I have 3 chainsaws now in this order, a 10 year old Echo CS-352,I bought on the recommendation of a friend,I recently did have to change the spark plug,good as ever. It is lightweight & easy to start not much power though at 34cc. Secondly a Stihl MS-271 "Farm Boss",I like the name ::) currently,it doesn't want to start. It has always seemed to be cold natured with plenty of compression,but once started it's very reliable. In the meanwhile out of frustration I got an EGO 56V 16". I already had 2 batteries with my weedeater & blower. So I got the saw (tool only) It is my new goto with surprising power! Back to the farm boss,I installed a New e3 spark plug & it started right up.I thought I had it,nope,then a $10 chinese coil off a Amazon later,it did start a few times,then not... After watching a youtuber advising not to waste money on chinese coils .I put the original coil back in & it fired right up.I went to cut a tree & it would not start again.I ordered an OEM coil that arrives tomorrow. So in the meanwhile I was looking at some Arborist forums & many of them hotrod their saws,which I have no interest in, & refer to the farm boss a "girlie saw".The Stihl MS-361 seems to be the entry level Professional chainsaw & liked by many.the MS-362 is just @ $1k now, not justifiable for as little as I have to cut.The farm boss was around $459 at the time I got it,plenty of saw for my needs. Like everything they ain't getting cheaper.
So chime in with your favorite saw,inquiring minds want to know?
https://youtu.be/v0SiY0hGs2I?
Pros will mostly only use Stihl or Husqvarna chainsaws.
For a homeowner, probably nearly any saw will do the job.
Electric battery powered saws are becoming more mainstream for quick jobs around the property, due to the battery improvements over the last 10 years.
Places like Consumer Reports, and online rating sites will give us a general idea of quality with opinions you can study.
I started out over 50 years ago with a 20" Jonsereds, moved to other saws, then finally settled on Stihl for all of my saws.
Currently have (3) Stihls, after getting rid of others. And they get the job done capably with little or no issues. 170, 036, 460.
There is a good company in Florida that I have used for parts and gear. But for the last 15 years, I have used Bailey's out of the Pacific Northwest for chain and some other needed gear.
I generally buy my Stihls off of CL, used. Just check overall condition, compression, operation, who owned it, and how they maintained it. There are bargains out there.
As for Asian coils vs. Factory coils —- like anything, there is a big gap between the quality of many of the Chinese or Asian knock-off parts.
However, check the ratings, figure it out, and don't go with the lowest Asian price —- go with the best and the most positive reviews instead.
10 years ago, I needed another saw. Found a Stihl 036 with a 28" bar on CL for $300.
Checked it out, bought it. Ordered a few new square chisel skip chains, 3 spark plugs, filters, a spare bar. Worked well for 2 days. Then stopped, couldn't get it started, no spark.
Traced problem to a possible bad coil. Checked the (4) local Stihl dealers —- the coils was around $125. Aftermarket from Amazon was $24. Some of the Asian coils were as low as $11. Got the one for $24 with thousands of positive ratings. So far, it has cut and processed 360 cords of timber, and still starts and runs very well.
There is certainly wisdom in going with all factory parts, no issues generally that way. I take a different approach due to the size of my wallet, and what I am willing to take a chance on.
This morning, I need to pull and inspect the rear brakes on the wife's Subaru Outback. Subaru wants $859 to install new pads, turn the rotors, etc.
I go to Rock Auto online, and get Power-Stop HD Carbon Fiber mountain brakes with brand new rotors that are slotted and drilled —- the complete kit is less than $200. No brainer for this child. And no turning of old rotors.
Best, Fred
Here is a link to my chainsaw adventures.
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,40097.15.html
The Echo Timber Wolf is a beast. Lots of power (ask Warren). One thing I have noticed with this saw is don't run low on fuel. With no primer bulb you have to keep pulling the rope to get fuel into the carburetor.
I'm in NorCal right now and had to buck a few trees. Dad had a Husqvarna 36v chainsaw. It's convenient has power but the batteries are old and don't last for long. For occasional light duty I will use it again. I do need to find replacement batteries, however OEM are very expensive. If I were doing a days worth of cutting, the Timber Wolf gets the nod.
