Best Old person saw? Back in the woods with a Husqvarna 565

[weimedog]

Also felling really brittle ash this time for a while b 4 heading back to maple.
These are really flexible until the snap. And because of the strong fiber they can be a little tricky, have to bore cut a little more than maple , understand their tendency to pull or chair, and NOT be where they might want to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dSxJEtOLlE&t=1s

[Woodfarmer]

Have to be more careful now Walt. A lot of mine are snapping off 20' up. 

[Al_Smith]

Ash by it's nature is a dry wood but EAB killed stuff the roots will fail after about 5-6 years standing dead .If the fallen tree is above the ground it remains about as hard as concrete .However if it gets in contact with the ground the bottom maybe 1 inch will rot .Even then it remains good fire wood .
Fact of the approx 5 cords I have stacked is wind blown ash and most of it was 6 inch stuff I don't have to split .That little stuff a 3 cube saws does a fine job on IMO .Why wear yourself out swinging an 80 cc saw when a 3 cuber works out just about as well ?I'm at the age the easiest way is what I use .It takes a lot of cuts to get a cord but 3 foot oak will wear you out faster .

[Spike60]

Why wear yourself out swinging an 80 cc saw when a 3 cuber works out just about as well ?I'm at the age the easiest way is what I use .It takes a lot of cuts to get a cord but 3 foot oak will wear you out faster .

Been asking this same question myself, Al. Notice how it hasn't been answered?.    Walt is into felling some pretty large trees right now, and 70cc saws are the minimum for those trees. So, 80+ cc saws offer a little more oomph when you want it. Where we diverge is using those same saws to break down the tops, when every size saw on the planet is available. Last time up there, I was working with a 266SE and a 2153. Walt was swinging an all metal 285 with 28" bar. I carried it about 50 yards back to the utility vehicle when we were loading out, and I said "what are you doing to yourself?" At 68 years old, we are not without chronic aches and pains. Each of us has a unique list, as most of us do at this stage. 

All of us have our own preferences as to how much saw to grab for a given job. For me, until the wood gets past 10", a good 50cc saw is fine. Even smaller saws are plenty for breaking down those tops where most of the cuts are both smaller wood and shoulder height or above. But those trees are big enough that even doing the tops, will include a few cuts that the smaller saws will try your patience. But I prefer that to running a big saw that is overkill for most of the job.

[Al_Smith]

On that a couple of months ago I broke out a Husky 2100 to make a stump cut of around 36 inches on a dead oak .Danged thing kept vibrating the carb off .Little did I know at the time the bracket was missing .Found one on e-bay which cured it .However I did feel a little silly having owned the big Swede for 15 years and never looked at the IPL of it .Actually I should have known better but missed it .Live and learn 

[Spike60]

I got rid of my biggest saws. Couple 2100's, 394, 395. Along with the 285 and Homelite 540 to Walt. Kept a few in the "next size down" group. If I can't cut something with a 288 or 930Super, then it ain't getting cut.

I did hang on to a Jonsered 111,which would outcut the 2100's. Certainly not lighter, but it does have a deco.

[Al_Smith]

I've got five chainsaws over 100 cc and three at 99 cc .I obviously don't use them much and they often sit 5 years or more  and not run .which brings on other things like they won't start .To me the very fact they will run after restoration is more important than operating them on  a regular bassis .

[TreefarmerNN]

After stupidly leaving a tailgate open on my truck, I'm in the market to replace an old but really good running Husky 51.  Stihl dealers are closer than Husky but I really liked that Husky.

What say you? I'm definitely in the older category having passed 70.

[beenthere]

I do like the Stihl MS 261 a lot, but can't suggest a Husky equivalent, although likely is one. Have mine with an 18" bar and this 85 yr old gets along just fine with it for several years now. When bigger is needed, the 20" on my MS 362 comes out. I really like the computer backup on these two saws. 

[David B]

After stupidly leaving a tailgate open on my truck, I'm in the market to replace an old but really good running Husky 51.  Stihl dealers are closer than Husky but I really liked that Husky.

What say you? I'm definitely in the older category having passed 70.

I like 346xps. 

[Spike60]

The modern Husky equivalent to the ms261 in the 550M2, which is a really nice saw to run. Thing is, both of them represent each companies' top pro offering in the 50cc class, and are priced accordingly. The 51 didn't quite occupy that rung on the ladder. (That was the 254xp) In either case, they will both feel different than your 51. Might like them; might not. 

Another option, especially if you really liked your 51, is to find a used 51 or 55 in decent shape. That chassis was on the market got a lot of years, and they sold a LOT of saws. They are very reliable workhorses, as you know. But they don't have "closed port" cylinders, and don't win silly cookie cut races for the enthusiast crowd. That, along with the large number of saws produced ensures that you can find saws in nice shape at inexpensive prices.They're plenty still out there in various states of repair. If needed, they are very easy and inexpensive to rebuild. 

