Small chainsaws

[00wyk]

I haven't touched the 361 after I removed the cat, and gutted the muffler and opened up the cover so it shoots the exhaust straight out(it sounds louder in the vid than the 390 because it is). It runs very strong. The 390 has had a few mods, tho. Removed the webbing in the intake. Added a dual exhaust. Added more flow to the intake(something MWeba mentioned they need). With the same stroke as most 50cc saws, the 38cc ES390ESX has loads of torque:

 

[Battle Cross 2]

The 361 is setup like the 501. The 355 just has a flat panel filter probably do to limited space as a top handle. It doesn't seem to be the best flow wise.

 

[FergusonTO35]

In my mind, Echo CS-400 all the way. It is quite competent in stock form, and will really surprise you with a better chain, de-limited carb, and mild muffler mod. It is a clamshell but quite strong. I think it is a lot easier to work on and definitely more lightweight than the equivalent Stihl 024/240. Best of all, parts are dirt cheap and very easy to find online.

 

[thedude74]

Not a great vid, but gives you an idea of how they run and sound. This is a CS390ESX (38.4cc 9.8lbs)Echo running a 15 inch bar and 325NK semi chisel chain and a 361WES(36cc 8lbs) running a 14 inch bar and vxl chain. Their first tanks, cats removed and gutted exhausts. Running a bit rich for break in. Cutting seasoned oak.

Pretty impressive for their weight and size. Probablyeven more so after a few more tanks.

 

[thedude74]

In my mind, Echo CS-400 all the way. It is quite competent in stock form, and will really surprise you with a better chain, de-limited carb, and mild muffler mod. It is a clamshell but quite strong. I think it is a lot easier to work on and definitely more lightweight than the equivalent Stihl 024/240. Best of all, parts are dirt cheap and very easy to find online.

The little cs400 is one of the first one I've considered. Never run one but fondled them in Home Depot more than a few times. Looks like they can be had new on eBay for less than $300 and $200 for low use. That's hard to beat. I like Stihl saws, that said I don't think they offer the value of Echo or Dolkita. Probably ran 10 gallons through my cs590 this summer clearing land, building corduroy road and processing firewood. It even survived being launched out of the skid steer bucket into a stump! Lol! Even with the Makita 6401s and 039 Stihl my echo 590 has been my go to saw(it's lighter)...it freaking rips with the muf mod and a 16" bar!

 

[Skisawyer]

Wow, those vids make me want an echo 361. That much cutting ability
And only 8lbs. Sweet.

That’s a brush cutting animal.

 

[Skisawyer]

Hey @00wyk can we get a 361 air filter pic?

 

[00wyk]

Hey @00wyk can we get a 361 air filter pic?

Can't find me a pic of it. It's down on an estate I work part time on in another county. I'll get a pic next time I am over. It's not much different from what's one a 390.

For now, there's this(360 is nearly identical to a 361)

 

[Skisawyer]

Ah ha, ok. Ok. I was hoping for that red automotive style filter we get on the cs-370 and 400 here.

 

[00wyk]

Ah ha, ok. Ok. I was hoping for that red automotive style filter we get on the cs-370 and 400 here.

No room for anything like that. A 360 is tiny.

 

[davidwyby]

My ole sentimental value 2050 I’ve had the longest by far, is my most reliable and gets the most work. Have a 2045 I want to fix up with a real long light bar for brush and limbing reach work.

Love the 2139 top handle, so handy! Gotta get it running.

Need to rebuild the Mac too, that’s what I learned/grew up with.

 

[GeorgiaVOL]

Picked up this little 280E yesterday. Hopefully won't be too hard to get her running.

 

[FergusonTO35]

The little cs400 is one of the first one I've considered. Never run one but fondled them in Home Depot more than a few times. Looks like they can be had new on eBay for less than $300 and $200 for low use. That's hard to beat. I like Stihl saws, that said I don't think they offer the value of Echo or Dolkita. Probably ran 10 gallons through my cs590 this summer clearing land, building corduroy road and processing firewood. It even survived being launched out of the skid steer bucket into a stump! Lol! Even with the Makita 6401s and 039 Stihl my echo 590 has been my go to saw(it's lighter)...it freaking rips with the muf mod and a 16" bar!

The 400 is an outstanding saw. I think I gave $130.00 for mine with low hours on Fleabay. Check pawn shops too!

