Small chain saws - Advice

[kes]

We have a couple of chain saws, a stihl 381 and a husky 5 something. Sad I know but the 381 is a big heavy beast and for firewood I need something smaller these days - I cut up a dead tree this morning and the 381 is becoming a bit too heavy to use for long safely.
I have been looking at a 211c but would appreciate advice on whether to go stihl or husky and the model recommendations at 14 ".
I've looked and it seems to me the the stihl is a bit better (quicker) than a 1 series husky.
All advice appreciated.

 

[slider]

If you want small and handy consider cordless electric. I bought a Stihl MSA120 a few months back and its a great bit of lightweight and handy kit. Mine is a 12" bar but you can get a 14" version.

it does have limitation a the pico chain takes a fairly small bite but is quiet and very little vibration. I got mine in a package with 2 batteries and can easily get 20-30 minutes out of each.

 

[Rob1562]

I'm a Stihl fanboy !

I run a 211 with a 16" bar and can't really fault it.....great workhorse, will cut quite sizeable trunks and nice and light. Can't comment on a Husky as never had one but, I put the Stihl away last year full of fuel (I know !!!) and was concerned i'd have to strip it before using it this year......went second pull !

I run it on pre-mix which i'm sure saved me.

I'd have no reservations recommending the Stihl.

Regards, rob.

 

[caorach]

If you want small and handy consider cordless electric. I bought a Stihl MSA120 a few months back and its a great bit of lightweight and handy kit. Mine is a 12" bar but you can get a 14" version.

it does have limitation a the pico chain takes a fairly small bite but is quiet and very little vibration. I got mine in a package with 2 batteries and can easily get 20-30 minutes out of each.

SWMBO has one of those Stihl battery ones and really likes it, it is most capable so if you are looking for something just for firewood then it might make the grade for you. SWMBO likes implements of destruction so she is a good judge of the destructive powers of any given device.

 

[andyk]

I'm not going to claim any great experience with chainsaws but I recently bought a Makita DUC353 (14" bar) for a couple of small jobs. I have the LXT batteries for other tools, so getting them wasn't an issue.

So far, very impressed with how effective it is for something 'electric', as I was concerned about not going petrol. I don't know but I think it would hold it's own against anything else at the small end. Only downside is that the battery life isn't great, which I guess is the trade off for it not being underpowered.

As I say, I'm no expert so it's only a case of relaying my recent experience. For little jobs, it is certainly easier to push a few buttons than have to mix 2-stroke fuel and get a petrol started.

 

[Goingback]

I have a battery Husky and it is now my go-to saw. Will happily cut up to 9"

 

[Jimbob39]

Stihl ms241 mtronic. I used an ms230 for a year before upgrading to the 241. It is an animal and weighs far less than it’s performance! I used to sell logs and must have done hundreds of tons, mostly manual with saw and an axe. The 241 is 10 years old this year and still performs perfectly with a 16” bar. Can pull 18” just as well but I found the 16 gave better balance and made it easier to use for prolonged sessions.

 

[Rubikviz]

How much firewood are you producing? Would a battery power saw be better if it is just a small amount? I run stihls both 2 stroke and the battery version which is great and I highly rate it. I like husqvarna too but it comes down to price and who is your nearest stockist in case of parts servicing etc? My stove only take small diameter logs so the battery saw is bang on for producing enough for 3/4 days of firewood. The 2 stroke is best for large diameter material and work party conservation tasks. Ultimately its a personal preference but the best saw is the one with the sharp chain and starts easily.!!! Just my two pennies worth as a former climbing arborist ....before bakery addiction got the better of me!!

 

[WH308]

I have a husky 345 and it’s a nice little saw, it’s a bit lean on bar oil so I’ll replace the oiler with an adjustable one from a 346. For bigger stuff I have a Stihl 08S, beast of a saw and as it uses .404 chain it throws big chips and cuts fast. That is definitely not in the light and easy to use camp though.

 

[countrryboy]

All depends how often ur going to use it and for how long?

I don't think the wee 1 series huskys are very good,
Most of the local fencers run wee stihls 170 or 180,181 they get a lot of abuse, thrown abou in back of pick ups and left sitting full of fuel constantly and jut seem to keep on going with very little going wrong, althou a 14 might be longest bar they can handle.

Do u have any good saw shops locally? Wot brands do they sell?
Makita, dolmar, efco and echo even mittox are well worth a look for a job saw.
A few pro users changing to echo dolmar and makita
Might even be better if no computerised carbs, they do say they don't like being sat about for long periods, althou I have no problems with my 2 5series huskies, althou not sitting long unused ith me but before I bought them would sit for months at a time. Still seem to go fine now

I have a Stihl 231 which is about 40cc and runs a 14 bar nae bother, use it quite a lot on smallish timber/hard wood thinnings.
Really like that wee saw. Great on fuel
I also bought an efco 37cc saw a while back as a chuck about firewood/fencing saw can't really fault it for the money either althou I never like running it all day just not quite a pro grade saw.

 

[willowbank]

When my big Stihl finally packed up I treated myself to a lighter Stihl MS180 and a Makita 2 x 5amp battery saw.
Between them they handle anything I need to cut. Felling, limbing, logs etc.
The advantage of the Makita of course is that it’s virtually silent.

WB

 

[Cootmeurer]

I’ve a little Stihl ms 160. Wonderful for short and quick jobs. It will beat you up if you plan on running a couple tanks of fuel, but overhead trimming, small logs, even some rough construction and it’s brilliant

 

[plonker]

Run a 211 for 5 years for my firewood and its done everything i need.

 

[Freeforester]

A comparative test with some of the battery saws currently on the market, for the undecided:

 

[lochty]

I've got a Stihl ms180 with 16" bar. Traded up from a 150 which was great, but not quite powerful enough. Light enough to use all day, starts easily, what's not to like? Not that expensive either.

 

[Fleming]

I use both a MS171 14" bar on it and a 026 16" bar on it. The smaller saw is nice and light and can be thrown about all day long with use. I use this mainly for brashing and bringing down some small trees and also cutting up fire wood. A lot less vibration on this saw as well so does tend to pump up your forearms. With it being a smaller saw it also has a smaller chain on it so does take a little longer to cut through the larger stuff. I then use the 026 for heavier work, like dropping bigger trees and also cutting through wind blow, a lot more power which helps when cutting the more awkward and potentially dangerous stuff. Great amount of versatility between the two saws. I do believe that the older saws are a lot better built than the new models that are being sold.

 

[David N]

I am an echo fan. Made in Japan. They will do a small chain saw.

I would also took at what spec you think you would like. 14 inch bar? Then look at there weight.the lightest echo is 2.6kg with a 10 inch bar

 

[Rake Aboot]

Stihl 171 or 181.
I have both and they are superb saws. Have just bought a Husqvarna 555 and yes, the difference in weight etc is large.

 

[Biathlonjimmy]

Sthil 261. Will fit your bill perfectly.

 

[kes]

Gentlemen, all very useful points. I am unreasonably reluctant to think electric. I must try one and see whether its what I need. I have a very good shop locally in Forest Park and Garden so will have a look. I dont cut that much, I suppose I get through about 5-7 tons of split logs a year but use the saw for tidying hedges, fencing etc.
I know we are all driven a bit by brand loyalty but sensibly, I will look at all the makes they have in this size of saw and make an informed rather than brand-led choice. Most of Stihl parts (and probably others) are made in China these days so not what they once were IMHO.
Thanks again.