I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw to replace his worn
out old Craftsman. I don't know anything about chainsaws to be
honest, but I have gathered that Husqvarna and Stihl are two top
contenders.

He has about 30 acres with a wooded creek running through it. He
doesn't cut wood for burning anymore - so, this will really only be
for occasional use. Trimming up here and there and taking care of the
occasional broken branch. We had a severe ice storm this winter and
there are still several broken limbs that need to be cleaned up.

I understand that dealer availability is a major factor for
consideration. My dad actually has a friend that works on his current
chainsaw and I think he can work on anything with a small motor. That
said, Stihl has what looks like a decent lawn and garden shop as a
dealer that is fairly close. The Husqvarna will have to be bought
from Lowe's.

I'm thinking a 16 inch is probably about all he needs really. I went
out to look at a few chainsaws today and I think 16 inches is a good
size. I'm not sure what size motor he might need. He's in his late
60s, so no need to get anything bigger than necessary, but nice to
have something adequate. I also question if one of the chainsaws with
an easy start system might not be worth considering because of my
father's age.

I think I'm ready to pony up between $300 and $400 for a good
chainsaw. Lowe's has the Husqvarna model 345 45cc chainsaw for $289
locally. To be honest - I didn't really like the flimsy feel of the
choke on it: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...345&lpage=none

The local Stihl dealer has a variety of models in that general price
range - http://www.stihldealer.net/categoryp...tprods-38.aspx

The MS 250 C-BE looks like it has everything that I might be looking
for, but it's on the high end of what I think I want to spend. Maybe
he doesn't need a 45cc motor? Would the MS 210 C-BE be sufficient?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I ran a search of the
newsgroups and didn't find anything very recent on the subject. I
also question if the Husqvarnas have deteriorated in production
quality in recent years? Are the Stihl and Husqvarna still equal in
quality?

On Feb 18, 7:36 pm, Fastfwd wrote:

I'm thinking a 16 inch is probably about all he needs really. I went
out to look at a few chainsaws today and I think 16 inches is a good
size. I'm not sure what size motor he might need. He's in his late
60s, so no need to get anything bigger than necessary, but nice to
have something adequate.

The way to make sure you have plenty of chainsaw is to get one with a
bar that is 2 inches longer than the biggest log you will be cutting.
If you are only cutting droppings and not felling trees, and 16 inch
just may be the ticket. If you run into anything larger, you simply
make a couple of cuts instead of one straight through.

The larger the chainsaw, the bigger the motor (hopefully) and the more
weight you have. It is important to try the heft of a chainsaw before
you buy it. If you are going to be using it for a while each session,
you don't want to get one that makes you tired. Tired = fatigue, and
fatigue makes you have accidents.
There is no such thing as a non-serious chainsaw accident.

I feel like ol' Norm here, but I am gonna do it anyway. When using a
chainsaw, make sure you have the proper safety equipment. For a lot
of us that have used chainsaw extensively for many years, it can be a
hard habit to get into, but imperative, nonetheless. Face shield,
thick gloves, heavy boots, ear protection, and chaps are great. You
will never regret any of those things if a chain breaks, the saw
slips, or you lose your footing while cutting.

I like this a lot: http://tinyurl.com/2jtv82

I also question if one of the chainsaws with
an easy start system might not be worth considering because of my
father's age.

Buddy, at ANY age the easy start is great.


I think I'm ready to pony up between $300 and $400 for a good
chainsaw. Lowe's has the Husqvarna model 345 45cc chainsaw for $289
locally. To be honest - I didn't really like the flimsy feel of the
choke on it

I have the big brother to that saw, one with 46 cc and a 24 inch
bar. http://tinyurl.com/23uu7j I am not gonna lie, it is
heavy. The bar contributes a lot to this as making sure that the
longer bar doesn't touch anything is tiring. I cut down a large live
oak tree last year, and after using it all day I was really weary.
The saw didn't beat me up, it has spring suspension on it that is
really nice and cuts the vibrations down to almost nothing. But
to cut 4 1/2 - 5 cords of wood with one of my amigos, it really wore
me out.


he doesn't need a 45cc motor? Would the MS 210 C-BE be sufficient?

