newbie chain saw buyer needs your option?
Submitted by admin on January 18, 2010 – 8:40 pm4 Comments
Leo H asked:
hi all,
newbie chain saw buyer here…looking to purchase a saw to cut up fire wood for my new house etc.
I figured I would get atleast an 18 incher…wanting to spend like 150 bucks tops
if you were to purchase a chain saw.
what brand is best?
what are the must have features?
what brand is less of a hassle?/which brand would be “good” for a beginner/newbie?
what time of the year is best to get a good deal on a chainsaw?
what is the best chain store to purchase one from?
I assume like any other tool/mechanical device..some brands are complete junk..should be avoided..not worth the power to blow them up etc..
that is why I appreciate your opinion/feedback
thanks
I bought a troybuilt from the hardware store that i work for and it fit in your budget. it works really good…. It has a spring assisted pull start making it easy to start. If you read your owners manual then everything will be just fine. I aggree with the 18 inch bar. anything shorter is just a super powered hedge trimmer and more that 20 is probably bigger than you need till to decide to go do your own logging in the woods
All saws in that price range are inferior for what you would want. You may get a couple of GOOD years of service from them. You should just spend the money and get a QUALITY saw to start with. Or the cost to maintain them, and purchase new ones will outweigh the cost of a good quality one in a matter of years.
Stihl is the BEST saw by far. A good home use saw like what you are wanting is around $350
I have a Poulan pro with a 20″ bar. It is a home owner saw, but with a $150 budget your aren’t going to get anything like a Stihl.
I like the Poulan I have had it for 4 years. It starts up easy after sitting for several months and I like the fact that after its warmed up it will always start on the first pull.
I bought mine at Lowes, just after a hurricane. I didn’t shop around.
Stihl is the Lamborghini of chainsaws. Only for the serious cutters. Echo brand is a little pricey ($300.00) but well worth the extra money. Rated high residential-low commercial use. Government rated category #5. It has has more metal than plastic parts than the average saw plus a 5 year warranty. The normal warranty for a basic saw is 2 years. Home Lite brand “Ranger”, Poulan brand “Wild Thing” styles are fine for the “back yard” cutter, anything more than just general yard work and they fall into the “disposable” category. Automatic oiler and padded handgrip are to a good chainsaw as is power windows and door locks are to a good car. You get what you pay for. Remember the “Ford Pinto”? Don’t skimp when it come to worth, value and SAFETY.