The Forestry Forum

What is the quality of these saws?  Been looking at getting a backup saw and I'm not looking to spend a pile of money.  I've been seeing quite a few 42's and 55's for sale at a decent price.  Are they a decent saw or a waste of money?

Thanks

The 55 is a fine saw. Called a "ranch" saw but pro construction with split mag case. Very good 53cc saw. Simple and easy to work on.

Both are what I would call "semi-pro" models - basically pro quality, but with a bit less performance and maybe a few cheapened details.

42's are little butt kicker saws....55 are alright. Easy to work on but at low end of the husqvarna line of the time

Quote from: gman98 on September 20, 2016, 04:50:26 PM
What is the quality of these saws?  Been looking at getting a backup saw and I'm not looking to spend a pile of money.  I've been seeing quite a few 42's and 55's for sale at a decent price.  Are they a decent saw or a waste of money?

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RNjBtl8lpc

I've had great luck with a  55 for years. A few years back I looked into replacing it but wasn't overly impressed with the newer saws. Instead of new i decided to learn how to work on my old saw which is what brought me to this site. Since then I've come up with another nonrunning 55, refurbed it and now have a new hobby that also pays back. Also have accumulated a shop manual and lots of spare parts. 55's are pretty good at power/weight, dependable, all told a decent choice for a firewood or limbing saw. 

Quote from: bluthum on September 23, 2016, 12:12:08 PM
.... 55's are pretty good at power/weight, ....

Sort of, for a semi-pro saw of the time - but nothing spectacular. The 353 certainly was a better semi-pro saw in the class, and the current 545 is even better.