thoughts on the saw for a beloved older man.

[heartwoodlover1001]

good evening opeforum.


so as grandparents and parents age they often need new/used, more updated saws. without breaking the bank what would be the saw that you would build or gift to your olders. in answering we are older most of us by the time we read, yes but the point being. light and anti-vibe seem to be desired, but that doesn't mean wimpy or non professional. thanks in advance.

 

[Coutu]

Everyone's different, but to a lot of people, nothing can come close to something that brings back memories. If an older guy put a lot of hours and used a particular Mac or Homelite, I'm sure they'd be real emotional if they got a chance to own one again after so many years. I know I'm that way now when it comes to some things, even being as young as I am.

On the flip-side, the newer saws have the features that we all enjoy; anti-vibe, lightweight, better balance in most cases, etc. I'm sure an old timer would appreciate and possibly need these things, so I guess this may the better route like you said.

Personally, I'd redo a Jonsereds 70e, because the person I have in mind spent a lot of time behind one of them, and to this day still talks about it. I know it'd bring a smile to his face.

 

[fearofpavement]

In my opinion weight is the number one factor. An older gentleman I knew has cut shiploads of wood in his time and eventually started using a Stihl 018 to do nearly all his cutting. He still had larger pro saws but found he could use the small saw and get the job done.

 

[Backtroller]

Can't really go wrong with a Dolmar 421 or Makita equivalent. Great AV, good power for a 42cc saw, relatively light weight and a 6 year old girl could start one. They are pretty bulletproof too. You can use it all day long without fatigue. My retired dad loves mine so much I rarely get to use it.

Ask @fordf150 for a price.

 

[Pincher]

You could do like I did and buy you 85 year old father a new Makita ea4300 because his jonsered 2240 was acting up. That saw sat in his entryway for a month and a half before I got his 2240 running. He was too stubborn (independent) to use a saw someone else got him. I like the makita, was hoping it was a little lighter.

 

[Backtroller]

Get it ported and the weight won't bother you. That's what I did. Lol. Went even a little more off of the deep end and added a lw 18" Sugihara bar to it. Awesome setup.

As for your dad, hand it to him as he's cutting with the other saw. A few cuts and I couldn't get it back. He had been using a 026 Pro. Now that saw lives with me waiting for its newly ported topend.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Lightweight, good anti-vibe, professional construction, and good power?? Husky 550xp comes to mind, or a 545 at a bit lower price point. I suggest those because most of my experience is with Huskies. I run a 550xp at work occasionally and that little bugger flat rips in bone stock config. I can't see where a fellow in the situation you describe would want for more

 

[Pincher]

Get it ported and the weight won't bother you. That's what I did. Lol. Went even a little more off of the deep end and added a lw 18" Sugihara bar to it. Awesome setup.

As for your dad, hand it to him as he's cutting with the other saw. A few cuts and I couldn't get it back. He had been using a 026 Pro. Now that saw lives with me waiting for its newly ported topend.

I will just keep it handy for him in case he has issues with his saw for now.

 

[Ryan Browne]

Can't really go wrong with a Dolmar 421 or Makita equivalent. Great AV, good power for a 42cc saw, relatively light weight and a 6 year old girl could start one. They are pretty bulletproof too. You can use it all day long without fatigue. My retired dad loves mine so much I rarely get to use it.

Ask @fordf150 for a price.

That's what I was gonna suggest also.

 

[heartwoodlover1001]

Nice suggestions, is ported the way to go do you guys think? The positives seem to be there as far as performance.

 

[heartwoodlover1001]

Everyone's different, but to a lot of people, nothing can come close to something that brings back memories. If an older guy put a lot of hours and used a particular Mac or Homelite, I'm sure they'd be real emotional if they got a chance to own one again after so many years. I know I'm that way now when it comes to some things, even being as young as I am.

On the flip-side, the newer saws have the features that we all enjoy; anti-vibe, lightweight, better balance in most cases, etc. I'm sure an old timer would appreciate and possibly need these things, so I guess this may the better route like you said.

Personally, I'd redo a Jonsereds 70e, because the person I have in mind spent a lot of time behind one of them, and to this day still talks about it. I know it'd bring a smile to his face.

Very very nice coutu.

 

[Jughead]

Old 024 and 026's may be out dated but light enough and easy to work on.
If those really are too heavy look into the 017 and 018's and do a 025 carb swap and open the muffler.

 

[Onan18]

Tree Forty Six!

 

[Dub11]

I gave my 76 year old buddy a 2145 converted to a 2150 that was all jazzed up. The look on his face was priceless!!

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Nice suggestions, is ported the way to go do you guys think? The positives seem to be there as far as performance.

If you get a 550xp I seriously doubt you will see a big need to have it ported.

 

[Czed]

My 76 year old friend bought a 170 loves it i also would think a more modern saw for reliability would be best the makita 421 would also becan excellent choice but the 170 is 179.00 i believe.

 

[drf256]

Ported 026/260 with decomp valve and a 16" picco bar. There is no substitute.

Very light, compact and powerful. I built @jmssaws father one and apparently he enjoys using it.

Or a ported 261 from Randy.

 

[7sleeper]

I would get any of the 40cc class for an elder gent. Dolmar 421, Echo 420, Efco 440, Husqvarna 543, Stihl 241 should put a smile on anyones face and put a lot of wood into the fire place!

7

 

[fordf150]

You guys know my opinion without even saying it but just in case.... Makita 4300.

I would also look at Echo 490's. They are light and if kept to a 16-18" have plenty of power for most homeowners. Price point on them is pretty good considering what you get. Just sold one to an older gentlemen that had had open heart surgery and was looking for a lighter saw than what was in his current lineup of stihls, he couldn't be happier, even stopped back in to thank me and brag about the saw

 

[Spike60]

In my opinion weight is the number one factor.

I had weight at number 2. The most important factor for older guys is the ability to start the saw. Can't get any work done if you can't get it going. Some older folks just can't snap the rope quick enough to start a saw. For them, some of the spring assist starters are the only way to go. 543XP is the easiest saw to start I've ever seen, but it's seriously over priced.

But if a guy is still in good shape, and can still start a normal saw, then the oprions begin to open up. My Dad is 87 and has no problem starting his 350. It's as much saw as he needs, and as much weight as he would want to carry around. I get the nostalgia angle @Coutu posted about, and my mind thinks that way too, but not too many older guys would want to or be able to run those old girls.

I don't know that porting would have much value for older guys. They're not in a hurry, they're not moving that fast, they want to take their time and work at a steady pace. They may not like the additional noise, and the increased compression of most modded saws makes them harder to pull over, which brings us back to the starting question.