Best inexpensive 80 to 100cc saw? Can be old. Can be modded.

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777funk

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I've read that you can put a bigger jug on many old Husqvarnas. This may be a good option or even fixing a dead saw. What about the old Homelites? I'm looking for something that will be faster for chunking firewood (12-20" diameter mostly). I would be using a 20" bar and the most aggressive chisel chain pitch I can fit on the saw (3/8 or 404).

btw, inexpensive being $75-200.

I should add, my current 'big' saw is a muffler modded Stihl 038 (bought broken in that price range). Maybe I just need to invest in the best 20" bar and chain I could put on that. It currently has 3/8" pitch with a worn bar and sprocket.
 
I've read that you can put a bigger jug on many old Husqvarnas. This may be a good option or even fixing a dead saw. What about the old Homelites? Looking for something that will be faster for chunking firewood (12-20" diameter mostly). I would be using a 20" bar and the most aggressive chisel chain pitch I can fit on the saw (3/8 or 404).

btw, inexpensive being $75-200.

I should add, my current 'big' saw is a muffler modded Stihl 038. Maybe I just need to invest in the best 20" bar and chain I could put on that. It currently has 3/8" pitch with a worn bar and sprocket.
New chain,bar and sprocket on the 038. New air filter,fuel filter and plug too.
 
For under $200 on and 80cc saw and up there probably is not going to be any best to it. Probably some of the parts kits for the price might be alright for that amount....I had a pretty nice Homelite 925 that will fit in that category, but I would spend a little more and get better.
 
What model 038 you have?

Put $100-200 into that if it is not a POS and it will handle any 20" wood you will find. A decent bar/chain/sprocket is going to take up 1/3-1/2 of that.

80-100cc saws you'll get a "carcass" to $pend more $$$ on to make it run. And way overkill for <20" wood.
 
What model 038 you have?

Put $100-200 into that if it is not a POS and it will handle any 20" wood you will find. A decent bar/chain/sprocket is going to take up 1/3-1/2 of that.

80-100cc saws you'll get a "carcass" to $pend more $$$ on to make it run. And way overkill for <20" wood.


It's an AVS Farm Boss. Good saw. Really, I don't mind my little 026 either. But when the logs get bigger and harder (hickory), it can be a little on the slow side. I've been thinking about a bigger saw for a while, not for the rare occasion I cut bigger rounds but for more power.
 
With that budget best bet is the Asian copy of the Stihl MS660. I think they are $200 and change shipped from China. Some of them I hear work pretty well.

Otherwise you should adjust your budget, or plan to have lots of time cruising craigslist and eBay, waiting until that amazing deal comes along.
 
Chinese 660 is your best bet at money even close to what you want to spend. A OEM 100cc saw for $75 would most likely need a lot of money spent on it just to get it running. Do you really 'know' what you need, the original post indicates the chainsaw market perhaps is not your strong suit. Maybe a 70cc saw like a 372 or 460 or even a 6400 that you can upgrade to 80cc later would be your best bet, but you really need an extra $150 minimum in your budget. Its not fact though that super good deals aren't possible, they do happen so look hard & strike fast.
 
I've read that you can put a bigger jug on many old Husqvarnas. This may be a good option or even fixing a dead saw. What about the old Homelites? I'm looking for something that will be faster for chunking firewood (12-20" diameter mostly). I would be using a 20" bar and the most aggressive chisel chain pitch I can fit on the saw (3/8 or 404).

btw, inexpensive being $75-200.

I should add, my current 'big' saw is a muffler modded Stihl 038 (bought broken in that price range). Maybe I just need to invest in the best 20" bar and chain I could put on that. It currently has 3/8" pitch with a worn bar and sprocket.
McCulloch 1-41 - 250 80 to 87 cc, they crop up quite a bit, they're BEASTS but if weight is a factor not good , or an old Remington saw 80+ cc's and they pull 24" 404 with authority!
 
If you want CC of that size for that price your best bet is an old Homelite or Mac. You may also be able to find a Husky from the 70’s.

By far the best value for a modern big cube saw is a Stihl 064 but that’s still going to be above your price range.

