Echo CS-330T Thoughts

I am always looking at top handle saw and was curious if anyone has one of these Echo CS-330T saws. If so what is your opinion on it? Is it just a cheap homeowner saw or would it hold up fairly well? I hear good things about Echo saws and this is one of the only affordable Top Handle saws I have found.

http://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Chain-Saws/CS-330T

 

Echo has a pretty good name and I use one where we cut , same model a little older . It's been in service for over 7 years and runs like a champ!

 

I can't speak for the 330t but I really like my CS-520. Maybe more than my 036. I bought it as a basket case and it has served me well. Nice power to weight, automotive style air filter, just feels good. 5 year noncommercial warranty.

 

I looked at it and almost pulled the trigger on one but ended up with the stihl 192T. Both seemed like really good saws and I think the Echo was actually a little lighter but I was more familiar with the Stihl.

 

I owned one then sold it to a member on another site. My only complaint was it was a top handle... I don't climb and the balance was awkward for me.

I muff modded it and retuned, added a real chain, and it was decent.

I got it for the price of a chain and carb kit, sold it for a Benjamin. Replaced with a Jonsered 361, oldie but a nice runner. I'm sure the 192t will serve you well.

 

I think the 460 would be ashamed to come out of the garage sporting a 16" bar

 

Well thanks for the good report. Most of the use it would get is limbing and brush work where I could one hand the saw and be pulling or pushing limbs with a free hand so it might be right up my alley then. I keep mulling it over.......

 

I'm happy with my CS-400, EXCEPT the chain it came with really su_cked! Took me a while to figure that out, but once it was changed to a Stihl chain, I now love the saw.

 

Did you get the green low kick back chain or the red aggressive one?

 

Are you asking about the Echo or Stihl chain? I know the chain that came on the saw from Home Depot was a "safety chain". I am pretty sure the Stihl chain I replaced with frm a local shop is not a "safety chain", because when I asked if they had a chain to fit the saw, the said "Yes, but we only carry the Stihl brand chains and we are out of the safety chain of that size". So I took the one they had, which I LOVE. Like night and day from the original chain which no matter what I did seemed would not stay sharp for long, AND would never cut straight. The nw chain stays sharp MUCH longer, and I have never had it cut angled as the other constantly did. And I'm sharpening it the same way, with a dremel so it can't be that I was sharpening i wrong/bad....

Hope that helps....

 

My pap only has one arm and owns a cs330t and cs360t he cuts everything with them some stuff is big even for my 288xp lol . His first cs330t got crushed by a huge red oak he was cutting down when it pinched and fell sideways still ran but plastic was all smashed. He literally beats the pizz out of them logging and cutting firewood has yet to have any problems.

 

Yep, sounds like you got the good one. I might try to switch out my safety chain for the aggressive one

 

That's funny Pete... Well maybe not at the time.