Looking for recommendations on a second saw

[Cornerstone]

Currently my only saw is a Stihl ms251. I've had trouble starting it lately and thought I'd like to have a new saw and one that's a bit more powerful. I'm not gonna ditch the 251, but have it as a backup. What saws would any of you recommend that's under $500. if possible.  I think a 20" bar will be large enough for what I'll be using it for. I'm also curious what "professional" saws prices start out at and when is it advisable to step into that category? Any help is appreciated, thanks.... Brian 

[Colonel428]

Hi Brian, I'm Steve.  Well, I'd probably recommend you look at the Echo line of saws, particularly the 490, 590 and 620 models. Pro saw builds at a great price point.  Best of luck in your search.

[WLzM1A]

Hi Brian, I'm Steve.  Well, I'd probably recommend you look at the Echo line of saws, particularly the 490, 590 and 620 models. Pro saw builds at a great price point.  Best of luck in your search.

I've been eyeballing there CS-7310SX.  It is a beast at 73 cm's and just shy of 7 kg's.  Big saw with medium weight

[ladylake]

 The Echo CS590 for $400 or less is the best buy out there, would go well with your MS251.  Steve

[Cornerstone]

Thanks gentlemen. I like that 3 for 3 said the same brand. I looked through their line of saws and agree that the cs590 seems to be a lot of saw for the money. Can't wait to get my grubby paws on one now.  

[Cornerstone]

So I see that I can get it with a 20" or 24" bar for another 20$.... any thoughts on this? 

[sawguy21]

What are your plans for it? A 24" is pretty well the limit for a 60cc saw particularly with 3/8 chain and it will be nose heavy. 20" is a nice size and will cut up to 40" if working from both sides.

[lxskllr]

20" for a daily driver, and maybe a 24" for occasional use if you have the need. It should pull a 24" fine, but as Sawguy said, it'll make it nose heavy, and a nose heavy saw feels heavier than the numbers on a scale would indicate.

[Cornerstone]

That answers that! I seriously doubt I'll ever have a need for larger than 40". If that day comes I'll buy the bigger one then. Bigger isn't always better so 20" it is. Thank you again fellas.

[Cornerstone]

Nose heavy. Reminds me of my second boss at a restaurant I washed dishes at when I was 16. He looked like he was about to fall forward all the time.  :D

[caveman]

The Echo 59cc saw seems to be a good saw for the money.  I have a couple of Husqvarna 545's.  With a sharp chain they will not disappoint you.  I search CL almost every day.  My favorite saw, an old 365 Husqvarna was purchased for $100 from a CL ad.  Unfortunately, I let a log fall on it and crush it.  I spent a lot of money on two 572's to replace it.

[Cornerstone]

*The Echo 59cc saw seems to be a good saw for the money. 


*Unfortunately, I let a log fall on it and crush it.  I spent a lot of money on two 572's to replace it.

* I stopped by Home Depot last night and picked one up. You guys were right. There are several things about this saw that stand out to me. It's seriously beefy... I like the double nuts holding the bar on that's sandwiched with metal on both sides as opposed to the single nut with only a plastic cover on my Stihl. The no nonsense steel toggle on/ off switch is a nice touch over the plastic lever on/ off/ choke combo on the Stihl. Plus the decompression valve is a bonus. It starts easily, idles smooth and has an incredibly responsive throttle. It runs a lot like my old rm80 did. My first cut was taking the root ball off of an elm tree I dug up in my back yard a couple of days ago. Last years storms busted it up pretty badly and it was an eyesore, and I need the practice on my sawmill.
  
* I feel your pain caveman. This is my second Stihl chainsaw... I backed over the first with my tractor. That's a sinking feeling when you realize what that *crunch* sound was.

Brian



 

[mtraven]

i see you've already bought a saw, I was going to suggest the ms291.  Its a touch over $500, but its a powerhouse with a 20" blades.    I've had mine about 2 years now, easy to start and with a sharp blade, its nearly impossible to bog down. Just my 2 cents.  Happy cutting!

[ladylake]

 A Echo CS590 is a way better saw than a Stihl MS291.  Built better, more power and less$   .  Steve

[Spike60]

Did it even cross your mind to buy the saw from an Echo dealer who would be there when you need parts and service?

