Best new Chainsaw

nande2000

Hi,
Anyone got any recommendations for a new chainsaw ? I want to spend as little as possible, but not something too cheap that wont last.

My previous machine was a Makita DCS3410, ive had 6 years of hard work with it, the 35cm bar was about the right size, but its just died and ive been quoted £160 to fix.

Davesnave

Stihl or Husky is the way to go if you want to find spares and back-up.

Stihl do a couple of models, the MS171 and 181 which are similar and go for £150 to £190. One of them did well in recent Which? tests, though I can't remember if it was the cheaper or dearer model.

If you are really doing "hard" work, it might be better to spend a bit more for extra power, though not necessarily for convenience features, like tool-less tensioning.

peter_the_piper

Mitox are not bad, probably one of the best of the cheaper ones otherwise +1 on above.

nande2000

Davesnave wrote: »

Stihl or Husky is the way to go if you want to find spares and back-up.

Stihl do a couple of models, the MS171 and 181 which are similar and go for £150 to £190. One of them did well in recent Which? tests, though I can't remember if it was the cheaper or dearer model.

If you are really doing "hard" work, it might be better to spend a bit more for extra power, though not necessarily for convenience features, like tool-less tensioning.

Im erring towards the Husky 435 at the moment. The entry level Stihls do look good, but im worried they wouldnt keep up with the amount of use id put them through. I have heard that a lot of the entry level models (of all makes) use some ceramic engine parts . The McCullochs look good too (Husy own them), but I have heard mixed reviews.

Davesnave

nande2000 wrote: »

Im erring towards the Husky 435 at the moment.

That's exactly what I have, and it's fine as a 'one above entry level' machine, but now I've acquired much more wood to cut up than I imagined when I bought it.

....And I spend too much time watching my friend, who's a pro, with his very powerful kit! :rotfl:

nande2000

Davesnave wrote: »

That's exactly what I have, and it's fine as a 'one above entry level' machine, but now I've acquired much more wood to cut up than I imagined when I bought it.

....And I spend too much time watching my friend, who's a pro, with his very powerful kit! :rotfl:

You dont think its worth the extra spend ? i.e. best buying an entry level or much more expensive professional kit ?

In fairness the Makita (Dolmar really) has been good; its helped me to cut and log in excess of 15 tonne of wood over the past 6 years. The main problem ive had with it is that I got the impression that the Stihl/Husky dealer who service and repair it for me arent 100% up to speed on them.

Gloomendoom

Does it need to be petrol?

I have a Makita UC3530A and it is an excellent tool. Extremely well made and parts are available at any Makita service centre.

I have a Husky 550xp for field work but the Makita gets used for virtually all my cutting at home. It's quiet, cheap to run and, unlike the Husky, starts every time.

nande2000

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Does it need to be petrol?

I have a Makita UC3530A and it is an excellent tool. Extremely well made and parts are available at any Makita service centre.

I have a Husky 550xp for field work but the Makita gets used for virtually all my cutting at home. It's quiet, cheap to run and, unlike the Husky, starts every time.

Its a good point. Most of my cutting is within range of an electric point, but for the 20% of work i do that isnt i need an untethered saw. Are they ok with hardwood (most of my work is on Oak or Sycamore)

Guess I could buy an electric saw and a small generator ? or maybe buy a cheap backup petrol model.

Davesnave

nande2000 wrote: »

You dont think its worth the extra spend ? i.e. best buying an entry level or much more expensive professional kit ?

In fairness the Makita (Dolmar really) has been good; its helped me to cut and log in excess of 15 tonne of wood over the past 6 years. The main problem ive had with it is that I got the impression that the Stihl/Husky dealer who service and repair it for me arent 100% up to speed on them.

Sorry, I'm not being clear. I'm perfectly happy with my choice, which was steered very thoughtfully by a local agent. I wouldn't recommend pro kit for anyone, unless they're rich, or using it very frequently.

My machine is very adequate for my age and level of skill, but my mate does everything so much quicker than I do.

peter_the_piper

Makita not very easy to get spare parts, certainly not as easy as Stihl/Husky.

Gloomendoom

nande2000 wrote: »

Its a good point. Most of my cutting is within range of an electric point, but for the 20% of work i do that isnt i need an untethered saw. Are they ok with hardwood (most of my work is on Oak or Sycamore)

Guess I could buy an electric saw and a small generator ? or maybe buy a cheap backup petrol model.

80% of what I cut is oak.

The downsides to an electric saw are the fact that you can't use it when it is raining and you do need to be disciplined with your workspace to minimise the chance of tripping over the power cable. I did consider using it with a generator but it draws around 2kw so it would need to be quite a large genny.

Here is a video of the 16" bar version. The one I have has the 14" bar so is slightly faster. It also has a 30 foot cable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxYb0UzVgpc&feature=related