Chainsaw

[jspelbring]

Well, I'm getting ready to pull the plug and buy an new chainsaw. I want to use it primarily for making long logs short, and short logs into blanks for turning. I've got it narrowed down to 3:

Husqvarna 142 18" 45cc @ $229 sears
Stihl 210 16" 35cc @ $269
Stihl 250 18" 45cc @ $329

I've got a Stihl dealer really close, but no Husq.

Does anyone have any direct experience with these bad boys?

I was also considering the Stihl 290 - 55cc 18-20" bar @ $369, but I'm pretty sure that it would be way overkill (not to mention heavier).

-Jon

[SARGE..g-47]

I've been using Stihl for 40 years and there is a reason I don't switch. Any of them would be fine. Just consider what is the largest size log you tackle now and any potentially larger in the future.

Can't tell you much about the Husky as the Stihl is the weapon of choice in these parts. I did have a Husky dirt bike once, but that's not a chain saw is it?

[jspelbring]

Thanks

Thanks Sarge. I went out and looked at each of the saws. I feel like Goldilocks. This one is too small, that one is too heavy, etc.

Even with the better price points, I think that the Husky is out of the running. All of the Stihl saws just felt better - and sturdier. I'm worried about the 210 being too small. 16" max bar, while the 250 has an 18" bar. I think that the 210 also uses a lighter duty bar. I don't want to replace this saw for a long time. As of now, I'm thinking that the 250 is the saw for me.

Geez, as much as I like getting new tools, it always takes me forever to actually do it. Research, get opinions, go to the store, and try not to look like an idiot...

Anyway, thanks again for your Stihl vote (I think they'll even give me a Stihl hat - surely that's a deal clincher!)

-Jon

[jself]

I have a MS 310 Stihl chainsaw with a 20" bar that I use all the time on my property (cutting trees, firewood, brush, trimming fence posts). It cranks with 1-2 pulls and has plenty of power. My dad had 2-3 Stihl chainsaws of various sizes that we used on our farm for 20+ years. They are great products.

I would buy the biggest chainsaw your wallet can afford. You can cut small trees or logs with a bigger chain saw, but it is difficult to cut larger things with a smaller saw. The weight really isn't a factor unless you are walking through brush and using it for hours. I would definitely go with a 20" bar with a 3/8" chain . It is the teeth on the chain that actually does the cutting. You are buying a product that will last 20 years if you maintain it well. I would get the Stihl.

It is really easy to spend other people's money, isn't it??

[jself]

I believe that the MS290 is called the Farm Boss, right? You can get that with the 20" bar and larger chain. That is a great saw. You will never need another one!!

[jspelbring]

Chain

Thanks for the info. The 290 is definitely on the "dream" list - I think it's only about $30-40 more than the 250.

I have a question though - chain size.

The 210 uses 3/8
The 250 uses .325
The 290 looks like it will use either

I probably won't be felling any trees in the foreseeable future, so would the 3/8 or the .325 be better? I assume that the bars have to match whatever the chain width is?

Also, is a 20" bar going to be harder to handle/control for a relative newbie? Should I start with it? The dealer has the 290 in stock with an 18" bar, but will put on a 20" if I want it ($20, I think).

-Jon

[catta12]

I have a Stihl 045 that I have used extensively getting firewood. I think it is a good saw and the brand is usually of good quality as well. I do not have any experience with the Husky.

And I would only go with a bigger bar if you NEED a bigger bar. Otherwise bigger just gets in the way and won't do you any good. Go with the 18 if that will do the job.

[SARGE..g-47]

I'm going to agree with JS to a certain extent, Jon. You might be able to get away with a 16" at this point, but if you ever acquire land or that bigger log for blanks.. you may have future needs as I mentioned earlier. Sort of better too much than not enough if the occassion rises.

I would not go under the 18" you mentioned. I have the 18" Farm Boss and on occassion I have uttered under my breath what we all do, "I wish I had got the .........

