Finally time to upgrade from my craftsman

So I've had my craftsman 18 inch for about 5 years now. I clean it every time I'm done with it and all and have gone through about 10 chains since I bought it for like $125. But I think I'm to the point of needing an upgrade cuz of my addiction to wood and gonna buy a real decent one finally....I always hear stihl is way to go. Their def a couple hundred more then my craftsman was but if it means a reliable strong chainsaw I'm ok with it....I don't know if I go through chains cuz my chainsaw isn't top of the line but any reccomendations ?????? Not trying to go over like $400 max

 

Under $400 saws I would buy with out a second thought. dolmar 421. have even seen fordf150 have some 5105 on a year end sale under 400 I would buy in a hurry
Echo 590, 490,
Husqvarna 455 is not a bad saw and I would go that way over a Stihl 291.
I am not very impr6with stihls more recent saws and everything I would own stihl is way over $400.
A good dealer can really sway a decision . also ergonomics, if you can run a saw before you buy. (most good dealers will let you.) Can really help make sure you get the best saw for you.

 

A little curious how you've gone through 10 chains in 5 years.
No advice on a saw for $400 or less, but a lot of people here have suggested Dolmar and Echo as less expensive alternates to Stihl and Husqvarna.
I like my Husky 455, but feel it's a little heavy for the power.

 

Yea....me too. He had a thread about buying all new or sharpening. Guess I need to search it up.

As for the saw suggestions , I got my buddy a $390 stihl 362 from Guido Salvage outta the classifieds here. That would be a yuuuuuuuge step up in power and speed for you OP. That's my suggestion. By a pro saw, and buy used.

 

In this case more dollars does not mean more value. A Dolmar 421 or an Echo 490 are saws built with a metal chassis like pro style saws, whereas most of the more famous brands in the same price range are based on plastic construction.

I second the idea to check with fordf150 for a new saw.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about that thread.
I like the idea of grabbing a saw from someone here on the classifieds. I doubt anyone here would try to gouge on quality or price.

 

3 questions...

What size bar do you want to run?

What sized trees/logs do you anticipate most of your cutting is?

How many cords a year do you cut?

I think with answers to those we can give a good recommendation. Like others have mentioned, buying a used pro saw is a good way to go. Or a new Echo or Dolmar gives you a great quality saw without paying for the Stihl name.

I'm also curious about the chain issue, are they wearing out or just dull when you replace them? Because a Craftsman saw shouldn't matter as far as chain wear.

 

Amazon.com : Maruyama MCV51 : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

hdtoolmkr765 ... contact this guy right away... he got a basic brand new ms391 saw in the classifieds.....he will not treat you wrong!!!!!!... it would be a huge step up!!!!

 

I'm a Stihl guy, for several reasons but mostly due to my relationship with my local dealer-as bocefus78 indicated, you're going from a Yugo to a Caddy-It really depends what you want and need to do-Good choices in the farm/ranch class would be the MS line of 251-271-291, the MS 271 puts you in 50cc land-If you want to go used pro saw from a trusted FHC member of which their are many...I know my next acquisition target is the MS-261 C-M or C-MQ

Just my 2 cents, lots of great saws out there and good luck!

 

Also if you don't want/need a saw that big, the ms250 is on sale for $300 brand new(I would get ms250 over ms251 any day!!)......you can continue to use the 18" bar size, and the saw will last you if you take care of it....I got pro saws, but I still like to take the the 250 just by itself......

I included a pic of a few loads me and my ol trusty ms250 had before weather got cold few months ago....all shagbark hickory, even had the bar buried couple times.... I should add with this saw or any other decent brand, you can EASILY cut a truck load of wood with one tank of fuel...saw maintenance and learning how to correctly file a chain are of the upmost importance!!!!!

 

^^^^He speaks the truth! The 250 line gives you plenty of power without the weight---my chief complaint concerning my FarmBoss MS290---be like a kid at Christmas and enjoy the research and selection...

 

I didnt post this here when i listed them, will get this in the classified over here for anyone that is interested as well.


New equipment:
Dolmar PS-351 $230 ***2 left***
Dolmar PS-5105 w/ 3/8 18" bar $380 ***6 left***
Jonsered CS-2240 w/16" $230 ***1 left***
Jonsered CS-2245 PHO $225 ***1 left***
Jonsered CS-2255 PHO $300 ***1 left***
Jonsered CS-2258 PHO $490 ***1 left***
Jonsered GT2128 curved shaft trimmer $140 ***1 left***
Jonsered GC2128 Combi Trimmer $160 ***1 left***
Echo CS-310 w/ 14" bar $150 ***1 left***
Echo CS-400 w/case $225 ***1 left***
Makita EK7651 4 stroke power cutter $800 ***2 left***


Trade-ins:
Dolmar PC-7430 12" $350
Jonsered 625 w/20" $165
Stihl 028WB w/18" $145
Dolmar PS-420 w/ new clutch drum, 16" bar and chain.

also have some NOS Dolmar PS-510's w/ 18 and 20" bars. manufacture date of 2005 on most of them. $275

 

Hey I hear ya on the ms261.... I love the looks of that saw!!!!..... I hear it's damm good one too and light!!!!

I have a ms362 and ms461, but I would use a 261 a lot..... I got a 024 wood boss recently and as soon as a part gets here I will have her up and going.... if for some reason I dont like it, or if it ain't a big step up from the ms250 I may sell it....

 

Guys speak highly of this guy, and a lot of guys like the dolmars, would love to try one for myself....judging by his prices, maybe another good option for you!!

 

The reviews are off the chart for the 261 and I wants one! Khntr85, you are exacerbating my CAD and that's not a good thing here at Christmas, but I wish a merry one to you and yours And that is one heckuva pic my friend-love some shagbark!

 

The reason went through a lot of chains is 1. because when I was new to chaining and splitting I thought chains were ok if i accidentally hit the dirt every once in a while while chainsawing. 2. I go through all types of wood

thanks for all the advice guys

 

Thank ya sir, hope you have a great Christmas... looks like you got a lot of wood yourself!!!!

Well if you ever get one let me know what you think....I have bought to many chainsaw related items here recently....I just bought a CBN wheel for my recently purchased Oregon 520 grinder last night LOL.... yes my CAD runs deeep!!!

 

Echo 590 $399.99
ECHO 20 in. 59.8cc Gas Chainsaw-CS-590-20AA - The Home Depot