Bottom dwelling saws

[Fellin Feller]

Can I use a 48 inch bar on my $200 poulan?

 

[3000 FPS]

What model is your 200 dollar Poulan.

 

[pioneerguy600]

They are good for filling the big trash bins that takes a big truck to remove and replace, not enough metal in them for scrap metal dollars.

 

[Parkerpusher]

I have a thing for small cheap saws.

Don’t know why really.

The kind that might live in the truck and just be used in a pinch when it’s the only saw you have, or for shortening some firewood for the stove, camping etc. I like the small echo saws, and currently have an ms180 i put a little 14” 3/8 bar on that I really love using. It gets used at least once a week for something. It cuts great, sounds great and starts easy. I think it’s worth the few bucks over the 170 and you can still get the dealer experience and support with only a $200 purchase.

 

[telecasterfool]

For someone who needs a saw a few times a year, and under $200, I would say the Ryobi 40V brushless, 14". For these kind of people, no mix, no old gas in the carb, etc. I run a tree business, and they cut well enough, last long enough, tough enough. I've climbed with one, when noise was an issue. I also use it in the backyard when something quick and easy is needed. You can also use the battery in bunch of other tools.

 

[9050lx]

I like them all until I don't.Chinese 372 to me is better than no 372.I can't justify 750 for a good used one,am not a pro needing a pro saw,but I do appreciate the basic design.I like to experiment and the 372 china kit is fun and mostly just works well.Probably will buy another substituting OEM parts where I feel necessary.Maybe someday soon I will find an OEM rebuilder.

 

[Joisey]

According to my local Stilh dealer, my two Homelite XL's and my XL-12 are "homeowner specials and not meant for any serious use." OK, I'll give him that on the XL's, but I asked him if he thought that my newly purchased MS211 would still have all original internals and 140 pounds of compression after 44 years of hard use. Extreme stuttering ensued. The man is an idjit.

 

[Brushwacker]

Screw that Chinese crap, that's half the problem with this country.

To often Chinese garb fails 100% without doin its intended purpose and you are out the money and time you put in it and have that much less to put in what u still need..
I suppose when its unimportant of a purchase it might work out sometimes.

 

[Brufab]

I think echo is atleast assembled in the USA. The echo rep at my dealer during echo days was playing a video on the company and factory during the dinner party.

 

[gordonst]

If a person is only going to use a chainsaw a few times a year I can see the point in buying a cheaper saw.

I fully agree with it being over the top to recommend a ms261/550xp to someone who stocks up on firewood twice a year because they have asked us what a good saw is. As most of us are the local 'chainsaw guy' who are asked by friends and neighbours what saw they should buy, I cannot recommend a £150 Ryobi/Mac Allister new boxed DIY store saws. I have been unfortunate to suffer them in the past and would not recommend to the occasional user. My usual advice would be I'll come over and do it for you or we have local Tool hire companies who will rent a Stihl 16" Pro saw with fuel/oil and full PPE for £100 a week. At least they will get a saw that starts and cuts when they need it to and don't need to get into the whole storage/fuel/sharpening/maintenance challenge that is a constant issue for casual chainsaw owners.

 

[wildwes]

I usually recommend a GOOD used 026/260/261 rather than a cheaper saw, and I offer to help find one, when someone asks me what they should buy for occasional use. From what I have seen, you can find a good one for anywhere from $150-$300 around here, and they are simple, reliable, and easy to work on. They have enough power to cut anything you're likely to encounter in this part of NC, yet they're light enough for most people to handle.
As for the economics, I have found that in the long run the pro saws cost me less money and are less headache. I could spend $150 on a homeowner saw every few years and have a very underwhelming saw, or I can buy a pro saw that will last a LONG time if taken care of.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I usually recommend a GOOD used 026/260/261 rather than a cheaper saw, and I offer to help find one, when someone asks me what they should buy for occasional use. From what I have seen, you can find a good one for anywhere from $150-$300 around here, and they are simple, reliable, and easy to work on. They have enough power to cut anything you're likely to encounter in this part of NC, yet they're light enough for most people to handle.
As for the economics, I have found that in the long run the pro saws cost me less money and are less headache. I could spend $150 on a homeowner saw every few years and have a very underwhelming saw, or I can buy a pro saw that will last a LONG time if taken care of.

At least they are repairable if ever needed. I service a lot of the Stihl 028 and 026 saws here, they are the most popular sized saw among the homeowner crowd, the 025, 029 and later equivalent MS250, 290 are becomeng the replacements over time. Most I see just need the fuel components replaced as all homeowners leave mixed fuel in them forever. Every saw I work over for fuel issues I recommend using canned mix , some listen, some don`t.

 

[wildwes]

At least they are repairable if ever needed. I service a lot of the Stihl 028 and 026 saws here, they are the most popular sized saw among the homeowner crowd, the 025, 029 and later equivalent MS250, 290 are becomeng the replacements over time. Most I see just need the fuel components replaced as all homeowners leave mixed fuel in them forever. Every saw I work over for fuel issues I recommend using canned mix , some listen, some don`t.

They are two of the most popular here too. I haven't ever run an 028, but I plan to when I can find a gently used one for a good price.
Yep, folks leave them sitting full of fuel, and a lot of them use ethanol blended fuel around here, eating up the diaphragms, fuel lines, and impulse lines. I've picked up some deals on good saws because someone let them sit, and couldn't figure out what was wrong, so they sell them cheap. New lines and carb rebuild usually gets them going.

