Purchasing first saw, please help

[Cannuck Jay]

Hello All,

This is my first post here after trying to digest all the great info on this forum. I am looking to purchase my first new saw. I grew up on a farm so I have some knowledge on use and brands, but have come to the experts here looking for recomendations. I would use the saw sparingly, to clear a large city lot (acre) that has never been looked after and maintenence on a few other properties as well as helping out my Dad a few times. In the next few years we may move to a more country setting so I would also use it for that application. I guess I am looking for a good home owner saw that will last the test of time.

I have narrowed down the contenders to these select few:

Husqvarna 240e $320
Jonsered 2238 $300
Stihl MS211 $340
Stihl 180C-Be $300
Shindiawa 285 $290

As for brands I have no absolute loyalty, I have a Shindy trimmer that I enjoy but my Dad swears by his Jred. The rest of the family loves their Husky's and everyone seems to enjoy Stihl. There are dealers for all brands that are close and reliable so that is not an issue. I have been told by a couple of people all of these companies make great higher end saws but at the lower level that I am looking at Shindy makes a good saw with lots of professional grade materials. Not my opinion just hearsay.

Please pass along any recomendations about these saws or any others that I have missed.

Thanks for all of your help!

Jay

 

[TRI955]

Look at a Shindaiwa 446s, it's alot more saw for your money than the 285. The 285's are kinda weak.....

 

[Warroad50]

I would go a little bigger like 45cc to 50cc saw if your planing to move out to the country the saws you listed nice for a city lot but to small for doing more cutting.

 

[spiffy1]

In the Stihl line-up I think 290 is the HP bang for the buck, but perhaps you're looking for lightweight over HP.


With liability potential, I don't know many do it; but if you have a dealer with some logs to try, you may get a better idea of what feels right.

 

[spiffy1]

Duh! You're probably listing Canadian dollars, so the 290 is a step up in price too; yet, if there is some larger cutting added up among all the plans, the 50CC (290 is 56something) may not be a bad idea.

 

[TRI955]

Just try to get the best saw for your money. I don't think you will be happy with a 285, at least step up to a 352s.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

[masiman]

I'd seriously consider snapping up Brad's Redmax 3800. I would if I needed a reliable light weight saw. On top of that he's done his typical class A mod. Only $250 plus shipping. It is a good deal.

Other than that, you need to specify how big the wood is you will be cutting, diameter of the tree at breast height (dbh) is the standard. People could give you a better idea saw bar combo that would get it done.

 

[Motodeficient]

actually the price includes shipping! Even better. When I first read this post Brad's saw also came to mind

 

[TRI955]

I'd seriously consider snapping up Brad's Redmax 3800. I would if I needed a reliable light weight saw. On top of that he's done his typical class A mod. Only $250 plus shipping. It is a good deal.

I didn't think about that!!! That would be a great saw and it's like new. Not to worry about anything Brad did, he knows his stuff. I hope he has time for a Shindaiwa soon......

Here's a link, http://www.arboristsite.com/pp-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=3017&cat=6

 

[mowoodchopper]

I would go a little bigger like 45cc to 50cc saw if your planing to move out to the country the saws you listed nice for a city lot but to small for doing more cutting.

#1 get a 450 husky, if you buy to small of a saw youll always wish you had more power. 450 is a good midsize saw not to heavy but can handle the bigger stuff. If you get a bigger saw you may not need it everyday but when you do youll have it!

 

[TRI955]

#1 get a 450 husky, if you buy to small of a saw youll always wish you had more power. 450 is a good midsize saw not to heavy but can handle the bigger stuff. If you get a bigger saw you may not need it everyday but when you do youll have it!

Your in the wrong thread.....



















but it would be a good choice too.

 

[mowoodchopper]

Nope, I just recommended a bigger saw than the 240e!!

 

[Taxmantoo]

I wonder if you can get a Ryobi 10532 in Canada?
I'd take that or a Husky 435 over a 235. Isn't the 235 like an orange Wild Thing with a smaller engine?