45 ccs is a lot of motor for a cleanup trimmer. It would be plenty I
would think, but maybe unnecessary. Again, I would look at heft and
balance as part of this equation. You can't have too much power, but
wagging around more than you need is no fun either.

also question if the Husqvarnas have deteriorated in production
quality in recent years? Are the Stihl and Husqvarna still equal in
quality?

I think the rumor got started by folks when Husky quit making their
product and parts a "dealer only" machine. Unlike Stihl, you can buy
replacement parts and maintenance parts right on the web. Even if
your buddy can fix the Stihl with the right parts, he has to buy them
from an authorized dealer. You know what that means in regards to
pricing.

In the end, I went with Husky as we didn't have a close Stihl dealer,
and the one that is the closest charges $85 to bench the saw to look
at it, then charges Stihl labor rates (yes... different from Husky
rates since he knows he can get more) and
charges full retail for the parts.

Since I work on my own tools, it was important to me to be able to get
online and buy parts for a saw if I needed it. Not possible with
Stihl.

I think both Stihl and Husky are outstanding saws and you won't be
disappointed with either one.

These guys helped me a lot in deciding which saw to buy.

http://tinyurl.com/23uu7j

Ask for Mark Antonetti. I purchased mine from him last year, and he
was great. He is cranky, short with his answers, and the most
knowledgeable guy you can imagine about chainsaws, especially his. If
you buy from them, you get a MUCH better deal than with Lowe's as you
get a better chain bar, extra chains, etc. Throwing in their good
oil mixer was a good idea too, as it didn't add to the shipping.

I am completely satisfied with my purchase and wish I had bought a
really good chainsaw years ago, even if it is for occasional use.

Robert

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:36:43 -0800 (PST), Fastfwd
wrote:

I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw to replace his worn
snip
also question if the Husqvarnas have deteriorated in production
quality in recent years? Are the Stihl and Husqvarna still equal in
quality?

I have a Stihl. No complaints, but the shopping experience was quite
frustrating because Stihl controls its sales and pricing. The
Husqvarna is a good buy, but the Stihl has the edge in quality.

"Fastfwd" wrote ......
I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw ..............

Check out the Stihl MS 192 T. It's an arborist's chain saw so it's really
light. My elderly neighbor bought one recently and it's very easy for him to
use.

I know you didn't ;mention it but have you looked at Echo?

About 4 years back we got the little limbing saw (300 model I think). Never had a bit of trouble with it. It
comes with a 12" blade but can handle 16" I doubt it will drive anything bigger. When we got it, it was cheaper
than either Stihl or Husqvarna.

ron

In article ,
says...
ny suggestions would be appreciated. I ran a search of the
newsgroups and didn't find anything very recent on the subject. I
also question if the Husqvarnas have deteriorated in production
quality in recent years? Are the Stihl and Husqvarna still equal in
quality?


40cc is probably sufficient for what you are talking about. It will have plenty
of grunt for pulling a chain around a 16" bar. I personally hesitate to go to
smaller saws, I had the loan of a 30cc Stihl for a couple of years and that saw
was just prone to getting stuck and kicking back -- my 50cc Husky (24 years
old, and still going well, with a 16" and a 20" bar) doesn't ever do that nor
does my 90cc Dolmar. Kickback happens more to light and underpowered saws. But
on the other hand you don't want to go too big, or the old gentleman won't be
able to use it for any length of time, like Robert said.

-P.

--
=========================================
firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com

you may want to check out www.baileys-online.com
ross
www.highislandexport.com

Fastfwd wrote:
I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw

snip


He has about 30 acres with a wooded creek running through it. He
doesn't cut wood for burning anymore - so, this will really only be
for occasional use.

snip



I'm thinking a 16 inch is probably about all he needs really.

I have two different Stihl saws - the MS250c and the MS260. The 250 has
a 16" bar and the 260 has a 20" bar. Both are fantastic saws. Both start
easily, although the 250 is the easiest. The 260 starts relatively easy
as well, but the smaller 250 is really easy. The 250 is quite light and
easy to handle, and is in your price range, probably ideally suited for
what you described.

The only reason to consider the larger saw with a 20" bar has to do with
the age of your father-in-law. I'm in my upper 50's and have a bad back.
I bought the larger saw because I had a bunch of larger trees to deal
with, but one of the side benefits of the larger bar is that I don't
have to bend as far once the tree is on the ground. I wasn't thinking of
that when I purchased the saw, but it has turned out to be the saw I use
the most simply because I don't have to bend over as much. For me, it's
easier to use.

