God Bless my wife!...She wants to get more involved with helping me out with woodcutting....She's used my MS-170/290 on occasion, but I want to get her something cheap in the 30 cc. range so if she tears it up whilst learning to use it, I'm not out a lot of $$...recommendations please.....Had to get my SIL to shorten up some chaps for her too.
Why small and cheap? Isn't she worth investing in? I bought my wife a Husqvarna 440e and its worked out well. Light wt for the brush and branch type work she does around the fence line, but snappy enough for 10inch and down firewood. Only issue was to learn the best way to use its goofy multi function choke/throttle to set hi-idle controls to start and then start again warm.
We also have a Stihl MS180 and she has choice. I think if and when she wears out the 440e, something like a Stihl MS260 Pro w/ decompression button will be next. Light, plenty of power, and solid reliable.
If and when she wants to be more involved with my hobby, she will end up with a 60cc or smaller J-red as thats where this enthusiast is headed. Right after another 4x4 500cc plus utility Quad so its easier for us to work together out on the farm.
So...I asked her what she thought and the response was not exactly what I expected.
Question:..you've had a lot of time (About 4 years) with a small Homelite (33cc muffler modded and good bar & chain) and your Husqvarna 440e..if we were to start again which would you want to start with?
Answer: "Once I figured out how to start it...the Husqvarna."
Why?:
Answer: "Because it cuts faster. I got more impatient and frustrated with the little saw to where I was pushing harder and getting into more problems."
She went on to say that the biggest block to any womens experience is the starting issue. If she can't get it to start easily, she will get frustrated won't like it reguardless of what it is. Thats across all mechanical venues, saw to quads.
So guys...when you are talking about an under $1000 dollar purchase..why skimp!!!! Especially when its about getting the most important person in your life involved with something important to you! My suggestion? Find the saw that makes entree into the wood working & cutting world safest and easiest & therefore most rewarding.
I would also consider one of the Dolmar or Stihl assisted start saws if starting is an issue..as it was in the beginning for my wife. (The MS180 C-BE, MS211 C-BE, & MS250 C-BE w/ Spring assist takes away the need for that "snap" in the pulling motion..one of the big hurtles for smaller people) Once she got it down, she can start and run anything I have. Have the size based on the work....our fence clearing and trail maintenance is small and sometimes over head..weight was the big issue after starting. So the second saw/power tool ended up being a Stihl KM110R..with the hedge trimmer attachment that also folds to where you can get under fences....$500 bucks of the best tool investment ever for this barn yard!
:greenchainsaw:
