Chainsaw selection... ideas?

[LD1]

I never had any problems with Dolmar or Makita saws jumping chains. Sounds like end user problems.

Dolmar 166 x 2 Dolmar 7900 5100 Makita 6401 7901 no problems with chains whatsoever. :laughing:

Me neither. And I like the way you think when it comes to saws.

 

[om21braz]

Shotguns & saws, this thread almost has it all LOL! Especially considering RadarTech has had his saw for quite some time now.

 

[newbury]

That's what I meant when I wrote:

We don't care!!

Just let us continue giving you advice!!

And advice is pretty generic for a generic problem

This seems to be a pretty general thread about a pretty general problem.

But nooooo -- it had to degenerate into murdering trees with a shotgun!!

Which brings up a true story.

Setting - Northern Vermont, early 1960's, a couple of weeks before Christmas, relatives from New York would come up to visit.

Well invariably there would be snow, deer season, etc. and my Dad would take them out hunting. My Dad would carry a single shot 12 gauge with slugs. They would return with surprised relatives and a Christmas tree. My Dad would just walk up to a good looking tree and blast it off at the base. Relatives thought he was crazy.

What he didn't let on was that he'd scouted out the tree during early hunting season, gave the farmer a couple of bucks and had it all planned.

/edit - one shot, one kill

 

[RadarTech]

No worries..
The tree well....

I was chasing something... And the poor tree got in the way.. I didn't want to post the gore... Thought the tree was a fitting comment..

 

[crazyal]

Anyone see the Mythbusters where they cut the tree down with the Dillon Mini gun?

YouTube - Mythbusters can a machine gun chop off a tree MINIGUN!!!

Now that's my idea of a chainsaw.

 

[RadarTech]

Anyone see the Mythbusters where they cut the tree down with the Dillon Mini gun?

YouTube - Mythbusters can a machine gun chop off a tree MINIGUN!!!

Now that's my idea of a chainsaw.

Yeppers.. That was a good one.....

 

[dcyrilc]

Skyco,
That crack me up comment was to the person that said they didn't care if I already chose a saw.. They were still going to give me ideas...

Well duh....

What's the fun in not giving advice?:laughing:


Get yourself an Echo for a backup saw.

 

[wade simpson]

I have a shindaiwa. I been using it for over 3 yrs, in all weather, cutting big and small, sometimes going thru 2 or 3 tanks of gas in a day, it has never let me down. 1-2 pulls flashes right up. I still have the same bar and chain but it's just about time for new.

It cost a lot but it has definitely proven it value to me.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Wow.. this is a long thread, both in time and posts. Lots of info too. I started another thread about my current desire to upgrade my saw, but I'd like to mention that my very first saw was a Remington Mighty Mite Weekender that I bought for $75 at Agway in a blister package. I had that saw for over 20 years and it ate everything I put it against. Started out with a 12" blade, and ended up with 16 and when I brought the saw to the transfer station, someone took it, and I have no doubt that if they had patience and mechanical aptitude the thing is still running. It was all minor stuff that brought it there, really and lack of time to fool with it. That Remington was so good to me, I bought another model Remington for my Dad, and it was a real piece of junk. My Mighty Mite was all metal, and all business. His later model was all plastic and fell apart in about two years.

Anyway, The Husky 372P I looked at today was very impressive, including the price. It's the smallest saw that Husky recommends for a 24" bar, which is what I want and it's not awfully heavy, except for the price!! I have had very good luck with my two Echo saws, a 25+ year old CS500VL and a much newer 300. I want to upgrade the older saw to something more powerful and with a chain brake and 24" bar. My question basically boils down to this: Is the Husky 372P really a $300 better saw than an Echo CS 600P? My 500VL is a wonderful saw, as good as new, but I wonder if the current Echos are built as well.

 

[LD1]

My question basically boils down to this: Is the Husky 372P really a $300 better saw than an Echo CS 600P? My 500VL is a wonderful saw, as good as new, but I wonder if the current Echos are built as well.

