But which chainsaw....

Let us know how you like it.

 

Well, if you ever need a big block chevy saw, you should have it all figured out now with the $4000 of personal investment you have in this purchase. God Bless.

 

As long as the OP is happy, that's all that matters... I personally would rather spend $400 on a used 372xp or 064, but to each his own, I guess.

 

Congrats on your new saw purchase!!!

 

Well, received the saw and like it so far. Installed the bar and chain, turned the bar oil up all the way and cross- cut and noodled some silver maple about 24" in dia. The saw runs well, the bar is over- oiled (which was the intention- now I can turn the oil flow down a bit) and it started OK. It started better after I read the instructions; the choke seems to have two positions but in reality it has three- choke on, choke off but still partially engaged, and choke off when the throttle is opened the first time. The decompression button seems to work well.

The only disappointment is that the saw has an odd- ball 20" bar that takes a 70 link chain rather than the more standard 72 link chain. Other bars are available that fit this saw and do take standard chains so I will probably go that route after this bar and chain have some time on them. A more aggressive chain would be desirable but I have not yet found anything like a semi- chisel, aggressive chain with 70 links.

Overall though, I am quite pleased with the saw and still believe it is the best bang for the buck for a new chainsaw of this size. I did look at quite a few used saws but given the price of used 'name brand' saws is still pretty high, and there is a huge unknown factor buying sight- unseen, at least from unknown people, the Echo seemed like more of a 'sure thing', especially with local dealers and a 5 year warranty.

Brian

 

Some dealers will make you a 70dl chain off of a roll. There are also several places you can order 70dl chains.

 

Oregon 72LG70 is what you're looking for.A very aggressive full chisel chain,70 is the number of drive links.My local Northern Tool normally has 2-3 packaged loops on the shelf.Surprised me first time I seen them there,normally almost all their chain is that worthless Vanguard safety chain with the folded over rakers.

My older Poulan's & several of the mid sized Mac's share the same bar mount pattern - 70 links for a 20"chain,66 for 18",60 for 16" etc.

 

I have stihl RS and oregon LGX in 70dl. Just order it.

72LGX070G Oregon Full chisel chainsaw chain 3/8 70 DL .050 gauge

 

Excellent info. about the 70 link chain availability- thanks!

Brian

 

another option for the Echo saws is a bar adapter and stihl mount bar on them. 72DL

 

Bailey's will spin and ship you a chain in any size you want. 70dl X price per DL and they will ship spun up. Easy peasy... Get Carlton/woodland pro. Cuts good and easier to file.

 

I'd be happy to spin you up a couple of loops of 72LGX @ 70dl or I would recommend Frawley's for on line chains. Seem to have the best prices. 72LGX070G Oregon Full chisel chainsaw chain 3/8 70 DL .050 gauge

 

I was noodling with my 372XP today and wishing it had the extra-wide clutch cover. By chance, is the chip clearance in the clutch cover bigger in the 385? Do you have any of your 372XPs with the extra wide clutch cover?

 

Thanks, I appreciate the offer.

Brian

 

I also have the 590 among several other saws and I found a dealer online that sells 70DL Oregon chain at very good prices- and sells Oregon bars too. Pm me for the web address. Never mind- someone already mentioned the website . Loggerchain.com (frawley's)

 

I just ordered some 70dl Oregon and he ships super fast!!

 

A lot of great 60 -70cc saws. I just bought a dolmar 6100. It is a super smooth, torquey noodling machine.

It just rips through 20+ in oak and hickory

 

Thanks.

I have a 24" bar and <standard length> chain for it on the way. Went the Laser route; supposed to be decent equipment but is actually quite inexpensive, especially the chain. If the chain turns out to be garbage, I can still use the bar and go over to Stihl, or any other, chain.

I cut firewood to 20" so the 20 inch bar on the original saw is a bit marginal. I believe the saw will drive a 24" chain OK if I am reasonable with it.

Brian

 

You may want to get semi skip or skip chain for your 24" bar. Depends on type of wood you mainly cut. IMO

 

Meh? Semi maybe, but it has been my experience, and is solely my opinion that full skip isn't really necessary on anything under 28". I run 24" and full comp on my 372XP, because more horsepower is more better, and the full comp is faster in the cut.