What is a good first saw?

[rhok]

Since I am a noob, I don't know what saw to buy as a first saw. Several brands are well represented in my province, Dolmar, Husqvarna, Stihl and Jonsered all have several dealers within driving distance. I am looking to spend in the 500-600$ range, would like a saw that is easily serviceable with high durability, figure on about 6 cords/year.

Suggestions would be great, thanks in advance,

 

[woodshed]

My suggestion would be a 346XP NE/2153 18" bar & chain in .325, very user friendly, light weight, not overly powerful and easily will fit into that price range. Since you are looking for quality, value, and reliability I would stay with Husqvarna/Jonsered or Stihl. Some catastrophic bearing failures with new Dolmars have got me steering clear of that brand until I hear otherwise. If you want something with a little more grunt, more weight, and the ability to run a 24" bar look at a 359/2165, excellent saw for the money and highly upgradable with some mods.

Scott

 

[kruege84]

You've got a lot of options. What size is the wood that you'll typically be cutting?

 

[Taxmantoo]

I suspect a PS-5100s is at the top of the desired price range and the 346xp is out of range (Canadian pricing). Stihl MS-250/270/280/260 could be in range.

 

[woodshed]

Eastern Canadia, nothing too big I suppose. Lots of conifers?

Scott

 

[Laird]

I gave my grandson one of these:

[http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220392405765&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

 

[Taxmantoo]

Brad taught his daughter how to start one of these, and it would be a good saw to start with, sells for $300 or less in USA, has pro construction (ease of teardown/repair) and a LOT of power for its size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Jv9I1jGkk

Perhaps a PS-420, chaps, and helmet would fit nicely in the $500-600CDN starting budget.

 

[the westspartan]

I gave my grandson one of these:

[http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220392405765&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

how much did you end up paying for it? I am looking for one for my boy for his birthday. He loves looking at my 441 and he always gets mad when I pull him away from it!

 

[danrclem]

A Husqvarna 359 would be a good saw for you but there are several other saws that would fit your needs.

 

[nilzlofgren]

You could spend about $610 in my neck of the woods, and get a 361.

 

[KarlP]

My suggestion would be a 346XP NE/2153 18" bar & chain in .325, very user friendly, light weight, not overly powerful and easily will fit into that price range.

I think the 346XP NE is fairly far out of that price range in CDN $. The same things you said about the 346 could be said about the Husky 353/ Jred 3152 with 16" bar & chain in .325 though.

 

[mattmc2003]

If there is much bigger stuff at all, get a 6401. Well worth it.

 

[HEAVY FUEL]

My suggestion would be a 346XP NE/2153 18" bar & chain in .325, very user friendly, light weight, not overly powerful and easily will fit into that price range. Since you are looking for quality, value, and reliability I would stay with Husqvarna/Jonsered or Stihl. Some catastrophic bearing failures with new Dolmars have got me steering clear of that brand until I hear otherwise. If you want something with a little more grunt, more weight, and the ability to run a 24" bar look at a 359/2165, excellent saw for the money and highly upgradable with some mods.

Scott

Catastrophic bearing failures??? Apparently I missed the boat on this one, and so did the dozen Dolmars that I know of running in my area for the last 3 years.

 

[Turkeyslayer]

I got a 2156 for $650 here in Ontario. Awsome saw

 

[Bootsie]

I managed to get my Dolmar 5100s for 490 plus tax. The 2153 and 346xp will be well beyond the 600 cap you have. Somewhere in the 700 range in my neck of the woods. If you have a Makita service outlet nearby go and ask them to bring you in a saw. They are reconditoned. But that really does not mean anything. You could get a DCS 510 (Dolmar 510) for 270. Not the hot rod the 5100 is but still a great saw for the price.

 

[Honkie]

A nice Homelite SXL-auto can be had for a song, and has plenty of balls to cut all but the biggest trees. It was my first saw......

 

[RandyMac]

I was started out at age 12 with an old blue XL12, whatever is in that size range should be fine.

 

[gonecountry]

Since I am a noob, I don't know what saw to buy as a first saw. Several brands are well represented in my province, Dolmar, Husqvarna, Stihl and Jonsered all have several dealers within driving distance. I am looking to spend in the 500-600$ range, would like a saw that is easily serviceable with high durability, figure on about 6 cords/year.

Suggestions would be great, thanks in advance,

Hey rhok. Im in kinda the same situation now looking for a saw in the $500-600 range too. Ive been pricing alot lately.
Here's what I'm seeing:
Dolmar 5100s $490-530
Dolmar 420 $385-395
Stihl MS260 $569 sale price normally $619
Jonsered 2153 $685
I didnt price the Husqvarna 346xp but I figure it to be in the same ball park as the 2153 and both will make a huge hole in $800 bucks once you count taxes.

You could try priceing a Husky 353 or Jonsered 2152 I didnt price these but they should be in the high 500 range. I was quoted $575 on a 353 back in the fall of 2007.

Also you could try to find a Redmax dealer and get a G5000 Ive seen these for sale in the $450-500 range but I think the $450 was a sale price last summer and may not be that now. The redmax 5000 are getting a really good name around here too.

 

[whitedogone]

One saw...... $600.... Firewood..... You want a Stihl 361 :chainsawguy:

 

[mowoodchopper]

:

Catastrophic bearing failures??? Apparently I missed the boat on this one, and so did the dozen Dolmars that I know of running in my area for the last 3 years.

:agree2: Thats a big 10-4 on that one!!