New here. Looking for saw advice

Lots of great suggestions so far. I'll vote for the Echo cs-501p though. I've really been enjoying mine. It's very similar to the cs-490 though.

The main differences are in the coil and handle material. Aluminium, unlimited coil, and slightly more power for the 501p. A composite handle, limited coil and slightly less power for the 490.

Both saws are a great value in a mag case pro saw that should last many years. Quality fit and finish are all on par with the Husky and Stihl pro saws I have run.

Both saws oil and will pull up to a 20" bar and chain well. A 16" bar and chain is a pretty ideal set up for both saws. Although it would be slow, in a pinch they could be used to cut wood up into the 30+ inch range. I wouldn't hesitate to use either saw as a one saw plan for your situation Matt Makinson

 

I run a 490 and a 590, I got into echo for the price, but find they blow the doors off the homeowner grade husky saws I had before (455, 460)
The 490 is a great saw, I use mine for smaller stuff and limbing, with a 20" bar.
It doesn't quite have the grunt of the 590, but it would be great for occasional use.
I go through about 6 cords a year.
I'm running a 24" Bar on the 590 now, in some really tough maple, without any major drama.

 

IDK, I've got 17 absolutely trouble free years on my clamshell 029 super. It's only seen e10 besides a few tanks over the years of trufuel, and odd non ethanol gas we've randomly gotten. It even still has the original fuel line, never needed anything, doesn't leak, and had original air filter and spark plug until 3 years ago. Pull and go, and it always starts easily. Average cords per year that this 029s has cut has to be 3-5 cord with the first 10 years we had it cutting about 8-10 cords a year.

Pro saws are lighter due to the magnesium cases, and it's more durable than plastic.

 

I agree with you. I have an 029 super as well that I bought used for $100 last summer and I've cut close to 10 cords with it. Great saw. Super reliable.

 

People can dish on the clamshell homeowner/farm saws all they want. I used the Stihl 021(one of the first so called homeowner saws) in a commercial setting for years. These saws were used by employees who had very little real vested interest in taking care of them. Day in and day out those saws took a beating and came back the next day asking for more. Both clamshell and mag case saws have their pluses and minuses. Ultimately I choose the mag case pro saws because of the favorable power to weight ratio.

 

I'll jump on board on the 029/290/250 train! They are good chainsaws and are all over Craigslist/fb for good prices(150-200). I see them and make myself not buyem!

 

I have an 021 as well. Great saw. Cuts thru everything I need it to.

 

I love my 021, can't kill it. I use my 362 until I get tired then go to the 021.

 

I can see how CAD works and how one can really go off the rails with this!! So I am now thinking new is smarter for a beginner. Was settled on Stihl ms-261-cm for $569 but don't know if the mtronic is worth it or now. But then still distracted with the echo 590 and then saw the cs-620p for the same price as the Stihl ms-261!!! So I can get all the bells on the pro level Stihl 50cc or get a regular carb adj pro 60 cc saw from echo for the same price..... so it continues...

 

The M tronic would be worth it if you don't want to have to deal with adjusting a carb. Having said that the CS 590 is a hell of a saw for $500.

 

The 590 is 400 and the 620p is 549 at my dealer.

 

First signs of admission? Lol.

The Husky 350 clamshell platform was/is a stellar homeowner saw. They had the issues w mufflers coming loose but after that they are very reliable. So I'm another that doesn't dish on that style. I just think you need to know the ins and outs to properly maintain.

 

Then throw a 346 piston and cylinder kit on that 350 and you have a very fun, fast, lightweight saw that will pull a 20 inch bar no problem.


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I ended up getting the cs-590. I decided the quality/value was good for what I needed. Lots of power and dependable it seems. I tried it out on some small rounds and it worked great. More to follow as I get some. logs over here and a maul and can put this thing to work!!! Thanks to all for the advice and video links and such. Appreciated.

 

Try and make sure she is tuned good. Any good saw shop should do it for less then $10. A new friend or forum member would probably only charge you a good conversation or maybe a beer. Lol

 

I was going to read about how to do that but I need a tach right? Any suggestions for models or where to buy those? I also figured I need to run a tank or two through it before messing with that right??

 

Here's a thread to check out

New CS590 Timber Wolf is in!
( Review )

 

590 should do you well. Next thing to learn how to do is file your own chains. Try to always have a sharp spare chain with u when your cutting incase you hit sonething and dull your chsin.

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Some reading
Saw Carb Tuning

 

You don't have to have a tach but experience is on you're side to do it by ear. I can in person and even sometimes by video. But lake the virbal articulation to be affective by text lol