but most chainsaw useres just don't spend that much time in anything over about 20". For this reason, I think the 028 is probably THE occational use saw.
The 034 and 036 saws are great too. If you are patient you can find a good one for around $200, but they often sell for closer to $300. These saws will be big enough to do just about anything you ever need them too (25" bars and under), and they will flat out eat firewood, and are light enough that I can run them all day long. I would consider them to be the bottom end of the "work horse" saws. They are a great all around saw, and a very good middle saw for a 3 saw plan. This is currently the upper half of my 2 saw plan which may someday grow to a 3 saw plan
I run an 036 with an 18" bar, .325 chain, and a 9 pin rim, and it makes a GREAT go-to saw for all my firewood needs. I cut a lot of white oak, hickory, ash, and black locust. I scavange my wood, and someone else has usually cut the medium size stuff, so a lot of my wood comes from the tree trunks that someone else didn't want to mess with because of the size. The 038, 041, 044, and 046 saws are some serious work horses. We ran an 041 for almost 20 years. Great, long lasting saws, but they are a little heavier than the 034/036. Hard to beat though. Tough as nails. Again, a great upper half of a 2 saw plan. If you cut a lot of wood that's 24" or bigger, these are the the saws to use.
Anything bigger than an 046, I would probably jump straight to the 066. I've never run anything larger than the 046, but I've never heard anything bad about the 066, and I've read a lot of good about it.
For what you've described I would recommend something between an 028 AV and an 041 AV depending on what you really want to spend and how big most of your wood is. If you only rarely cut anything over 20", then I really think you would be quite satisfied with a good 028 AV, especially if your bench mark is Poulan.
Either way, you need a good set of chaps and a helmet. I've haven't yet had an incident with a saw, but the PPE is worth it's wait in gold (or maybe blood).
Just my 2 bits,
Mark
nikocker
Addicted to ArboristSite
The 455!!
Hey they are both good homeowner saws and will cut more wood than you'll care to stack . . . IF maintained properly.
Besides the fact that I'm a fan of Huskys, I'd recommend the 455 because it has a two year warranty - the 290 a one year warranty.
That's a lot more peace of mind - - could mean a lot.
Al
Hey they are both good homeowner saws and will cut more wood than you'll care to stack . . . IF maintained properly.
Besides the fact that I'm a fan of Huskys, I'd recommend the 455 because it has a two year warranty - the 290 a one year warranty.
That's a lot more peace of mind - - could mean a lot.
Al
Diesel Pro
ArboristSite Guru
Go to the Husky site and compare the 455/460 and 359 and I think you'll see the winner.
The 359 is lighter, stronger and almost 10% faster chain speed. Pro caliber saw at a reasonable price...
The 359 is lighter, stronger and almost 10% faster chain speed. Pro caliber saw at a reasonable price...
tnxm
ArboristSite Member
I bought my first saw 2 years ago, Poulln pro 42 cc. I didnt relize how much would i would really have to cut to heat my basement. Well after a season of cutting it got thrown to the way side. Got on ebay picked up a 455 rancher recondition 20'' for 300.00 shiped to my door. While i still have the stock Husky chain and bar on it, it cuts good. I have a 16 inch bar and an 72lgx waiting to be put on this weekend. It does what i need it to do for now, however i can see an upgrade in the future maybe a 385xp or a 372. I still would recommend the saw to anyone
nikocker
Addicted to ArboristSite
Over Budget!
Man your as bad as Obama!!! The OP said the MS 310 was too much at about $429.00 how to hell is he gonna afford a 359 at about $ 539 or so?????
Al :hmm3grin2orange:
Man your as bad as Obama!!! The OP said the MS 310 was too much at about $429.00 how to hell is he gonna afford a 359 at about $ 539 or so?????
Al :hmm3grin2orange:
Diesel Pro
ArboristSite Guru
$539 is list. Not sure what street value is. There is also always the good used market.
I was faced with the same question a few years back. Wanted a no nonsense high performance saw for a reasonable price. Went with the 359 and haven't regretted it although this site is corrupting me into thinking I need a 372xp...
I was faced with the same question a few years back. Wanted a no nonsense high performance saw for a reasonable price. Went with the 359 and haven't regretted it although this site is corrupting me into thinking I need a 372xp...
nikocker
Addicted to ArboristSite
Heelloooo . . .
Guys, the OP doesn't want to spend over $400 go back and read the first post!
Al
Guys, the OP doesn't want to spend over $400 go back and read the first post!
Al
Information
New Member
considering . . .
I am having second thoughts, wife said just spend less then 1000 so I may get the 346xp. Found a local deaLer that said they sale me on for 465 with a 18 inch bar.
I am having second thoughts, wife said just spend less then 1000 so I may get the 346xp. Found a local deaLer that said they sale me on for 465 with a 18 inch bar.
greenheadwoody
ArboristSite Lurker
$hit wish my wife would say "just spend less than $1000". Get a pro saw and never look back! :greenchainsaw:
john inglis
ArboristSite Operative
best saw
hi , i run stihl mostly ,460 and 660 but my wife (57 ) wanted a bigger saw (she was using dolmar 116 so i grabbed a husky 372 for her and she loves it . light and all the power you will ever need . i sneak it every so often and its pretty good .
hi , i run stihl mostly ,460 and 660 but my wife (57 ) wanted a bigger saw (she was using dolmar 116 so i grabbed a husky 372 for her and she loves it . light and all the power you will ever need . i sneak it every so often and its pretty good .
You should check out the dolmar 7900 or the makita 6401 used from HD $205.00 or new from Bailies with the 84cc bb kit for $699.00 . My 6401 puts a smile on my face, with the bb kit it must rip.
Stihl, Husky, Dolmar, whatever. Go out and buy a good used saw. Dont matter what color it is,you will get so much more satisfaction out of an old saw. If you think you need a 1000 dollar saw,go find a used model for 400 and buy yourself some PPE ,at least some chaps. I dont know how many saws I have had or have now but I know I only bought two new ones.Old saws are FUN. New saws are overpriced and overcomplicated IMO. Have fun........