I have a old Homeline chain saw that I use mostly to trim 3 oak tree branches for 20 years living in Illinois . Easy to start just lots of smoke until engine is warm ,quite heavy compare to new chain saw on market today . When moving to Texas I bought an Echo but don't like it much as it take longer to cut and chain get dull so quick
Currently, I have a Stihl, Poulan and a Craftsman. I have owned several chainsaws over the years, McCulloch, Stihl, Poulan, and even a Craftsman 120V Electric chainsaw. All have worked fine for the tasks at hand, but I prefer the Stihl for field work.
I once bought a Husqvarna shortly before a hurricane was to hit Houston only to return it because it wouldn't start. Even the service guy at the Husqvarna dealership couldn't start it, so I asked for refund and bought the Poulan. 20+ years later it still runs.
When I'm able to haul branches to the shop, I use the Craftsman because it's plug and play.
I have watched many videos on Stihl saw repairs by "Chickanic" search the YouTube channel "@Chickanic". The channel has many tutorials, reviews, and tips for small engine repair, including specific videos on STIHL chainsaws.
Project Farm has a review video, several year old on gas powered chainsaws and more on electric as well.
Poulan Wildthing ans Stihl pro but I can not rember the modle.
The Wildtinig is 30 years old and starts every time. It is my branch saw. The Stihl was used to buck the large poplar trees we had cut down a few years ago.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/1583-150223195952.jpeg)
For many decades, the majority of loggers in the pacific northwest only use stihl chainsaws.
I have run into this before with an amazon golf cart generator,it lasted a month,got a refund bought an oem at local cart dealer still going 5 years later.Grandson's atv starter was replaced 3 months ago & I ordered the same one,fixed it.
I chatted with Amazon it should last longer than 3 months,although outside the return window they gave me a refund
On the 1st one.So it pays to ask them if anyone else has it happen on any amazon purchase.Be nice, tell them the facts,& they will help you.
We have 40 or so saws at work from 200 sizes climbing saws to the big 880's. All sthils with a couple mid size huskies. The huskies seem to have more power for their size but not as reliable. They mostly work fine but once in a while you get a lemon. The older pre-pollution models ran a lot better, if you have one keep it going. I have a echo and sthil saw that are 30+ years old and still street right away
They can be a bear to start sometimes, they can be finicky
We've been using the electric ones for smaller stuff, the fellas like them and they hold up well unless you drop them
I did feel the magnets on the flywheel had some magnetism but not much.I just tried new coil no fix,I suppose it's the flywheel magnets,tomorrow I am going to Ace & check the magnets on a new flywheel before I go any further with this.
If I had money to throw around and was doing a lot of cutting I'd probably go for the 261c for slightly better ergonomics and it being a true "pro" saw. I imagine there's a whole lot of 271s out there doing a lot of sawing, mind you.
Update:
The 1st amazon coil was $10,I never found an OEM coil on my 2nd Amazon attempt,so I splurged for another $20 coil,still nogo. Today I called the local Stihl dealer & the 1st thing he asked for is model & S/N,there are 2 different coils for my MS-271,(Amazon never told me that). It was $92,but fired right up ;) ! Yesterday, I went to 2 different ACE hardware stores(waste of gas)they don't stock much & only one guy is a factory trained Stihl mechanic & only he can order the parts on the days he works? Now think about it, I have had to drive to the UPS store twice now to return 2 amazon coils,2 different ACE hardwares & another dealer before I got this chainsaw fixed. I have had good luck with Amazon Carbs,but anything electrical is crap.I am now an expert at changing coils on the Stihl MS-271 after doing it 5 times :d
The moral of this story is "don't buy 便便 buy PENN..."
We use the local saw shop/stihl dealer for repairs. A bit of a hose job but it least they're honest enough to tell us if it's not worth fixing. The cost of parts are obscene, at least our bone yard comes in handy when the plastic parts break
Quote from: Swami805 on November 18, 2025, 08:21:45 PMWe use the local saw shop/stihl dealer for repairs. A bit of a hose job but it least they're honest enough to tell us if it's not worth fixing.
That's sort of the problem. Stihl is undeniably the best chain saw brand with a network of dealer/service centers. Yet, sometimes they are not worth fixing. I'm the world's worst small engine mechanic, but something is not right here.
I'm down to a single saw these days and it's an old Stihl O24Pro that I bought in a pawnshop 29 years ago, it's been through 3 bars and numerous chains but it just keeps going, if it ever dies I'll get another small Stihl to replace it but I'm done with the big saws.
