346XP too much saw for a homeowner? or 350/353 good enough?

[magbarn]

Well guys I think I'm beginning to show he initial symptoms of CAD...
Here she is!!
<img src="http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6214/dsc1450xi4.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ratshackmojo">magbarn</a>, shot with <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=NIKON+D300&make=NIKON+CORPORATION">NIKON D300</a> at 2008-06-14


I ran the 1st tank with the gas from my lawn mower and now I can't pull the starter rope, it seems like it's seized!

J/k!
Seriously, it's one sweet saw. I was complaining to my local husky dealer why husky won't let us buy our saws online from Bailey's etc. and he ended up lopping off $40. So for $110 over the plastic 350 the 346XP is a great deal. The dealer let me start her up and man this thing accelerates like a crotch-rocket. It's revs are almost instantaneous. It makes the 350 seem so sluggish. I ended up returning the 350 to BLowe's and used the gift card to get some safety gear. Can't wait to try her out. Sorry about the 20" bar (as some here don't seem too fond of long B&C's), but all the local dealers here seem to order the largest b&c size from husky. I might order a 16" bar from bailey's to lighten her up a bit.

 

[excess650]

Sorry about the 20" bar (as some here don't seem too fond of long B&C's), but all the local dealers here seem to order the largest b&c size from husky. I might order a 16" bar from bailey's to lighten her up a bit.[/QUOTE]

If its a .325, it should do fine. Mine has 18" running 3/8 x .050 and rips!

 

[LouieIV]

congrats on the new saw, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

So when you getting your next saw :greenchainsaw:

Mostly kidding.

I picked up a second one recently from craigslist for 20 buck. It runs and I will use it to learn how to work on saws so that I don't screw up my new 5100.

-LouieIV

 

[1rockinacman]

Looks like you got a non cat model. So you got the empty muffler. Perfect to mod and adjust the carb and then WFO...... I love that little saw...... Congrats welcome to the NE346XP club..... Booya!!!

 

[magbarn]

Looks like you got a non cat model. So you got the empty muffler. Perfect to mod and adjust the carb and then WFO...... I love that little saw...... Congrats welcome to the NE346XP club..... Booya!!!

SWEET! :jawdrop: Really? How can you tell it's a non-cat model? My dealer did say it sat in his shop for almost a year already. BTW it is the 50cc NE version.

 

[1rockinacman]

SWEET! :jawdrop: Really? How can you tell it's a non-cat model? My dealer did say it sat in his shop for almost a year already. BTW it is the 50cc NE version.

That's right around the time they start selling them give or take. Troll would know the exact millisecond that the 1st one sold in every country on the planet. Well it doesn't say e-tech on the side and it doesn't have a green gas cap, so you should have an empty muffler like mine. You can pull it off and look inside. It should be just an empty shell. Sick little saw your gonna dig it.

 

[NYH1]

Congrats on your new saw. I haven't used mine to much yet. However the few times I have, it's been great!

 

[nikocker]

Way to Go!

Congratulations on your NE346. It is truely an awesome saw. . . and going to a 16" bar and chain wil make it even more so. Enjoy it and post more pics in use!!
BTW nice photo with your D300 - - I have a D200 and enjoy it as well.

Al

 

[spike60]

well i disagree, dull knives are more dangerous than sharp ones....

if a person has never used a saw and goes off by themselves and has a go, it wont matter the saw, but how they approach it....

oh and please dont compare then using a modded 660 to a 142 husky, because we are talking similar saws in this case.

Serg

Fair points there Serg.

But I do think that experience should have some bearing on saw selection. Even though the 346/2153 is a nice light package, it is very quick and powerful, and I just wouldn't recommend it to someone who has never owned a saw before.

If you could see some of the people who wander into my store wanting to buy their first chainsaw...............it's scary!!

 

[nikocker]

+1

Fair points there Serg.

But I do think that experience should have some bearing on saw selection. Even though the 346/2153 is a nice light package, it is very quick and powerful, and I just wouldn't recommend it to someone who has never owned a saw before.

If you could see some of the people who wander into my store wanting to buy their first chainsaw...............it's scary!!

Spike60 - I agree - things do happen a heck of a lot faster when using a high performance saw like a 346XP or 5100. I think the most important thing when working with any saw is to work under control. Usually with experience comes that ability. So yes, a newbie should definitely approach that type of saw purchase and use with caution.

Al

 

[Urbicide]

Fair points there Serg.

