Best all-around sub-$300 saw w/ 16" bar for homeowner?

[Kratos]

Oh well, that is what I get for being ignorant and not asking sooner. I was trying to research that Jonsered for two days and never heard that it was a Husky. I was concerned about it being a foreign brand that I could not get parts for when there is a Husky dealer in town. I just called and it sold last night. Live and learn.

John

 

[sawinredneck]

You got HOSED!!!!!!

And prolly missed a good buy to!

 

[Kratos]

There is one on there today that is described as a Husky 51 with 18" bar like new for $225. Is this comparable to the new 345 for almost the same money? Does the '51' designate the cc's of the engine?

Plus, there is a Poulan Pro 18" only used twice for $135 with all that comes with the new one.

John

 

[bcorradi]

There is one on there today that is described as a Husky 51 with 18" bar like new for $225. Is this comparable to the new 345 for almost the same money? Does the '51' designate the cc's of the engine?

John

The 51 was introduced in 1990 according to Mike Acres Site. 51cc's is the displacement and more comparable to the 350 than the 345. I don't think $225 is too great of a price for that saw.

Your in stihl country. Have you researched the local stihl market on craigslist? Or are you partial to husky or jred?

 

[sawinredneck]

Roughly yes, thats the CC's.

It would be more comparable to the 455 Rancher, only a lot better.

That is a pretty old saw though, unless it looks like almost new, and even then, I would be leary of it for what you are needing.

 

[Kratos]

The 51 was introduced in 1990 according to Mike Acres Site. 51cc's is the displacement and more comparable to the 350 than the 345. I don't think $225 is too great of a price for that saw.

Your in stihl country. Have you researched the local stihl market on craigslist? Or are you partial to husky or jred?

Never owned anything, but the Craftsman. So, not partial to anything except tired of trying to keep that one running. I am looking at all options. I am going by the local saw shops today to see what they carry. The new one I know sells Husky, but there is one small engine repair place in town that works on and sells used of everything.

So far, nothing on Craig's list in a Stihl that was not already gone when I started looking yesterday. I will keep checking though.

Thannks for all of the help.

John

 

[bcorradi]

Ok there is a lot of guys from washington on here so they may be able to point you towards a good used saw or at least a good saw shop.

 

[bcorradi]

$125 plus shipping for my 031.

Now you want to talk about OLD lol. The 031's were pretty good saws just not all that entertaining to work on.

 

[Kratos]

I have to leave and pretend to go to work while looking at saws (the wife is watching). LOL Will check back later and let y'all know what is available locally.

John

P.S. Is it significant that no one commented on the Poulan?

 

[RiverRat2]

I would have to agree with Andy!!!!! J-Red

John, John, John!!!!!!!

Jonsered is the same/different as Husky. The handle is straight instead of at an angle, and it's red and black thats about it!!

Now that 2165, if it's what they say, would be a heck of a buy!! That would be he same as a Husky 365/365 special. A fine saw in my opinion!! 65cc's, medium weight, will run the heck out of a 18-20" bar, with enough grunt to pull a 28" if the need arose. Think Husky 350 times 1.5, or a bit more than a Stihl 361.
I would be taking a drive if it was me!!!

The 65CC saw will amaze you and if it is used as little as they say,,, should be well worth the money,,,Heck offer them 250.00 - 275.00 but if is nice as they say. 300 is a good price,,,, I have a Husky 365 special and it does very well I paid around 499.00 for mine two years ago,,,, but it came with a pro box 20" bar w/3 chains a tshirt a hat Etc. and pulls a 24" bar in oak with athourity

 

[sawinredneck]

The 65CC saw will amaze you and if it is used as little as they say,,, should be well worth the money,,,Heck offer them 250.00 - 275.00 but if is nice as they say. 300 is a good price,,,, I have a Husky 365 special and it does very well I paid around 499.00 for mine two years ago,,,, but it came with a pro box 20" bar w/3 chains a tshirt a hat Etc. and pulls a 24" bar in oak with athourity

It's already sold.

Yes John, it is VERY significant that no one commented on the Poulan, it's just like what you are getting rid of.

 

[Cut4fun]

There is one on there today that is described as a Husky 51 with 18" bar like new for $225.
John

I bought a Partner 5000 for $230 shipped, that looked like new and has been the best stock running 5000 I have ever ran after owning a little over a half dozen of them so far. It was a little high IMO but it was a 9 out of 10 in my eyes for condition and ran on the heels of the Dolmar 5100S.