Rick

In article ,
ess (Peter Huebner) says...

Kickback happens more to light and underpowered saws.

Weight will certainly reduce kickback, through inertia. However,
kickback is normally the result of an inexperienced operator. A well
handled chainsaw will kick into the wood, if it kicks back at all.

There are also chains that are more prone to kickback. They have a very
deep cut on each tooth, and require more horsepower to make them cut.
Homeowner chains are designed to take a smaller bite. You can file down
the rakers on a homeowner chain to make it more aggressive, but it's not
recommended.

--
For email, replace firstnamelastinitial
with my first name and last initial.

"Rick" wrote in message
...


I have two different Stihl saws - the MS250c and the MS260. The 250 has a
16" bar and the 260 has a 20" bar. Both are fantastic saws. Both start
easily, although the 250 is the easiest. The 260 starts relatively easy as
well, but the smaller 250 is really easy. The 250 is quite light and easy
to handle, and is in your price range, probably ideally suited for what
you described.

Excellent advise. I bought the FarmBoss and while it is a
cuttin-one-of-'em the weight will eventually give you forearms like Popeye.

--
Dave in Houston

With a dealer, you would have access to parts, advice, new chains,
sharpening, and if you wanted a different sized bar in the future, they
could do that for you. Stihl also has a maintenance and safety DVD which is
excellent.

Fastfwd wrote:
I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw to replace
his worn out old Craftsman. �I don't know anything about
chainsaws to be honest,

Authorized chainsaw dealers because service what they sell are
typically very knowlegeable about matching the tool to user
requirements, and they have demos so you can try them out, in fact
reputable dealerships will encourage saw testing by the user (you
can't try a saw out for your father, or for anyone else). I were you
I'd bring your father to a local authorized chainsaw dealership so he
can try a few.. . asking strangers what they think your father needs
is like asking strangers to choose his shoes without his feet... he's
not an infant, show him the menu but let him choose. I could
recommend a saw that I like, and that's all anyone else here can do...
without your father all anyone can offer is wild speculation... and
his age has little to do with anything, he may be well experienced
with chansaws and may not be at all frail... were he frail I'd not
recommend he touch any chain saw. Just like if you took him out for
dinner, it's your treat but it's his choice.

Dave in Houston wrote:
"Rick" wrote in message
...


I have two different Stihl saws - the MS250c and the MS260. The 250 has a
16" bar and the 260 has a 20" bar. Both are fantastic saws. Both start
easily, although the 250 is the easiest. The 260 starts relatively easy as
well, but the smaller 250 is really easy. The 250 is quite light and easy
to handle, and is in your price range, probably ideally suited for what
you described.

Excellent advise. I bought the FarmBoss and while it is a
cuttin-one-of-'em the weight will eventually give you forearms like Popeye.


I own a Stihl MS310 with a 16" bar that I'm quite happy with. It starts
with no hassles. I fell and buck around four cords a year with it.

--
Remove the TOS star ship captain to reply privately.

On Feb 18, 7:36*pm, Fastfwd wrote:
I'm thinking about buying my father a new chainsaw to replace his worn
out old Craftsman. *I don't know anything about chainsaws to be
honest, but I have gathered that Husqvarna and Stihl are two top
contenders.

He has about 30 acres with a wooded creek running through it. *He
doesn't cut wood for burning anymore - so, this will really only be
for occasional use. *Trimming up here and there and taking care of the
occasional broken branch. *We had a severe ice storm this winter and
there are still several broken limbs that need to be cleaned up.

I understand that dealer availability is a major factor for
consideration. *My dad actually has a friend that works on his current
chainsaw and I think he can work on anything with a small motor. *That
said, Stihl has what looks like a decent lawn and garden shop as a
dealer that is fairly close. *The Husqvarna will have to be bought
from Lowe's.

I'm thinking a 16 inch is probably about all he needs really. *I went
out to look at a few chainsaws today and I think 16 inches is a good
size. *I'm not sure what size motor he might need. *He's in his late
60s, so no need to get anything bigger than necessary, but nice to
have something adequate. *I also question if one of the chainsaws with
an easy start system might not be worth considering because of my
father's age.

