Need Saw Reccomendations

Disclaimer this isn't for me.

My BIL is looking for a 60cc pro saw and was looking at the MS362. I told him I wasn't very impressed with that saw for the money. If I am wrong about that let me know.

Anyhow I told him I thought for Firewood duty the Husky555 was in my opinions one of the best bang for your buck saws out there. I also like the 562 but I think the 555 would more than cover his needs.

What other saws am I missing. I honestly like the what I have seen from a few of the dolmars in that size range however I think he will be a hard sell on a dolmar as he seems to lean more to the side of a Stihl is the only thing that can cut wood.

What else am I missing? Also if you all have any leads on a really nice pro or semi pro 60cc saw let me know. I told him I would put out a few feelers for a really nice used saw.

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I busted all three of my saws a few weeks ago and my saw shop, being good guys, let the pro customers anyway borrow saws in certain cases. I got a 365 and really liked it. Not as heavy as my 046 Stihl but still had plenty of brawn. If they gave me a decent price for the saw I borrowed, I might actually buy it, BUT that leads to my next point.

If the guy is a Stihl guy, you minds well stick with Stihl. I use both and prefer Stihl over Husky...just take off the bar on a husky and you will see why; compared to Stihl it is a super pain. There are some great features of Husky, and some great ones of Stihl, and if the two ever said screw fighting each other and merged just to build a chainsaw, using the best ideas of both would give us wood cutters the IDEAL chainsaw. With Stihl you would get a saw that actually ran even after 9 months of use, and with some husky parts on it, it would not vibrate you all to crap and be super heavy.

But it sounds like your BIL cuts like I do; not a weekend firewooder, but I am not exactly cutting redwoods either. I liked the Husky 365 and may actually go down a notch in the next few weeks and buy a 60's-ish cc saw.

 

The 555 is a great saw. I got mine last year and am still loving it.

 

I really liked the updated 362 i handled. Lots o great options out there though and the husky 555 is one of many. The 60cc saw class is a crowded one!

For pro quality lightly used saws look no further than the used Makita 6421 from the Home Depot rental department. Several members here have gone that rout for about $300.

So you want a good deal on a used saw. | Firewood Hoarders Club

Husky 465 rancher becomes Makita 6421 | Firewood Hoarders Club

Also don't sleep on the Echo 590 pretty much the best bang for your buck pro style 60cc saw. Several guys here run them and like them a lot.

Echo cs 590... | Firewood Hoarders Club

I personally have a Dolmar 6100 another great 60cc saw.

Oops I did it again! | Firewood Hoarders Club

Dolmar ps 6100 info and videos | Firewood Hoarders Club

Just a couple quality options that I've personally run.

 

Don't forget the j-reds.

 

Lots of a great 60cc saws. My personal order would be dolmar 6100

Echo 590 ,
Dolmar 6400 or makita color.
Jred 2258 husky 555
Jred 2260
Stihl 362
Husky 562.

 

All the above saws that the members recomend you are just fine i have work with about all theese brands except echos

the big trick is to find a good and organized dealer that can help you the time that you need him

 

A good dealer can make a huge difference especially if you don't do alot of your own mechanical work.

 

Nothing wrong with the Stihl, don't know why you are trying to sway the BIL otherwise.
Stihl has a higher resale and are easier to sell.

I would point him towards a few good forums like this one and let him choose instead of talking him out of what he wants.

 

I'm not going to try to talk him out of anything. I just think there are better saws out there for the money and was trying to broaden his horizons a bit. If I was buying a brand new 60cc right now I would be leaning really hard towards the Dolmars. I have not run the newest version of the 362 but the one I did run didn't feel nearly as nice as a 562 (again this is just my opinion which is why I am asking) and I have Stihl, Husky, Jred, Poulan, and craftsman in my arsenal so I'm not brand loyal at all. I will tell him to take a look at the Dolmar and let him know the newest version of the 362 is a good saw that you can't go wrong with.

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As was mentioned pick your dealer and then that is the brand. When it don't work it ain't worth nothing.

 

There is really only one saw shop within a 1 hour drive of here and they service and sell husky/Stihl and to be honest they suck at both. I have never taken a saw to them and wouldnt trust them to change a fuel line. Most people around here order parts off line and service their own because the parts they sell are astronomically priced.

That being said there is probably more dealer support within a 1.5 hour drive for Stihl.

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Im willing to bet if I could find(along with others) a 461 for -850 I would think a 362 could be had for mid six hundred. Easy 100$ off.
I'm a home cutter and wanted more power and wanted a Stihl, imo nothing wrong with that either if you can afford it want want it.

Like stated I'm wouldn't mess around with anything else except what dealer/ parts are available.

I second d the dolmars/ Makita and since money is an issue, itd be the home depot version.

 

All the top names will give him a solid hard working saw. His budget range and usage should guide him in his decision. Just tell him to do his homework and select the one that works for his budget and cutting needs.

 

Unless you are Westchester south the whole income level stuff is silly.
Saratoga has decent income and cost of living and that's where I did the best.

 

What's this saw for? Firewood? Will it be his only saw, or is this to pair with something else? I'm sure the 362 is a great saw, I just think it's grossly overpriced. But if this will be his only saw and he doesn't mind spending the money, why not?

For firewood duty I think the Husky 555 will be hard to beat. The Makita 6421 is really nice (I've got one) but it's pretty heavy for a 64cc saw.

Stihl 360's can be picked up pretty cheaply, I think that would be my second choice behind a 555.