buying new saw help please

[confused]

Im looking at purchasing a new saw for myself. The only saw i have ever had the pleasure of using was my fathers ole McCulloch 610 pro. Now as to the year i have no idea. It is mostly metal and HEAVY! I love the saw though, it has a 16" bar on it and boy does the thing rip. I spent sometime looking at saws online and have really no idea which manufacturer to buy and what size would be comparable. Really i would like something with more power but less weight. Something that could very easily handle a 24"-28" bar. Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated.

 

[sonny]

Before you buy, check out the Stihls. You will have to go to a shop . Stihls are not allowed to be sold online. They are a com. saw & will handle your bar & chain size.

 

[Darin]

I personally would recommend an 044 or 046 in the Stihl and a 365 or a 372XP in a Husky. These will be your best saws that will handle that big a bar. Recommend getting a smaller bar to cut up some smaller limbs though.

 

[treeclimber165]

I agree with Sonny. For a general purpose, all-around saw I love the Stihls. The models with an ODD number are geared torwards homeowners, and are not as tough. The models with EVEN numbers have better air-filtration systems, better rings, etc. and will hold up for years under commercial use. For a general purpose ground saw, I would look at the Stihl 024 or 026. For a homeowner looking at occassional use, the 029/039 might suffice, unless you are a stickler for heavy duty equipment. If I had to choose between those three, I would grab the 026. It will pull a 20" bar forever. If you really need a longer bar, look at the 044. More money, but it is indestructable and will last you a lifetime if properly maintained.
:blob1:

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Go for the 372XP. It is a screamer and will out rev any Stihl, and is also a professional grade saw.

 

[davefr]

If you want something that will "easily handle up to a 28" bar than I'd consider a Stihl 066 Mangum. It's heavy but has an awesome power to weight ratio.

For your smaller pruning and trimming jobs than I'd get a second saw and that would be a Makita DCS401 (Dolmar Sachs). With those 2 saws you could do it all.

If you want a "one size fits all" saw than look at a Stihl 044, 046, or Husky 372XP. I'd also recommend a Stihl 026 but a 28" bar might be just outside it's capability. It could definately do a 24" bar and is the "sweet spot" compromise between power and weight for most standard tasks.

 

[Deere John]

Get two!

An 026 for 95% of your work,
and an 066 for the big stuff,

or

An 026 for 95% of your work,
and rent a bigger saw when you need it.

P.S. If you don't like the 026, I'll buy it from you.

 

[Treebeard]

The size & power of your saw really depends on your anticipated use for it. I have a couple of Husky 335XPT's & use them for most of my work, felling, bucking, limbing, but I have a bigger Husky for larger trees like mature Ponderosa pine. A heavy saw will wear more on your arms after all day use, a lite saw won't do all jobs. I think everybody ends up with a mix over time.

 

[confused]

First of all thanks to everyone for their opinions and input. I bought the Stihl 046 Mag with a 24" bar. After one use i couldnt be happier. I think i have the best of both worlds with the 46. I can put a 16" up to 32" so its just right and the weight is easy to carry(im a bigger guy) So again thanks to everyone

 

[Darin]

Congrats, that is an awesome saw. It takes nothing to pull that "little" 24 inch bar.

 

[buckkillr8]

Go for a Husky. A Husky will outcut any stihl. So it will surely handle your bar size.

 

[sonny]

OH NO!!!!!! this site is in trouble. Another Husky man. I did read today that husky is coming out with there own guide bars soon.

 

[confused]

I recently bought a 18" bar for my 046 and holy !@#$ I have never seen something eat through dead wood like that little monster. Its just like having a beaver on a mix of steroids and crack. Big motor tiny bar and chain = lots O chips flying

GO STIHL or go home

 

[sonny]

Welcome back confused, where you been cat skinning ?

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Sonny have you heard anything else on the Stihl/Deere merger? I think Confused should be saying "Go Steere or go Home!"
I dont know, if Stihl changes there saws to Orange and Green that would really be something.

 

[sonny]

Havent heard a thing. Me being a dealer for stihl will be the last to hear a thing. Stihl has changed so much. 30 yrs ago they were 100% comerical. Now that Husky has taking over the sales market w/ there junk, Stihl started putting out there own junk.I would say less than 10 % of there saws on the market are worth a darn now. But you have 1 of them.

 

[sonny]

Oh Sorry Huskyman please dont read the above post, About the husky junk. I thought I was repling to confused.

 

[confused]

Well i like to think that my saw is one tough piece of wood cutting equipment. Besides i take it apart everytime i use it and clean it out. Im sort of anal retentive about it. What other models do you think are Stihls best? Just wondering. I looked at Huskies they just look cheaply made. later Sonny

 

[Chain Gang]

Hey Confused,

Sounds like you are taking good care of your new saw. Along with your 046, the Stihl models I like are the 026, 036, 044, and the 066. These are comparable to the Husqvarna 346XP, 357XP, 372XP, and 395XP respectively, all of which I also like.

I know what you mean about Husqvarna not appearing to be a quality built saw. It reminds me of when I saw my first Japanese car. I thought it was a joke and would never last. Well, we all know the rest of that story!
By using plastic and completely redesigning how chain saws look and feel, Husky has left a lot of traditional minded people behind. The only thing that matters is "How well does it work?" For that, we can read these forums and go try one for ourselves. I think both ways are important.

Glad to hear you are using a shorter bar on your 046. Not only is it less tiring and safer, a shorter bar will usually cut faster. The only thing that keeps most people from using a shorter bar is the "manhood factor" which you obviously don't have a problem with.

Do you still have that old McCulloch?

Carroll

 

[confused]

Yeap the Ole McCulloch still runs and cuts great. One thing about that ole saw is that my father beat the !@#$ out of it and i when i say beat it i mean run hard put away wet. That saw has had 4 chains completely worn out on it and gone through two 16" bars. So its had plenty of use and never even been in a shop not even once. I recently took his always dull chains(likes to dig dirt) into be sharpened i spent at least an hour cleaning the caked on dirt, wood chips, and oil inside the cover. But i cant say anything bad about that saw because it ALWAYS starts on the third pull. However i wouldnt give up my 046 for the Mac. Its a good saw but ill stick with my monster.

cut safe
kurt