chainsaw recommendations

[MikePal]

Well, there's a lemon in every bunch and I had it. My Stihl 026 was nothing but trouble from the day I bought it.

Ask anyone who knows chainsaws and they will tell you the MS 026 was the best saw Stihl ever made/sold. Why you had problems is a real head scratcher, especially if you had it into a Stihl dealer for repairs. I have 3 of those workhorses and they rarely fail me and we cut a whack of wood every winter for the past 25 yrs.

[MikePal]

Reading reviews on the sthil a lot of people talk about carb issues on the smaller models. . Apparently the carbs are from China.

ECHO saw/parts are made primarily of offshore parts. The saw was designed by Kioritz Corporation of Japan. The majority of ECHO 'assembled' in the United States are built from foreign and domestic parts and components.

[Buzz Killington]

Stihl Husky

[dutchhunter]

we had a 026 a 036 and both got stolen from buddys shop in a break in, I loved that little 026 it was the best little saw I ever run ,,wish thy still made them ,,Dutch

[Mdiddi]

I'm a Stihl guy. bought used 290 years ago that was well used. I run it hard and it doesn't quit. I keep it on the back of the bike. I get tired with it and will go to the 170 next.

[Wahoo]

If you want a chainsaw for just general purposes a poulan is fine. I have cut hundreds of cords with a Poulan and I heat with wood and use it for camping. However you don't need a lot of power to cut firewood and clearing. You could also look at the Stihl 170 and it costs under 200 bucks. That will be my next purchased for a saw. I see know purpose for a large saw. I cut upto 20 cords in a year and if that is all you need to do a 170 will fit the bill nicely.

Another vote for Poulan! I've had one for 10 years and zero problems. It's a 46cc model and I got it at a Princess Auto sale for like $99. Once you figure out the 'personality', it starts within 2 pulls.

BUT if you anticipate (even remotely) cutting more wood, get a 55+ cc machine, you'll appreciate the power.

Whatever saw you settle on, get one of the Stihl orange storage boxes. Or the first time the bar oil ruins something, you'll be pissed!

[werner.reiche]

Ask anyone who knows chainsaws and they will tell you the MS 026 was the best saw Stihl ever made/sold. Why you had problems is a real head scratcher, especially if you had it into a Stihl dealer for repairs. I have 3 of those workhorses and they rarely fail me and we cut a whack of wood every winter for the past 25 yrs.

I have a 260 - the newer model for the 026. It's a no-problem first-pull saw. I've never heard of anyone having problems with the 026/028 series saw....and if you are having problems, you should be able to sell it pretty easily. I'm trying to pick up another 260 used - I can't seem to find one under $400 and they were only about $550 new when I bought mine 8 years ago.

[hunterforever]

Stihl for sure. The 170 is small and light which is good for camping, hunting etc. where you need just a bit of cutting. Go for a bigger stilhl if you want to cut hardcore...

[JJL]

don't think you can beat the stihl 170 for under $200. heat my house with wood and cut the majority of it with that little guy.

[KMG Canada]

I have a husky 235, excellent saw. Have had it for seven years and used it for much tougher work than a small saw should have been subjected to with no problems.