Looking for a saw for my teenage Son

[514mach1]

When I was 14, I used my dad's husky 61. Same basic feel as the 272 I use for most of my lighter work now but with a bit less power. I wasn't a particularly stout kid either (played inside linebacker then but 150lbs). How about a Husky 55 with decomp?

If the saw will be used for under 8" all the time and you're planning on using the saw too, I'd vote for a 40cc. I just remember when I was 14 I had tons of energy and I think starting with a heavy saw helped me not mind a heavy saw now. Kinda like how my .458 winnie makes it seem really nice and pleasant to shoot my little '06 and 45-70.

 

[HuskStihl]

My 10 y.o. Girl can start the 445 (primer and decomp) no problem. I see no problem with a 14 y.o. Running a saw with some training and loose supervision

 

[jimdad07]

Probably get called out on it but if'n it were me, I would probably start my son on one of the box store saws I have kicking around. Brand new you can get them for under $200 US and they will teach him how to treat a saw properly yet don't always have the power that a pro grade saw has. That way it gives an economical way to teach the boy how to take care of a saw, meaning clean saw, clean filter, fresh fuel and a good sharp chain. You can make one of those last a long time if you take good care of them. From what I know about young teenage boys they don't always take care of stuff the way that a grown man would and have to be taught, sometimes the growing pains of that education can get costly. The first saws I owned before I found AS were box store Poulan Pros, I used to bash the heck out of them because I thought they were garbage. I just used them out of the range they were meant to be used. Used to cut all my firewood with them and I cut around twenty cord a year, one of those would last me two seasons of running dull chain and stale fuel. Then I discovered Dolmars and AS a few years ago and my life was changed, seems I got washed in the bar oil so to speak.

 

[sawfun9]

One thing to consider is that his first saw from you might end up having sentimental value. With that in mind a saw such as a Dolmar 421 or a Stihl fs250 might be something to consider. Or maybe start him out on a good used saw and see how he does, then if he's good with it buy him a new one.

 

[andrewhanson]

I feel I need to chime in on this topic because I can relate. Currently
I'm 16 and been running saws since I was young. I started with a MS210 C and its a great saw. I highly recommend it. Easy to start a runs smooth. I mean I'm only 16 and running a husky 394xp which I have no problem starting. I think your kid will be fine.

 

[Icedogs28]

+1 on the Jonsered cs 2240. it would be familar to you since you are partial to husky anyway. the echo 400 is nice too. as far as stihl, the easy start thingy would be good for your son, but the saw around it is cheap and flimsy (just my opinion)

 

[Cloud IT]

I would buy him one that isn't running and let him fix it. He will learn a skill and have a tool that he can be proud of.

 

[Macman125]

I agree on getting him a box store saw. Poulan pro of some sort. Teach him to take care of it. And if he ends up trashing it it wouldn't have been a big loss anyways.

 

[exSW]

Dolmar 421

Ditto,man I'm starting to sound like a broken record.My kids 20,asked me the other day why I didn't buy two.I said you're 20,there's the woods,buy your own.

 

[rattler362]

I found my Son who is almost 12 a non running 55 and we fixed it together and he love's and i had a blast helping him with it.

 

[tdi-rick]

It doesn't look like Makita are bringing in the 421, only the 350 and 460 in blue and grey. The Dolmar (and as I said above, Jonsered) names have been dropped here.
The old style DCS411 is still available too (the PS115 family style from the late eighties) Good little saw even if it only has one bar nut but they leak bar oil something shocking with those silly multi-fit Oregon bars. My sisters one lives here permanently now after her now ex nearly killed it when using it without asking.

 

[fearofpavement]

My wife can't seem to start quite a few items that have a pull rope even though she isn't tiny. She can handle 50 lb feed bags but can't start the FS80 string trimmer. She can start a push mower (barely). I think it is a technique thing. The easy to start saws may be a solution. I think she could do it but a few tries and she's had enough and I don't push it. (barely healed up from the last time I tried that)

Regarding chainsaws and kids, I think parents will know when to introduce power equipment into their training. It will vary. My sons got their first saw at about age 16 but used them prior to that. One I provided with an Echo CS4400 and the other with a Husqvarna 455. The older son went to West Point so we sold his saw and the second son is headed to the U. S. Coast Guard Academy in four weeks so his 455 will probably hit the market too. They can always get another saw in about 9 years minimum. (4 years school + at least 5 years active duty)

I would recommend a "father son project" of rebuilding/refurbishing a saw and have that be "his" saw. I expect that he will have a good understanding of it and also his equity in it will lead to good care. I did that with my son's and vehicles. Sure makes a difference in how something is treated if they have to replace parts they tear up. lol.

