husky353 vs.stihl038

[psych038]

just kinda curiouse what everyone thinks. i love my 038 stihl, but dad just got a hell of a buy on a like new husky 353. i used them both on an elm tree that is about 24 inches wide. i hate to say it but i really liked the husky its light( but also mostly made of plastic ) and seems to rev very quick and have lots of power. my 038 still did a fine job especially considering it is about 25 years old and could probly use a little tuning (still alittle fat from this winter). the still also started much easier after hot. i'm sure this is a ford vs chevy type arguement but i was just kinda curiouse about the pros and cons of each saw. regardless i doubt i put down my stihl.

 

[CharlieG]

The 353 has the magnesium case, so it's not a "plastic" saw. A nice 50cc class saw for a reasonable price.

 

[Booshcat]

Stihl, it's no contest against an 038.
The Stihl is truly an engineering masterpiece compared to that magnesium plastic cased hosevana.
opcorn: opcorn: opcorn:

 

[hornett224]

that 038 is a hell of a saw.

but if i was cuttin' all day,i'd rather have the 353 in my hand.it would have to be one hell of a deal to get me to buy the 353 over the 50cc 346xp though.

 

[CharlieG]

Guys who run the 353 say its more forgiving to work with (slower, but wider power range), as the 346 is peaky-er (high reving). Wouldnt mind picking up a 353 just to try out this hypothesis (then I'll also need the 346 ).

 

[danrclem]

Both Husky and Stihl are top notch saws.

If you decide to go Husky you should consider the 346xp ne. I looked on Ebay and they had a new 346xp ne with an 18" bar for $505.00 shipped. A new 353 with an 18" bar was about $470.00 shipped. With a 16" bar it was $10.00 cheaper.

With a difference of $30.00 I would go with the 346xp. I haven't used one but if you do a search you will find rave reviews.

Danny

 

[CharlieG]

Can't seem to decide what 50cc is it going to be . Leaning towards the Husqvarna 346/Jonsered 2153, though the Dolmar 5100 is a well rep'd saw....or maybe a Stihl ? Decisions, decisions.Thankfully all my wood has been "rounded" up and awaiting the splitter, so no real need for it yet (YET!). I wish I had a chance to run one for the day in firewood, but most have the Rancher. Ran a 346x(oe) for a little, but I like to put it through the paces before purchase.

 

[psych038]

i think i will stick with the stihl. my 038 sat for about 15+ years before i stole it from dad. i dumped the gas out put new in and cut about 4-5 cords of wood with it last year. oh i guess i did have to replace a rotten vent hose other than that shes great.
as for the 353 husky... it seems to be a pretty good saw. it was a husqvarna dealer demonstration saw. when dad got it i think it had made about 10 cuts, looks like brand new. its a 2000 model and i believe he gave $125 for it. he just bought it to turn a buck.

 

[aandabooks]

My boss bought the 2152 (Jonsered version of the 353) with a 20" b/c with 2 extra chains shipped to his door for $387. Last I looked at that site, they are completely out of stock on all Jonsered saws. He seems to really like it even though I recommended it with a 16" b/c.

 

[husky455rancher]

wow thats a killer deal. i think that saws real close to 400 normally.

 

[CharlieG]

If I get the 346/2153 it will be a 16 or 18 inch bar (What do you think?). Got my Baileys catalog today and they have some good prices on B+C combos, as well as chain. Whats their shipping prices like?

 

[CharlieG]

Whoops, wifey says 400 plus?!!!!-- You already have a "lumberjack saw" (my 372 ). Guess it will have to be a 353/2152 (< $400 delivered ?). I know not to argue with her, cuz if I do, she'll be watching my toy purchases with "great scrutiny" :monkey: . Any more personal recollections of these saws?

 

[skid row]

I cannot comment on the husky as I have not used that saw. But I had a 038 super for many years. It was destroyed in hurricane Ivan. I really used the heck out of that saw and it is one of my stihl favorites.

 

[CharlieG]

I don't mind Stihl products, but my dealer/parts/service guy(s)are tools . You all know what that means.....shop somwhere else! Thats why I run Husky/Echo saws- the other dealer (Husky/Echo/RedMax) is a pleasant guy to deal with and works with you.

 

[wkpoor]

The Dolmar 5100S should be a serious contender to look at. Nice saw at a friendly price. Otherwise the 346 is a good choice and responds good to woods porting.

 

[CharlieG]

No dealer support here though, and the good husky/echo/red max dealer I mentioned in a previous post is about 6 miles round trip. Maybe at Spike60 GTG in Oct I'll run one (5100) and that will be the next CAD ispired purchase .

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I've had a 353 for about 4 years now. It's worked fine with one exception - I've been chasing an oiler issue for several months now. I'm sure if I had just brought it in to the dealer the problem would be solved, but I've been trying to figure it out for myself. There has been an oil pump/seal update - I imagine the newer saws have that from the factory. The other issue is the plastic drive gear which seems prone to stripping. I don't know of any better replacement part for that, but the "problem-avoidance trick" there seems to be running with lighter weight oil in the Winter.

If you do a search on "Husky 353" I imagine you'll find a bunch of hits.