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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Best Small Chain Saw??

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AWB

03-24-2007 05:04:38

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I am an occasional user of a chain saw, and never cut anything over 6 inches in diameter. What is a better gasoline powered saw to get? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

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brad_bb

03-28-2007 11:05:19

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I have used a 16 inch poulan for years now. Good saw. Get the most life out of your chains by sharpeing them yourself. It takes only a couple minutes with the Dremel tool and the special chainsaw sharpeing stones they have. You can use the special attachement or not if you are good free handing. It"s not complicated. The guide attachement is basically just a visual guide to help keep you at the correct angle. It only takes a few seconds back and forth on each tooth to get ti back to sharp. I usually get at least 4 sharpenings for each chain. It last longest when brand new. Successive sharpeings don"t last quite as long, probably due to slighly less hard steel as you wear down the tooth. But still, you can really extend the life of your chains by sharpening yourself. No need to pay to have it done. Do it right on the saw.

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ray_woods

03-27-2007 11:36:53

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I'm happiest using a saw with a sharp chain and proper length bar. Having said that I still clock most my sawing hours with a Stihl 066 bucking logs for the mill.

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Gravy

03-27-2007 04:31:18

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Used Echo and Stihl in my Christmas tree operation for many years. Prefer the former but both held up well...

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jeffcat

03-25-2007 23:07:04

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

No matter what, the best advice you got on here is to run it out of gas when done! That is 99.9% of the trouble you can have. My $.o2 Jeffcat

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MikeCatthemuseum

03-25-2007 22:01:23

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Unless you spend more than $390 fo a Husky, you'll actually get a Poulan anyway. They are now both owned by Electrolux. I bought a $110 Poulan saw last fall. I was going to get the Husky, but nothing under $400 was made in Sweden. The lower priced ones are "assembled in USA", meaning Chinese parts. I figured no more than I use one, I could kill four of the Poulans before I justified the Husky. Been a great little saw so far.

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Dug

03-25-2007 07:05:37

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Get a Poulan Pro. You can buy one at The Homer Depot for about $100 (get the Wild Thing saw). A word of advise...after using it, empty the fuel and let it run till it dies. For occassional use, fuel left in the tank will cause all kinds of headaches...

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03-26-2007 09:16:06

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to Dug, 03-25-2007 07:05:37

A wild thing is NOT a Poulan Pro, it is the old green Poulan that will vibrate every nut, bolt, screw out of it every time you look at it. The Poulan Pros are yellow and black and have NO green in them. Poulan Pro has iso-mounts that is why they do not vibrate like the green, cheap ones and are decent saws.

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Mr. Bob

03-24-2007 23:24:05

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I bought a new POULAN Super 25 in 1985. I put it up as a "parts" saw in '02 after all these years of heavy useage. I cut firewood and sold for many years and still burn it for my own personal use. I've ran Stihl, McCollough, Homlite, Huskavarna, and for a small saw, found nothing that I liked as well as the little Poulan. I still cut about 12 cords a year and still use Poulan saws. These later ones are OK, but when it comes to foolproof reliability, they fall short of the little ole Super 25.

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rodgernbama

03-24-2007 20:42:57

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I have a husqvarna that is the best saw I've owned.

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cb in wisc

03-24-2007 20:05:10

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I have a outdoor wood burner that heats my home and hot water. I have a Stihl 180 and a Stihl 066. I find that I probably use the 180 85% of the time. Now Stihl has the 180 with a reduce starter pull. I recommended the 180 to a coworker and he just loves it. I really like the chain tenisoning feature on the 180.

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Jiles

03-24-2007 19:42:58

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I bought a Husqvarna 40 about 20 years ago. I have worn out two bars and numerous chains. Have cut at least 20 cords of hardwood, cut brush and cleared land. I have replaced the gas cap and that is it. Cleaned the carb once. Most troublefree saw I have ever owned. One interesting thing -The crankcase is plastic, with inserted housings for the crank bearings. Has always cranked on the second pull. I am not braging, this is a fact. If I read this, from someone else, I would probably laugh.

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IH2444

03-24-2007 19:36:19

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I have had very good luck out of my Poulan Pro 16" saw.

