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

[Spike60]

359 is a decent saw, but I also thought it should feel lighter than it does. I think every chassis has at least one thing to look out for, and with these it's the plastic intake boot clamp on the early models. It could get loose and cause a significant air leak that would take out the top end. Easy check is to try and move it back and forth with your thumb. If it moves, you want to replace it with the metal clamp for sure. 

359's all came from the factory with 3/8. 357, and the better looking 2156,  could be ordered with .325. So the parts exist to go either way on all models. But it requires more than just a sprocket change. Large vs small spline drums are involved. Even the oil gears are different. Same confusion existed with the earlier 254/257/262 chassis. 

[TreefarmerNN]

I did check and the saw has the metal boot clamp so hopefully it's good.  The guy threw in 10 chains, mostly all dull but few of them are ground down.  A couple were sharpened with a grinder and it looks like a couple, including the one on the saw were sharpened with an undersized file.  Most of them are useable but will need considerable sharpening.

[Spike60]

Good on the clamp. 

I'd be the same way on most of those chains. The work you can get out of them is worth more than the work you need to put into them. 

[Woodfarmer]

I have a 2159 EHP ported for me 20 years ago, still one of my favourite saws.

[David B]

I am a fan of those saws ported. Can't say I've run one stock.


3/8" 20" is probably the most practical KISS setup. I just used to like to mess around and try different stuff a lot. 

 I think I posted the vids already, but depending on wood species and use, I run 3/8" LP 24", .325" 20"  - I have the stuff to run .325" 24", just haven't, but I think I might run into chip flow problems (unless I run skip). The smaller pitches take less power to pull but dull faster.

I have run a .325" 20" 9 pin large spline rim I think. Easy switch and limbs like mad. Chain probably needs to be a link longer. Stihl .325" Narrow kerf is awesome  - 23RS 

[Spike60]

That's why I have a 9 pin .325 rim I've never used Dave.    Standard chains don't fit. Especially on a large mount saw. We never evenn owned a breaker/spinner. We sold a LOT of chain, often by the case. No way I'm spinning chain to save 25 cents a loop or whatever it was. I suppose it would be a good way to punish an employee, but I liked the kid we had working for us. 

[TreefarmerNN]

I related in Post #7 that I had left my Husky 51 on the tailgate of my truck and someone else picked it up.  I was pretty sure it was an Amazon driver but neither Amazon customer service or the local Amazon depot could tell me who the driver was.  (They had left a package on our door between when the saw fell off and when I returned to look for it.)  I posted signs in the area but after a couple of weeks, I replaced the saw.

This past week, I got a call from a driver who had seen the signs and had my saw.  We met up on Friday and sure enough, it was my saw.  He got my profuse thanks along with some green as a token of my appreciation for his honesty.  So now I have a Husky 359 to go with my 51 which has a little road rash on the bottom of the handle but I can see no other damage.  My Stihl is feeling outnumbered- can an ordinary person have too many chainsaws?

[Big_eddy]

Great news and thanks for passing along. Always nice to know there a good folks out there.

can an ordinary person have too many chainsaws?

No idea.
I have 4 running and more not running. I don't think that's too many.

Well okay, maybe it would be better if I had fewer that weren't running but ....

Then again, I'm not ordinary and neither are most people I know.

[barbender]

That's a good feeling for someone to be honest and bring it back, even if it's a bit bruised up.

Nah, you'll never have too many saws.

[TreefarmerNN]

Too many saws may not be a problem.  My son called last night and is coming up this weekend.  I have a feeling he was thinking he might be the solution for too many saws.  He doesn't need a saw as his house has no trees that can't be cut with a reciprocating saw but he was asking a lot of questions, lol.

[David B]

That's why I have a 9 pin .325 rim I've never used Dave.    Standard chains don't fit. Especially on a large mount saw. We never evenn owned a breaker/spinner. We sold a LOT of chain, often by the case. No way I'm spinning chain to save 25 cents a loop or whatever it was. I suppose it would be a good way to punish an employee, but I liked the kid we had working for us. 

All the possibilities and money savings...got some free 24" 404 loops, needed a couple links out. Have a couple 36" loops I got cheap or free that need them. Stihl (or raisman) semi chisel .404 chain seems to cut dirty wood with impunity. Thoroughly disappointed with Oregon 3/8" semi.

 I buy 36" once used never sharpened 3/8" stihl chains for $16 when I need it, break and spin to desired length.