Short answer is yes to some people and no to others. It depends on how often you use it. You aren't really comparing apples to apples.

The echo is just under 60cc's and only 4.0 HP The 372 husky is almost 75cc with 5.4 HP. Weight is about the same.

So you either need to decide weather the 1.4 HP (which is huge in the saw world) is worth the extra $$$ OR you need to compare more similar saws.

In order to get to the HP of the 372, you need to look at the CS8002. And that puts you about 3lbs heavier and who knows how much more $$$.

The appropriate husky you should be comparing the cs600 to would be a 357xp, which is a few hundred dollars less than the 372, about a pound lighter than the echo and still about 0.4HP more, OR the 359 husky which is about $300 less than the 372 and specs comparibally to the cs600.

When it comes to saws, for the most part, you get what you pay for. You need to look close at the specs (just like when buying a tractor). All the big saw companies prices are similar for similar models. you HAVE to compare apples to apples.

And as with buying a tractor, don't forget about dealer support. And test each saw BEFORE you decide on one. You may hear nothing but good things about a certain saw, but it just might not feel right in your hands.

And I will also throw out dolmar for you to look at if you have a dealer nearby. Their PS6400 puts out 4.8HP (0.8 more than the cs600) and weighs about the same, and can be had from a good dealer in the $500-600 range.

If you havent noticed, the echos are typically a little underpowered in their classes when compaired to the respective Dolmars, Husky's, and Stihls. But they are still a great saw and a great warrenty.

Sorry for being long winded and good luck with the purchase.

 

[mountainlake]

No the 372 is not $300 better than a Echo CS600, the 372 will cut a little faster, the CS600 will wieght almost 2# less ready to cut . Both are the same quality. Steve

 

[Nitro-Fish]

No the 372 is not $300 better than a Echo CS600, the 372 will cut a little faster, the CS600 will wieght almost 2# less ready to cut . Both are the same quality. Steve

Same quality? I think someone's had too much eggnog :laughing:.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Don't know about the 372, except to say I was impressed with it and its price, but if the Echo CS600 is as good quality as my 500VL, and I could know it, I would jump on it..

The stats I saw on weight, though show the CS600 to be a little heavier, I though.. have to check again.. numbers are swimming in my head.. No, if web numbers are right, the Husky is only .4 pounds more powerhead weight.

What does bother me a bit is the CS600 seems to be the first redesign of a new wave from Echo. Might just be cosmetic, with a snap-on air filter cover instead of screw-in, but I don't know.

 

[mountainlake]

Same quality? I think someone's had too much eggnog :laughing:.

No eggnog here, Have you had a Echo saw apart? What model? If you want low qualty get a home owneer Husky or Stihls. Steve

 

[LD1]

Echo, Dolmar, stihl, husky, j-red(which is husky), makita (dolmar), Solo, and a few others all make professional saws. In their professional line, IMO no one is of better quality than the other. I put them ALL on a level playing field when saw shopping because they are all of the highest quality. Focus more on how the saw feels, ergonomics, anti-vibe, power, etc. A saw that feels good in hands might not feel comfortable to you.

Some of the models mentioned above ALSO make saws of lesser quality for a lesser price for the average homeowner. But they do a great job of differentiating between the on their websites. But again, all the pro grade saws from the different mfg's are ALL equally great quality. IMO

 

[Nitro-Fish]

No eggnog here, Have you had a Echo saw apart? What model? If you want low qualty get a home owneer Husky or Stihls. Steve

No mountainlake, haven't had an echo saw apart, have had many stihls both new & old (including my 056 Super), many Husqvarna's, new & old, jonsereds (pre husky days) again new & old, older homelites & both old and new poulans (new smaller saws of course not much worth fixing). I do own a top handle echo but it doesn't compare quality wise to my top handle husqvarna, of course there is quite a price difference there too. I have looked at the larger ECHO's & yes they are not bad saws, however I don't like the single side brake set-up on the larger ones, just a personal preference. I do think the 372 is $300 better than the 600 but then again, you have to take into consideration the size difference for what you are comparing (but I know I don't have to tell you that). Would a similar size Husky be worth $300 more? No. A similar size husqvarna wouldn't be $300 more though (I'm thinking the 359 as a comp here).