I think I'm ready to pony up between $300 and $400 for a good
chainsaw. *Lowe's has the Husqvarna model 345 45cc chainsaw for $289
locally. *To be honest - I didn't really like the flimsy feel of the
choke on it:http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...ductId=103325-...

The local Stihl dealer has a variety of models in that general price
range -http://www.stihldealer.net/categoryproducts-dealer-012430-toplvl-2-ca...

The MS 250 C-BE looks like it has everything that I might be looking
for, but it's on the high end of what I think I want to spend. *Maybe
he doesn't need a 45cc motor? *Would the MS 210 C-BE be sufficient?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. *I ran a search of the
newsgroups and didn't find anything very recent on the subject. *I
also question if the Husqvarnas have deteriorated in production
quality in recent years? *Are the Stihl and Husqvarna still equal in
quality?

If you're really serious, check he http://www.metacafe.com/watch/32010/ultimate_chainsaw/

Norm

also check on arboristsite.com Pat

Another one to look at is a Jonsered. Same high rev Swede saw. Mine's
about 25 years old and runs like heck. As for engine size? It's out in
the pole barn, and I'm not going out there to find it. It did come with
a 22-24" bar. Told the dealer to give me a 16". Thing just keeps
running every year.
I highly recommend Bailey's for bars, loops and any other
accessories. Wood splitter? I got mine from Walmart about 14 years
ago.....going strong!

I went with a Husky 345.... Seemed like all the saw he will ever need
and still not too big. The local Lowes chain carried them for $289
which seemed like a decent deal for a good saw. I didn't really want
to spend much more than that. He seemed pretty pleased with it.

Thanks for the advice....

On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:34:03 -0700 (PDT), Fastfwd wrote:

I went with a Husky 345.... Seemed like all the saw he will ever need
and still not too big. The local Lowes chain carried them for $289
which seemed like a decent deal for a good saw. I didn't really want
to spend much more than that.

I have one of those. Don't worry about the flimsy choke button, it's tougher
than it looks. Mine is still going strong after 5 years.

--
Jack

In article ,
(Jack Hunt) says...
On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:34:03 -0700 (PDT), Fastfwd wrote:

I went with a Husky 345.... Seemed like all the saw he will ever need
and still not too big. The local Lowes chain carried them for $289
which seemed like a decent deal for a good saw. I didn't really want
to spend much more than that.

I have one of those. Don't worry about the flimsy choke button, it's tougher
than it looks. Mine is still going strong after 5 years.

After the choke button breaks off, it's not so flimsy. It breaks off
flush with the case, leaving a little stub. Mine is still going strong
after 15 years. I just pry the choke out with a fingernail

--
For email, replace firstnamelastinitial
with my first name and last initial.

On Mar 22, 1:24*pm, Larry Caldwell
wrote:
In article ,
(Jack Hunt) says...

On Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:34:03 -0700 (PDT), Fastfwd wrote:

I went with a Husky 345.... Seemed like all the saw he will ever need
and still not too big. *The local Lowes chain carried them for $289
which seemed like a decent deal for a good saw. *I didn't really want
to spend much more than that. *

I have one of those. *Don't worry about the flimsy choke button, it's tougher
than it looks. *Mine is still going strong after 5 years.

After the choke button breaks off, it's not so flimsy. *It breaks off
flush with the case, leaving a little stub. *Mine is still going strong
after 15 years. *I just pry the choke out with a fingernail

--
For email, replace firstnamelastinitial
with my first name and last initial.

My old 51 did the same. I'm so used to doing it, I don't even notice
any more.

Harry K

On 19 Feb, 03:35, "Scott Cox" wrote:

Check out the Stihl MS 192 T. It's an arborist's chain saw so it's really
light.

Interesting - in the UK you can't even buy a top-handle saw like that
unless you show your certification in training to use it.

I'd suggest that 14" is probably better than 16", because it can be
smaller, lighter and still get that firewood-slicing of 10" logs done
perfectly well. You need to be able to control the thing too, not just
throw brute power at the problem.

I'd (marginally) buy a Husky rather than a Stihl, but not much else in
the way of brands.

On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:01:18 -0700 (PDT), Andy Dingley
wrote:


I'd (marginally) buy a Husky rather than a Stihl, but not much else in
the way of brands.


Our local dealer sells both Husky and Stihl. The decider for me was
his overall service with them. He said Stihl has less comebacks
than Husky, but they both cut very well.