Dan48
ArboristSite Lurker
Typical question, looking for a bit of help on selecting a new saw. I'm a homeowner, cutting several hours a week most every week throughout the year. Being ignorant, I first picked up a Wild Thing. That lasted a week and I took it back to Lowe's. In the interim, I borrowed a friend's 45cc Husky and found AS where I started reading. A lot. After a few weeks here, I picked up a rebuilt Husky 55 from another member last year and some bars, chains, files, etc from Bailey's and cut all winter and through the summer.
So now I at least understand why I bought a cheap saw - got it pinched a number of times, made some mistakes but I feel that now I at least have the hang of things. A few days ago, the sprocket wore out. I plan to rebuild it but this is a good excuse for a second saw.
Wandered down to a local Stihl dealer. I have not been impressed with their sales staff, I've been in there a number of times and they really don't provide much assistance at all (mostly they just stare at me like I'm going to run out the door with a saw). No MS361 left on the shelf and the MS362 felt really heavy and awkward after using that 11.4 pound Husky. When I picked up the MS260, my wife said "you shouldn't buy a smaller saw than what you have."
I've hear good things about the Makita line Bailey's sells but the DCS510 is 12.1 pounds and at that weight I could grab a Husky 357XP. Problem is that I'd be paying double the price of the 510 which is really hard to justify. Can't find any local Dolmar so that's out (hence looking at the Makita). I really don't think I need a 70+cc saw, though if I can ever snag a 6401 from Home Depot, I hope to use that as a big saw.
I'm hoping to hit a local Husqvarna dealer and check out a 346XP, while I pick up a replacement sprocket for the 55; it's light and should handle an 18" bar though I'm a little worried about buying a 50cc saw. I have bogged the 55 a few times.
Anyway, I know this comes up a lot but for us non-pros who don't use these things 40 hours a week, it's pretty hard to sort through all the information out there and make an informed decision without spending poorly.
Any suggestions would be great.
So now I at least understand why I bought a cheap saw - got it pinched a number of times, made some mistakes but I feel that now I at least have the hang of things. A few days ago, the sprocket wore out. I plan to rebuild it but this is a good excuse for a second saw.
Wandered down to a local Stihl dealer. I have not been impressed with their sales staff, I've been in there a number of times and they really don't provide much assistance at all (mostly they just stare at me like I'm going to run out the door with a saw). No MS361 left on the shelf and the MS362 felt really heavy and awkward after using that 11.4 pound Husky. When I picked up the MS260, my wife said "you shouldn't buy a smaller saw than what you have."
I've hear good things about the Makita line Bailey's sells but the DCS510 is 12.1 pounds and at that weight I could grab a Husky 357XP. Problem is that I'd be paying double the price of the 510 which is really hard to justify. Can't find any local Dolmar so that's out (hence looking at the Makita). I really don't think I need a 70+cc saw, though if I can ever snag a 6401 from Home Depot, I hope to use that as a big saw.
I'm hoping to hit a local Husqvarna dealer and check out a 346XP, while I pick up a replacement sprocket for the 55; it's light and should handle an 18" bar though I'm a little worried about buying a 50cc saw. I have bogged the 55 a few times.
Anyway, I know this comes up a lot but for us non-pros who don't use these things 40 hours a week, it's pretty hard to sort through all the information out there and make an informed decision without spending poorly.
Any suggestions would be great.
