what was the best most trouble free saw you ever owned

[AdkStihl]

044

[KyLogger]

My MS361 is a tank! Bought used, fallen off truck, bounced down highway, rolled on by trees, AV broke, brake handle broke, dropped in water, mud and snow ALOT! And this thing starts 3rd pull everytime.....no matter what the weather. I have blown up an 044 Mag and a 576XP both with considerably less hours on em and the "frankensaw" as we call it just won't die!

[barbender]

Jonsered 2171, but that's because I haven't put that many hours on it : I had a 2165 prior to that, that was a GREAT saw, I liked the power curve better. But then a crank bearing came  apart :( I also have a Husky 346 that I love, but it misbehaves constantly. There's always something wrong with that saw.

[sawguy21]

I don't put many hours on a saw these days being an urban dweller but my Husky 35 is the go to when I need firewood or snags cut out of the way. The little beggar is so simple and reliable.

[treechopper40]

thers a guy here in town that had a stihl 038 magnum he left it in one of those plastic tuff boxes that go in the back of your truck the box was sitting under the eves of his house it filled with water with the saw in it and froze solid it was left like that all winter he waited till it thawed out in the spring more closer to summer gave it to a kid in town the kid ran that saw 3 yrs cutting firewood for me nites after school and on the weekends and it was still running when he quit working for me and went to college that was a tuff one

[JohnG28]

I really like my 361, never had an issue with it. A side from that, my little 142 Husky has been a problem free saw, especially for a cheapie.

[Spike60]

So, Fatcougar and Deerslayer are the only two guys in this group to buy air filters? I know some Stilh air filters from that era tended to lose their flocking. But just 2 guys????

And NOBODY mentioned fuel filters!  ???  Yikes!

Gonna be tough for me to answer the original question cause I have too many saws in the rotation. They simply haven't got the hours on them to qualify for this elite group. But my answer, (which will surprise you), is a Solo 651Pro. After getting divorced years ago, I had to dump most of my first saw collection for cash. It numbered 17 saws at that time. For the next 7 years that saw cut virtually all of my firewood. Never let me down and I always liked the way that saw felt and handled. Still have it but only run a tank through it every 1-2 years. And yes, I changed the fuel filters.  ;D

[beenthere]

So, Fatcougar and Deerslayer are the only two guys in this group to buy air filters?

That certainly doesn't mean that only two didn't buy and/or change air filters. ;)

Not sure what your "Yikes!" implies.

[Jiles]

So, Fatcougar and Deerslayer are the only two guys in this group to buy air filters? I know some Stilh air filters from that era tended to lose their flocking. But just 2 guys????

And NOBODY mentioned fuel filters!  ???  Yikes!

Gonna be tough for me to answer the original question cause I have too many saws in the rotation. They simply haven't got the hours on them to qualify for this elite group. But my answer, (which will surprise you), is a Solo 651Pro. After getting divorced years ago, I had to dump most of my first saw collection for cash. It numbered 17 saws at that time. For the next 7 years that saw cut virtually all of my firewood. Never let me down and I always liked the way that saw felt and handled. Still have it but only run a tank through it every 1-2 years. And yes, I changed the fuel filters.  ;D

I have bought/replaced/repaired/cleaned--many such items, along with spark plug replacing and cleaning, but consider them to be "consumables"

[gologit]

Stihl 660.  They've never let me down.  Before that it was the 066 and before that I ran 064s.

Keep the fuel clean and the airfilter clean, keep the carb adjusted, and run sharp chains...they'll last.

[kensfarm]

Been using a new 291 for over a year now.. runs great..  always starts.. replaced an 028 that had carb problems.. dealer said they couldn't get parts.  My 460 Mag is still going strong.

[jdhacker]

Been using a new 291 for over a year now.. runs great..  always starts.. replaced an 028 that had carb problems.. dealer said they couldn't get parts.  My 460 Mag is still going strong.

I have a ms291 im on my six gallon of gas now, seems to be a very good saw.

[Spike60]

So, Fatcougar and Deerslayer are the only two guys in this group to buy air filters?

That certainly doesn't mean that only two didn't buy and/or change air filters. ;)

Not sure what your "Yikes!" implies.

Just that everyone is listing how little they've done and I'm thinking 30 years on a fuel filter is pushing it. 

Lot's of guys mentioned spark plugs, didn't they?

[Al_Smith]

replaced an 028 that had carb problems.. dealer said they couldn't get parts. 

Couldn't get parts indeed .Didn't want to get parts is more like it .

You can't tell me if a bunch of saw grease monkeys like myself and others who ramble on over the net can find parts that a dealer could not .I think if it were I,I'd find another dealer .

[Jiles]

replaced an 028 that had carb problems.. dealer said they couldn't get parts. 

Couldn't get parts indeed .Didn't want to get parts is more like it .

You can't tell me if a bunch of saw grease monkeys like myself and others who ramble on over the net can find parts that a dealer could not .I think if it were I,I'd find another dealer .

Not enough money for the dealer--just like warranty work!
But of course, we live in a changing world!
An unrelated, but good example, would be automotive brake wheel cylinders and master cylinders--rebuild kits cost nearly as much as a "rebuilt item", if you can find one!
Same is true with automotive carburetors.

[Fatcougar]

Spike 60....... funny that you mentioned it, I never have changed my fuel filter... Lol. I'm sure I am PROBABLY due. I am very careful not to get crap in my tanks when I refill them..... but still, not a bad idea.  Thanks!

[thecfarm]

If you're not using a fine mesh funnel to fill up your saw,you are still getting stuff into your tank. There is alot of junk in the gas we buy.

[Fatcougar]

If you're not using a fine mesh funnel to fill up your saw,you are still getting stuff into your tank. There is alot of junk in the gas we buy.

    Yup, I am sure you are right. I will try to remember to get a new fuel filter the next time I go down to the saw shop. Glad you guys reminded me.

[HolmenTree]

If you're not using a fine mesh funnel to fill up your saw,you are still getting stuff into your tank. There is alot of junk in the gas we buy.

I remember back in the day every new Jonsereds I bought came with a bright red funnel with a fine screen.

[HolmenTree]

Stihl 660.  They've never let me down.  Before that it was the 066 and before that I ran 064s.

Keep the fuel clean and the airfilter clean, keep the carb adjusted, and run sharp chains...they'll last.

Well said Bob, I found the same with my 064's and 066 Mag too.

[M_S_S]

Back in my other life it was an 064, when I moved up here 5 years ago I gave it to one of my sons it is still going strong. Like Gologit said, clean fuel, clean air, sharp chain they last. Hope the Huskies I have now last as long. ED

[KiwiKen]

I have a Stihl 025 which is nearly 20 years old. It is mainly used for firewood and tidying up deadfall but it has never needed a repair. The saw starts immediately and just runs...and runs.

I also have a 20 yr used Stihl 066 which required a new handle when I dropped it out of a tree, but it too has never needed a repair. I'm convinced.

[longtime lurker]

Stihl 056 magnum 2.  Regular servicing, one rebuild, three exhausts, a life spent either rolling round in the back of a truck or swinging on the dogs in big timber... and its still pulling like a train.

I've got an operational Danarm tornado. It's worn out several men. Does that count??? :D

[sablatnic]

Husqvarna 40 Practica or Partner S65 (cube), still have both, and they are both ridiculously sturdy. 

[Jim H]

Stihl 046 bought it in 2001, 2 sparkplugs 3 pullropes 2 bars,  strong as ever