I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade ago to
help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is something with
a little more balls, a little more bar and something which less finicky to
start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of which
have good service departments, so that seems like a good place to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think that's
probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than carry an extra
..7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve

StephenM wrote:
I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade ago to
help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is something with
a little more balls, a little more bar and something which less finicky to
start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of which
have good service departments, so that seems like a good place to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think that's
probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than carry an extra
.7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve


My old Husqvarna has a compression release button to make starting
easy. Not sure if the later models have it. It is a rancher 55 and
pulls a 20" bar as well as the 18 that came on it.

My brother just got a saw with the tool-less chain adjustment. It
either doesn't hold well or the chain stretches because he is
constantly tightening his chain. (it is a cheaper saw. You generally
won't go wrong with a Stihl or a Husky.)

I just bought a Kubota 20' because my Husky was down and I needed to
cut some blanks beside the road before they were hauled away. It is a
heavy sucker but it has the umph. Wouldn't want to use it all day.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

You know what I always say...

In article ,
"StephenM" wrote:

I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade ago to
help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is something with
a little more balls, a little more bar and something which less finicky to
start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of which
have good service departments, so that seems like a good place to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think that's
probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than carry an extra
.7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve

Good saw, not a bad unit at all. I own two Husky's myself, a 455 with a
24 inch bar and a 300's series with a 16. But as many bux as a Stuhl,
but great saws

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

In article ,
"StephenM" wrote:

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Either Stihl or Husqvarna is good.

If it's all in range of the house (and won't do much for an ice storm)
one poster here had gotten an electric Stihl and was quite happy with it
- can use inside, no fumes, no gas going bad on you, but not a joke as
electrics usually are. Not cheap either, but that comes with the
territory.

I have an MS290 (Stihl, "rancher") with 20 inch bar, and it's been very
reliable. 5 years and one service (fuel line broke - the way the saw is
assembled getting to that fuel line was tricky, so I handed it to my saw
shop). Get at least one spare chain, swap chains regularly, and replace
the sprocket when you wear out the chains. Flip the bar when swapping
chains. Beware gimmicks - a tool adjust chain is easy to adjust and
stays put, where a "no tool" adds more ways to go wrong. Sharpen with
every fuel fill. Crank the chain oil setting up - factory setting tends
to be a bit wimpy as shipped - you should go through nearly a tank of
bar oil to a tank of fuel, and always refill bar oil when refilling fuel.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

On Fri, 6 Feb 2009 07:33:55 -0500, "StephenM"
wrote:

Both good brands.. I really like my 14" Stihl..

I needed to add a gas chain saw a few years ago.. Liked the Craftsman 14"
electric but couldn't find a 5 mile long extension cord..

We looked at 16" and bigger, but decided to stay with 14" for the following
reasons, which may or may not apply to your use:

Good size to carry and use, since my wife also uses it..

Don't plan on cutting any 30 or 40" logs..

Needed it to fit in the "farm box" behind the cab of the truck...

Needed to be able to comfortable LIFT the sucker into the farm box... Especially
as I "age to perfection", as my wife puts it..
(bought it about 5 years ago, I'm 62 now)

It's been a very good saw... Easy to start and run, very nice balance,
parts/service are available anywhere, etc..

I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade ago to
help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is something with
a little more balls, a little more bar and something which less finicky to
start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of which
have good service departments, so that seems like a good place to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think that's
probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than carry an extra
.7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Feb 6, 4:33*am, "StephenM" wrote:
I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade ago to
help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is something with
a little more balls, a little more bar and something which less finicky to
start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of which
have good service departments, so that seems like a good place to start.

I'm * leaning to the Stihl 325. *The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think that's
probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than carry an extra
.7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve

When I was buying, all the recommendations were Stihl or Husqvarna, 6
of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. I bought a Stihl because it came with
a case, and the Huskie dealer was out of cases and wouldn't have one
for a few weeks. I have an 025C, 18" bar, and the only complaint I
have is that the kill switch sometimes vibrates out and the saw won't
shut off without some finagling with the choke and stuff. The 025C
only takes up to an 18" bar, and in retrospect I should have bought
the 029 (MS 290 now, I believe), for a bit more power and length, but
I opted for the smaller saw because I'm not as strong as I used to be.

Got to love it when I see 'My old Husqvarna ... Rancher 55...'

I was using my Husqvarna (Sweden made) 50 with a 20" bar today cutting
an oak tree I dropped.

Have to buy a new bar for it - to many times a loose chain drug on it
so I flipped the bar over and the loose side is on top. Works good again.

I suppose I should get it to the dealer some day for a 50,000 log checkup.

