A little advice needed on a chainsaw!

[Oregon_Grown]

My boyfriend is getting me a chainsaw of my choice for Christmas. I basically need a light weight reliable chainsaw for work around my property that is easy to maintain. What would you recommend and why? Thank you for your assistance. :help::help::help:

 

[bartlanz]

Light weight is a perspective type cryteria... What do you consider light weight?

 

[firebenrt]

346

can't wait to see how many guys say Husky 346

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

You know that's like asking an alcoholic "What's your favorite booze?"
Best value under 300$ Stihl MS211.

 

[Oregon_Grown]

Cry-tear-ia

Light weight is a perspective type cryteria... What do you consider light weight?

Well here is the deal, he said any kind I want as long as it is a stihl,, but I bet I can convince him of another type if needed. I can handle a gas powered weed wacker for about 6 hours before my arms want to drop off... I will probably not cut anything larger than about 12 inches. Cutting limbs (not mine or his) and small trees. Mostly clean up work. Does that help?

 

[Jacob J.]

346NE is a fantastic saw but expensive...MS211 is a fine choice, as is the 353.

 

[jburlingham]

I would say that an MS180 would probably do you fine, however as you skill and confidence grows it will likely seem to small, so you will need to keep this guy around for your 260, and then you 362 and 660

May CAD infect you:greenchainsaw:

 

[Oregon_Grown]

Making a Note!

I would say that an MS180 would probably do you fine, however as you skill and confidence grows it will likely seem to small, so you will need to keep this guy around for your 260, and then you 362 and 660

May CAD infect you:greenchainsaw:

Very good advice! I am making a note of it so I dont forget

 

[ropensaddle]

Very good advice! I am making a note of it so I dont forget

If it has to be stihl ms 361 should do all you need

 

[jburlingham]

If it has to be stihl ms 361 should do all you need

Perhaps a good start, but never rule out a 460 or a 660 as a "need"

 

[Oregon_Grown]

Ugh!

I have carried his 660 with a 36 inch bar to the pickup and I would not want to use that for long at all. It's way to heavy for me! I need something like the weight of my gas weed wacker that I can use for about 2 to 4 hours without killing my arms and back. It am leaning towards the 190 or 200 but I am open to your thoughts. Thank you

 

[Saw Dr.]

346NE is a fantastic saw but expensive...MS211 is a fine choice, as is the 353.

If he is stuck on Stihl, try the 211. The easy-to-start feature is available on the 211, an some folls really like it. Actually, I would go and have a look at all of the saws JJ mentioned. You want to be comfortable with something you'll be wielding around for 2-4 hours at a time which can kill you in a second.

 

[jburlingham]

Honestly a 180 is probably all you need, but CAD will get you and 1 is never enough

 

[FATGUY]

ne346XP may be the greatest 50cc saw ever
ms361/ms362 the greatest 60 cc saw ever,
take your choice.

 

[Taxmantoo]

Where's Patty?
I was waiting for her to recommend a 440 with Barbie stickers on it.

MS200 is probably the ultimate, but $600 for a tiny saw is way silly.
Does Stihl make a MS192, or only the 192T? You don't want one with T for top handle in its name. (speaking of which, if you want a rear handle MS200 don't be surprised if it has to be special ordered, usually you only see the top handle MS200t on the dealer's shelf)

How do you like starting saws? A 181 or 211 with the Ez-2-start option practically starts itself, but they do weigh more than the regular starter version.

Too bad he's such a fan of creamsicle colored saws, the Dolmar PS-420 is about the ultimate in easy starting light to medium duty saws. I believe it has more power than any of the spring-start Stihl models, and Dolmar's spring starter doesn't seem to add as much weight as Stihl's does. (but maybe you don't mind starting regular saws and I'm barking up the wrong tree here)

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Video by Brad and Anna Snelling.

 

[Jtheo]

The MS211 would be my choice, like some other members have said.

I have one and like everything about it. Light weight and easy to handle, and cuts like a bigger saw. Latest technology out too, if that matters.

You are not going to choke on 2 stroke fumes off this little baby, because it don't put none out.

 

[stihlcrazy20]

ms310

perfect for ya. i run mine for 10-12 hrs a day 3 days a wek then 2-5 hrs a day the other 4 days. starts one pull, nevers quits and the only time i shut it off is to refuel. also good on gas and easy on the back. would recomend it with the 18" bar because it seems to balance great and for what you mentioned it would be more then up to the task, and you can find chains every where. whereas the ms180 you have to get .043 guage low pro chains. just my two cents i can tell ya more bout the 180 in a week because i just bought it today and it only seen bout 2 hours use.

 

[ropensaddle]

The MS211 would be my choice, like some other members have said.

I have one and like everything about it. Light weight and easy to handle, and cuts like a bigger saw. Latest technology out too, if that matters.

You are not going to choke on 2 stroke fumes off this little baby, because it don't put none out.

But now that's all the fun<a href="http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&lpver=3&ref=11" target="_blank"><img src="http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/00020344.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." ></a>

 

[Meadow Beaver]

You can still get brand new husky 350's for under $300. I had one I modified and it ripped.

 

[jburlingham]

The MS211 would be my choice, like some other members have said.

I have one and like everything about it. Light weight and easy to handle, and cuts like a bigger saw. Latest technology out too, if that matters.

You are not going to choke on 2 stroke fumes off this little baby, because it don't put none out.

if it burns a gas oil mix it puts fumes out, it may have reduced emissions but that would be sad as I love the smell of 2 stroke smoke, it makes me smile