The old chain-saws were hard to crank and would flood if you didn't know how. The new one's get gas to the plug very efficiently now and have much better safety feartures.. bar.. etc. On a Stihl.. fill the gas bubble.. choke it if it is cold on initial start up (no choke if the saw is warm from having been run) but...... Don't pull the starter rope more than twice with the choke on. Don't... or you will flood it. After that second pull.. dis-engage the choke and it will crank on the next two pulls.

Interestingly enough, I have a local independent Auto Parts Store that is a Stihl dealer and have been selling them for about 30 years at least. When you buy a Stihl anything.. they take the saw back to the shop and prep it. Then.... before you are allowed to walk off with it, you are required to go back to the repair shop and the tech goes over what to do and what not to do. They educate you before you go home and it would be rare to have to return cause I just didn't know that...... ha.. ha...

That same dealer sharpens and does repair on premise. They usually can service in one day and the next day in the worst scenario as they are a lawn equipment dealer and extremely busy in the warm months here in Georgia.

Well... there's your Stihl tutorial free of charge. Curious to see if your dealer gives you one at thier shop. I have a feeling my dealer might be a bit unique in that respect.

Good luck...

[Uncle Cracker]

Shorter bar is usually easier to handle, as long as the size of the work does not require a larger one. And you can always get a bigger bar later if you find that you need one, rather than horse a big one around when you don't need it. My neighbor actually has 3 different bars for his saw, but I think it's overkill... Two sizes seems a more reasonable option.

[jself]

I agree with the comments from Sarge and Uncle Cracker. I would point out that one thing to avoid is cutting with the tip end of the bar. That is considered the "danger" area (not to say that the other portions aren't dangerous) where kickback occurs. The saw can kick straight back, up or down. The forces that cause the potential for kickback are multiplied at the end of the bar. If you are sawing logs, then you cut as far back on the bar as is possible/practical. If you are cutting large logs, then you will want a bar that sticks out past the logs and does use the tip for cutting.

The 3/8" chains take bigger bites and saws faster. There is a big difference between a 0.325" and a 0.375" (3/8") chain. I also have a MS210 I use for cutting small brush and pruning trees in the orchard. It has its limits, but it cuts limbs and prunes well. I think the MS250 might be about right for what you are doing, but you will be limited if you ever want to fell trees.

[jspelbring]

Thanks! And the winner is...

The Stihl 290 with an 18" bar. I picked it up at lunch. Sadly, I have a class this evening (well, not REALLY sad - it's a WW class), so I won't be able to try it out until Sunday (Sat is part 2 of the class). I've got some big hunks of Osage Orange that are about to be downsized.

Thanks again for all the advice.

And no, no personalized instruction from the Stihl dealer. They did gas/oil it up, and start it in the back room. So, now I have a saw with a little room to grow into, and a cool Stihl ballcap. Next up will likely be a Granberg G777 small log miller.

[HarmsWay]

Enjoy the new saw but treat it with respect. That is one tool I never use unless I'm healthy and alert. Keep the chain off the rocks and out of the dirt.

[Cheeky]

Stihl is real.....good choice.

i have a 14" stihl miniboss, and can't wait to get another larger stihl.

[Hellrazor]

I was also considering the Stihl 290 - 55cc 18-20" bar @ $369, but I'm pretty sure that it would be way overkill (not to mention heavier).

-Jon

I have a Stihl 029, which is now the 290 model. I've had that saw for about 8 years and have not had any problems with it. It is heavy for some people to use but I don't mind it.

[Tom Slick]

I own a Stihl MS250 and it is a great saw. light weight, plenty of power for the usual trimming jobs and a bit a felling. it starts and runs every time. make sure to buy at least one extra chain and a chain file with the saw. if you want the saw to be a bit lighter and "more powerful" you can always swap a 16" bar and chain onto it.

the local saw shop told me they sell alot of MS250s to the local forest service and they rarely have them in for repairs.