So tonight I couldn't sleep and having several chains to file and two carbs needing cleaning and possibly a filter and gas line to replace I needed to chill. Looking at chainsaws seems fun so I googled, refurbished chainsaws. The shock is most of what I found was, 1st. Prices so close to new prices the savings by far is not a bargain because I shop around, and 2nd. Mostly the brands were Husqvarna and tons of Poulans. I fully agree that finding a good deal on refurbished is very difficult. I considered a Echo 352, or 490. The 490 is over priced, the 352 may be a good deal if you get lucky but of course it's no longer available.
My 20+ year old Sthil 026 still screams so I won't be replacing it anytime soon guess I'll head to bed. For 50 - 100 bucks more I think new Is the best idea.
Also, before you buy check Amazon and some of the other vendors and make sure you get a full factory warranty on new saws. I read a review on Amazon and the guy said Echo will not warranty his Echo purchased off Amazon. Pay new, get a full warranty, that's my thinking. Now when the Echo 490 goes on sale for 299 + or - some I'll pick one up. Run it beside my 026 Sthil. See what happens.
You'll be surprised. I own a Stihl 026 and an Echo 490. I don't bother cranking the Sthil anymore unless I'm flush cutting stumps.
Here is what I've noticed when comparing Sthil To Echo.
First- Gloved hands fiddling with the Echo Choke isn't difficult but NOT as easy as the lever on the Sthil.
Second- the bar thickness is different.
Sthil bar is thicker than .050 and don't vibrate on the tip end as much as the .050 Echo bar tip does. You can actually see the Echo bar tip moving left and right. However, .050 guage is common and works.
The Echo Saw actually cuts amazingly well when the rakers are filed correctly, saw pulls into the wood.
Echo starts easier. Idles well.
All in all, I prefer the Echo.
Choke lever needs to be bigger. Even the old Poulan 2150 has a beefier choke lever.
Echo adjustable oiler same as Sthil.
Now another Echo.
CS 352. Has a primer bulb. Most saws with a primer bulb also have crappy gas lines. Bulbs crack, lines need replacing. But, maybe these gas lines will be ok. Mine are not that clear Fish Aquirim rubber clear looking junk my 2150 Poulan uses. However, primer bulbs say, Hone owner. But don't curse this saw until you've used it. I filed the chain, set the rakers and smoked a 42 cc Poulan with a 34cc saw. In fact I buck 14 to 15 inch trees because my 490 gets heavy working Tree tops.
The only Echo I've NOT been impressed with is the cs310. While it favorites the cs352 it's VERY different. The antivibration springs, motor, and air filter are NOT the same. I sold my 310 and the young green horn didn't keep the chain sharp and lay heavily on the saw. Now the bar flops. It was still new when I sold it. However any saw can be torn up by untrained operators. The 3 Echo saws that I use the most are the 352, 490, 590.
I do still use the Sthil 029 at times.
I'm going to adapt some Sthil bars to fit my 490. The big 28inch Echo bar on the 590 doesn't vibrate much and the 490 bar is decent. It's the little 352 bar that moves most. Here again, the word Homeowner comes to mind.
My 049 bar has that big in the middle similar to Sthil. Wider bars seem to limb with less problems.
I'm wondering if maybe a small Husky bar will fit the 352? Maybe even Poulan. I need to play in the shop.
Good day.