Or maybe just spend a little more and build an Asian kit saw.
 
Sounds like I've been overlooking McCullough. I remember a Korean War age guys speaking well about those saws when I was a kid. I've had an 70 to 80 cc big old Homelite (non runner but in good shape for free). I didn't think much of it since it was an antique and sold it after we got it going. I didn't even bother sharpening the chain. Will have to look for another one. I know what an 066 is worth. Unfortunately, for a guy just cutting firewood every few months, it's not worth the $800 used to me. This is why I was looking for something less desirable and heavy is ok. The asian 660 kits look interesting. I'm a little afraid to spend $350 on a chinese saw but maybe that will be what I have to do.
 
Sounds like I've been overlooking McCullough. I remember a Korean War age guys speaking well about those saws when I was a kid. I've had an 70 to 80 cc big old Homelite (non runner but in good shape for free). I didn't think much of it since it was an antique and sold it after we got it going. I didn't even bother sharpening the chain. Will have to look for another one. I know what an 066 is worth. Unfortunately, for a guy just cutting firewood every few months, it's not worth the $800 used to me. This is why I was looking for something less desirable and heavy is ok. The asian 660 kits look interesting. I'm a little afraid to spend $350 on a chinese saw but maybe that will be what I have to do.

I like the McCulloch and Homelite saws because you can get them cheap(comparatively)and frankly they outlive most of there owners , so with the effort of maybe a carb kit and or fuel lines ,seals etc. You have a big saw that lasts 40+ years .

20190811_105810.jpg I've been thinking about a clone saw myself but I've been having fun messing around with the old American saws. This was a 25$ saw that I bought off craigslist, 88cc 5hp needed cleaned and fresh fuel, pulls a 24" bar so easy I'm going to convert a husky 36" bar for it and run full skip 404.
 
It's an AVS Farm Boss. Good saw. Really, I don't mind my little 026 either. But when the logs get bigger and harder (hickory), it can be a little on the slow side. I've been thinking about a bigger saw for a while, not for the rare occasion I cut bigger rounds but for more power.

Cutting wood with a crappy chain just wears out the saw and yourself.

If the B/C is shot on the 038 (super?) it is going to cut a lot slower than it should. Maybe invest in that first and do a muffler mod. On the dual port mufflers opening up the baffle, and the outlets as big as the screens helps.

P.S. I have 056M, and 066. I almost never use those in firewood unless I need a 28" bar. I use my 036 and 038M, with 20 and 25" bars.
 
Cutting wood with a crappy chain just wears out the saw and yourself.

If the B/C is shot on the 038 (super?) it is going to cut a lot slower than it should. Maybe invest in that first and do a muffler mod. On the dual port mufflers opening up the baffle, and the outlets as big as the screens helps.

P.S. I have 056M, and 066. I almost never use those in firewood unless I need a 28" bar. I use my 036 and 038M, with 20 and 25" bars.
I agree! A sharp chain makes a world of difference. Throwing dust ruins plenty of good saws.
 
I rate the 038 as one of the best saws Stihl has ever made and fwiw based on what u say u need I think u should invest your money in it instead. Plenty grunty and super solid when it’s set up right...we call it heavy but that’s only by modern standards, when u consider what it can do for hour on end without complaining, what is 1kg here and 1kg there.

In a post apocalyptic world where I can only have one saw...I’d have an 038. In fact, the way us Brit tossers are cocking up Brexit, maybe I better look into an 038 sharpish
 
Did you take into account the premium you pay for parts ( which you are bound to need in that price range) an gas?
Old big saws are gasguzlers.
For that type of work on the cheap, I would search for 60 or 70 cc class newer type. Like a Dolkita 6100 7900/7300/6400 or
Husky 555, 365 those just not quite XP saws most people forget.
In the end, kW/HP in the cut makes the chips, not the cc's.

The Stihl range I'm not that familiar with. Only found they tend to not be for the price-conscious buyer, no matter the range or power output or era.

I would leave the clones alone unless you want to studdy which gem still need which OEM parts to be relatively dependable.
I don't want to gamble with a device that has sharp pointy bits going 50km/h.



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