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 just pulled the coil to get ready for the new install.
Just for sharts & giggles I held a screwdriver near the magnets
On the flywheel,there was absolutely no magnetic attraction at all,am I missing something? Shouldn't the screwdriver be drawn in?