 

[Skisawyer]

Although I wouldn’t call it outstanding, even the echo 352 cuts just fine. Can be found new on fleabay new shipped for under $200. I scored mine new unfueled for $160. Easy to pull limiters. Good “learn to tune saw.” Run good gas through it and the build quality seems like it should last a long long time for a clamshell.

 

[thedude74]

Although I wouldn’t call it outstanding, even the echo 352 cuts just fine. Can be found new on fleabay new shipped for under $200. I scored mine new unfueled for $160. Easy to pull limiters. Good “learn to tune saw.” Run good gas through it and the build quality seems like it should last a long long time for a clamshell.

The cs352 looks like a nice lightweights saw. 1.2 lbs lighter than the 400. Have you or others compared the cutting power/speed of the 352 and 400? Curious how much difference there is. Again my application will be cutting brush, delimbing, up to 4" Willow and alders and the occasional 10-12" spruce. The 352 might be a good saw for my wife and son to start on too.

 

[thedude74]

The 400 is an outstanding saw. I think I gave $130.00 for mine with low hours on Fleabay. Check pawn shops too!

Nice! Quite a deal. Think I will check out the pawn shops next time I head into Kenai/Soldotna. People are pretty proud of their saws on Craigslist up here! Lol. Occasionally there is a good deal to be had.

 

[Skisawyer]

The cs352 looks like a nice lightweights saw. 1.2 lbs lighter than the 400. Have you or others compared the cutting power/speed of the 352 and 400? Curious how much difference there is. Again my application will be cutting brush, delimbing, up to 4" Willow and alders and the occasional 10-12" spruce. The 352 might be a good saw for my wife and son to start on too.

It’s a perfect beginner saw with a 14” bar. My 130lbs girlfriend uses it as “her saw” and loves it. Any heavier and she says she wouldn’t run a chainsaw and help me limb and thin. So easy to pull to start, fires second pull cold for sure. First pull once warm. Don’t know about it power wise compared to a cs-400, but it is good in 4-6” and smaller wood. My muff mod dollkita 421/4300 with 91vxl 3/8 low pro is my fastest cutting saw, followed by a Stihl ms250 with 325 semi chisel. I prefer both those options when the wood gets up around 8-12”. Ms250 has too much vibes for me, light but buzzy little bugger. The 352 will cut 10” wood smoothly with it’s all steel spring av, but takes 50-70% again as long as the above saws. I prefer to use the smallest lightest saw possible for the task, so I just switch saws when I need to drop or buck something in the foot-long range.

If you buy used, bring a small socket set so you can pull the muffler quick, and inspect the piston. People buy these at home cheapo and straight gas em all the time...

 

[thedude74]

It’s a perfect beginner saw with a 14” bar. My 130lbs girlfriend uses it as “her saw” and loves it. Any heavier and she says she wouldn’t run a chainsaw and help me limb and thin. So easy to pull to start, fires second pull cold for sure. First pull once warm. Don’t know about it power wise compared to a cs-400, but it is good in 4-6” and smaller wood. My muff mod dollkita 421/4300 with 91vxl 3/8 low pro is my fastest cutting saw, followed by a Stihl ms250 with 325 semi chisel. I prefer both those options when the wood gets up around 8-12”. Ms250 has too much vibes for me, light but buzzy little bugger. The 352 will cut 10” wood smoothly with it’s all steel spring av, but takes 50-70% again as long as the above saws. I prefer to use the smallest lightest saw possible for the task, so I just switch saws when I need to drop or buck something in the foot-long range.

If you buy used, bring a small socket set so you can pull the muffler quick, and inspect the piston. People buy these at home cheapo and straight gas em all the time...

Excellent info! Answered many of my questions. Very much appreciated!

 

[thedude74]

Hi guys. Hope you'reall doing well. So, went into town yesterday and checked a couple pawn shops. Not to many small saws to choose from. An Ms 170, smaller than I want, and an ms250 for $175. The ms250 looks dirty, well used and has one of the rubber av isolators ripped out of it's mount. Looks more like a $100 saw to me. Been checking eBay as well. Are Husky 440s any good? 40cc just over 9lbs and 2.4 hp.

 

[NCFarmboy]

435's/440 have been good for me. No problems in 3 years for m y customers. 1st one sold to 5'3" 130# woman. She loves it easy start. BIL used hers so much he bought him one even tho he has a 445 I sold him.
Shep