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New Chainsaw

R

robo hippy

Joined
Aug 14, 2007
Messages
5,992
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3,259
Location
Eugene, OR
I took old faithful saw, a Husky 365 with a 24 inch bar, to the shop for a tune up. The news came back that parts were back ordered till at least May, and total cost would be about $400. I figured it was time for a new chainsaw. I got a bit of a sticker shock. The Husky and Stihl were about the same price, both were just over $1000. I don't think I paid more than $400 for my first saw. I kept the bar, which was pretty much brand new, from my old saw and all of my chains will still fit. They were not exactly sure the same size. EEK! Oh well, I need it! If I get 30 years out of this one, that should last until I retire, which will be when my birth certificate expires!

Curiosity question, I did browse the store for a bit and I saw the EGO electric chain saws. I know that was a thread here a bit ago about electric chainsaws. Does any one know how good they are? Their tools are generally rated as being pretty tough.

robo hippy
 
What did you decide to get as a replacement? I was considering stepping up to a 60cc saw and had pretty much settled on an Echo CS590 ($450) or CS 620 ($640). I decided to get my old Husky 353 repaired instead (53ccc, 20" bar).
 
I have the EGO blower I use around the shop and when I don’t want to crank the backpack blower and it works great, don’t know anything about the chainsaw but have read good reviews.
I agree on sticker shock for chainsaws. I’m currently looking at the Stihl 462 with a 25” or 28” bar and they run around $1450. I have a couple smaller Stihl with 20” bars but need a pro saw with the larger bar. No Pro Husky dealers close to me or I would seriously consider one of those. I have a 30+ year old Husky rancher bought from a big box store that still runs great, 18” bar for backup.
 
robo hippy said:
I took old faithful saw, a Husky 365 with a 24 inch bar, to the shop for a tune up. The news came back that parts were back ordered till at least May, and total cost would be about $400. I figured it was time for a new chainsaw. I got a bit of a sticker shock. The Husky and Stihl were about the same price, both were just over $1000. I don't think I paid more than $400 for my first saw. I kept the bar, which was pretty much brand new, from my old saw and all of my chains will still fit. They were not exactly sure the same size. EEK! Oh well, I need it! If I get 30 years out of this one, that should last until I retire, which will be when my birth certificate expires!

Curiosity question, I did browse the store for a bit and I saw the EGO electric chain saws. I know that was a thread here a bit ago about electric chainsaws. Does any one know how good they are? Their tools are generally rated as being pretty tough.

robo hippy
Click to expand...
Project Farm!
 
I haven't seen an electric saw with similar chain speed as any gas saws, but they are nice for indoor use, and really nice for up high tree/ladder cuts.
 
I don't use an electric saw any more. Mostly because I got a bandsaw that cuts 16 inches high, and I never go over about 13 inches. Just not a market for it. New logs should be here in a week or so, and I needed the Husky saw. Plus, I have to cut some left over stock up for more videos. I do use a rip/skip tooth chain. I do have an old Stihl which has a 3 foot bar on it, but that model is only supposed to have a 2 foot bar on it. I have cross cut with it with no problems. I guess maybe the longer bar is okay with the skip tooth chain. I still sharpen by hand since I now know how to do it....

robo hippy
 
I have the big EGO, I wouldn't call it a "beast" compared to a good gas saw, but it does work well with the obvious benefits of easy adjustments, avoiding mixed gas that goes bad, takes a variety of good chains, and useable in the shop.
 
I have a few EGO tools, they do the job. My EGO 14" chainsaw, not the best. Battery does not last long, under powered and stalls on most every thing over 4 inches I use it on. Since I got an 18BX band saw, I find no reason to bother with the EGO chain saw. Majority of logs I get are up to 14" diameter so I cut them as I use them to 14" length, band saw with 1" blade cuts quite well. I use Stihl for outside use, those things are beasts. I sharpen my own tools, learned long ago how to do that.
 
How about one of the Stihl battery saws? Or the 271 Farm Boss, which I have. I also use MotoMix, Stihl's premixed blend so the gas does not go bad and I don't have to mix the fuel.
 
I have a Stihl with a 16" blade I've had for years, but as I started woodturning I bought an Oregon CS1500 electric with an 18" blade. I absolutely love it. plenty of power, no gas engine to mess with, much quieter and as an extra bennie, the Oregon comes with a self sharpening chain that really works. and now that I have a F-150 Lightning my Stihl is rarely used.
 
robo hippy said:
I don't use an electric saw any more. Mostly because I got a bandsaw that cuts 16 inches high, and I never go over about 13 inches. Just not a market for it. New logs should be here in a week or so, and I needed the Husky saw. Plus, I have to cut some left over stock up for more videos. I do use a rip/skip tooth chain. I do have an old Stihl which has a 3 foot bar on it, but that model is only supposed to have a 2 foot bar on it. I have cross cut with it with no problems. I guess maybe the longer bar is okay with the skip tooth chain. I still sharpen by hand since I now know how to do it....

robo hippy
Click to expand...
What model Husky did you get?
 
