Best and worst chainsaw?

[Jstpssng]

The absolute worse saw that I ever had was a Jonsereds 2045 which I bought for brushing boundary lines. That saw had to have made on a Monday, March 18 by an Irishman who's girlfriend left him on Saturday after breaking his bottle over his head. It's been a long time so I don't remember everything but I was constantly running to the shop. It was the time period spell when the muffler bolts wouldn't stay in, and those were about 11 bucks a piece. One day I rode my snowsled about 8 miles into the woods, snowshoed another mile and started doing a line. I was almost done when the sprocket separated from the clutch. I took it back and they said " I ain't never seen one break like that before." It was under warranty but still cost me a day. Luckily I had my trusty 254 Husky for backup

I finally sold the Jonsereds back to them; I was spending more time running to the shop than working.

 

[MJZ]

The absolute worse saw that I ever had was a Jonsereds 2045 which I bought for brushing boundary lines. That saw had to have made on a Monday, March 18 by an Irishman who's girlfriend left him on Saturday after breaking his bottle over his head. It's been a long time so I don't remember everything but I was constantly running to the shop. It was the time period spell when the muffler bolts wouldn't stay in, and those were about 11 bucks a piece. One day I rode my snowsled about 8 miles into the woods, snowshoed another mile and started doing a line. I was almost done when the sprocket separated from the clutch. I took it back and they said " I ain't never seen one break like that before." It was under warranty but still cost me a day. Luckily I had my trusty 254 Husky for backup

I finally sold the Jonsereds back to them; I was spending more time running to the shop than working.

 

[careyo63]

Used marine 2 cycle for a decade Esp. when I owned the Ranger. Merc. Xr2. my guess it was the 2cyl. injected oiler went bad. The 150 had a broken piston so rebuilt it with a 175 Block bored and fiberglass valves. It hurt some feeling that's for sure thinking it was a 150 we left on the motor. It was seriously fast!! William Pain Pro Golf tour was the Prev. registered owner come to find out. Was nice.
That time of the Yr. here and burning is banned soon. Leaves and dry which is normal. I've always used a top end 2Cyl. oil. to many yard tools that are 2cyl. and have a bunch of problems Esp. notorious fuel problems. Chain saws sit for months summer and opposite with typical yard tools in the winter. End of the Yr. and I know there be sitting not being used I drain the gas.
The saws started right up and know how many pulls before you hear them hit! Husky 55 rancher I was wrong on a earlier prev. reply. I was thinking 1995 but looking at the Ser,# 5-29-00 Then it hit me why I was thinking it was a 95 era. model. I had to replace a Craftsman Sears store bought saw. I wasn't going to bother repairing it! Again...........................

 

[Blue Mule]

I will start cutting firewood in the coming months which made me wonder, "what's my best and worst chainsaw?" I'm not extremely picky on brands but my experience with Echo is mixed and is limited to one model with Stihl. Aside from a basic homeowner, inexpensive poulan I've had 3 chainsaws.

My first "farm/commercial" grade purchase was the echo cs590 "timberwolf." Bought it bout 9 years ago (?). My favorite saw. 20" bar and cuts everything I've thrown at it. I've cut firewood: we heat our home with a Lopi wood stove. I've trimmed trees and cleared well over 1,000 cedar off of 70 acres. This saw is my favorite. It's a bit heavy for trimming and clearing cedars.

I wanted a lighter saw so, I stuck with Echo and bought the 4510 with an 18" bar. This saw never ran right. Finicky bout idling. I struggled with it for a few months. My dealer (who is great) tweaked it. Ran a bit better. I even started buying the echo premix fuel. I've always used premix but upgraded to echo's red "something." Somehow, that saw burned up and I threw it away after less than a year. The dealer said water somehow got in the fuel. I'm not sure how that could have happened. Regardless, I never liked the saw so I didn't press it.

I then picked up the Stihl ms250 with an 18" bar. This is a great saw. Lighter than the echo. And, starts a bit easier. But, it doesn't cut as efficient. I use both saws and appreciate them. The cs590 remains my favorite. It just cuts so dang fast and sometimes the weight works for me. Even when I'm sawing cedars horizontal the speed may offset the weight.

I do want a new saw. I'm thinking about a new cs590. What's your experience for best all around saw. By all around, I mean firewood and property mtnce (clearing cedar, fenceline cleaning, even cutting brush and underbrush).

I avoid anything with "Stihl" printed on it like the plague. The most over-rated, shittiest, expensive paperweights ever made. Just wait until you need to cut a tree on a 15 degree morning. I hope you're in good shape, because going to the gym would be easier than trying to start a POS Stihl power tool. We've got a Stihl "Farm Boss" we bought new several years ago and an old Dolmar saw we've had for decades and an electric 48v Kobalt saw with a 12" bar. The Stihl is the last one of the 3 I'll pick up to do a job with.

