saw selection

[hisliptree3]

hi im in the market for a new saw and was wondering what to go with. i have a lot of different tree sizes and i need a decent saw, does not need tons of power. i was also wondering if i should go with stihl or another brand I'm open to any of them. i really want to stay less than 300$ and bar size around 16 inches or so. thank you for any suggestions.

[lumberjack48]

Heres 2 great saws for $300. that will do the job.

MS-250 Stihl or 445 Husqvana

[Ianab]

Often what your favourite dealer sells has a big influence.

MS-250 Stihl or 445 Husqvana

Yup, those are good choices, but you can look at Oleo Mac, Dolmar / Makita, J-Red, Echo as well. They all make saws that compare to those models.

Ian

[John Mc]

About now is when we all start chipping in with suggestions on how if you're willing to spend $X more you can get the whiz-bang, super-deluxe, perfect saw for what you're cutting.

[mad murdock]

If money is tight, you can get a good value in a good used saw shopping on Craigslist, or look in the local classifieds, I have been given a few good non-runners for free, latest ex, a stihl 075 that required a little elbow grease and 30.00 worth of parts, and now have milled close to 1,000 bd/ft of lumber with it. I recently picked up a homelite 360 for $30. Just needs a $10.00 carb kit in it. I am going to a saw shop next week and buying 4-5 saws from their bone pile for $80.00(4 10-10 McCulloch's, 2 of them runners).  I guess if you are a little mechanically inclined or at least willing to learn, you can get a decent saw for little $$.  Thee is a lot of guys on this forum and others who are willing to impart their knowledge to help a guy get pointed in the right direction.

[clww]

I'd recommend that you check out the local CL, too. The last two saws I bought was from there. The latest is a  MS460 that I paid $500 for. The one before that was an MS361 that I paid $375 for.

[John Mc]

You can definitely find some good saws on Craig's list or eBay. Sometimes it's tough to tell if you are getting a good saw, or someone else's problems. If you are not familiar with chainsaws, it might be worth asking a friend who is to help you pick one out.

Some dealers will also sell used saws on occasion. The upside of this MIGHT be that he's gone through it and checked it out. The downside is that he needs to make his profit as well, so you'll likely pay a bit more for the same saw than if you bought it direct from the original owner. It is a way to start a relationship with a local dealer, however.

[ladylake]

 A Echo CS400 off Ebay for just over $200 is one nice saw that really cuts.   Steve

[Al_Smith]

Quite frankly a saw off flea bay is a dice roll .Most are sold as is if you read the ads .I've done fairly well but I also never paid too much either assuming they would all  need repairs .

If you can't repair saws you'd best not buy a flea bay saw .

Craigs list you're only dealing with the seller not the entire world .Also as has been mentioned take somebody with you if you don't know what to look for in a used saw if you go that route .

[ladylake]

 
Those Echo CS400 saws are new in the box but most  need the limiter caps pulled and tuned before they are used, not after 3 tanks.  Also a muff modd really wakes them up.  With both of those done they are a 13# ready to cut saw that cuts faster than most 15 to 18# 50cc+ homeowner saws.   Steve

[Al_Smith]

Well just a couple of observations on these things .First it's a tiny little 40.2 cc saw .It might be okay ,I really can't say .

They list on flea bay from about 165 up to 240 or so ,plus shipping .Several sellers are second party type dealers and assume no liabilty in the transaction and some charge a restocking fee regardless of it's defective or not .

Now I'm not saying they won't work however the OP was asking a question obviously because he's unknowledgeable concerning chainsaws .

Now this is just an opinion  which I'm entitled to but it appears several venders have somehow acquired a box car full of basically "box store " saws and are peddling them on flea bay .

As such just how much more would it cost figuring shipping etc. and the hasstle to just buy the thing at the box store to begin with .At least Lowes,Wall Mart and Home Depot honer their warrentees .These flea bay people do not .--something to think about or argue such be the case --- ;)

[ladylake]

 I know a lot of people don't but everyone that runs a saw should learn how to tune one, it's not that hard and will save them a lot of money.   Steve