357XP: Where Does It Fit In Between The 346XP and 385XP?

[angelo c]

Sorry man, they just feel bulky and old-fashioned to me. I say that, then I have a bunch of Macs, but i've told you my story on them. I suppose if I had used the 0##-series saws when they were in there prime, I would be more attached. But the Macs are all the heft and grunt that I need, for a backup saw mind you.

No harm ProMac,
I'm not a big fan of the Husky line myself but I keep a few around just for kicks (385, 395) they are good saws though. Don't have to love em to use em...

A

 

[ProMac1K]

Were gonna have the poor guy bankrupt before this is over.:greenchainsaw:

Hahahaha, i've got enough saved so I could buy both (as I originally planned on getting a splitter), but I didn't want to let that out. Got to have a little restraint, we're all adults now. :jester:

 

[ECRUPPRECHT]

all you really need to do is mod the muffler you can do it yourself with some brazing rod and a torch there are several good threads on this site about modding mufflers if you search for it. it is very simple and is the best bang for the buck it can be done in less han an hour then you get your dual port muffler you want for free. the epa is choking all these new saws so they need to be modded

 

[ProMac1K]

No harm ProMac,
I'm not a big fan of the Husky line myself but I keep a few around just for kicks (385, 395) they are good saws though. Don't have to love em to use em...

A

Thanks for understanding. Maybe rather than calling them old-fashioned I should be calling them brutes, as they were built about as strong as possible. The design and form factor never just clicked for me. My neighbor runs an 056 and an 032 I believe, maybe a couple of each. They are an older series, right? They work for him. He likes them because of the strength they have, metal as opposed to plastic. Also he sees the whole cutting bill as a piece of nostalgia for him, so that in someway works with those saws. I wouldn't be afraid to use them if that's what my only option was, or if they were in front of me at the time.

 

[ropensaddle]

Hahahaha, i've got enough saved so I could buy both (as I originally planned on getting a splitter), but I didn't want to let that out. Got to have a little restraint, we're all adults now. :jester:

Adult ? what?where?when? ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh k <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/00020472.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." ></a>

 

[ProMac1K]

Adult ? what?where?when? ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh k <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/00020472.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." ></a>

Hey now, at least some of us are. We are at least civilized.

Maybe I should have said, got to think from an economical viewpoint.

 

[SawTroll]

Thanks for the hinting gesture! I'm still concerned on what the 357xp would do over the 346xp, or if it would do anything in a sufficient amount to warrant the increase in price. trimmmed was itching to the point that I was trying to clear up, but i'm still a little confused. Is the 357xp that much more capable for the increase in weight and price, or is it also filling a gap in between the 346 and 372, or in this case the 346 and 385?

Just be aware that the true weight difference between the 346xp and the 357xp is much larger than the specs tell you (empty powerhead).

I opted for the MS361 in the 60cc class, and that was no coinsidence - more power and less weight than the 357xp......

 

[ropensaddle]

Hey now, at least some of us are. We are at least civilized.

Maybe I should have said, got to think from an economical viewpoint.

Nevermind I was justoke: #### lol

 

[ProMac1K]

OK, I think i've established that my best interest is to invest in a 346xp. Thank you for all the input and advice, you have no idea how much it helps.

Now i'm debating on getting the plain one or the XPG model with the heated handle. Has anyone here had any experience with the XPG model? I think i've asked Troll once before on what the XPG stood for, on a similar debate about the model. Can anyone share any input on the effectiveness of the heated handle?

Is it stupid to go out and look for a used one, or even an OE model? And has anyone bought from an ebay dealer before? As far as I know, no sponsors here sell them. I have a local dealer about 15 miles away that deals in Husky and Jonsered, but I haven't called him up. He's a very small dealer, so I know he wouldn't have one in stock. And I doubt he would be competitive at all, judging from past experiences. Also the service and communication during service is rather poor. What would you do? There's a Stihl dealer 25 miles away, that I absolutely dislike, so that doesn't do any good either.

 

[ropensaddle]

OK, I think i've established that my best interest is to invest in a 346xp. Thank you for all the input and advice, you have no idea how much it helps.

Now i'm debating on getting the plain one or the XPG model with the heated handle. Has anyone here had any experience with the XPG model? I think i've asked Troll once before on what the XPG stood for, on a similar debate about the model. Can anyone share any input on the effectiveness of the heated handle?

Is it stupid to go out and look for a used one, or even an OE model? And has anyone bought from an ebay dealer before? As far as I know, no sponsors here sell them. I have a local dealer about 15 miles away that deals in Husky and Jonsered, but I haven't called him up. He's a very small dealer, so I know he wouldn't have one in stock. And I doubt he would be competitive at all, judging from past experiences. Also the service and communication during service is rather poor. What would you do? There's a Stihl dealer 25 miles away, that I absolutely dislike, so that doesn't do any good either.