I have a Husqvarna 450 that I've been very happy with for trimming limbs on my 1/2 acre lot and took down a couple of palm trees after Hurricane Ian. Got a Kobalt electric pole saw with an 8 inch chain for little stuff, and it works OK, even though it likes to throw its chain occasionally. Thankfully I don't need to do any really heavy cutting.
I cut firewood rounds out of 7' diameter douglas fir with a stihl 090, yep 90cc and it had a 6' bar. Thru the years it had seen a lot of use on my father-in-law's logging operation. I worked for him for just under 5 years, and we only worked very steep ground of all huge old growth hemlock,doug fir, and occasional cedar. Every saw used was a stihl. Mostly 056 & 064. My personal saw was a 056, and it cut wood like butter. Never an issue. I dont think they make the high quality saws anymore, like the good old days
Late to the party here but I have four saws. A light duty Homelite, a 16" Poulan, a like new 16" Stihl an acquaintance gave me for dry-walling a shed for him, and an Echo Timberwolf 24".
I use the Stihl the most, but for bucking up some big fir trees that Echo rules.
My neighbor came over with his excavator and a big Stihl. He would lift the logs up with the excavator and we would take turns knocking off big rounds. He was impressed at the power band of the Timberwolf.
It was cutting thru the logs about 10 seconds faster than his saw. The Echo would hardly lug at all.
Just like fishing reels —- every and nearly any chainsaw will do the job it was designed for.
And like fishing reels —- the difference is in their effectiveness and also their dependability, and longevity.
Stihl is the go-to for professionals ranging from loggers, contractors, tree trimmer and arborist firms, emergency first responders, military, and rescue personnel.
Reason is —- they are the best and most dependable. Period.
Parts are available, as are service centers. Stihl won't allow new saws to be sold by a dealer —- unless that dealer has a complete and experienced service department to back their customers, and approved by Stihl.
There are possibly some other saws used by utility companies, fire departments, wildland fire-fighting and strike crews, and other emergency responder and rescue agencies —- but I know of none. They all use Stihl.
We are trained in their safe and proper usage on the fire department. From safe starting to proper techniques.
When we have a chimney fire (common up here) —- the last thing a firefighter needs is a finicky saw that won't start. The saw needs to start and effectively cut into the stack to get the fire exposed and put out before the rest of the house goes.
Also, when cutting locks, metal doors & gates —- there is no time to monkey around trying to get a saw started.
Stihl is the standard that professionals use —- worldwide.
I am down to 3 saws now, all Stihl. 170, 036, 500.
They just work effectively, with no drama and no excuses.
Yes, Stihl is more expensive —- but the cheapest tool is the one that we only buy once, and works. The most expensive tool for a professional is always the one that didn't work.
Best, Fred
I stumbled across a carburetor link that I had archived.
I clicked on it and it took be to the Chain Saw Collectors Corner.
An interesting site, though not the most organized. https://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf/GasbyManufacturer?OpenView&Start=1&Count=1000&Expand=45#45
Chainsaws of all types, Gas, Electric, Pneumatic (didn't know they made pneumatic chainsaws) and manufacturers. The Newsletter link at the top of the pages ahs some interesting articles.
Titan was big on 2-man operated chainsaws.
Check out this beauty, Remington Pneumatic Chain Saw: 1P
https://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.nsf/b1eaba68908b141088256b7800712940/b038b4ff44b614a188256b790018871f?OpenDocument
Pneumatic chainsaws can be used under water.
Several years ago a guy in lake washington located and old growth forest that had slid into the lake many hundreds of years ago during a massive earthquake. They were fully submerged, but still standing and the wood was preserved by low oxygen levels down deep. He never got permits or permission to harvest them, and was caught red handed by environmentalists that cried foul and got him shut down. Now that area is off limits to preserve the submerged forest.
Quote from: Maxed Out on December 06, 2025, 04:37:51 AMPneumatic chainsaws can be used under water.
Several years ago a guy in lake washington located and old growth forest that had slid into the lake many hundreds of years ago during a massive earthquake. They were fully submerged, but still standing and the wood was preserved by low oxygen levels down deep. He never got permits or permission to harvest them, and was caught red handed by environmentalists that cried foul and got him shut down. Now that area is off limits to preserve the submerged forest.
TY, for explaining one reason for pneumatic chain saws. I was thinking industrial applications like saw mills or tree trimmers working to clear power lines.
What creature (Spotted Owl? LOL) were they trying to save? I'm baffled at the environmentalists arguments on many issues. It's like they don't want anything touched.
