Good info. Just a quick question. Does the CS-400 have two bar nuts? I like the Husqvarna 445 but I think they only have one bar nut and my dad has had trouble with those coming lose. I'm kinda shopping for my first saw. My dad's little Husky is at least 15 years old and he's got a SuperXL that's older than I am. I plan on using wood for heat when I build my own house and will eventually need a new saw, and I'd like to get away with only having one. I wouldn't tackle anything over 2 ft in diameter and I would think most of the stuff I would cut would be under 18". With modding and tuning will the CS-400 handle 18" occasionally?
If not for budget restraints I'd probably start collecting saws. They are pretty cool. I like the Echo CS-500 and the Makita DCS510 but I just don't need them. The Makita is one of the coolest looking saws I've seen. I bet the big companies could charge %20 more for special color editions of their saws.