Seriously, if you can get Brad's G3800 mailed to you (not UPS/Fedex) or shipped to Buffalo or Detroit and bring it through the border yourself, do it. Less than $300 in your money for a nearly new saw with a $200 tune job on it.

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[Cannuck Jay]

I'd seriously consider snapping up Brad's Redmax 3800. I would if I needed a reliable light weight saw. On top of that he's done his typical class A mod. Only $250 plus shipping. It is a good deal.

Other than that, you need to specify how big the wood is you will be cutting, diameter of the tree at breast height (dbh) is the standard. People could give you a better idea saw bar combo that would get it done.

See I am already learning from you guys! Max dbh would be 10", with most around 6". Would the saws listed get that done or should I jump up in size? Sorry, I believe I may have caused some confusion, when I say move to the country I do not mean to a farm only a more private area. If I jump up I am worried I may have too much saw. Which may not be a bad thing from the sounds of you guys!

Thanks, Jay

 

[Taxmantoo]

If you're bucking up 10" trees, get Brad's 3800 (it's the saw in Brad's videos above) and put one of these on it:
http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=BCC+12+EP50&catID=

Don't forget the hearing protection and safety glasses.
Or better yet, hard hat with built in earmuffs and face screen and a pair of cut resistant chaps.

One more thought. Dolmar doesn't seem to jack up the prices on Canadians like Husky does, you might take a look at a PS-420. (yep, more of Brad's videos)

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[blsnelling]

I have no problem shipping my 3800 to Canada if you're interested. The price does include shipping, even to you in Canada. This saw came from Canada and here it might be going back, lol. I hadn't read this thread and had no idea I had so many salesmen at work for me!

 

[mowoodchopper]

I have no problem shipping my 3800 to Canada if you're interested. The price does include shipping, even to you in Canada. This saw came from Canada and here it might be going back, lol. I hadn't read this thread and had no idea I had so many salesmen at work for me!

That would be a nice saw, and ported!

 

[blsnelling]

I'm not familiar with all the saws in your short list, but I doubt that any of them are 9.5 lbs with pro saw type construction. I won't own the Stihl homeowner saws because of their inferior construction. Same with most other small saws. Shinnys may be an exception. Some are pro style built. The 377 I had was, but didn't run with this 3800. I'm only selling this one because I'm interested in trying out the new GZ4500.

 

[computeruser]

I won't restate the suggestions that others have made, because they're right and there is nothing really to add to them. Brad's recent research has been quite informative and has shed some good light on this rather neglected corner of the market.

The truth is that one has to look pretty hard to find a good, high-quality small displacement saw these days. For whatever reason, the saw marketing folks seem to equate displacement with performance. Possibly because consumers equate price with displacement. This was not always the case - Husqvarna's 238 and 242 are legendary small saws. And I'm sure there were other little screamers that I'm not aware of.

The answer to your 6-10"dbh cutting needs isn't more engine displacement, it's finding a small saw that isn't a gutless piece of plastic garbage. Find one, run a short bar on it, and you'll be a happy camper and the envy of your friends.

13" bar, short little loops of .325" Stihl RS chain, and you've got a hell of a small firewood and pruning saw.

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

I won't restate the suggestions that others have made, because they're right and there is nothing really to add to them. Brad's recent research has been quite informative and has shed some good light on this rather neglected corner of the market.

The truth is that one has to look pretty hard to find a good, high-quality small displacement saw these days. For whatever reason, the saw marketing folks seem to equate displacement with performance. Possibly because consumers equate price with displacement. This was not always the case - Husqvarna's 238 and 242 are legendary small saws. And I'm sure there were other little screamers that I'm not aware of.

The answer to your 6-10"dbh cutting needs isn't more engine displacement, it's finding a small saw that isn't a gutless piece of plastic garbage. Find one, run a short bar on it, and you'll be a happy camper and the envy of your friends.

13" bar, short little loops of .325" Stihl RS chain, and you've got a hell of a small firewood and pruning saw.

I agree! Buy Brad's saw. I haven't been on this site very long, but Brad is on the up and up!

I also agree on the shorter bar. Less chain to pull, less teeth to sharpen, loops cost less, and the bar weighs less.

Dan