 

[Pecosbill7]

We used to live extremely rural. Intermountain west in a 1500 square mile county with 3000 people. Heavy timber area; we used to drive 10 minutes to harvest 20 cords. Now we have zero ability to run a saw as you suggested. We are now suburban residential, and the saw is intended for the aforementioned usage. I might have to write off the planned acquisition of a saw since it seems that it will not be a piece of equipment that can lie dormant and still be available for use.

As I mentioned earlier, check out the Husqvarna Poweraxe 350i electric. It has a big honcho battery, and it never fails to start if your battery is charged. It cares not whether gasoline has ethanol in it or not. It runs smoothly and with an 18” bar it will handle almost anything you will need it to do. You won’t need any hearing protection, as its decibel output is far below that of its gasoline counterparts. I use it on my ranch it the Texas Hill Country and it is a great saw for my purposes, which are many, varied and moderately demanding.

I used to feel like anyone who embraced an electric saw was some commie pinko leftist Greta Thunberg type. My buddies were the same way, and chided me for buying an electric. I had them come up to the ranch one weekend to help me clear a fence line and told them to use my new saw. One guy had his old gas saw and another started out using the electric while I was on the tractor using the FEL and grapple to remove what they cut to a burn pile. After lunch the guy using my electric told the one using the gas one to give the electric a try. He did, and after dinner that night I asked him his opinion of it. He smiled, as he was the biggest critic of me going “over to the other side” and said, “I think I have to have one of those.”

 

[careyo63]

I avoid anything with "Stihl" printed on it like the plague. The most over-rated, shittiest, expensive paperweights ever made. Just wait until you need to cut a tree on a 15 degree morning. I hope you're in good shape, because going to the gym would be easier than trying to start a POS Stihl power tool. We've got a Stihl "Farm Boss" we bought new several years ago and an old Dolmar saw we've had for decades and an electric 48v Kobalt saw with a 12" bar. The Stihl is the last one of the 3 I'll pick up to do a job with.

I stayed away from Stihl. The saws I've seen didn't seem last without problems. The Echo I went light weight and small. No problems with any Hard parts that I can see so far. The plastic was understandable price wise. This showed up and would be nice if it does work. Yeah or Neah?

https://fb.watch/voMXhb_gv7

 

[Eagle1]

You are sharping the wrong side of the tooth, I bet it would work once or twice then you are back to sharping the tooth correctly from the inside. YMMV

 

[kenmbz]

I stayed away from Stihl. The saws I've seen didn't seem last without problems. The Echo I went light weight and small. No problems with any Hard parts that I can see so far. The plastic was understandable price wise. This showed up and would be nice if it does work. Yeah or Neah?

https://fb.watch/voMXhb_gv7

Neah, looks like it just files down the tops of the teeth

 

[LouNY]

Neah, looks like it just files down the tops of the teeth

I didn't watch the entire video because of the damned racket they had playing,
however I seem to recall that they sold a chain just for that type of sharpener.
Still pretty much a junky nik nack .

 

[Snobdds]

Ok a couple of things I have found over the years on saws:

Sharp chain - whatever style floats your boat. I like Oregon chains and bars.

Since I live in the Peoples Republic of Connecticut and alcohol free is not an option... Use Ethanol Shield to suspend the water. STA-BIL of any color is absolute cr@p!

Put a few drops of water in straight STA-BIL and see what happens - or not, as it just sits there. Put the same in Ethanol Shield and watch the magic happen as it emulsifies the water away.

2 Cycle oils:
Stihl and Husqvarna make really awful oils that make tons of carbon/cokeing that kills engines. Even their synthetics don't show great improvement with this either. And who in their right mind would ever try 'bio-degradeable' oils - of course it toasted your engine!!!... Let this be a lesson to you, duhhh.

Go and buy 2 cycle marine oils or 2 cycle motorcycle oils. Stay far away from the OEM garbage. I'm running the cheaper PennzoilView attachment 1664133
It's $22-24/gal at Wally world and I'm running it a tad richer at just shy of 40:1 (42-45ish)

Guess what, no coking! Clean and shiny motor interior and no plugged up muffler.

As to a saw, I'm using a MS 290 20" Farmboss with a ported muffler. A bit more heavy than some of the more modern saws, but if I want, I can drop a 2mm larger cylinder kit into to and make it a MS360... See "The Duke" for chainsaw parts and mod kits. If money was less of an option then a MS260 series is lighter but pricey.

I agree that modern EPA regs have not done much good for saws. So look on Marketplace or eBay and see if you can get a lightly used older model.

Oh yah chaps and a helmet with a visor will keep your body parts in good repair. Always wear them!

Finally get a Hot-Stick or similar - it can save your life.
View attachment 1664134

Actually running marine oil designed to be water cooled in a air cooled engine is terrible advice. Terrible.