 

[pioneerguy600]

They are two of the most popular here too. I haven't ever run an 028, but I plan to when I can find a gently used one for a good price.
Yep, folks leave them sitting full of fuel, and a lot of them use ethanol blended fuel around here, eating up the diaphragms, fuel lines, and impulse lines. I've picked up some deals on good saws because someone let them sit, and couldn't figure out what was wrong, so they sell them cheap. New lines and carb rebuild usually gets them going.

I do the same thing, most don`t want to pay for repair and sell them for parts or just give them to me and off they go to buy a plastic fantastic new POS . I fix em and re home them . The 028 were really popular around here, can`t kill them totally . Mostly fuel related stuff and off they go again, toughest old small saws Stihl ever made, just worked over 5 of them this last month n a half. The 026`s came out and everybody wanting a Stihl bought them , especially after a bad storm or hurricane, then after they mostly sit around fuel still in the tank, many show up 5 - 6 years after a bad storm in like new condition other than the rubber bits turned to mush. I buy carb kits for the popular saw carbs by the dozen and keep OEM replacement carbs stocked at all times. Always have 5 -10 saws at the ready for those that get caught with their pants down.

 

[chipper1]

I do the same thing, most don`t want to pay for repair and sell them for parts or just give them to me and off they go to buy a plastic fantastic new POS . I fix em and re home them . The 028 were really popular around here, can`t kill them totally . Mostly fuel related stuff and off they go again, toughest old small saws Stihl ever made, just worked over 5 of them this last month n a half. The 026`s came out and everybody wanting a Stihl bought them , especially after a bad storm or hurricane, then after they mostly sit around fuel still in the tank, many show up 5 - 6 years after a bad storm in like new condition other than the rubber bits turned to mush. I buy carb kits for the popular saw carbs by the dozen and keep OEM replacement carbs stocked at all times. Always have 5 -10 saws at the ready for those that get caught with their pants down.

Good to hear you have your pants up, or did you just avoid getting caught .
When people ask why I have an extra sawinnocent I try to explain to them that it's better not to buy when there is an emergency, but rather prepare before an emergency, most people these days don't live that way.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Good to hear you have your pants up, or fo you just avoid getting caught .
When people ask why I have an extra sawinnocent I try to explain to them that it's better not to buy when there is an emergency, but rather prepare before an emergency, most people these days don't live that way.

I am weird in that I have far more saws than I could possibly run/use. They come and go, stay a while , go in rushes like when we have a big blow. One morning just before daylight I had 8 fellows lined up wanting saws, mixed fuel and bar oil, 15 saws left here that morning before opening hours, over 20 liters of mixed fuel anf 5 gallons of bar oil went with the saws, before that day was over 45 saws were out, over 25 gallons of mixed fuel and 15 gallons of bar oil, could have sold more if I could spare it. All the electrical power was out, service stations could not pump gas, roads were blocked, any spare building materials like sheet goods, aspenite and plywood, sheathing paper/Tyvek and roof shingles left my place in just a couple of hours. Lucky I had my pants on while others were totally unprepared. The electric power was out for 5 days yet my 5000watt Honda plugged along keeping me in water, lights, fridge and freezer and communications while many sat in the dark and were hungry/thirsty. I gave out potable water, had my barbecue running almost non stop, had 5 of the 20 lb propane tanks filled before the storm, went through a tank each day, ya I am different.

 

[chipper1]

I am weird in that I have far more saws than I could possibly run/use. They come and go, stay a while , go in rushes like when we have a big blow. One morning just before daylight I had 8 fellows lined up wanting saws, mixed fuel and bar oil, 15 saws left here that morning before opening hours, over 20 liters of mixed fuel anf 5 gallons of bar oil went with the saws, before that day was over 45 saws were out, over 25 gallons of mixed fuel and 15 gallons of bar oil, could have sold more if I could spare it. All the electrical power was out, service stations could not pump gas, roads were blocked, any spare building materials like sheet goods, aspenite and plywood, sheathing paper/Tyvek and roof shingles left my place in just a couple of hours. Lucky I had my pants on while others were totally unprepared. The electric power was out for 5 days yet my 5000watt Honda plugged along keeping me in water, lights, fridge and freezer and communications while many sat in the dark and were hungry/thirsty. I gave out potable water, had my barbecue running almost non stop, had 5 of the 20 lb propane tanks filled before the storm, went through a tank each day, ya I am different.

It's good to be different .

 

[pioneerguy600]

It's good to be different .

Yep.

 

[Cricket]

I can tell you they sacrifice comfort.. My Wife's Grandfather gave me a little 33cc poulan he found at the dump (how fitting right) $10 for a carb kit and I have it running like a champ.. it is just a 14 bar with a 3/8 lo-pro on it but it vibrates my hands worse than my MS260 or 372.. do..overall ergonomics just arent as good either...hard to explain.. I have turned this into my abuse saw..really only use it to cut stumps off at ground level where the bar is always in the dirt...
But for a small homeowner who only needs a saw once every couple of years...this would do just fine for them...priced right as well...

"overall ergonomics just arent as good either...hard to explain."

Yeah - I've got a Craftsman like that. (It was a gift). Starts easy, cuts okay - but it's the most miserable thing to run I've ever owned, and I've owned some stinkers.

What it does do well is cut elderberry bushes... I'm not going to try to explain that, either. Luckily I have *lot* of those, or I might have put it on Craig's List and stuck some other poor slob with it.

 

[KarlP]

For someone who needs a saw a few times a year, and under $200, I would say the Ryobi 40V brushless, 14".

I'm just laughing at this based on who liked it. A RY3714 {37cc) is "Chinese crap", but a RY40530 (40V) gets a thumbs up. Is this a gas vs electric thing cause it doesn't look like a Chinese vs Chinese thing?