Quote from: Maxed Out on December 05, 2025, 01:54:25 AMI cut firewood rounds out of 7' diameter douglas fir with a stihl 090, yep 90cc and it had a 6' bar. Thru the years it had seen a lot of use on my father-in-law's logging operation. I worked for him for just under 5 years, and we only worked very steep ground of all huge old growth hemlock,doug fir, and occasional cedar. Every saw used was a stihl. Mostly 056 & 064. My personal saw was a 056, and it cut wood like butter. Never an issue. I dont think they make the high quality saws anymore, like the good old days
Ted you must have been eating your wheaties! My farm boss is 12# with a 20" bar it gets heavy quick. We started watching a new show "The Last Woodsmen"
pretty good,these guys cut large trees in the Pacific Northwest,Mostly use Husqvarna saws with Stihl Bars.I bet those guys don't have trouble getting to sleep at night...
Quote from: Maxed Out on December 06, 2025, 04:37:51 AMPneumatic chainsaws can be used under water.
Several years ago a guy in lake washington located and old growth forest that had slid into the lake many hundreds of years ago during a massive earthquake. They were fully submerged, but still standing and the wood was preserved by low oxygen levels down deep. He never got permits or permission to harvest them, and was caught red handed by environmentalists that cried foul and got him shut down. Now that area is off limits to preserve the submerged forest.
So my question is do they now have paid scuba gear treks or submarine tours to view this anomaly? If not then stopping that salvage operation has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard of. What the heck purpose does a bunch dead standing timber at the bottom of a lake serve other than maybe a little fish structure or habitat? But then I have yet to meet many radical environmentally focused individuals or groups that had an exorbitant amount of common sense. 🤯 SMH
In Washington (and probably Nebraska) it is illegal to harvest timber, live or fallen, on somebody else's property without the owners permission or without permits.
Jon
I understand permission requirements, but once the jig was up why not let someone salvage the lumber once they obtained the appropriate and applicable permits?
Check out this Stihl. Dominick
https://youtu.be/QdweyQYBbec?si=YpawKXW4IJQpGa6o
I'm amazed he was able to get it apart. Alex had a reel like that.
Quote from: Maxed Out on December 06, 2025, 04:37:51 AMPneumatic chainsaws can be used under water.
Several years ago a guy in lake washington located and old growth forest that had slid into the lake many hundreds of years ago during a massive earthquake. They were fully submerged, but still standing and the wood was preserved by low oxygen levels down deep. He never got permits or permission to harvest them, and was caught red handed by environmentalists that cried foul and got him shut down. Now that area is off limits to preserve the submerged forest.
Was that from the earthquake/tsunami of year 1700?
Quote from: Dominick on December 06, 2025, 10:48:11 PMCheck out this Stihl. Dominick
https://youtu.be/QdweyQYBbec?si=YpawKXW4IJQpGa6o
Thanks for this video find, Dominick!
Inspiring, to say the least...
It must have belonged to the same guy I did a couple of DAM Quick reels for in October.
This guy with the Stihl made it look kind of easy —- but it takes a lot of experience, the right tools, and a complete knowledge of his craft, and knowing exactly what can and cannot be done.
Best, Fred
MS170 -At 8lbs my Goto for limbing. Keep chain sharp and it'll do amazing things. Still a good folding handsaw (also Stihl) is safer and faster in many instances.
MS251 'Wood boss' 11lbs. 3hp -Keep sharp and it'll cut firewood. Alternate saw on big jobs.
MS261 11lbs 4hp -Goto firewood saw.
I cut -3 cords/year. And have maintenance work on 33acres of maturing hardwood forest.
Weight matters to spare my back. Posture helps too. Darn careful out there. Had a neighbor lose his son on adjacent property during felling. You never get over that. Dangerous work.
Great video. That magneto-points lookin electrical unit was the only thing that looked salvageable at first. What was that high pressure cleaning tool? Not just an air compressor, right? Was waiting to see how he'd clean the chain groove on the bar, but it didn't show it.
Interesting restore, that thing looked like burnt toast. Greg, the pressure cleaning thing was a sand blaster with silica sand. It looked like he used the silica with the water, too, when he cleaned the crud off.
That old rotten log was so punky and dodey a hand saw could zip right through it.
The telling thing on his restore was the idle. But pinning that little log with his leg wasn't too smart.