I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
Buying a chainsaw
- Thread starter outoforder
- Start date
- Status
IMHO, If you want it to last for years and years spend the extra and buy the Stihl. Otherwise you will likely spend the money you save on another model on service and repairs. My Stihl is about 10 years old, has seen well over a hundred hours of use and has never been to the shop.
For how many years? and what size of wood?
2' Oak will be alot more fun with a decent 50-60cc saw.
2 decades from now you will be able to buy parts for your good saw too.
I bought a larger pro saw 10 years ago and haven't regreted it, but I did try the cheap route for the small saw and wish I just bought a 346xp, the $3-400 difference is trivial in hindsight.
2' Oak will be alot more fun with a decent 50-60cc saw.
2 decades from now you will be able to buy parts for your good saw too.
I bought a larger pro saw 10 years ago and haven't regreted it, but I did try the cheap route for the small saw and wish I just bought a 346xp, the $3-400 difference is trivial in hindsight.
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
The good people here at BITOG just helped me purchase a chainsaw. After much debate I ended up with a Stihl 362 C-M which is a 60cc class saw. It was around $700 but you get what you pay for. I plan to cut firewood with it for decades to come.
I went with two saws depending on what I'm cutting. I use a Makita UC4030A electric with a 16" bar that is surprisingly powerful for cutting final lengths under my porch and a Tanaka TCS51EAP/Hitachi CS51EAP with a 20" bar when I need to be mobile. I like the fact they carry a 7 year warranty.
I cut upwards of 10 cords depending on how many places I have to cut for or how bad the weather was.
I cut upwards of 10 cords depending on how many places I have to cut for or how bad the weather was.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
+1 on that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Craftsman saw. No need for a professional grade saw for 2 cords a year. I needed a bigger saw for cutting firewood and ended up going with a 20" Poulan Pro from Home Depot. (Also made by Husqvarna, basically the same thingas a Cra ftsman) I would have liked to get a Stihl, but I simply couldn't afford $500+ for a chainsaw. I expect this saw will serve me well, my little 14" Poulan is 10 years old and still runs and cuts like brand new.
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
+1 on that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Craftsman saw. No need for a professional grade saw for 2 cords a year. I needed a bigger saw for cutting firewood and ended up going with a 20" Poulan Pro from Home Depot. (Also made by Husqvarna, basically the same thingas a Cra ftsman) I would have liked to get a Stihl, but I simply couldn't afford $500+ for a chainsaw. I expect this saw will serve me well, my little 14" Poulan is 10 years old and still runs and cuts like brand new.
I have a Sears 2.8 cu in. 18in Bar. Have had this chainsaw for at least 11 years.
Many ricks of fire wood--Many Tree Trimmings--1 tornado...
I have replaced the pull cord as well as 2 chains.
Since day one-->Synthetic 2 stroke oil @ 40:1
Still on same spark plug!
You can't go wrong with Sears-Husqvarna or Stihl.
But there are many more out there worth looking at.
Many ricks of fire wood--Many Tree Trimmings--1 tornado...
I have replaced the pull cord as well as 2 chains.
Since day one-->Synthetic 2 stroke oil @ 40:1
Still on same spark plug!
You can't go wrong with Sears-Husqvarna or Stihl.
But there are many more out there worth looking at.
Two thought processes.
Buy good saw, but you must maintain it. If you do, it should last a lifetime. I'd prefer this to the aggravation aspect of an underpowered saw. Or buy a [censored] $100 saw and replace it every few years for another [censored] saw. My buddy does this and is perfectly satisfied.
It took a while looking and waiting, but I was able to grab a 2 year old Jonsered 2159 (basically a slight detuned Jonsered 2156 or Husky 357xp) in great shape for $250 cash. Must be able to wait though. Found the best deals in the local sales paper rather than on craigslist or fleabay.
Buy good saw, but you must maintain it. If you do, it should last a lifetime. I'd prefer this to the aggravation aspect of an underpowered saw. Or buy a [censored] $100 saw and replace it every few years for another [censored] saw. My buddy does this and is perfectly satisfied.
It took a while looking and waiting, but I was able to grab a 2 year old Jonsered 2159 (basically a slight detuned Jonsered 2156 or Husky 357xp) in great shape for $250 cash. Must be able to wait though. Found the best deals in the local sales paper rather than on craigslist or fleabay.
Go with a Stihl. You can thank me later.
Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
Go with a Stihl. You can thank me later.
+1
Wayne
Go with a Stihl. You can thank me later.
+1
Wayne
Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
Go with a Stihl. You can thank me later.
+1
Wayne
thumbs up!
Originally Posted By: Joe_Power
Go with a Stihl. You can thank me later.
+1
Wayne
thumbs up!
Originally Posted By: subaroo
wher's the love for Shindawa? i have the 360, and man that little thing can spin.
Shindiawa and echo merged a while ago so maybe some of the echo saws are shindiawa? I like the look of even the low end echo saws. I have a cheap husky/poulan and its been a POS all along... The echo's look like they are made to be serviced to me.
wher's the love for Shindawa? i have the 360, and man that little thing can spin.
Shindiawa and echo merged a while ago so maybe some of the echo saws are shindiawa? I like the look of even the low end echo saws. I have a cheap husky/poulan and its been a POS all along... The echo's look like they are made to be serviced to me.
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: subaroo
wher's the love for Shindawa? i have the 360, and man that little thing can spin.
Shindiawa and echo merged a while ago so maybe some of the echo saws are shindiawa? I like the look of even the low end echo saws. I have a cheap husky/poulan and its been a POS all along... The echo's look like they are made to be serviced to me.
oh ok...didn't know the two companies are now one.