I agree 100% about the homeowner size Husqvarna's and Stihl's, I would have no problem choosing an ECHO over the lower end line of either of these manufacturers (that's exactly why I have the top handle ECHO now). My top handle was a purchase just to have a back-up top handle and bang for the buck, I thought it was a better choice than the MS 192 and the new Husqvarna T 435.

BTW welcome to the site, not as "clicky" as AS is lately!

 

[crazyal]

No eggnog here, Have you had a Echo saw apart? What model? If you want low qualty get a home owneer Husky or Stihls. Steve

The 372 and the 357 are NOT box store homeowner Huskys. Cuts faster equals a bigger saw/ more HP, that means more money. As for quality, I have no idea if the Echo is good or bad. I would assume good but Echo doesn't list HP for their saws and the 8000 is the largest saw they make where as Stil, Husky, and some tohers make much larger pro saws.

 

[crazyal]

No mountainlake, haven't had an echo saw apart, have had many stihls both new & old (including my 056 Super), many Husqvarna's, new & old, jonsereds (pre husky days) again new & old, older homelites & both old and new poulans (new smaller saws of course not much worth fixing). I do own a top handle echo but it doesn't compare quality wise to my top handle husqvarna, of course there is quite a price difference there too. I have looked at the larger ECHO's & yes they are not bad saws, however I don't like the single side brake set-up on the larger ones, just a personal preference. I do think the 372 is $300 better than the 600 but then again, you have to take into consideration the size difference for what you are comparing (but I know I don't have to tell you that). Would a similar size Husky be worth $300 more? No. A similar size husqvarna wouldn't be $300 more though (I'm thinking the 359 as a comp here).

I agree 100% about the homeowner size Husqvarna's and Stihl's, I would have no problem choosing an ECHO over the lower end line of either of these manufacturers (that's exactly why I have the top handle ECHO now). My top handle was a purchase just to have a back-up top handle and bang for the buck, I thought it was a better choice than the MS 192 and the new Husqvarna T 435.

BTW welcome to the site, not as "clicky" as AS is lately!

I have an older 357xp and it was a great saw. I run a 20" bar on it and I would go up to 24" as long as I kept the chain sharp. Two years ago I had my father in law get some gas for it and he got some cheap 2 stroke oil that didn't mix well. It scored the inside of the cylinder while cutting on a 100 degree day. To get the parts for it meant buying each part (no package deals) at a cost of over $400. I was able to get a new piston, ring, wrist pin, and cylinder for a 359 (parts are interchangeable) for $90 off ebay. I think it's aftermarket parts.

There is a noticeable difference between the 357xp and 359. It's a big enough difference that I'm thinking of buying the correct parts (now there are several people selling a kit for $200 for the 357).

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Next time I will move up in size to get a larger size chain link. The smaller weight chains have to be adjusted too often to suit me.

 

[Nitro-Fish]

There is a noticeable difference between the 357xp and 359. It's a big enough difference that I'm thinking of buying the correct parts (now there are several people selling a kit for $200 for the 357).

Be cautious of the kits that say they are for the 357, to my knowledge there is not an aftermarket kit available that has the same porting as found in the 357xp (and yes the 359 P&C is not the same even though they will interchange). I have inquired about the ones that I have seen advertised as being for the 357 for a lower than OEM price and on each occasion I have been told they are actually the same as the 359 as nobody makes an aftermarket for the 357 yet. I agree the 357xp is a great saw, I use an 18" bar on the one I have.

I think the 359 is a better match to the 600, that's why I mentioned it.

BTW the 8000 is no slouch, it does just make the 80cc club!