Husky 455 as a gift...keep or return and get a MS390?

[OmegaRed]

So my wife surprises me with a new Husky rancher 455 20" bar as my gift for our 10 year wedding anniversary (God do I love her). She picked it up from Lowes.

I'm currently using a Poulan Pro with the 20" bar to process logs for my woodturning. I'm generally cutting the pith out with the long laying on it's side and cutting along the log axis, downwards. Logs range from 10" to 24" in diameter and lengths are about the same range. Almost exclusively hardwoods, and mostly maple. As far as use, I probably will go through 2 gallons of fuel in a year. So I don't process a huge amount of logs, but I suppose I work it fairly hard when I do.

So I'm very happy here...but...I was eyeing up some of the larger stuff from Sthil, prior to this, especially something that can take up to a 25" bar (supposedly the 455 can take a 24" bar if you can find it) so I can make the downward cuts from one end of the log. Finanically I really don't think I can justify beyond a MS390 (runs $470 for the 20" bar).

So the question is will I be happy witht the rancher (she told me if it wasn't the correct saw I could take it back, but I'm not sure she meant take it back and then spend more money ) and would I be better off returning the rancher and getting the MS390? For what I do will I really notice a difference in the two saws? I know the 390 specs have an edge of 0.8hp, but that's going by the mfgrs specs, and who know if the tests are the same, or if the mfgrs lie the same amount. Part of me wants to keep the 455 because it was the one she picked out but I don't want to regret anything.

Thanks
bob

 

[mattinky]

The Stihl is a better saw but I'd probably keep the Husky, it is the thought that counts and she might not say anything but....LOL the Husky should work fine for what you do with it anyway.

 

[husky455rancher]

well in my time here ive learned people hate the 455. but ive been married 7 years in july. i KNOW FOR A FACT if she says its ok you can get a different one and god help you,you go down that road....lol just keep it..lemme see i got a 100$ creeper i never use cusae my truck and car are too low to the ground, i got sony psp no idea why on that one, havent even turned it on since maybe january. shes now finally getting it buy me tools ill use and were good. enjoy the rancher its not too bad just a tab heavy at times but im a little guy...........Mike

 

[Jacob J.]

Take it back and get a 357xp. You won't regret it one bit.

 

[huskydave]

If you need to run a 24" bar in hardwood those saws are not the best choice. I suggest 60cc prosaw. If you keep the 20" bar on them they would be ok but ms361/357xp would be better options. I would rather have the Stihl if I had to pick but for a bit more money you will be much happier with the pro model if you can justify/use it often enough.

 

[peter399]

I would keep it if I got it from my wife. I got the 2171 as a wedding gift
from mine and I ain't complaining The Rancher should do your occasional work fine, of course not as fast as a 357/361 but what the heck. If a 357/361 is finacially out of reach I would definately keep it to please the wife, cause the MS390 is no more Pro saw than the Rancher, it just has some more power. Don't go over 20" on the saw, use your knees and back instead.

Good luck and congratulations to the wife that gives you saws!

 

[wanab]

well the 390 wont outcut the 455 rancher by much if at all. last time i checked that 20" bar was good for a 35" log in hardwood just fine with a good chain.


dont worrie be happy!


:greenchainsaw:


P.S.> dont let this get around but the husky is a better saw than the stihl.

 

[SawTroll]

....So I'm very happy here...but...I was eyeing up some of the larger stuff from Sthil, prior to this, especially something that can take up to a 25" bar (supposedly the 455 can take a 24" bar if you can find it) so I can make the downward cuts from one end of the log. ...

If you are ripping with the grain (from the side of the log), and aren't in a hurry - I guess the 455 will do it, at least with skip chain.

Personally, I would prefere a 70cc saw.

Keep a shorter bar for crosscutting.......

