Workingwoods
ArboristSite Lurker
I'm a serious hobbyist woodturner with a big lathe (Powermatic 3520B), and I'm looking to upgrade from my tired little Poulan "Wild Thing" to a more robust saw. I cut turning blanks from already bucked logs I pick up here and there. The bigger the better. I'm leaning towards Stihl due to reputation and the fact that I like the local Stihl shop. (He also sells Husky and Echo, but seems to favor Stihls himself.) I wouldn't kick a Husky 359 out of the shop, though.
Based on my occasional chainsaw use (maybe 6 times a year) the dealer recommended the MS 310 with a 20" bar. On the other hand, on the auction sites I'm seeing used 361s and 036s selling for about the same amount (and even a bit less) than the new 310. From what I gather reading here, the 361 is a workhorse of a professional machine, several steps up from the 310. I just don't know if used chainsaws are best left for those who know how to work on them. I'm not a real wrench-twistin' kind of guy. I prefer to work with my tools instead of work on my tools. If I were to buy a used saw, I'd want to just use it and do the standard maintenance. I don't want to rebuild carbs and such. Would my initial savings be spent at the Stihl shop keeping a used saw running?
Any recommendations from you guys who live and breathe chainsaws? Am I better off buying a lesser saw at new prices, or are used saws a reasonable bet for a hack like me?
Thanks -
Based on my occasional chainsaw use (maybe 6 times a year) the dealer recommended the MS 310 with a 20" bar. On the other hand, on the auction sites I'm seeing used 361s and 036s selling for about the same amount (and even a bit less) than the new 310. From what I gather reading here, the 361 is a workhorse of a professional machine, several steps up from the 310. I just don't know if used chainsaws are best left for those who know how to work on them. I'm not a real wrench-twistin' kind of guy. I prefer to work with my tools instead of work on my tools. If I were to buy a used saw, I'd want to just use it and do the standard maintenance. I don't want to rebuild carbs and such. Would my initial savings be spent at the Stihl shop keeping a used saw running?
Any recommendations from you guys who live and breathe chainsaws? Am I better off buying a lesser saw at new prices, or are used saws a reasonable bet for a hack like me?
Thanks -
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