 

[Kratos]

Well "on the way" to work, I stopped by all of the saw carriers in our little timber town. To my surprise, the local saw and logging supply store carries both Stihl and Husqvarna new and fixes and has parts for both. They are about $40 higher on the Husky 350 ($339.00) than the internet at Norwalk plus sales tax, but no shipping cost.

The used small engine repair guy doesn't have any used at this time, but sells Echo and Shindaiwa new. Naturally swears by both.

Home Depot stocks Echo and Poulan about $25 cheaper than the small engine guy, but he assembles and starts them up for you.

Finally, Sears has Craftsman, Poulan, and one Husky (142 for $229.) Smaller than the Craftsman for $149.00.

Lots of choices, for sure, if I decide to go new, but I am in an area where everyone has and sells chain saws so may wait on the right used one.

Does anyone know if the Husky 142 would be enough saw for household, occassional user? It sure felt light and handy for limbing while standing on my tractor front end loader bucket?

John

 

[Kratos]

I guess without seeing them, there is no way to know if I would be just buying someone else's trouble here.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/404283966.html

 

[Kratos]

Sorry for the multiple posts, but I get this way when I am on the hunt. My wife is always telling me to take deep breaths and wait for the deal, but I get focused on a new toy, I mean tool, and everything else around me goes black.

I looked up the 452 VL and they were discontinued in 1983 so that is too old for someone with little mechanical ability or know how.

So will keep checking Craig's list for used and new I am down to locally:

Stihl - MS210 $269 plus tax
MS250 $339 plus tax
MS290 $369 plus tax

Echo - CS-370 $269 plus tax
CS-440 $299 plus tax

Husky- 142 $229 plus tax
340 $259 plus tax
350 $339 plus tax

Craftsman 42cc $149 plus tax

They didn't have a brochure on the Shindaiwa, but the cheapest that seemed big enough was $369 and I think it was only about 40 cc.

Online I save roughly $40 on price (plus T-shirt and hat lol) and no sales tax, but have to pay shipping.

John

 

[masiman]

Sorry for the multiple posts, but I get this way when I am on the hunt. My wife is always telling me to take deep breaths and wait for the deal, but I get focused on a new toy, I mean tool, and everything else around me goes black.

.....I am down to locally:

Stihl - MS210 $269 plus tax
MS250 $339 plus tax
MS290 $369 plus tax

Someone will probably recommend a 270 in that mix over some of the others. It is ~$350, so it breaks the sub $300 mark.

 

[sawinredneck]

The 142 is an ok saw, neighbor has one. It's a little les powerful than a wildthing, and probably built as well. The lesser priced Huskies are Poulans. Not that that is a bad thing, but again about what you have now.
Shinny makes a GREAT saw, but they are a bit heavy and pricey when bought new, but run forever!
I am no fan of the Stihl 50ishcc line up, I think the Husky 350 is imposible to beat price for power, so I will stay out of that.

 

[Kratos]

Found the Husky 350 for $299 online with free shipping and am close to pulling the trigger on it. That is with the 18" bar and $309 with the 20" bar. Which is a better match if I go this route?

Also, are the Huskies in the 50cc range true Huskies or Poulan or such in disguise? I think it is the Echo or the Husky right now as the Craftsman/Poulan is what I had and the Shindaiwa and Stihl are a little high for the same specs.

John

 

[sawinredneck]

Found the Husky 350 for $299 online with free whipping and am close to pulling the trugger on it. That is with the 18" bar and $309 with the 20" bar. Which is a better match if I go this route?

Also, are the Huskies in the 50cc range true Huskies or Poulan or such in disguise? I think it is the Echo or the Husky right now as the Craftsman/Poulan is what I had and the Shindaiwa and Stihl are a little high for the same specs.

John

No bigger than an 18" on the 350!
The 345 and up are Huskies, below that I am not sure?
Echo is a good saw, I perssonaly don't like the "toyish" feel of them.
Don't be afraid of the Stihls, it's a personal thing.

 

[NapalmDeath]

Someone will probably recommend a 270 in that mix over some of the others.

I was thinking about it...:biggrinbounce2: