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Random Quote: Fishing is not a matter of life or death.......Its much more important than that!!!!
Looking at Stihl 250, or the husqavarna 350. Need something for about a chord a year, plus household projects. My neighborhood loses alot of trees, and I am always being offered firewood.
I don't need a great saw, but I hate using cheap tools when they can hurt me.
I inherited*my ProMac 60 from my dad who bought it used in 1965, after it had*done a year of service as a rental.** About 10 bars and chains later it still runs fine.**Maybe the*spark plug*has been changed 3 times since 1965.
__________________ Charlie Wegman, Product Engineer
SMITH Boating and Fishing Accessories
Greensboro, NC
LOL yer right on with that one,*ear plugs are not optional with the old boy.*
Ofcourse now Mac has gone by the wayside so if it ever breaks its probably going to end up on the scrap heap.* Husky and Stihl are both fine companies.**
__________________ Charlie Wegman, Product Engineer
SMITH Boating and Fishing Accessories
Greensboro, NC
I have used the high end Stihl and Husky saws and love them, but they are proud of them.
I needed a light to moderate duty saw for my new place, and picked up a $149 John Deere 16" cheapie from Home Depot. I've had it for over a year now, and I've taken out several trees (to 18" dia), and have plumb worn out the Oregon chain that it came with. I don't remember the model, but it came with oils and a hard carry case. Not bad for the money - it doesn't vibrate much at all either!
Hey, it starts in only a pull or two, and makes short work of the trees and branches in my yard. I got a spare chain for $15 and I'm back in business. Now to resharpen the old chain for a spare.
I've always been a Homelite man myself
I've used a few other brands like McCulloch ,& Poulan
they were all good but I just liked the Homelite better
It was always the loudest and heavyest but it always started,& out worked me
not the other way around JMO
__________________ Don't worry
Don't hurry
It's better to be late at
The Golden Gate
Than to arrive in Hell on time
Size wise it might be comparative to a Stihl, but IMO it should be able to cut circles around the Stihls. I used to be a feller and owned many brands but my most trusted that made me the most money were two Jonsered and my backup was a big ass Poulan. These were commercial grade saws and not hardware store quality.
The biggest one person saw I've used had a 56" bar ( it sure tried to be the tail waging the dog ) and then I've been into the two man saws with the biggest having a 72" bar.
TIP:
Whatever brand of saw you end up buying, if the saw doesn't come with a square tooth chain, exchange it for one and buy a spare. If the retailer doesn't know what a square toothed chain is, you're buying at the wrong place.
I bought a Stihl 024 back in 92 I think, cleared my house lot about an acre and a half and have been using it ever since to clear dead falls and other minor jobs on the rest of the property and it hasn't failed me yet.
Not a bad little saw in my opinon. I would buy new if I were you, would also go with the brand with local service. You really can't go wrong with any of the brands listed above.
Dave
For a chord a year, the Husquvuarna 55 would be a good choice. It's not in the professional saw class, but it is a very good saw. This saw is pretty reasonably priced.
I used to have a Husky 254, before some sumbeech broke into my garage and stole it. I loved that saw. Great power to weight ratio. If you can find a good one used, buy it. I now have a Husky 365 (they don't make the 254 any longer); it's a little bit bigger (size and power), but a lot heavier. Both these saws are in the professional class. I payed much of my college tuition with that Husky 254 and miss it for sentimental reasons but it was a great saw too. At this point I didn't really "need" another professional saw, but I couldn't bring myself to buy a lighter duty saw (not to mention insurance payed some too). I probably only cut 4-5 chords a year now and the 55 would be plenty.
Stihl makes good saws. I personally like the Husqvuarnas better, but I do own some other Stihl power equipment and it is very good. My brother has one of the Stihl Farm Saws (don't know the model) and there is nothing at all wrong with it. One of the main things I like about his is that it is lighter than my new saw. It doesn't have the power of mine, but my saw was probably $100 more.
Another really nice saw I've run is a Shindiawa. They make good power equipment.
One thing I'd suggest is don't get a 20" bar just to get a 20" bar. You need to make sure you have enough power for that bar size. If you under power your bar, you won't like your saw.
Sorry I don't have any suggestions on the exact models you are looking at. Are they in the professional class or more in the farm saw or homeowner class?
My wife wanted to know why I couldn't borrow the neighbors (i lend enough tools to them).
I tried to explain the guy code of what can be lent, and what cannot.
I have owned a Stihl Model 026 for several years and it is a great tool. Works great and starts right up even after years of not being used. I highly recommend Stihl.
I own a 2 Huskys and love them. A 257 that is about 8 years old and still has the original spark plug. Starts on 3 or 4 cold pulls every time. (Yes it's got a few hours on it ) also a model 35 (I think) at the house in Maine. It was a gift. It is a great light duty saw. Stihl also make a good saw. Like boats, buy it where it can get serviced. If you buy it at HD and something goes wrong. HD is not going to fix it. Don't think your local shop will help you out. I know the shop I use will tell you to your face to bring it back to them for repair. It's happened while I was standing there.
Whatever you do buy. Please buy a set of chaps to protect your legs (flesh) from coming in contact with a moving chain. There not a lot of money vs. the safety factor.
__________________ 2003 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest w/ twin 200 HPDI's
I've never been a racist. I don't like the white half either.
For several years I cut and sold firewood sometimes as much as 40 chords a year. Presently I own a Stilh good saw, very good saw. If I didn't own a Stilh it would be a Husky, but they are very proud of there parts, and not to many dealers in this area. I have heard of Jonsered but have never ran one, they might be okay. Last on the list is Poulan, owned one, best damn thing ever happened to me was when somebody stole it out of the back of my truck.
__________________ Cape Horn 17, Yamaha F115
with
Elmo the Boat Dog
chainsaw recomendation? 