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Moen

03-24-2007 18:50:28

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I picked an Echo at Home Depot and it is a nice little saw.

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luapp

03-24-2007 18:42:53

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

i think the new husqvarna arejust as good as stihl but dont cost as much. go to Balyes logging supplies always good prices.

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bob/wis

03-24-2007 17:13:03

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

A few things to consider first. Some of the lower end Husqvarnas are alos rebadge as poulans. Jonsered is a product of husqvarna. I have had both Stihl Husqvarna and Dolmar. With that being said. I would pick either a dolmar or Husqvarna due to their better air filtration on thier saws. Stilh is going that way to now. But that is on the 361 and 441. Very pricey for my tastes. I got tired of cleaning my air filters on my stilhs all the time. My big saws are Husqvarnas with my small 51 cc saw a Dolmar. Very good saws just a persons idea of how much maitence they want to do.
Bob
385xp Husky
261 husky
5100s Dolmar

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centralilbaler

03-24-2007 17:05:01

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Definately a Stihl, i have an old 009L and it is rarely used, but always starts in the first 3 pulls.

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Tim in New York

03-24-2007 14:35:54

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Check out the Husqvarna 334T. Its around $325, has a great power to weight ratio. Its an arborist saw. I've been looking for about a year to replace my two old Stihl 015 brush saws. Its comparable to the Stihl 192T in price, weighs just a bit more, but has a lot more power. That's what I've decided to buy, probably for next fall's cutting.

If money is an object, the Stihl 170, 180 saws look pretty good.

Tim in NY

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Roy Suomi

03-24-2007 12:17:55

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I just bought my first Echo CS 346..A landscaper buddy of mine swears by them [ supposidly not at them]..So I figured , why not ?? I found mine on Ebay for 152.50 plus freight..Came to 177.50..Runs sweet , Started on 3rd pull right out of the box..So far , I'm tickled...I've always had big Homelites..Now too friggin old to carry them around...

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03-24-2007 09:48:54

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Depends on what you want to spend, the best saw is where you can get the best service. I have sold and serviced a lot of saws, and they all have their good points and their bad points. I personally do not like Stihl saws. My biggest pet peave with Stihl is the fuel line they use, it is an accordian type fule line and they rbeak quite easy. For a small saw, the Poulan Pro cannot be beat for the price you pay, Echo makes a good saw, Husqvarna is a good saw, Dolmar makes a very nice saw. So, as I said, the best saw you can buy is bought from the place that gives you the best service. You can buy the highest priced saw in world, and without service, it is not worth a plug nickle.

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ric1

03-24-2007 07:58:14

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

i heard yesterday all the chainsaw producers went out of business except stihl so i guess you have only one choice now!!!!!

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mph

03-24-2007 07:25:46

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

You cant do better with a Stihl, my last one was a 028 small but powerfull for its size.

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Eddie in MI

03-24-2007 07:18:48

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I have an older Stihl 023 taht I absolutely love. you can probably find a good deal on a used Stihl....

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dan hill

03-24-2007 16:26:20

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to Eddie in MI, 03-24-2007 07:18:48

I have used an 023 for many years and have replaced a fuel line, nothing else.I had an 015 before it that needed spark plugs .I wanted a chain brake and hand guard so bought the 023.A friend wore out a poulan and a home lite cutting wood with me.I need the 16 inch bar now the I have a sawmill.The 023 will get a new sprocket with a new chain.I dont count chain replacements as repairs.

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flying belgian

03-24-2007 06:36:23

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Not a Homelite.

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Pajamafied John

03-24-2007 06:36:04

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I vote for Stihl. I have a newer MS260 pro that is wonderful. Power to weight is outstanding and it runs smooth. A longer bar on a light saw is a plus since when trimming you do not have to bend as far or reach as far. This is a plus if you have ever had back troubles.