But I do think that experience should have some bearing on saw selection. Even though the 346/2153 is a nice light package, it is very quick and powerful, and I just wouldn't recommend it to someone who has never owned a saw before.

If you could see some of the people who wander into my store wanting to buy their first chainsaw...............it's scary!!

I can see your side of the story. My Dad taught me how to mow the yard, under his supervision, when I was seven years old. I have seen 15 & 16 years old who would scare the krap out of me with a lawn mower. A lot of people these days seem to be lacking in common sense and have no clue about working with their hands except for text messaging or video games. Do you remember the rubber pirate's knives from many years ago? Maybe Oregon could develop a rubber training chain for the extremely clueless noobs.

 

[wanab]

I love that little saw...... Congrats welcome to the NE346XP club..... Booya!!!

club 346NE(the new cure) - i like it!

 

[2000ssm6]

Sorry about the 20" bar (as some here don't seem too fond of long B&C's), but all the local dealers here seem to order the largest b&c size from husky. I might order a 16" bar from bailey's to lighten her up a bit.

Just keep the 20" as a bucking b&c. I can't comment on how they run stock but my 026 pulls a 20" fine. A 16" makes both of them a heck of a limber. Nice saw, congrats!

 

[SawTroll]

unless you are doing a ton of cutting the 350 will hold up well.
if your like most guys,150.00 more for a lighter,better saw...seems like a no-brainer in the long run.

Not lighter, actually a tad heavier - but it sure is worth the extra money.....

 

[SawTroll]

The 346 has a narrow powerband, and must be kept in it's sweet spot while cutting. I would go with the 353, it had a broader powerband. .....

That's not quite as true with the new edition 346, the powerband on the new saw is much wider than the old 346.

Compared to a 353 though I can't tell you since I haven't run one.

Cerran sure is right about the NE346xp - I believe it beats the 353 at any given rpm, as far as I can judge.

The power difference feels like it is much larger than the specs tell you........

The NE346xp revs up really fast, notisably faster than the 5100S, but not quite as high as the "old" 346xp and the 5100S.

 

[SawTroll]

Well guys I think I'm beginning to show he initial symptoms of CAD...
Here she is!!
<img src="http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6214/dsc1450xi4.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/><br/>By <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/user/ratshackmojo">magbarn</a>, shot with <a target="_new" href="http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=NIKON+D300&make=NIKON+CORPORATION">NIKON D300</a> at 2008-06-14

Sorry about the 20" bar (as some here don't seem too fond of long B&C's), but all the local dealers here seem to order the largest b&c size from husky. I might order a 16" bar from bailey's to lighten her up a bit.

Congrats on your new saw!

....and like the others said, get a 16" bar, and use the 20" one only when really needed!

Btw, that bar looks like a Norway made Husky one - and your gas cap looks gray, like on a non-cat saw????

 

[magbarn]

Congrats on your new saw!

....and like the others said, get a 16" bar, and use the 20" one only when really needed!

Btw, that bar looks like a Norway made Husky one - and your gas cap looks gray, like on a non-cat saw????

Yeah, Troll, others have said it too. Dealer did say it sat in the display for almost a whole year with it's twin that he sold 3 months ago. He sells a lot more of the bigger pro stihl/husky saws compared to the 346XP. I'm sort of in disbelief as California is the strictest of states when it comes to emissions. In fact, many lawn care equipment manufacturers (I own/operate a lawn care equipment co.) make a specific de-tuned model just for our stinkin state. The bar is made in sweden too. I guess I got lucky and got one of the 1st shipments to the stateS?

 

[wanab]

The bar is made in sweden too.

its actually made by Trolls in Norway and sneeked accross the border at night.

 

[SawTroll]

its actually made by Trolls in Norway and sneeked accross the border at night.

True!

Sorry I can't rep you right now - will try to remember.......

 

[Happyjack]

Congrads on your new saw. Enjoy it.

I stand corrected. I had ran an older version of the 346. I have not run a new edition 346. I should have mentioned that.





Quote:
Originally Posted by Happyjack
The 346 has a narrow powerband, and must be kept in it's sweet spot while cutting. I would go with the 353, it had a broader powerband. .....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cerran
That's not quite as true with the new edition 346, the powerband on the new saw is much wider than the old 346.

Compared to a 353 though I can't tell you since I haven't run one.

Cerran sure is right about the NE346xp - I believe it beats the 353 at any given rpm, as far as I can judge.

The power difference feels like it is much larger than the specs tell you........