The current homeowner 50cc saws from Husky and stihl are plastic case saws that clearly fall short of the very underated 51/55 chassis. 

[John Mc]

After stupidly leaving a tailgate open on my truck, I'm in the market to replace an old but really good running Husky 51.  Stihl dealers are closer than Husky but I really liked that Husky.

What say you? I'm definitely in the older category having passed 70.

I like 346xps.

Unfortunately, Husqvarna stopped making the 346XP about 13 years ago.

[David B]

After stupidly leaving a tailgate open on my truck, I'm in the market to replace an old but really good running Husky 51.  Stihl dealers are closer than Husky but I really liked that Husky.

What say you? I'm definitely in the older category having passed 70.

I like 346xps.

Unfortunately, Husqvarna stopped making the 346XP about 13 years ago.

I bought mine as parts cheap and sent it to @huskihl Kevin LaVanway for rebuild and porting. Lot of power in a light package.

https://youtu.be/oXy7ois15Tc?si=v086yFIMdP1w0U2o

[David B]

I think some of the saws in the 51/55 series can be fitted with the 346 cylinder. 

[David B]

I've always been a husky/jonsered guy but knew I think I'd go with a 261. I had a ported 550 that didn't impress me, I liked the grunt of the 261.

[Spike60]

I think some of the saws in the 51/55 series can be fitted with the 346 cylinder.

Nope. Not related at all. 51/55 top ends and the way the carb is pulsed originated from the Partner side of the family. (Ever wonder why 51 cylinders are tapped for a top mount) If ya gotta have a hotter cylinder, closed port cylinders from the Jonsered 490 and 590, (essentially red Partners), make for an interesting saw. Or from a Partner 5000 or Poulan Pro 325? I've done a couple of them, but obviously those top ends are hard to find. One of them was also used on the Husky closed port 55. In the real world though, the 46mm 55 Rancher top end is the most versatile. And has the low end grunt you like.

[Spike60]

I've always been a husky/jonsered guy but knew I think I'd go with a 261. I had a ported 550 that didn't impress me, I liked the grunt of the 261.ight 

Might that have had something to do with the porter? Very often the case. And was it the M1 or the M2? The M2 has a wider power band than the original did.

Which Jonsereds did you like? Red saws ought to dominate the conversation on Christmas. 

[David B]

Merry Christmas Bob, and with all due respect, that silly port job means I can get away with 24" on a light saw! 😁

Ok, I ain't gonna bury that all day, but ya know.

Live oak, 2600 janka as opposed to 1400 for most other oaks.

https://youtu.be/bKi6Z_GAV80?si=ow0hUTZAaVRrBbj7

[Spike60]

Very nice Dave. Is that .325 chain with the 8 pin? (I don't know the stihl designations)

.325 running an 8 pin makes for a quick saw. .325 8 is about the same diameter as a 3/8 7 pin. I've got a 560xpg set up like that and it's a light Saber

[David B]

@Spike60  I don't think I've met a jonny I don't like. Current favorite is 2175. Have  a red 346 in the works to replace my brunette 346. Better felling sights=handle. Someday I'd like a metal jonny the runs like a 288 with a BGD. 

Is it the 353 that can be 346'd ? My memory is trash...never got into those saws. 2050 then 346. 

I don't remember the exact model of 2252 but yes, I don't think the port work was up to par. Kevin's 346s have a reputation...notice me leaning back in the vid to hold the saw back. 

It is 23RS Pro. Narrow Kerf and crazy wicked fast factory angles - decent durability too. 

[David B]

I have a pile of 2050 projects I need to get a round to. David young has a porting recipe for them, got the piston he recommended.

Last runner starting spitting gas on my right hand. Some kind of vent line methinks.

This showed up before Christmas instead of after, I must have  been a good boy. Too nice for who it's for, I'll try to keep it that way.

[Spike60]

2247 = early 346 42mm
2153 = 346NE 44.3MM
2152 = 353 45mm capped port jug. Never liked them at all. Later 350 used the same jug with a dished piston. Made it even more lame.

Narrow kerf is like a secret in the saw world, ain't it?

You ought to find yourself a nice 930Super. Or 920. Love that chassis; got em all. Shares nothing with a 288 except the ignition.

[Spike60]

What sits atop the 2175? 51.4mm XPW jug?

[David B]

What sits atop the 2175? 51.4mm XPW jug?

Yessir. From MG2186, ported by Eric Copsey. It's my second one, first one I got from Tim Strunk, ported by Kevin. Now I'll probably sell my first jonny that size, 2166 I had Kevin port before I knew of the larger non XT top ends. Not that the XT is a slouch. 

[Spike60]

XT's don't get the love they deserve. I've enjoyed this and we'll pick it up again........it's time to eat. FINALLY!