Martin

Gerald Ross wrote:
StephenM wrote:
I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade
ago to help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is
something with a little more balls, a little more bar and something
which less finicky to start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the
weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch
swing) minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a
year. Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually,
if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of
which have good service departments, so that seems like a good place
to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think
that's probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than
carry an extra .7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve

My old Husqvarna has a compression release button to make starting easy.
Not sure if the later models have it. It is a rancher 55 and pulls a 20"
bar as well as the 18 that came on it.

My brother just got a saw with the tool-less chain adjustment. It either
doesn't hold well or the chain stretches because he is constantly
tightening his chain. (it is a cheaper saw. You generally won't go wrong
with a Stihl or a Husky.)

I just bought a Kubota 20' because my Husky was down and I needed to cut
some blanks beside the road before they were hauled away. It is a heavy
sucker but it has the umph. Wouldn't want to use it all day.

FWIW, I have an electric Sthil and am happy with it - but I don't live where
trees falling in an ice storm will be a problem. But, with that said, the
Sthil web site a few years back talked about a lumber company using the
electric saws and a portable generator - apparently greatly reduced operator
fatigue - so this might be a consideration. But, the Sthil electric saws
are more expensive than the gas ones - but they are hugely better than any
other electric I'm aware of. I posted my sad experience with "lesser saws"
a few years back, searching the archives will probably reval those posts


"Ecnerwal" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"StephenM" wrote:

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Either Stihl or Husqvarna is good.

If it's all in range of the house (and won't do much for an ice storm)
one poster here had gotten an electric Stihl and was quite happy with it
- can use inside, no fumes, no gas going bad on you, but not a joke as
electrics usually are. Not cheap either, but that comes with the
territory.

I have an MS290 (Stihl, "rancher") with 20 inch bar, and it's been very
reliable. 5 years and one service (fuel line broke - the way the saw is
assembled getting to that fuel line was tricky, so I handed it to my saw
shop). Get at least one spare chain, swap chains regularly, and replace
the sprocket when you wear out the chains. Flip the bar when swapping
chains. Beware gimmicks - a tool adjust chain is easy to adjust and
stays put, where a "no tool" adds more ways to go wrong. Sharpen with
every fuel fill. Crank the chain oil setting up - factory setting tends
to be a bit wimpy as shipped - you should go through nearly a tank of
bar oil to a tank of fuel, and always refill bar oil when refilling fuel.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

Thanks all for the input.

I'll be going for the Stihl w/o the tool-free chain adjust. The corrsponding
Husky was $20 cheaper but 10% less HP and a 1/2 lb heavier. Also, the bar
attachment had only one smallish nut rather than the two w/ an integrated
flange in the Stihl.

Cheers,

Steve


"StephenM" wrote in message
...
I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a decade ago
to help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would like is something
with a little more balls, a little more bar and something which less
finicky to start, adjust and maintain. Also, keeping the weight down is a
plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch swing)
minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood a year.
Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of which
have good service departments, so that seems like a good place to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I think
that's probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the cord than carry
an extra .7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve

StephenM wrote:

Thanks all for the input.

I'll be going for the Stihl w/o the tool-free chain adjust. The
corrsponding Husky was $20 cheaper but 10% less HP and a 1/2 lb
heavier. Also, the bar attachment had only one smallish nut rather
than the two w/ an integrated flange in the Stihl.

Cheers,

Steve


"StephenM" wrote in message
...
I would like to upgrade the low-end 14" saw that I purchased a
decade ago to help clear the mess after an ice storm. What I would
like is something with a little more balls, a little more bar and
something which less finicky to start, adjust and maintain. Also,
keeping the weight down is a plus.

It will be used for prepping bowl blanks for my Jet 1442 (14-inch
swing) minor yard cleanup and cutting all of about 2 cords of wood
a year. Realistically, it will see about a dozen hours of use
annually, if that.

Locally I have both a Stihl dealer and a Husqvarna dealer, each of
which have good service departments, so that seems like a good
place to start.

I'm leaning to the Stihl 325. The CB model has a tool-free chain
adjustment and a E-Z start (spring-wound starting assist) but I
think that's probably a poor tradeoff as I would rather pull the
cord than carry an extra .7 lbs.

Is there any other features or models that I should be looking at
specifically be looking for?

Thnaks,

Steve


When I needed to replace my SP81 McCulloch (5 cuin) I looked at both
Stihl and Husky but bought a 7900 Dolmar becauase I got a better deal.
I still have a Sachs-dolmar 120 that I've had for years. The Dolmar was
lighter and had more power than the Husky or Stihl of the same class.
6.1hp and 13lb. I use a 24", 28" and 32" bar. I had to cut up a Poplar
that was about 5 and half feet in diameter. there's also Solo which
makes a good saw. Jim

--