Iam new on here and have read as many product reviews as i can find. I have not cut wood in 10 years so iam a little out of date on saws.Propane got so hight this year i bought a new wood furnance so iam in the market for a new saw. iI want to stay with a local dealer so i have husky/stihl /jonered or shindaiwa my budget is 500.00 and mostof the wood i will be cutting is oak 10-18 inch any advice would be very helpful.
Need advice for new saw
- Thread starter micah5634
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COLD_IRON
Addicted to ArboristSite
Well, if you are looking NEW and your $500 budget is inflexible
MS 310 plus a pair of chaps will be just over 500 by the time you add tax and or extra goodies.
If you are looking to spend extra - MS 361. It's a nice jack of all trades saw.
If neither of those excite you, I would look for a used saw on CL or here.
MS 310 plus a pair of chaps will be just over 500 by the time you add tax and or extra goodies.
If you are looking to spend extra - MS 361. It's a nice jack of all trades saw.
If neither of those excite you, I would look for a used saw on CL or here.
2000ssm6
Stihl User
MS290 or 310. Those 2 would be great for 10-18" oak and you can buy a few chains + ppe for under $500.
One saw will never cut it. More than likely you will get "pinched" or hit something and dull the chain on most outings. Instead of wasting precious time trying to free the bar when you get one stuck, grab the back up saw and cut her free in seconds. Waste a chain, no problem, grab the back-up saw and keep cutting, mess around with changing chains between outings.
If all you are doing is cutting firewood for home heating, small stuff less than 18", you can get two medium size Echo saws, a good splitting maul, and a log lift and still make the budget.
Although there is nothing overly impressive about any of Echo saws we own/use, they start with one or two pulls, run flawlessly, VERY thrifty on fuel, and never, ever, give us any troubles anyplace requiring anything other than "normal" maintenence.
Even being a tried and true Husqvarna fan, there is not need to spend a lot of money on high end Husqvarna's, or even the better Stihl saws, just to cut small stuff for home heating......Cliff
If all you are doing is cutting firewood for home heating, small stuff less than 18", you can get two medium size Echo saws, a good splitting maul, and a log lift and still make the budget.
Although there is nothing overly impressive about any of Echo saws we own/use, they start with one or two pulls, run flawlessly, VERY thrifty on fuel, and never, ever, give us any troubles anyplace requiring anything other than "normal" maintenence.
Even being a tried and true Husqvarna fan, there is not need to spend a lot of money on high end Husqvarna's, or even the better Stihl saws, just to cut small stuff for home heating......Cliff
SawTroll
Information Collector
Nope, totally duds considering the weight :monkey: :monkey: :monkey: :monkey:
huskydave
Addicted to ArboristSite
Look hard at Husqvarna 346xp and 357xp.
COLD_IRON
Addicted to ArboristSite
Bigger saw builds bigger muscles!
Besides at the end of the day - each saw weighs 100 lbs
Former Saw Builder
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Well for what your doing the best bang for the buck probably would be a
Stihl MS290 or a Husqvarna 455. Personally I probably would go with the
Stihl.... Jonsered 2159 is another great saw for under 500 bucks but your not going to have much left for your PPE... A must!!!!
I was looking at the 310 or husky 460 but i see they have a plactic motor housing i don't know abot that on my budget it's 500 for the saw only i already bought a pair of chaps helmet and hearing protection. I did find a new shindaiwa 488 for 360.00 out the door and a husky NE 346xp for 490.00
I liked the stihl 361 but at 640.00 out the door just a little out of my reach.
I liked the stihl 361 but at 640.00 out the door just a little out of my reach.
2000ssm6
Stihl User
What should he get then? He can't throw out $600 on a 361, the 290 is the next best thing. Face it troll, the 290 is Stihl's best seller for a reason.
I wonder if he has a Dolmar dealer nearby. The 5100 would be my second choice.
COLD_IRON
Addicted to ArboristSite
Theres several saws in the trading post here that might interest you.
SawTroll
Information Collector
I would have serious problems, seeing a dealer trying to sell one of those to his victim - ehh costumer - I think I puke.....
2000ssm6
Stihl User
I would have serious problems, seeing a dealer trying to sell one of those to his victim - ehh costumer - I think I puke.....
Would you think less of the weight issue if one smacked you upside the head?:greenchainsaw:
COLD_IRON
Addicted to ArboristSite
I would have serious problems, seeing a dealer trying to sell one of those to his victim - ehh costumer - I think I puke.....
I know a guy who cut 600 cord of wood with his 310. Tell him that.
If he does he should be able to get one of those for around the $350 mark.
I'm a huge advocate of the MS 310. It's a great saw with plenty of power for what you'll be doing. I don't mind the weight. It doesn't feel too heavy to me...
The Dolmar 5100 is supposed to be an excellent saw. If you can find a dealer near you, it would definately be worth looking into.
(EDIT: Looks like I was too slow, but the 5100 will come highly recommended by most people on this site.)
I think Troll just doesn't like 290 or 310 because he has seen the light that is the MS 361....
Good luck with choice and be safe!!
The Dolmar 5100 is supposed to be an excellent saw. If you can find a dealer near you, it would definately be worth looking into.
(EDIT: Looks like I was too slow, but the 5100 will come highly recommended by most people on this site.)
I think Troll just doesn't like 290 or 310 because he has seen the light that is the MS 361....
Good luck with choice and be safe!!
Last edited:
jwfirebird
ArboristSite Lurker
ive been reading all the stihl posts i can, it always comes down to some one recomending the 361 or the 5100 for everything. nearest 5100 is 40 miles. its hard to justify 600+ for a saw for firewood. im not an enthusiast i just want a saw that will cut 3-4 cords a year without breaking down all the time.
if the 361 is that much better than the 290 or 310 i would like to know why. weight is not that much of a factor for me.
if the 361 is that much better than the 290 or 310 i would like to know why. weight is not that much of a factor for me.
