LarryRFL
ArboristSite Operative
Okay, this is totally subjective and no pictures were taken to ensure the survival of the camera. Ran both saws on some soft wood, about 5 minutes of cutting per saw. 2238 with stock bar and chain (saw is about 6 months old). MT3500 right out of the box with 14" bar & stock chain. I'm not going into the specs on the saws, look it up yourselves. (While I have ran Efco's in the past, I have never ran this particular model.)
The 2238 is smaller in appearance, but there is not any noticeable difference in weight. Both saws feel well balanced. Being a "broke in" saw, the 2238 fired right up. It cut smoothly with little vibration and the usual excellent control of all Jonsereds. As expected, little to no debris in the filter once the cutting was done. Overall, a nice small saw with no surprises and the only real reason to run it was to have a fresh feel for it.
The MT3500, while it looks larger feel no heavier than the 2238. Well balance in the hand. No cheap feel. Put gas and oil in it, primed it and three pulls later it was fired up and running. Engine was performing fine without any tweaking of the carb. (Always have to tweak the carbs on Jonsereds when serviced out.) Cutting was strong with good control. Vibration was noticeably more than the Jonsered, but still very light. Though the rated rpm's is higher than the 2238, it cut slower but did not get bogged down. It reminded me of a Homelite Super 2, slow and steady. Stopped the saw with the choke to see how it would start when flooded. Couple of pulls and back in action. Shut down normally, one pull and fired right back up. Filter had very little debris when finished, very similar to the 2238. Complaint - Removing the top cover to service the filter or plug requires loosening three screw, one located at the front of the saw and have to pull the brake handle way back to get to. With the little bit of debris the filter gets, it is a miner annoyance, but could be improved on.
Since both saw list at $199, which would I buy? Actually the MT3500. Before you jump all over me, let me defend myself. Every 2238 I have sold, I have had to put inserts in the housing for the top cover screws. Every screw pulled out and had to put new inserts in. Several have had the fuel filter fall off, so now we remove the filter, cut the hose back a little and re-install the filter. I've become a little soured on the model. Once the problems with the 2238 are fixed, it's a good small saw, but when every saw has to be fixed right out of the box there is a problem. Another reason I have mixed feelings with the TSC deal.
The 2238 is smaller in appearance, but there is not any noticeable difference in weight. Both saws feel well balanced. Being a "broke in" saw, the 2238 fired right up. It cut smoothly with little vibration and the usual excellent control of all Jonsereds. As expected, little to no debris in the filter once the cutting was done. Overall, a nice small saw with no surprises and the only real reason to run it was to have a fresh feel for it.
The MT3500, while it looks larger feel no heavier than the 2238. Well balance in the hand. No cheap feel. Put gas and oil in it, primed it and three pulls later it was fired up and running. Engine was performing fine without any tweaking of the carb. (Always have to tweak the carbs on Jonsereds when serviced out.) Cutting was strong with good control. Vibration was noticeably more than the Jonsered, but still very light. Though the rated rpm's is higher than the 2238, it cut slower but did not get bogged down. It reminded me of a Homelite Super 2, slow and steady. Stopped the saw with the choke to see how it would start when flooded. Couple of pulls and back in action. Shut down normally, one pull and fired right back up. Filter had very little debris when finished, very similar to the 2238. Complaint - Removing the top cover to service the filter or plug requires loosening three screw, one located at the front of the saw and have to pull the brake handle way back to get to. With the little bit of debris the filter gets, it is a miner annoyance, but could be improved on.
Since both saw list at $199, which would I buy? Actually the MT3500. Before you jump all over me, let me defend myself. Every 2238 I have sold, I have had to put inserts in the housing for the top cover screws. Every screw pulled out and had to put new inserts in. Several have had the fuel filter fall off, so now we remove the filter, cut the hose back a little and re-install the filter. I've become a little soured on the model. Once the problems with the 2238 are fixed, it's a good small saw, but when every saw has to be fixed right out of the box there is a problem. Another reason I have mixed feelings with the TSC deal.