 

[donatello]

If you need service or parts,where would you go? I don't think Lowes would be the place for either... Is there a good Stihl or Husky shop close? Both fine saws,it's probably more down to a close/good servicing location. My brother has a a "jolly"Rancher 455 and it works fine:greenchainsaw: ...

 

[Scandy14]

No 361?

If you are ripping with the grain (from the side of the log), and aren't in a hurry - I guess the 455 will do it, at least with skip chain.

Personally, I would prefere a 70cc saw.

Keep a shorter bar for crosscutting.......

I thought for sure you were going to suggest a 361....................

 

[splittah]

I agree it's the thought that counts and even though she said you could return it... it will make her happy down inside to know you thought enough of her and the saw to keep it. There will be times down the road when you will have an opportunity to get what you really want, and you make points in the process!

A happy wife means a happy man!

congrats! You have a great wife like mine!


Dave

 

[2000ssm6]

I thought for sure you were going to suggest a 361....................

4th post, LOL.

The 455 should be ok but I would not go any larger than a 20". If you are looking to run 25" and have more power, get the 390. I would see if that lowes had a 359 and trade for it. I have not ever ran one but they say a mufffler mod wakes them up pretty good, slighty better built also.

 

[XJWoody]

I'll pile onto what was just said... if you could swing the extra dough, swap it in on a 359, 357XP, or maybe even a 372XP (OP keywords being 24" bar + hardwoods)

For as little use as you mentioned, that 455 ought to do fine... sticking to the basics of fresh fuel, sharp chains, and not forcing the cut (let it eat at it's own pace) It wouldn't be my first choice, but I don't feel it is a full-on POS either.

Welcome to AS... Watch out for CAD (I see you have developed symptoms already)

 

[outdoortype]

keep the 455

I have a buddy that uses one and really likes it. It will be much more powerful than your poulan pro and better built too. I love my 359 but I don't know if the power difference is enough to justify the money and the feelings of your wife. Go buy some Oregon LGX or Stihl RSC chain and keep'em sharp!

 

[rms61moparman]

Personally I think the 455 will do fine for what you do with a saw, and ten years further down the road you will appreciate looking at it and thinking "She got that for our tenth anniversary".
That being said here's a word of advice from an old timer.... IF you decide that you have to trade the saw, trade for a bigger/better Husky.
Women as a rule don't know beans about power tools but they do recognize COLOR CHANGES!!!!!!
If you trade for a Stihl (or any other COLOR saw) she will spot it right away.
But if it's another Husky she will probably never know unless you tell her.
Mike

 

[wanab]

If you trade for a Stihl (or any other COLOR saw) she will spot it right away.
But if it's another Husky she will probably never know unless you tell her.
Mike

so true!

i wouldn't tell you to buy anything smaller than a 372 if you want to run a 24" bar for milling, 390xp even better.


might be hard to find 24"+ bars in small husky mount also. sounds like you really dont have other use for the bigger saws though.

 

[litefoot]

I have a buddy that uses one and really likes it. It will be much more powerful than your poulan pro and better built too. I love my 359 but I don't know if the power difference is enough to justify the money and the feelings of your wife. Go buy some Oregon LGX or Stihl RSC chain and keep'em sharp!

Good post! The 455 isn't a 361, but it's far better than what you have now. Use it and enjoy it. And use that extra money on a nice dinner/date with that excellent bride you have.

 

[SawTroll]

....

might be hard to find 24"+ bars in small husky mount also. sounds like you really dont have other use for the bigger saws though. ...

Should be easy enough to order one, and the 357 and 359 that has been suggested above use the same "small" mount, as does some larger saws of the past......

 

[oldsaw]

Take it back and get a 357xp. You won't regret it one bit.

Brilliant idea. It's orange too and she'll never notice the difference. You just have to remember to call it "the saw my wife got me", and hug her a lot.

Mark

 

[Tzed250]

Keep the saw. If you need a bigger saw, find a way to make it happen (used, etc).

You're wife picked it out, by keeping it you will show her that her effort was well worth it...