Help me pick a chainsaw

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Shinneryfarmer

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Stihl is a excellent saw to have on hand. A little phinicky about starting but good saws. My go to saw is a Husqvarna 455 rancher with a 16 in bar installed. These come standard with 20in bar, but the 16in makes it handier and you can switch back to the 20in for the big stuff. I also have a 14in for it. Now the rancher is a heavy saw but lots of power. After 12 yrs it has never failed to start on first or second pull and I have always left it gassed and ready to go.
 

SoonerP226

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Don’t get a Craftsman. I bought one years ago before I subscribed to the buy once cry once theory and it’s now cost me as much as a nice Stihl would have.
Depends on the Craftsman. My dad bought a Craftsman chain saw back in the early '80s, and it's still going strong, but he was very particular about its use--he never let it hit dirt, and he never let anyone else run it. Alas, they haven't made them like that in a long time, so I'd be looking at Stihl today.
 

emapples

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OK, I've put it off long enough, and I have a LOT of treework to do now. I am torn between getting the Dewalt 20v max stuff for compatibility with my tools, and being slightly safer for my teenage son to learn on. I need a pole saw as well, and had planned on getting the blower for my wife to use around the pool and stuff. But, I have a lot of 2-stroke stuff to, stihl and echo edgers, weedeaters and blowers. I have heard good things about echo saws, and stihl is stihl, but I know husqvarna was good too. Are they still? I know I prob wont find in store, but I can order it, and have it here first of next week, cuz I dont see it drying up enough in the next few days for me to do the work anyways. TIA
Stihl #1 echo #2 Shidaiwa #3 Husqvarna #4....everything else made today readily available is junk.

As you can see i prefer Stihl, but the little echo climber saws are pretty slick and Stihl stopped making the 200t so I ended up with the larger topping saw from echo.
2,
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Okie4570

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Stihl for sure. During the 2002 ice storm, I can remember the pile of electric chain saws that were piled up at the areas at the beginning of check out lines at Atwoods and Lowes.............those don't work well when the power is out lol! I guess they got to thinking about that by the time they got to the check out line and didn't feel like putting them back on the shelf.
 

dennishoddy

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Echo for me. Also, bigger is not always better. Most of the times, I can get more work done with a smaller, lighter saw. A heavy 20" will wear you out sooner than a more manageable 14" or 16". It's a rare situation where a 16" won't work. Most times you're sawing small stuff. Chains and bars are cheaper. Also uses less fuel.

Good luck on your decision!
Exactly. I have a Poulan Wild Thang with a 16" bar that's really light for topping. When you get down to the trunk the Husky 455 Rancher with a 20" bar gets the nod. One heavy saw but when your working big trunks on the ground, the weight helps the cut. Amazing how fast it cuts with a good chain.
Too lazy to look back but the person that said to buy the carbide chain know of what he speaks. You can cut forever with out needing sharpening. Not everybody can sharpen one though, and it's not cheap to get one done.
http://www.carbidechain.com/
 

dennishoddy

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Stihl for sure. During the 2002 ice storm, I can remember the pile of electric chain saws that were piled up at the areas at the beginning of check out lines at Atwoods and Lowes.............those don't work well when the power is out lol! I guess they got to thinking about that by the time they got to the check out line and didn't feel like putting them back on the shelf.
Generator on the tailgate of the pickup runs those electric pole saws just fine. Been there done that! :D
 

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