Chain Saws

KnotRight

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Last time I owned a chain saw was over 27 years ago. With this storm coming, I bought a Echo CS-490 from Home Depot. Have not opened yet.
For those in the know, is this brand any good for light work? I do not have many trees around my house in Savannah but if we do get the lake house I know that it will be needed up there.

If I do not use this one, is there another brand that I should be looking at? I Google some and there was a bunch of 20" saw for less than $350.
 
Last time I owned a chain saw was over 27 years ago. With this storm coming, I bought a Echo CS-490 from Home Depot. Have not opened yet.
For those in the know, is this brand any good for light work? I do not have many trees around my house in Savannah but if we do get the lake house I know that it will be needed up there.

If I do not use this one, is there another brand that I should be looking at? I Google some and there was a bunch of 20" saw for less than $350.
I wouldn't buy one. I bet I work on 6 or 7 a month Out of those 1 needs a rebuild

My choice is Stihl then husqvarna

The husqvarna is very similar in price as the echo

The 350 or 450 is my choices.

IMHO dont buy from lowes or home depot either as in my experiences they quality isnt the same as a dedicated outdoor equipment store.
 
Back in the day Echo, Johnsered, Husqvarna and Stihl were all good saws.

All of mine are Husqvarna and have been for over 40 years.
 
Echo actually used to be shindiawa Back then they were one of the best you could buy
 
Some echo stuff is decent but no experience with those. I prefer stihl and would prefer to spend money on a good used pro level saw of theirs over a lowes saw. There is a diffrence in how long they will last , power and comfort when running one if you get a true pro saw. None of them will make up for a dull chain or a operator that doesn’t know how to keep it out of dirt to keep it sharp.
 
The only experience I had with Echo saws was a specifically designed vent saw at the FD with a funky looking bar that was a POS.... I may have chunked it off a roof in a fit of rage one night.

I'm partial to Husqvarna myself but that's just me.

Regardless whatever you do the best thing you can do is either pay for the premixed TruFuel without ethanol or find someplace that has ethanol free fuel and mix your own.
 
The 490 is homeowner grade, so its under built. Light duty, not made to rebuild.
The Echo 590 is thier first foray into pro level saws. If I were to buy a 60cc class pro saw and I did not want a Stihl or Husky, I would probably buy a Makita, then Echo. The Makita R&D is done at the rental places, so they are well vetted.

Btw, this saw is worth every penny and will last a lifetime if not abused.
The anti vibe system, power & throttle response are superior to most anything in its class.


https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/stihl-ms362-pro-saw.45471/#post-847282
 
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Husky. Just a homeowner here, have a 350 and its just enough saw for me. Everyone I know who has owned more than a couple chainsaws in their life has ended up with either a Stihl or Husqvarna.
 
Nice thing about Stihl is that you can buy it new from a good local store, with the warranty and extended warranty, and if it ever fails to start or gives trouble of any kind, take it back to the store. You will walk out with one that works. No more going to the local small engine repair clinic and waiting in line (they are always booked around here). That makes it well worth the price, and well worth using their oil.
 
Nice thing about Stihl is that you can buy it new from a good local store, with the warranty and extended warranty, and if it ever fails to start or gives trouble of any kind, take it back to the store. You will walk out with one that works. No more going to the local small engine repair clinic and waiting in line (they are always booked around here). That makes it well worth the price, and well worth using their oil.

Just FYI on the Stihl oil....
The saw specific groups I frequent all caution against the silver bottle stihl oil.
It fairs poorly in all tests. If Stihl oil must be used, get the orange bottle.
I prefer the Royal purple 2C based on independent tests, plus it makes the fuel purple so I can easily tell its mix.
Almost no smoke @ 40:1 when cold.
I also run a 2 stroke outboard and the royal purple is AC & WC rated where the stihl is only AC. I only need to have one bottle on hand with the purple.
 
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I think mine is an Echo CS3000, been running fine for maybe 15years. I cut a lot less than I used to, really want an electric Milwaukee.
 
Just FYI on the Stihl oil....
The saw specific groups I frequent all caution against the silver bottle stihl oil.
It fairs poorly in all tests. If Stihl oil must be used, get the orange bottle.
I prefer the Royal purple 2C based on independent tests, plus it makes the fuel purple so I can easily tell its mix.
Almost no smoke @ 40:1 when cold.
I also run a 2 stroke outboard and the royal purple is AC & WC rated where the stihl is only AC. I only need to have one bottle on hand with the purple.
The synthetic????
 
Just FYI on the Stihl oil....
The saw specific groups I frequent all caution against the silver bottle stihl oil.
It fairs poorly in all tests. If Stihl oil must be used, get the orange bottle.
I prefer the Royal purple 2C based on independent tests, plus it makes the fuel purple so I can easily tell its mix.
Almost no smoke @ 40:1 when cold.
I also run a 2 stroke outboard and the royal purple is AC & WC rated where the stihl is only AC. I only need to have one bottle on hand with the purple.

That's interesting information. I've been using the stuff in the silver bottle for several years. You are talking about 2 stroke gas oil not the bar oil right?
 
Dolmar/makita saws are great saws as well. A bit less well known than the big two but great saws none the less. I've had a makita for 3-4 years, always fires up after sitting for months and runs like a banshee. I wouldn't trade it for anything orange.


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I have experience with three brands. Stihl and Husqvarna are fine - buy the pro models, not the homeowner models, and buy from a dealer - not HD or Lowe's. Beyond that, there's not much I can tell you.

Oh yeah ... and don't let your reckless, careless son near them. ;)
 
I’ve got two stihl homeowner saws and haven’t had any issues with either. Never been a fan of husqvarna. I just prefer the feel and operation of stihl saws. One day I will upgrade to pro models but for now the two I have get the job done.
 
The one you bought should be fine for the almost never use. I have. Stihl that is great. I also have McCullough from 1990 I have used a bunch and it runs perfect. 29 years and never a problem starting.

Never, ever let the chain touch dirt. Nothing will cut after the chain enters dirt. Pump the oil to it or make sure sure the self Oiler is not blocked and they all will cut well. I like aggressive chains on my chainsaws. Nothing like chips flying instead of dust but they are not for inexperienced occasional users.
 
The Echo CS-490 will be fine for occasional storm clean up. As mentioned above, keep the premixed fuel in it from day 1. Echo red armor fuel, Stihl moto mix, Husqvarna xps fuel, VP sef, etc.
If you have not owned a saw in 27 years, I highly recommend a pair of chainsaw chaps. Its cheap insurance.
 
The Echo CS-490 will be fine for occasional storm clean up. As mentioned above, keep the premixed fuel in it from day 1. Echo red armor fuel, Stihl moto mix, Husqvarna xps fuel, VP sef, etc.
If you have not owned a saw in 27 years, I highly recommend a pair of chainsaw chaps. Its cheap insurance.

+1 on the chaps. I bought a pair of Huskvarna technical pants and love them.
The premixed fuel ends up around $30 a gallon, so the decision is yours based on usage. I've never used it before.
 
Just FYI on the Stihl oil....
The saw specific groups I frequent all caution against the silver bottle stihl oil.
It fairs poorly in all tests. If Stihl oil must be used, get the orange bottle.
I prefer the Royal purple 2C based on independent tests, plus it makes the fuel purple so I can easily tell its mix.
Almost no smoke @ 40:1 when cold.
I also run a 2 stroke outboard and the royal purple is AC & WC rated where the stihl is only AC. I only need to have one bottle on hand with the purple.
So, I just ran out of my 2 cycle mix last week and realized I didn’t have anymore silver bottle Stihl mix. I’ve read some good stuff about the Royal Purple since reading this thread and ordered a quart of the stuff you mentioned to try. It’ll be mixed with non ethanol gas. And I’d like to start mixing it 40:1. What ratio of gas/oil do you use. Probably gonna mix 5 gallons of it this go round cause leaf season is almost here and it’s not like I’m not gonna use it in the next 2 months
 
I mix 40:1 with royal purple & non ethanol.
Works great with my carb saws and mtronic saws. Very little smoke, and spark plug looks good.
5 gals is way too much to mix at one time, Imo.
Biggest killer of 2 strokes is old fuel.
Old = more than 30 days.
Run the engine wide open if you can.
Low RPM leaves unburned oil that makes deposits. Deposits lead to stuck rings and bad juju.
 
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Slacker is correct, stale fuel and not pouring the fuel out and running the saw dry.
Use the 2cycle gas in the lawn mower and get fresh gas to mix up with the oil.
When mowing is done, run it dry and use the gas in the car or truck.
I use 89 octane instead of 87 for the portable equipment.
 
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