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TomTX

03-24-2007 06:13:48

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

For your size cutting the Echo CS-330T. You can get the 12 inch or 14 inch bar. I use Stihl saw in the larger sizes, but for the small, professional arborist type saw Echo is the top. Tom

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shoeie

03-24-2007 05:57:51

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I make my living with chain saws, as I own a tree service bussiness, working from a 60' aerial bucket truck. I own nothing but Stihl saws, do to the fact of weight to HP. ratio and dependability. The saw I use most in the bucket is a Stihl MS 192T. It has a displacement of 30.1 (cm), and develops 1.8 HP, weighs 6.6 lbs, with the 16" bar. The cost is a bit more than other comparable saws at just over $300, but well worth it. This little saw will last the occasional user a life time.

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dan hill

03-24-2007 16:32:53

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to shoeie, 03-24-2007 05:57:51

Professional woodsmen and treemen all use Stihl saws around here.

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CJM

03-24-2007 05:39:16

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

Probably Stihl or Husqavarna nowadays. Used to be Homelite was real good, but now they are no better than a Poulan. Speaking of Poulan, I own an older model (15 y/o 2300) that is a little over-powered for the bar size (38cc on 16" bar) compared to today's models. It was a cheap saw and it has been used and abused. It has never failed to do what I asked of it provided I kept the chain sharp.

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Midwest redneck

03-24-2007 05:32:37

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

In my opinion the best small saw and big saw is the Stihl. I have the 18" 029 farm boss, it runs like a *aped ape. I know that Stihl makes a smaller trim saw, 14" or so.

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Gary from Muleshoe

03-24-2007 05:17:02

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to AWB, 03-24-2007 05:04:38

I have a Craftsman, that has always done well for me. I do about the same as will do maybe 8 inches. I had a Poland at one time and i could not keep the chain tight on it. It seemed every 10 minutes or so of continuous cutting I had to stop and tighten the chain. Hope this helps.

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03-24-2007 09:25:57

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to Gary from Muleshoe, 03-24-2007 05:17:02

They are the made by the same company

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dan hill

03-24-2007 16:42:27

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to JT, 03-24-2007 09:25:57

I used a friends Craftsman to drop a small tree that was in the way of the truck.The vibration was pretty bad, cant see how anybody could use one all day.Poulan saws are well known for vibrating all their screws loose.

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jhill52

03-24-2007 05:42:43

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to Gary from Muleshoe, 03-24-2007 05:17:02

Last I knew Craftsman saws were made by Poulan. I used to work for the company that made the carburetors for most brands of chainsaws.

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2x4

03-25-2007 01:33:48

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to jhill52, 03-24-2007 05:42:43

Walbro or Tillotson?

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jhill52

03-25-2007 03:19:59

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to 2x4, 03-25-2007 01:33:48

I worked for Walbro but not in the carburetor gruoup I worked on automotive fuel pumps.

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morningwood

03-24-2007 08:28:27

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to jhill52, 03-24-2007 05:42:43

Stihl MS170

I think you can get one for under 200$.

Scott

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shawnspeed3

03-25-2007 07:05:13

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to morningwood, 03-24-2007 08:28:27

My dad bought an Echo cs330ev when I was 14 ...I am now 37....the saw was used intermittently for 12 years, and then was used as my primary saw for cutting firewood to heat my house with...very few problems would not hesitate to purchase another. I don"t think you could go wrong with any of the major brands that have a good service network...shawn

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davpal

03-25-2007 23:00:06

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Re: Best Small Chain Saw?? in reply to shawnspeed3, 03-25-2007 07:05:13

I have a Stihl weedwacker that is one of the best items I have ever owned. I also have a Stihl chainsaw that is one of the worst items I have owned. It is an 011 ATV model and I bought it brand new. It never has cut enough wood to wear out the original chain but it has really been a hard starting bit#% the last couple of years. I worked on it several times, changing fuel line, cleaning the carb, was very sporadic. Would run, then want to stall, then too rich, then too lean. It was ridiculous to put that much work into a $150 dollar saw. I put a carb kit in it a couple of weeks ago and now it seems to be fine (for the time being.) The dealer asked me what carb it had and I said ZAMA and he said he was sorry! I guess they can be problematic he said. The overall build quality of the saw is outstanding though. It does everything else very well. Just don't start good sometimes. It probably has less than 10-20 hours of run time on it. If it acts up one more time it is going down to get traded in. If they dont want it I will junk it and try a new Echo or a Huskvarna.

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