I think you will be delighted with that saw.

 

[ProMac1K]

I think you will be delighted with that saw.

Boy, would you look at that. I decide on a 346xp and right away I turned into an ArboristSite MVP!!

 

[ECRUPPRECHT]

even if your local dealer is small he still has to be pretty close on price for the most part stihl and husky prices are set by the manufacturer and cannot really deviate much from what the said price is. if you had a dealer you knew and did alot of business with he may be able to give you a little bit of a discount or at least a free chain everytime i buy a new saw from my dealer he gives me a handful of freebies. if your not in a huge rush to get it occaitionally dealers will offer some sort of trade in program where you bring in any old clunker running or not and they will give you like 50-100 bucks credit, you could go buy a 5 dollar seized up poulan wild thing from a garage sale and poss. get 100 dollar credit. but thats only if you have a dealer that has offers like that. but as ar as price goes any authorized dealer will have to be close within 20 bucks on price no matter where you go.

 

[WoodViking]

If you are going to use the saw for a lot of limbing and some bucking I would get the 346xp.

If you ar going to use the saw for a lot of bucking and some limbing I would get the 357xp.

346xp: vs. 357xp:
Chain speed: 18,5 m/s vs. 21,4 m/s
power: 3,7 hp vs. 4,4 hp
weight: 11 lbs vs. 12,1 lbs

The saws have allmost the same size and dimensions so that shouldn't be the deciding factor.

No matter which one you get I am sure you will be satisfied as they are both great saws

 

[SawTroll]

If you are going to use the saw for a lot of limbing and some bucking I would get the 346xp.

If you ar going to use the saw for a lot of bucking and some limbing I would get the 357xp.

346xp: 357xp:
Chain speed: 18,5 m/s 21,4 m/s
power: 3,7 hp 4,4 hp
weight: 11 lbs 12,1 lbs

The saws have allmost the same size and dimensions so that shouldn't be the deciding factor.

No matter which one you get I am sure you will be satisfied as they are both great saws

Two comments,

1) The chain speed depends on the pitch and sprocket size, and is just a theoretical number (at max power rpms).

2) The true weight of the 357xp powerhead is more like 12.9 lbs, the "official" spec is a big lie.

 

[lone wolf]

did husky make a 362?

 

[WoodViking]

Two comments,

1) The chain speed depends on the pitch and sprocket size, and is just a theoretical number (at max power rpms).

2) The true weight of the 357xp powerhead is more like 12.9 lbs, the "official" spec is a big lie.

1) This stated chainspeed is with .325 and 7 pin for both saws. If you go for 3/8's and 8 pin on the 346 you might get the same chainspeed but you will get an easier bogging saw as well. So with the combination of higher chainspeed with the same setup and more hp you will for sure have a faster cutting saw in the 357 - not only in theory. I have used the saws side by side in the same wood (both saws having 16" bars) and the 357 was the fastest both in small stuff and when we buried the bars. Not that the speed matters that much to me though. . .

2) Yes I have heard about the difference in stated and actual weight. But wasn't it because the first 357's (with the auto decomp as well) had weaker cranks and they are a bit beefier in the newer ones? Not because Husqvarna wanted to cheat with the specs. Or is there a difference in stated and actual weight between other of the Husqvarnas? To me the 346 and 357 feel very much alike when holding them.

 

[ProMac1K]

did husky make a 362?

Yes, and a 365 (which has a side chain tensioner).

A couple more questions I have are do both the 346 and 357 have outboard clutches, and do they both have the front chain tensioner?

It's terrible that I don't have a dealer close by to try both, but I suppose I never had a dealer close by to try the Macs i've bought either.

 

[Turkeyslayer]

I really like my 2156 (357xp). It is nimble, fast and light, and has became my most used saw. It is light enough for limbing, yet still has lots of power for falling and bucking. See if you dealer will let you take one for a test drive aswell as a 346 and compare for yourself.

 

[Turkeyslayer]

Yes, and a 365 (which has a side chain tensioner).

A couple more questions I have are do both the 346 and 357 have outboard clutches, and do they both have the front chain tensioner?

It's terrible that I don't have a dealer close by to try both, but I suppose I never had a dealer close by to try the Macs i've bought either.

Outboard clutch.
Side chain tensioner

Also I have a couple of 2165's and prefer the 2156 anyday. The only advantage the 2165 has over the 2156 is torque for pulling longer bars (24"). But seeing as you have a 385, you have that base covered. I really think the perfect 2 saw plan is a 90cc saw with a 60cc saw, nothing that cant be cut with that combo.

 

[ProMac1K]

Outboard clutch.
Side chain tensioner

On both?