Chainsaw buying help

[Roman]

So I'm finally breaking down and buying one, but thought i'd draw on someones experiance (bad luck) and find out what you'all think as far as brand/size/ect.

I'm thinking 16"-18" bar, it'll get some use in the back 40 "trimming" trees, along with trail/camp use. I'm open to 14" size also (more compact in jeep) but what do you guys think?

[SPR]

My brother-in-law is a firewood cutting fool (sometimes he is fool cutting firewood and a certified firewood whore). He is very happy with his STIHL chainsaws and been using the same saws for years. I seem to recall that he uses a 20"+ for droppen trees and a 18" for knocking the limbs off.

[Grumpy]

Get a 16" Stihl...That one of mine was okay for our budget at the time, and I haven't had any issues, but, it is a low price model...

[Don]

My dad has had a Homelite since the early 80's that I've used a ton. It ALWAYS starts, even when the Stihl's won't. They are pretty inexpensive too.

[Grumpy]

Jose has my Homelite now. It's always worked okay, I just think, from having Stihl at work, that they're maybe a bit stouter. Budget must be considered, too <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

[toyman2]

i really like the stihl,but $ for $ i think my craftsman is a better saw.
its slower and less cc but it never dies.
in the last two years getting wood mine keeps on going like a clock
while all the stihl guy have to work on there saws now and again








kinda like haveing a jeep or Toyota one is faster and need lots of work and the other just keeps on going but might be a bit slower <!-- s:thu2: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/thumbup.gif" alt=":thu2:" title="Thumbs Up" /><!-- s:thu2: -->

[Beep Beep]

I have an old Farm Boss Stihl that I have had for many years. It is the best saw I have every had. I have a small Homelite in a case that works ok for it's size. I also have had it for a long time and it has had it's share if problems.

Years ago I ran a lot of different chainsaw I had less problems with the Stihls than the rest of the makes.

Toyman, your Craftsman may be made by Homelite. I have used parts from some Craftsmans to fix Homelites years ago.

[toyman2]

that wouldnt suprise me a bit

[THE PUNISHER]

I love my Stihl oilomatic. Its older, I think its a 20".

Either Echo or Stihl. My Stihl was cutting better, and they were sharpened and used about the same all day. The Echo has a nasty recoil, though.

[Roman]

So I think I'm going with the Echo 14" pro saw. Most other 16"ers are "home owner" quality, the Echo is a pro tree trimmer model.Was thinking the 14" will be a little more compact for carrieing in the jeep.