I had a Stihl 026 that my dad bought for me as a housewarming gift when I built my first house. (1993) It had been a great saw, but after a lot of use, it just wasn't as reliable. Our Stihl dealer here in TC sucks, so I went with a Husqvarna 550xp. Much better shop to deal with than the Stihl guys.

It's nice small and lightweight saw, but I've grown to really dislike the outboard clutch. The drive sprocket is sort of hidden behind the clutch drum, so there's no draping the chain on the bar and installing on saw. (not enough slack) Sometimes I've gotten it together and the teeth aren't really meshed in the drive sprocket, so you have to loosen it up and start over. One time the brake got bumped and because the clutch is outboard, the brake is in the cover, not the main body. It was tough to get back together, so I scrapped all the internal brake parts. (further lightening the saw) For the most part the electronic engine tune does well, but sometimes the saw will just shut off if I think too long about a cut. It usually restarts easily, so I don't let it rush me.
 
I think the intended use drives the saw choice. I use one of two electric saws for smaller things inside and outside the shop, but for me nothing beats a healthy gasoline saw for the bigger and harder stuff, say 24-36” diameter white oak logs or large crotches.
 
Kevin Jenness said:
What model Husky did you get?
Click to expand...
Husky 365. Identical to the one I had. Since I had a new bar on it, they swapped that out and gave me a little off. Skip tooth chain.

A friend's wife could not get their gas saw started so she told him to get an electric one. Got a Stihl. She said she works it hard and has no problems. I did have a Husky electric corded model years ago, but stopped using it when I got my big bandsaw.

I do love project farm! Probably should never give that guy caffeine! He really does come up with creative ways to test the tools he buys.

robo hippy
 
Charles Cadenhead said:
The EGO chainsaw is great. I have one of them and its' a beast.
Click to expand...
But doesn't that depend on the model? Their are at least two 16" models at significantly different prices. The more expensive one naturally rates higher.
I have a gas Stihl but I'm thinking of getting the Milwaukee 16", mainly because my son has all Milwaukee equipment and I don't want to buy yet another battery system.
 
I've had an EGO 18" for four years. Used it to fell. limb, and buck up to 20" trees using two batteries. It is great for cutting up blanks. On bigger wood you lose some power, and a gas saw works better.
 
Graham Dolby said:
But doesn't that depend on the model? Their are at least two 16" models at significantly different prices. The more expensive one naturally rates higher.
I have a gas Stihl but I'm thinking of getting the Milwaukee 16", mainly because my son has all Milwaukee equipment and I don't want to buy yet another battery system.
Click to expand...
Stay with Milwaukee chainsaw. There's a lot to say for interchangeable batteries.
I have a 18-in EGO Power+ CS1804-2. It's a beast! My FiL and I cut down this tree and then quartered it up for him to pick up with his tractor and still had 2/3 of a battery left. The one I bought came with 2 batteries.
PXL_20231215_191106295.jpg
 
Robo, I understand Stihl and Husky are like Ford and Chevrolet. People have a strong opinion on one or the other. If you look at saws check out a Stihl 261c. After getting a chance to use a friends for a few hours I'm sold. It's rated for an 18 or 20" bar but I will be getting it with a 25" bar which it runs fine. Has plenty of power to run the longer bar and only weighs 10.5lbs compared to 13+ on my current saw. That three lbs difference when you are pushing 70 is a big deal. I sometimes run three or four tanks of gas through one in a day and I think that weight difference is going to be a game changer. Since I'm 6'3 the bar length is more for not bending over as much instead of cutting huge trees. I don't cut many trees here larger than 24".
There are lots of Youtube reviews on the saw and all seem to be positive. Its a pro saw not a homeowners saw and will run a 3/8' chain and has a lot of magnesium parts instead of plastic. The saw runs $730 and will probably be the last saw I ever buy.

I also have a 40v battery saw by Ryobi that I have been really happy with. It has an 18" bar and cuts really well. I take it with me on the tractor cause there is almost always a limb down or something that needs attention. I love it in the shop for trimming big hollow form pieces on the lathe to get them closer to being balanced. The standard question is "would I buy it again" and the answer is yes. A friend has a bunch of EGO tools and really likes those.
 
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