Help! Need some opinions

[Sheri]

Did my first craft show last weekend and did really well. Sold out of everything and brought in about $2000. Some of that money is put away for a new chainsaw. The problem is I can't decide what I want. Head BangeI currently have an Echo cs 346 with a 12" dime tip bar and an Echo cs 400 with a 16" bar. Love the 346 but I have had lots of problems with the 400, they had to replace the saw twice under warranty. Looking at the Stihl ms200 but I've also heard good things about husqvarna. Just looking for a great saw that can handle alot of use. Some opinions would be appreciated.

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Hi Sheri I am not a chainsaw carver, yet but I do work with a chainsaw everyday just bigger ones. I know the huskies are very reliable, the echo are just about as good the stihl are really nice but they don't do well in cold temperatures and have a weird set up on the air intake, seems to plug with snow or chips and sticks ect. I don't know if any of this is helpful but I hope it is. I would either buy an older stihl or a new husky.
Carl

Keep in mind I am talking about much bigger saws, I am sure there are many differences in the construction and design.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have a Stihl...used it when we lived in Colorado at 8500 feet....cold didn't bother it any!

[Hugh-P]

Have used chainsaws most of my life, and my vote would be for a Husky. Jonsered is the same thing. Like Turner, my experience has been with heavier saws, and professional cutters in this area went back to the Husky after trying the Stihl.

[Sheri]

Thank you very much for your comments. I have been leaning towards the Stihl, though I have heard so many good things about Husqvarna also. Favoring the Stihl but that's probably mostly because I am more familiar with them. Wanting another smaller lighter saw with a 14" or 16" bar.

[Colin-Partridge]

Sheri,
Just my two cents worth. I have a Stihl 17 had it for years used and abused it and it still runs just as well as the day I brought it. I only use it for chainsaw carving nothing else. I also have a Redmax made by Kabuta very light and is only made for chainsaw carving. It weighs just over 5 pounds. I have used and abuse it and it still runs great. The one I have is the 3200 it has a 13 inch bar with a dime tip. There is a dealer in the US his name is Jamie Doran his web site is as follows chaninsaw intro he is a really good guy and always ships very promptly. Hope this has helped
Colin

[Rwenzoski]

Hi Sheri, My name is Robbin Wenzoski & I have the 3200 Redmax's available also which Colin has referred to & trying to get a dealership for them at the moment also. I have carved with almost every saw on the market & find these saws are by far the lightest, smoothest & allow the most detail to be carved possible on the market! If your interested just e-mail or call me at 519-475-6764. I have many manufacturers saws to give them all a try out!

[heineda]

Sheri,

I do not do chain saw carving myself, but along with carving, I am an avid wood turner. Most of the woodturners I know swear by their Husquavarna chain saws. They swear up and down that there is no better tool in this galaxie.

Dan

[Rwenzoski]

Hi Dan, everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I go from my experience with all different saws & I also won a number of Huskies which are great also but nothing compares to the capability of details & the best reason I have found to go with the Redmax's is the length of time I can carve without causing damage to my body, which believe me, I was there a couple of years ago! It is a totally different physical experience when using the saw to carve rather than just a rough wood removal tool or cutting firewood.
Thanks, Robbin

Originally Posted by heineda

Sheri,

I do not do chain saw carving myself, but along with carving, I am an avid wood turner. Most of the woodturners I know swear by their Husquavarna chain saws. They swear up and down that there is no better tool in this galaxie.

Dan

[louis]

HI Sheri, just stepped out of my space cruiser after touring the galaxy. Seems that the general opinion is for the Husky, but most space gwacks say go with what you are comfortable with,
Sincerly oops got to fly LouisCool