I have started doing this myself....I only have 5 as of now. I ha e gained a couple of Husqvarna 450’s, one Ms250, and a 028.
You will never regret learning all you can about chainsaws. A lot of the same principles work on string trimmers and ice augers. There is always someone who needs a chainsaw or weed eater or ice auger repaired. Go for it.
Well, I have so far cut a bunch of wood. most of it is green but should be great for next year. I have fixed a Husqvarna 450 I picked up and it runs pretty well. I have rebuilt the Stihl MS250 i bought that was literally a box of parts. Today was the first day I cut wood with it. Surprisingly it ran well. I still have a Husky 450 to redo the top end on and i am working on getting a new handle for my 028 super. The Husqvarna 450 runs well but I think I like the Stihl saws more. I don't dislike Husqvarna but there is something about the Stihls that like. I think I am going to sell both Husky 450's (once the second is fixed) and probably the 120 mark ii that I have and put the money towards a MS261. I appreciate all the advice and input from everyone. Merry Christmas!
You will LOVE the 261. Ive owned one since Summer of 2019 and its my go to saw. Wears a 20" bar and the rare occasion ill cut big wood,it handles it fine. I have bigger saws for big wood. Also own an 028 and its a great saw too. Hers a link on the 028 The Legendary Stihl 028 Chainsaw - HL Supply Blog
First new chainsaw I ever bought was a 450 about 2010ish. I quickly learned it wasn’t going to be the right chainsaw for me. Sold it to fund a brandy new 357xp. I’m currently putting together the red equivalent of a 445. Bought the 450 top end kit. First strato saw I’ve really worked on. Pain in the buttocks, lol. Hope my dad can start this one easier than his 435, which doesn’t have a decomp. It was a free-bee.
I tried porting a strato saw one time. Not just a little widening of the ports but changing the tops and bottoms of the ports and also opening up the transfer ports. Man did I mess that thing up. I would never run right. I got another cylinder for it but have not got around to a second time yet. It was a Poulan 5020.
The power of professional saws is much higher - up to 6-9 kW, so judging by the tasks for which you need the saw, it`s better to consider this category.
I had serious issues with my 450 xtorq that forced me to become obsessed with chainsaws thing drove me nuts for a couple years finally sold it for 200 bucks with a new chain ive had way better luck with a 1980s homelite xl 12
The power of professional saws is much higher - up to 6-9 kW, so judging by the tasks for which you need the saw, it`s better to consider this category. The power of the chainsaw determines the cutting speed and how deep the bar will cut into the wood. Such chainsaws are able to work without interruption for 8-12 hours a day, and in this mode they can work for almost a year. Besides, it's possible that you`ll need it in future. I chose my own https://trimthatweed.com/husqvarna-450-chainsaw-review/. It`s been running for a year without any interruptions or repairs.
No experiance with Echo saws but do have one of their trimmers and love it. Picked up a new Husky 550XPG with heated grips and 18" bar. Only about 2 tanks through it but I have to say it rips and could be my new "go to" saw. As you said, Echo does have a 5-year warranty and Husky is 2 years, same as Stihl, but I purchased the bottled fuel with mine and got a full 5-year warranty on it now. Just make sure you get one with enough power to pull the bar you want to run.