Homeowner Looking to Upgrade

[Driftwood]

Hey everyone, I've been using a junk chainsaw for years and I'm finally ready to buy something legit. There's a lot to know, so I figured this was the best place to get some advice on a good first pro saw

 

[hunting1]

Hey everyone, I've been using a junk chainsaw for years and I'm finally ready to buy something legit. There's a lot to know, so I figured this was the best place to get some advice on a good first pro saw

To best steer you towards what would suit your needs, describe what you're generally wanting to do with it like how often and what size of stuff you'll be cutting

 

[Driftwood]

To best steer you towards what would suit your needs, describe what you're generally wanting to do with it like how often and what size of stuff you'll be cutting

Sure! I’m mainly looking to use it for cutting firewood and cleaning up my property. I’d say I’ll be using it a couple of times a month especially during the busy seasons when I might use it even more. Most of what I cut is in the 10 to 16-inch range but I do come across bigger logs occasionally so I want something that can handle those without any issues

 

[rhougey]

Sure! I’m mainly looking to use it for cutting firewood and cleaning up my property. I’d say I’ll be using it a couple of times a month especially during the busy seasons when I might use it even more. Most of what I cut is in the 10 to 16-inch range but I do come across bigger logs occasionally so I want something that can handle those without any issues

If you can see yourself spending in the $1100 dollar range, my Stihl MS362C would work very well for what you describe. It is a pro saw and has a really good power/weight ratio for your work. You can run it with a 20 or 24” bar. I have a smaller top handle saw as well, but if I could only have one, it would be the 362.

 

[Driftwood]

I really appreciate the recommendation. The MS362C looks like it would suit my needs perfectly especially with its nice balance of power and weight. Hearing about your experience is incredibly helpful thanks for sharing what’s worked for you.

And now… the budget part begins.

 

[hunting1]

the budget part begins.

If you struggle to get there, perhaps go a bit smaller. I'm currently running 5 Stihl ms 261s with 20" bars commercially. I've had pretty good luck with them. Lighter than the 362, good power to weight ratio. My general rule of thumb though is buy as much saw as you can that fits a little more than your needs. Things change. If you're spending money don't short yourself for some unforseen change (bigger wood than expected). For smaller pruning jobs, maybe pick up a cheap small one, even used.

 

[rhougey]

If you struggle to get there, perhaps go a bit smaller. I'm currently running 5 Stihl ms 261s with 20" bars commercially. I've had pretty good luck with them. Lighter than the 362, good power to weight ratio. My general rule of thumb though is buy as much saw as you can that fits a little more than your needs. Things change. If you're spending money don't short yourself for some unforseen change (bigger wood than expected). For smaller pruning jobs, maybe pick up a cheap small one, even used.

That’s good advise. I bought the 362C about 12-13 years ago and it has been a fantastic saw. I probably should have gone for a 462C at that time in retrospect, and if I was buying now, it would be a 500i. I’m falling a lot more trees on my 65 acres that are 36”+ than I thought I would. The 362 is doing the job, just a little bit on the small side for falling and bucking the bigger wood.

 

[Alan]

Really appreciate all the solid feedback, everyone. It’s fantastic to see your real-life experiences with both the 261s and the 362C. The advice to get a little more saw than you think you’ll need is spot on. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Rich]

Hey everyone, I've been using a junk chainsaw for years and I'm finally ready to buy something legit. There's a lot to know, so I figured this was the best place to get some advice on a good first pro saw

I have an Echo CS-620P which can be had for $750 or so. I have cut alongside Stihl MS 362s a number of times. We haven't "raced" but of the Stihls are faster, out is not noticeable. The Echo CS-590 Timberwolf is probably the best value for a firewood saw. I think they are around $450 & are easy to find. Check out sawsupplier.com. A number of the YouTube firewood guys have 10% off codes for Sawsupplier.

 

[Alan]

What a great offer for the OP. The CS-620P is a sturdy saw that competes well with the MS 362, and about the CS-590 as another option. Appreciate you sharing that.