Originally Posted By: subaroo
wher's the love for Shindawa? i have the 360, and man that little thing can spin.
Shindiawa and echo merged a while ago so maybe some of the echo saws are shindiawa? I like the look of even the low end echo saws. I have a cheap husky/poulan and its been a POS all along... The echo's look like they are made to be serviced to me.
oh ok...didn't know the two companies are now one.
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
+1 on that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Craftsman saw. No need for a professional grade saw for 2 cords a year. I needed a bigger saw for cutting firewood and ended up going with a 20" Poulan Pro from Home Depot. (Also made by Husqvarna, basically the same thingas a Cra ftsman) I would have liked to get a Stihl, but I simply couldn't afford $500+ for a chainsaw. I expect this saw will serve me well, my little 14" Poulan is 10 years old and still runs and cuts like brand new.
Craftsman and husqvarna are not the same. The craftsman are identical to poulons. While husqvarna and poulon have the same parent company the saw lines are completely different.
Stihl and husqvarna/johnsored are on the same level. There homeowner and pro lines are on par with each other.
There is one poulon that is close to hanging with the others though. The 5020. It is cheap for its size and has some favorable reviews.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
+1 on that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Craftsman saw. No need for a professional grade saw for 2 cords a year. I needed a bigger saw for cutting firewood and ended up going with a 20" Poulan Pro from Home Depot. (Also made by Husqvarna, basically the same thingas a Cra ftsman) I would have liked to get a Stihl, but I simply couldn't afford $500+ for a chainsaw. I expect this saw will serve me well, my little 14" Poulan is 10 years old and still runs and cuts like brand new.
Craftsman and husqvarna are not the same. The craftsman are identical to poulons. While husqvarna and poulon have the same parent company the saw lines are completely different.
Stihl and husqvarna/johnsored are on the same level. There homeowner and pro lines are on par with each other.
There is one poulon that is close to hanging with the others though. The 5020. It is cheap for its size and has some favorable reviews.
Originally Posted By: jhellwig
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
+1 on that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Craftsman saw. No need for a professional grade saw for 2 cords a year. I needed a bigger saw for cutting firewood and ended up going with a 20" Poulan Pro from Home Depot. (Also made by Husqvarna, basically the same thingas a Cra ftsman) I would have liked to get a Stihl, but I simply couldn't afford $500+ for a chainsaw. I expect this saw will serve me well, my little 14" Poulan is 10 years old and still runs and cuts like brand new.
Craftsman and husqvarna are not the same. The craftsman are identical to poulons. While husqvarna and poulon have the same parent company the saw lines are completely different.
Stihl and husqvarna/johnsored are on the same level. There homeowner and pro lines are on par with each other.
There is one poulon that is close to hanging with the others though. The 5020. It is cheap for its size and has some favorable reviews.
You're right, they're not the same, but they are made by Husqvarna. For the OP's intended use of cutting 2 cords of firewood a year, the Craftsman/Poulan will work just fine. I've cut more than that every year for the last 10 years with my 14" Poulan and it still works just as good as the day I bought it.
We just put in a wood stove to cut down our propane usage, so I'm going to be doing a lot more wood cutting now and needed a bigger saw. I did some research and wanted to get either the Echo CS-590 or Stihl MS 311. Money has been tight lately, so I didn't have the extra cash to buy a $500+ saw. After seeing how good the reviews were, I went with the Poulan 5020. Everything I've read about it seems to say it's a great saw for the money. (Obviously still no Stihl though) It normally sells for $199 at most stores, but Fleet Farm had it on sale for $189. I went to Home Depot and their price match +10% off brought it down to $170.
Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: outoforder
I'm in the market for a chainsaw to cut 2 cords of firewood a year. Will a Craftsman saw suffice for the job or do I need a more robust saw like an Echo or Stihl?
All Craftsman chain saws are made by Husqvarna. While they may not be as high a quality as Stihl, they are still excellent machines.
+1 on that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Craftsman saw. No need for a professional grade saw for 2 cords a year. I needed a bigger saw for cutting firewood and ended up going with a 20" Poulan Pro from Home Depot. (Also made by Husqvarna, basically the same thingas a Cra ftsman) I would have liked to get a Stihl, but I simply couldn't afford $500+ for a chainsaw. I expect this saw will serve me well, my little 14" Poulan is 10 years old and still runs and cuts like brand new.
Craftsman and husqvarna are not the same. The craftsman are identical to poulons. While husqvarna and poulon have the same parent company the saw lines are completely different.
Stihl and husqvarna/johnsored are on the same level. There homeowner and pro lines are on par with each other.
There is one poulon that is close to hanging with the others though. The 5020. It is cheap for its size and has some favorable reviews.
You're right, they're not the same, but they are made by Husqvarna. For the OP's intended use of cutting 2 cords of firewood a year, the Craftsman/Poulan will work just fine. I've cut more than that every year for the last 10 years with my 14" Poulan and it still works just as good as the day I bought it.
We just put in a wood stove to cut down our propane usage, so I'm going to be doing a lot more wood cutting now and needed a bigger saw. I did some research and wanted to get either the Echo CS-590 or Stihl MS 311. Money has been tight lately, so I didn't have the extra cash to buy a $500+ saw. After seeing how good the reviews were, I went with the Poulan 5020. Everything I've read about it seems to say it's a great saw for the money. (Obviously still no Stihl though) It normally sells for $199 at most stores, but Fleet Farm had it on sale for $189. I went to Home Depot and their price match +10% off brought it down to $170.
- Status
