Top 10 firewood saws

[MustangMike]

Yea, Randy does build a mean 460! Agree with all you said, except I would choose the 044 if I could only have one.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Yea, Randy does build a mean 460! Agree with all you said, except I would choose the 044 if I could only have one.

Seems like another 046 would work just as well. An 046 only requires about 3 more ounces to handle. Even I can do that. Mine kept even with my Makita 6401 with a BBK last week. Both pulled 32" bars and full chisel chains with no complaints. Dang, these two saws are tough puppies. But, Mike, I admit that a Stihl 044 is a saw that I probably forgot to buy a few years back.

 

[sawfun]

You will not regret a Masterminded 395. Randy builds a very mean 395 that will pull a 50" bar with authority.

385xp
440 or 372
346xp
all ported
I tend to cut larger wood so i side with the bigger saws. my next saws going to be a 395 that i probably send to mastermind[/QUOTE

 

[Brewz]

While my 7900 series saws are some of my favorites. For an all around dependable, easy to work on, easy to get parts, and hard to kill the last series of 026-066 are pretty hard to beat.

I run a late 066 and an 066 red light that I use for near everything.
They are heavier but I just love how they power through everything.

I also have a late 026 pro that I use on anything small enough to get caught in the 404 chains teeth on the 66's

 

[MustangMike]

Seems like another 046 would work just as well. An 046 only requires about 3 more ounces to handle. Even I can do that. Mine kept even with my Makita 6401 with a BBK last week. Both pulled 32" bars and full chisel chains with no complaints. Dang, these two saws are tough puppies. But, Mike, I admit that a Stihl 044 is a saw that I probably forgot to buy a few years back.

The 460/046 saws are strong performers and my favorite for bucking, but IMO, they are too heavy for limbing. The difference in wt is more than 3 oz, it is closer to 3/4 lb. Some 044s will weigh less than 14 lbs, and most 460/046s are about 14.75 lbs, a little heavier than the website says (14.6).

Anyway, I'm glad I have both sizes, and my 362.

My ported 460/046-D pulls a 3' bar through Oak very nicely.

 

[Hoggwood]

1986 Canadian Poulan 3000. Professional grade saws. Cheap to pick up. Solid, and convincingly strong in the sub 50cc class. Cuts like a laser in the 12" and under. Easily hangs with my (infrequently used) 026.

 

[mdavlee]

My new favorite is going to be the 562xpw.

 

[Keith Gandy]

Depends on the wood
Small wood to 16"-ported 550xp

Up to 28"- ported 372xp

Over 28" - ported 390 & ported 064

 

[Brewz]

You need a new bar on the 064 Keith, it has a scratch on it.

 

[Keith Gandy]

You need a new bar on the 064 Keith, it has a scratch on it.

Probably strip it and blue it. I dont abuse my equipment but take care of it mostly because i cant afford new ones. A wife in college and a 1 yr old daughter and me being the only 1 workin Ive gotta keep them like new

 

[S Tebo]

Yea, Randy does build a mean 460! Agree with all you said, except I would choose the 044 if I could only have one.

My 10mm 044R should be in the mail back to me from Randy this week. It was a strong saw before it went, but with a new slug and rings on top of the porting it should be right on my 460's a$$. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning with anticipation. Every day this week, I will be sitting beside my labs looking out the window for the postman to arrive- lol!

 

[S Tebo]

Probably strip it and blue it. I dont abuse my equipment but take care of it mostly because i cant afford new ones. A wife in college and a 1 yr old daughter and me being the only 1 workin Ive gotta keep them like new

Keith,
I just had 6 of my old Stihl bars soda blasted this week (paint was shot but bars are solid) and I'm trying to decide what to do with them. I thought about clear coating them, but Stihls rivets are not the prettiest. Plan B is to paint them black because powder coating them is probably too expensive for what they are worth. What is the bluing technique?

 

[MustangMike]

My 10mm 044R should be in the mail back to me from Randy this week. It was a strong saw before it went, but with a new slug and rings on top of the porting it should be right on my 460's a$$. I'm like a kid on Christmas morning with anticipation. Every day this week, I will be sitting beside my labs looking out the window for the postman to arrive- lol!

Mine (a 10mm but not an R) pulls a 28" bar real nicely, Randy does a real nice job on them! With a 28" light bar, it makes a VERY light weight felling saw with nice balance.

 

[Keith Gandy]

Keith,
I just had 6 of my old Stihl bars soda blasted this week (paint was shot but bars are solid) and I'm trying to decide what to do with them. I thought about clear coating them, but Stihls rivets are not the prettiest. Plan B is to paint them black because powder coating them is probably too expensive for what they are worth. What is the bluing technique?

Gun bluing paste all the way! Thats whats on my 550 in the picture. Just polish them as much as u want then start wiping coats on until its as dark as u want

 

[Jose A.S.T.S.]

For me it's basically what ever I pick up love my 272xp 268 my ms261c they all stay sharp and are always ready to spit chips no matter the wood type but hands down the new favorite is my 395xp Masterminded the most wicked saw I have ever run can't put it down have to tell myself she is made for big wood she is plain nasty big oak 30+ red, white, Chestnut, locust 25+ like butter just blows my mind how quick and no effort it cuts wood I will never part with that saw period.

 

[MustangMike]

Gun bluing paste all the way! Thats whats on my 550 in the picture. Just polish them as much as u want then start wiping coats on until its as dark as u want

Smart idea Keith, S/B low cost & durable.

 

[Brewz]

I hear you Kieth!
I have 4 kids in the house, single income yada yada yada.
I like to look after my gear too, keep it clean etc.
I was very impressed with your saws.

This is a bit off topis so I might start another thread but the blue sounds like a great idea.
My gunsmith has all the tanks to hot blue but mostly does Cerakote now which is a spray on, baked ceramic coating.
Very hardy and probably a good option for bars as well.

 

[wildroamer]

@Keith Gandy did you paint that 550 orange, or find another cover to match? I know you posted about it in another thread but damn if I can remember.
Looks real good!

 

[Keith Gandy]

Keith,
I just had 6 of my old Stihl bars soda blasted this week (paint was shot but bars are solid) and I'm trying to decide what to do with them. I thought about clear coating them, but Stihls rivets are not the prettiest. Plan B is to paint them black because powder coating them is probably too expensive for what they are worth. What is the bluing technique?

 

[Keith Gandy]

@Keith Gandy did you paint that 550 orange, or find another cover to match? I know you posted about it in another thread but damn if I can remember.
Looks real good!

Its painted with Valspar Husqvarna Orange Tractor and Implement Paint