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Need a saw for the wife

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by bushpilot, Jun 14, 2015.

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  1. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    My sweet thing today asked me to keeep an eye out for a good deal on a saw for her. She has been using an electric 14" Homelite, and wants to cut the cord. She likes that saw, except for the cord and it also oils too enthusiastically (which I have tried unsuccessfully to fix).

    She does not need a big or powerful saw. She mostly does limbing, and cutting of small stuff (4-6 inches is the usual max). I do anything bigger with my saw.

    Desired characteristics include not too heavy, easy to start, dependable is a homeowner's context, and a 14-16 inch chain (more or less). I cannot spend a lot, maybe $150 maximum. I know there is a lot I cannot get for that price, but any suggestions on what I can get?

    I'll likely buy refurbished on eBay if I find the right deal. Any suggestions what to look for?

    I would also welcome a deal from someone on the forum.

    Greg
     
    bushpilot, Jun 14, 2015
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  2. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    My first thought was that there are some great cordless electric options out there these days but your budget shoots that option down.

    The venerable Stihl MS170 is still out there but your going to have to raid the couch cushions. They used to sell for $150 but I'm pretty sure they are just a tad higher these days. Worth a look tho.
     
    MasterMech, Jun 14, 2015
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  3. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    MS 170 would be a great saw (ive got one too) and they can be found at times on sale for 169.00
     
    Well Seasoned, Jun 14, 2015
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  4. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    I will look into the Stihl MS170.

    I'd like to hear more about the cordless options. I would pay a little more for that if I thought it would serve the purpose. She would really like to not be fueling, pulling a rope, wearing hearing protection, etc. What kind of battery life do they get? The reviews I have read about them are all over the place.

    Greg
     
    bushpilot, Jun 14, 2015
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  5. Cut4fun

    Cut4fun

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    Cut4fun, Jun 14, 2015
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  6. clemsonfor

    clemsonfor

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    Again I vote for the ms170. I think its $179.99 but perfect for what you described. The battery ones are pricey for good ones.
     
    clemsonfor, Jun 14, 2015
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  7. foragefarmer

    foragefarmer

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    You could keep your eye on craigslist. I got a Jonsered 2245 for the GF for $160 a few years ago.
     
    foragefarmer, Jun 14, 2015
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  8. bocefus78

    bocefus78

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    Ms170 gets my vote as well.
     
    bocefus78, Jun 14, 2015
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  9. ironpony

    ironpony

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    how about one of the Eathquakes everyone on here was buying for 50 or less shipped to their house off Ebay?? my 14 inch runs great and cuts nice, if I remember right 35 bucks, new bar and chain. cant go wrong for that price.
     
    ironpony, Jun 14, 2015
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  10. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Good cordless saws are expensive. Stihl was selling theirs for $300, and that is just the tool. You then need the battery(or two), and the charger, all sold separately. Initial investment is usually $5-600. But it sounds like your wife is quite busy outside and if you buy multiple tools, the premium cordless tool line starts to make a lot more sense. They offer weedwhackers, hedgetrimmers, a nifty blower, the chainsaws, and a few other gizmos that are by no means cheap, disposable tools like you find in HD/Lowes. And there are no gas engine headaches with ANY of them.

    Battery life from the Stihl tools is excellent, and can be extended via battery pack vests or high capacity batteries if you require. Keep in mind that these tools were designed for commercial landscapers operating in neighborhoods with noise restrictions. So they are built to last and not quit half-way through the job.

    If you are just looking for a saw, then the Oregon saw is a good tool that costs quite a bit less than the Stihl, but they were still over $400 last time I checked.
     
    MasterMech, Jun 14, 2015
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  11. prell 73

    prell 73

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    X 2
     
    prell 73, Jun 14, 2015
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  12. 343amc

    343amc

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    X2. I have no complaints about either the 38cc or 45cc saws I bought. Both shipped to my door for less than $100 for the pair. Neither one is a saw I'd want to cut truckloads of wood with, but for occasional use it works just fine.
     
    343amc, Jun 14, 2015
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  13. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Problem with the Earthquake is that they are/were a gamble. $39 for the 38cc, maybe it ran, maybe it didn't and you bought it as is, no returns. More often than not, they needed some minor (sometimes very minor) tweaking to get them to run correctly, and in anything over 2" you definitely want to modify the muffler for mo'power. And that's not just a testosterone/Tim Taylor thing either. They really are gutless pigs in stock form.

    If all that sounds ok to the OP then by all means, try and locate one of these things. Modified, they are actually much better performers than the MS170 but only if you are ok with the saw being a hobby.

    There is something really appealing about a saw that your local dealer carries parts for and knows how/is willing to repair too. ;)
     
    MasterMech, Jun 14, 2015
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  14. XXL

    XXL

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    I too suggest the MS170. I have one and use it often for trail clearing and limbing. I bought mine new several years ago on sale for about $150 and my brother picked one up used a couple of years ago for around $100.:yes:

    A little more pricey but maybe more user friendly for your wife would be the quick chain adjust and easy start MS 180(1) C-BE. You may be able to find a used one in your budget.
     
    XXL, Jun 14, 2015
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  15. savemoney

    savemoney

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    I had to give up on my heavy saw. Bought a lightweight saw at HD. A little green Poulin 14 in. Easy to use. Starts every time. Hope I don't get a kick in the butt for suggesting it, but it is a cheap saw and easy to use.
     
    savemoney, Jun 14, 2015
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  16. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    Yep, I am considering that one.

    Greg
     
    bushpilot, Jun 14, 2015
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  17. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    I have put a lowball bid on an MS170 on eBay, we'll see what happens. If that fails, I'll do a search for the Earthquake models, and if they are a good deal, might pick one up. We'll see. And still looking at others on eBay.

    She would really like a cordless, but I have about ruled them out now.

    Greg
     
    bushpilot, Jun 14, 2015
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  18. Elderthewelder

    Elderthewelder

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    Last edited: Jun 14, 2015
    Elderthewelder, Jun 14, 2015
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  19. HDRock

    HDRock

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    HDRock, Jun 14, 2015
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  20. bushpilot

    bushpilot

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    bushpilot, Jun 15, 2015
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