Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire tell me about chainsaws

We just got a wood stove and I'm going to need to get a bunch of firewood this summer.

What brand of chainsaws do I need to be looking at and avoiding? How big of a saw do I need? I'd rather pay a little more than save some money and get one that is too small but I also don't want to waste money and get one that is overkill. Most of my firewood is going to be fir, spruce, and maybe some cottonwood.

Also, I'm a bit removed from any big cities, but I know there is a Stihl and husky dealer within 80 miles if that makes a difference.

Thanks.

All I know about is my Stihl 026. Bought it new years ago and has served me well. Spend the money necessary for a quality tool like a Stihl or Husky and you'll be pleased.

Husqvarna. Mine does good for me.

Stihl's are also excellent.

Stihl or Husky and err to side of more saw than you think you need. If you go too small you'll wind up buying a bigger saw when the little one won't cut it.

The two brands mentioned are the ones I would recommend

+1 on the 026 Stihl. Picked up a used one for a friend who's never run a saw before. He's doing good and it's the only saw he'll ever need.
To be honest,any name brand of the right size will do you good. Just MAINTAIN it.

Stihl

My wife happens to be in Riverton and just stopped at the husky stihl dealer I mentioned. She said their first recommendation was the husky 455 rancher. It was $400.

I have Husky's; they are excellent.

I'd not go bigger than a 24" bar if I were you. That's a lot of saw. I also cut for two stoves (it's all the heat we have) and did fine with a 20" bar for 15 years. But I do like my 24" saw.

I also have a Stihl 041, bought a long time ago.
Runs great, 12 chains 4 bars and new fuel lines once.
Charlie

The Stihl 026 or now I think it is called the Pro 260 with a 16" bar and chain will serve your needs.
Get a Professional duty saw if you can afford it, cost is more but will last a lifetime if maintained.
Buy from a local shop not Lowe's or Home Depot. If you need service, and you will, good luck with the "big Box" store.
Unless you can sharpen your chain I would opt for a 2nd cahin.
Use Stihl oil for mixing the gas and a good bar oil for the chain.

Coach

About 18 years ago I knew nothing about chain saws and needed one, so I asked a guy who worked in the timber. He told me I could buy any brand I wanted, as long as it was a Stihl. Saw runs and runs and runs, still going, will likely outlast me. I carry 4 chains, I get is serviced at the Stihl dealer in Riverton. There is something to be said for getting one size larger than you think you need, go pick 'em up and walk around with 'em for a little while. +1 for what Old Coach said.

You in Dubois?

Stihl or Husky will do you fine.

You have to match bar length with CC's. When someone says they have a 24" saw, it's meaningless, and an indication of a kook.

For general firewood cutting, a 20" bar will do well, and can tackle a lot of wood. Look for a 60 CC class saw like a Stihl 362 or Husky 357xp. These saws are pretty light, and will cut all day for years if treated right. Just what you want for cutting firewood. They aren't cheep, but are made to last.

Get a professional chain on them, and learn to sharpen them and keep them sharp. Use good two stroke mix, and bar oil, and learn to maintain it.

I love cutting firewood..

Best BumbleBee firewood saw going is the Stihl 036.

036 not sold new anymore, but a fine saw nonetheless. The 361 replaced it, I had one and loved it for limbing and bucking. The 362 is the new Stihl pro 60 cc class saw.

I've been using a Husq 455 Rancher for two seasons now, since we put in a woodstove. Seems about perfect for our needs. Paid $399 at Lowe's. Later saw the same saw at Costco for $349. We've burned about 5-6 cords per heating season.

I have a small Poulan with 16" blade. It has served me well but I'm not the expert constant user that some of the other guys responding are. So for brand names they are a better source of experience.

But I can tell you this with confidence. Try to avoid cutting trenches in the dirt 'cause that will dull the chain quicker than anything else, then make sure that you figure out how to sharpen the chain yourself.

KC

A Stihl 032 with 16" bar put me through college. I cut pulpwood to pay the bills. Engine displacement was 3.11 cu in.

Currently I have a 041 Farm Boss with 3.72 cu in displacement and a MS 391 (sweet) with 3.91 cu in displacement. Both have 16 and 20" bars. I run 4 chains per sprocket and do not skimp on bar oil...give it all you got.

I cut oak, hickory, black locust and green ash for a wood stove, cook stove and fireplace.

Been running Stihl's since 1979 and never had to test their warranty.

The end result you are looking for...

I cut a lot of wood too. I have two saws, an 044 stihl with a 20 inch bar and a 2159 jonsered with an 18 inch bar. The stihl is pretty powerful and I use it on bigger stuff. Since I bought the jonsered I find myself using it more. It's not as powerful as the stihl but it will sufice for about 75% of my cutting. I paid $494 for it last summer at a jonsered dealer. I bought my stihl in '96. I've made money with it. Whatever brand you buy maintain it well and it will last for years.

Stihl. The small Husky's are just cheapo chicom crap in orange plastic. Found that out the hard way! Spend a little more and get the largest you can physically handle, drain the fuel out and run the lines dry after every use and use a quality fuel stabilizer and you should have years of trouble free use.