 

[Taxmantoo]

Take a look at the dolmar 350,351 or 420,421. They have a "easy start" type recoil and are well built and won't break the bank. Any of them would make a nice saw for him to start on.

Now, where's that video of Brad's daughter starting a 420 when she was ten?

It doesn't look like Makita are bringing in the 421, only the 350 and 460 in blue and grey. The Dolmar (and as I said above, Jonsered) names have been dropped here.
The old style DCS411 is still available too (the PS115 family style from the late eighties) Good little saw even if it only has one bar nut but they leak bar oil something shocking with those silly multi-fit Oregon bars. My sisters one lives here permanently now after her now ex nearly killed it when using it without asking.

I've got a Dolmar PS-510. I have a bit of trouble taking the 460 seriously because it's identical to the 510 but with some of the power missing, and in the USA there was little difference in price. However, if OP is down under and they don't sell the 510 there...
With a 460 or 510 the boy would have to learn the proper starting technique.
What would a 420 or 421 cost, shipped in from a USA dealer, compared to a 460 bought locally?
IIRC, a 420 and a 460 were very similar in power but not in size/weight.

 

[514mach1]

As was said, if he's not all up on taking care of the saw and noticing when something's not right with it, a box store saw. I have a little 42cc craftsman that works great and is actually more fun to use than I give it credit for. If he's good with taking care of things and familiar with saws, a better one would be good.

 

[tdi-rick]

Now, where's that video of Brad's daughter starting a 420 when she was ten?



I've got a Dolmar PS-510. I have a bit of trouble taking the 460 seriously because it's identical to the 510 but with some of the power missing, and in the USA there was little difference in price. However, if OP is down under and they don't sell the 510 there...
With a 460 or 510 the boy would have to learn the proper starting technique.
What would a 420 or 421 cost, shipped in from a USA dealer, compared to a 460 bought locally?
IIRC, a 420 and a 460 were very similar in power but not in size/weight.

Just had a squiz and online there's A$140 difference in price between a 460 and 500 here. (what's the difference between a 500 and 510 ? decomp ?)

A 460 is $525, the 500 $658 incl. GST. If Karl has a business he can deduct 9% (tax) off the top of that.
Post from the US will cost roughly $140-$150

Baileys has the 460 @ US$396=A$412 and 510 @ US$450=A$468, our $ has taken a 10% dump in the last two weeks so not cost effective to import them.

Don't know what an equivalent Dolly retails at over there ?

 

[Karl Robbers]

Several people have raised a very good point relating to maintenance and care of the saw.
It personally goes against the grain with me to buy "junk", but you have got me thinking. My son has had exposure to saws, but not intimately if you know what I mean and typical for his age these days is possibly more reactive than proactive, (that's when dad has to take a deep breath and count to 10, sometimes more before speaking).
This is I believe a technique problem rather than a strength issue. My son has the strength, he just doesn't know how to use it I guess you could say. I am thinking that I may examine the box store saw concept more closely as an intermediate saw that will get some unintentional abuse and that he can learn good maintenance habits on. If he kills it, well he learns from it and there is not too much lost financially.
I have been thinking about the easy start system and have come around to the thought that it may actually work against him inasmuch as teaching him poor techniques because there is a spring doing the work for him.
The search shall continue.

 

[moody]

If technique and maintenance is an issue look for a Husqvarna 340. This saw is easy to work on will be something that you can teach more than how to run but also how saws work. And as he gets older you can really upgrade performance and leave him with a long lasting tool.

 

[stihl for life]

when i was 14/15 yrs i was logging down here in ont . now being 16 i work for a stihl shop and log in the winter .. i use a stihl 046 modded and a ms660 .and a husky 385xp being skilled at a young age of 10 useing saws i started with dolmar 5100 but other goosd saws are , stihl 026 , or 210 , husky 346 xp or husky 455 x torq . please do not waste your money on the ms211 easy start stihl has had to many problems with it ive had 25+ of theses saws come in .. thanks hope this helps

 

[moody]

when i was 14/15 yrs i was logging down here in ont . now being 16 i work for a stihl shop and log in the winter .. i use a stihl 046 modded and a ms660 .and a husky 385xp being skilled at a young age of 10 useing saws i started with dolmar 5100 but other goosd saws are , stihl 026 , or 210 , husky 346 xp or husky 455 x torq . please do not waste your money on the ms211 easy start stihl has had to many problems with it ive had 25+ of theses saws come in .. thanks hope this helps

Did I read this wrong or did you say you're 16?

 

[RiverRocket]

Nice used 026 Pro...Decomp, valve...16"B&C....Perfect...