What say you?

[Paul Silvestri]

Been thinking about all the new tech in some of these saws and some even getting lighter and lighter. Do you think at some point some manufacturers will sacrifice durability just to shed weight? Saws that come to mind as examples are the 462 and 500i. Not picking on those, just thought they were good examples of high power saws that definitely punch above their weight. Obviously the 462 has proven its self but at a certain point do we think saws will stop dropping weight because they might not stand the test of time?
Maybe this is dumb to think about but just for me thinking.

 

[JimmyT]

Hey Paul, In 25 years I'm looking forward to a lightsaber saw like Star Wars. It will cut wood with nothing but a laser beam of light. We could go the traditional way with a new and improved chainsaw that will have 100 horsepower and only weighs 2 pounds.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Hey Paul, In 25 years I'm looking forward to light saber saw like Star Wars. It will slice and dice with nothing but a laser beam of light. Maybe cut a cord of rounds in 5 minutes. Got to be careful it will cut your foot off.

Haha you never know!

 

[Woodslasher]

Been thinking about all the new tech in some of these saws and some even getting lighter and lighter. Do you think at some point some manufacturers will sacrifice durability just to shed weight? Saws that come to mind as examples are the 462 and 500i. Not picking on those, just thought they were good examples of high power saws that definitely punch above their weight. Obviously the 462 has proven its self but at a certain point do we think saws will stop dropping weight because they might not stand the test of time?
Maybe this is dumb to think about but just for me thinking.

Do you mean having more plastic or fewer easily replaced parts? When it comes to more plastic, new PRO saws have already reached the limit for plastic parts, in my opinion. When it comes to ease of fixing, I dunno. I’ve yet to tear into a 462/500i so IDK how hard they are to work on.

 

[Woodslasher]

Edit: I just re-read your post, do you mean because of better electric goodies and laws banning older combustion goodies the big 3 might start putting less effort into the durability factor of combustion equipment due to their “probably” being obsoleted/banned soon?

 

[JimmyT]

Hey Paul, we have come a long way with chainsaw technology since the 1950's. I can remember old saws
that had flywheel pulley starters and you used a 3 ft. piece of rope with a stick tied on one end to crank it. Sometimes if you pulled it to fast the knotted end would come around and pop you in the back. Also remembered filling up a 6 1/2 oz. glass coke bottle with 30 weight oil and mixing it with a gallon of leaded gas. And the weight of those saws were unbelievable. Can you just imagine the cross-cut saw (misery whip) days.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Definitely thinking is regards to more plastic and quality of the plastics. I agree that pro saws definitely seem to have more seemingly less robust parts than saws 10 years ago. Newer more plastic based Saws in the cut or on a fire line can’t possibly hold up as well as something built like say a 461, 660 and the bigger husky’s. But maybe that’s planned obsolescence so they can sell more units? Giving less thoughts to longevity.

 

[JimmyT]

Definitely thinking is regards to more plastic and quality of the plastics

I was in Home Depot last week just killing time because my wife had a doctors appointment just down the street. I couldn't believe the quality of plastic on the homeowner saws. The plastic lacks pvc and had a flat
looking color no gloss or sheen at all plus when you tapped on the plastic with your fingernails the plastic had more of a hollow sound.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I was in Home Depot last week just killing time because my wife had a doctors appointment just down the street. I couldn't believe the quality of plastic on the homeowner saws. The plastic lacks pvc and had a flat
looking color no gloss or sheen at all plus when you tapped on the plastic with your fingernails the plastic had more of a hollow sound.

Exactly!! I mean the Dolmar and now Makita dcs and ea series of saws is in the 14lb range and they are well built machines. So how much weight can you possibly save before it’s low quality?

 

[JimmyT]

Exactly!!

I have run into a lot of friends and neighbors in the last couple of years complaining that saw's tail handle just broke off.

 

[JimmyT]

It's hard to believe that Stihl is using a plastic race cage on their needle bearings on the clutch drum on some models.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Hey Paul, we have come a long way with chainsaw technology since the 1950's. I can remember old saws
that had flywheel pulley starters and you used a 3 ft. piece of rope with a stick tied on one end to crank it. Sometimes if you pulled it to fast the knotted end would come around and pop you in the back. Also remembered filling up a 6 1/2 oz. glass coke bottle with 30 weight oil and mixing it with a gallon of leaded gas. And the weight of those saws were unbelievable. Can you just imagine the cross-cut saw (misery whip) days.

Cross cut two man, yes I remember very well. Cutting wood with an IEL model AB or the Titan 200, watch the chain rotate on the gear drives, oh ya!

 

[farmguywithasaw]

I believe the future of saws is electric. How that affects the weight idk but if you could build a light weight battery that would last at least 4 hours of straight cutting then gas engine will be obsolete. You would need 2 or 3 battery’s for a full day. But I do agree that there is a point where you sacrifice durability to save weight. However new and better compounds can create better material to build with. You never know someone could invent something lighter and stronger than x and boom your saws weigh half as much and cost 2x more

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I guess this is one way to shave weight!
This pic is from a very expensive saws and a company that should definitely have better quality control. I know this might be nitpicking but no excuse for this.

 

[JimmyT]

This pic is from a very expensive saws

I know this is going to be a tough one, let me see, orange and white and the manufacturer first letter is a capital S and maybe the model begins with a 2 and ends with a 1 Paul I hate it when you stump the Tennessee Boys.

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I know this going to be a tough one, let me see, orange and white and the manufacturer first letter is a capital S and maybe the model begins with a 2 and ends with a 1 Paul I hate it when you stump the Tennessee Boys.

Almost right except for the model!!! Its a 500i

 

[Paul Silvestri]

I know this going to be a tough one, let me see, orange and white and the manufacturer first letter is a capital S and maybe the model begins with a 2 and ends with a 1 Paul I hate it when you stump the Tennessee Boys.

However from the very small clutch cover opening at the bottom I to would have guessed a smaller saw.

 

[JimmyT]

Almost right except for the model!!! Its a 500i

You should have said mega bucks and I would have guessed 500i correctly! I'm assuming the 500 is made in Germany with the other pro saws. I liked the head to head video on timed cuts that AndyShine77 did with the 500 and 7900. It's one heck of a saw.

 

[farmguywithasaw]

I guess this is one way to shave weight!
This pic is from a very expensive saws and a company that should definitely have better quality control. I know this might be nitpicking but no excuse for this. View attachment 872571

Kinda ugly for sure but I would still buy it as it hard to get them rn. I don’t think it will affect it

 

[Paul Silvestri]

Kinda ugly for sure but I would still buy it as it hard to get them rn. I don’t think it will affect it

Ugly isn’t really my issue with it. And it definitely doesn’t affect its operations but I would hope that Stihl would NOT let something like that pass quality control. Blemish can be a sign of their pride in what they do and build. And in their defense maybe this is only a blemish that’s on this saw and not others but at 1400 bucks and that being the flagship saw for them I do think they could do better if there are more 500s out there like this.