[ladylake]

 Most times  Home depot and a dealer are the same price.   Steve

[caveman]

Did it even cross your mind to buy the saw from an Echo dealer who would be there when you need parts and service?

The replacement saws we recently purchased were not Echo but we did buy them from a local Husqvarna dealer.  Although expensive, his price on the same saw was quite a bit less than a former FF sponsor from California that usually has decent prices on chainsaws.  The out the door price was comparable to the former sponsor's price before adding tax and shipping.

Monday, I stopped into a local lawnmower shop that also sells echo saws.  Our top handle Echo needed an oil pump (the pump gear was stripped).  The counter guy was able to pull up the part and order it for the same cost I could get it for from an internet supplier.  It's hard enough to find someone to run the register at the box stores these days.  I doubt they would be much help with ordering parts.

On the new Echo, chances are you won't need much in the way of parts and service if you run it regularly and keep good (non-ethanol) gas in it.  I've had one Echo since 2004 and all it has required is chains and now it needs a new bar.

[lxskllr]

I got a bit of a deal on my cs400 from the dealer. It was the same list price as everywhere else, but it came with the nice tuffbox case. About a $40 addon, and I like keeping my saws boxed. Keeps the sun off, and the wear/tear is limited to when it's actually working.

[Watergrl]

Hey, Brian, I hope you don't mind me joining your conversation. So, I've had a little Stihl 021 since 1997, rarely used it and in fact had not used it in 5 years. Fueled it up recently and couldn't get it to start. Turns out that there is oil leaking into the crankcase and it needs new bearings. Repair will exceed value of the saw. So, I am looking for a replacement. Something small, but not too small, for cutting up rounds and the occasional tree-felling in BC. I think nothing over the 21-inch bar that I'm used to, something easy to work with. Years ago, I had an Echo with 36-inch bar, building a cabin in Alaska, but I'm in my 7th decade so want something easy to start, easy to maintain, quality. All comments welcome.

[Watergrl]

Oh, yeah, I wanted to add that I looked at the Stihl MS 170 and 180 models and they look kinda flimsy compared to my old saw. And the fact that they are sold at Walmart is a real downer.

[btulloh]

Welcome!  Chainsaw discussions generally get a lively debate with varying opinions, but can provide some good info for making a decision. It would be helpful to know how much firewood you're dealing with as that should have an impact on your choice of saws. 

Yes, I'd agree with your statement about the Ms170/180 and the big box retailer. I have a Ms170 I boughtthree years ago for $159 and for me it's a good saw for light, occasional tasks or limbing. Does pretty well considering but not a real workhorse. If it required anything more than routine service like filters or a plug, I would just pitch it.  

Really best to buy from a real dealer with service and support capability.  I'd choose a dealer before I chose a brand.  These days, the homeowner models of any of the saws are not that great.  Farm and ranch (mid level saws) don't seem to be as good as they used to be.  I favor something out of the pro line for performance, power to weight, and maintenance. For me that's Stihl ms261, 362, 462, 500i, etc.  Husky's XP saws are well thought of too, I just happen to be a Stihl guy.  

Just watching these discussions, it sounds like Echo makes a good saw and seems to be the best bang for the buck.  I think they all have primer bulbs too, which should mean a few less pulls on a cold start.

No matter which brand you might decide on, I think it's a much better idea to buy from a real dealer and not a big box retailer. At some point you're going to need some support. 

[dave86]

My Echo 620 has worked well for me.

[lxskllr]

I just picked up a new to me cs490, and it has no primer bulb. I haven't used it yet, but it took quite a few pulls to get going. It was barely used, but had been sitting for an indeterminate amount of time, with fuel that looked like it was mixed too heavy with oil. I expect it'll be better going forward. The previous owner left numerous clues that they didn't really know what they were doing.

Anyway, point is they don't all have primer bulbs  :^D

[sawguy21]

@Watergrl From what you are telling us the Echo CS-490 would be a fine choice as long as you have a supportive local dealer. Light, good power and reliable at a reasonable price.

[Magicman]

Stihl at Walmart?? 

I have been regularly using a 170 at the sawmill for several years (probably 5) and I have no issues.  The exhaust screen had to be cleaned once.  It was $200 out the door with oil and a spare chain.  If it failed tomorrow I would buy nothing else.