Top 10 firewood saws

[Keith Gandy]

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

Thats the finish on Cannon bars from the factory

 

[wildroamer]

Wow, looks to be a perfect match!

 

[Keith Gandy]

Wow, looks to be a perfect match!

Thanks. The dawgs and bar nuts on the 550 r also blued

 

[S Tebo]

Thanks. The dawgs and bar nuts on the 550 r also blued

Keith,
Thanks for the info- much appreciated! I called my local gun store and they have the Perma Blue cream/paste by the jar so it should be the same thing. Otherwise, they said try "Midway USA" on-line for the paste tube. Where did you get yours? I though that 550 bar was pained black- wow! I assume that it seals the metal to prevent future rust same as on a gun? Is the Valspar paint a Lowe's product and is mixed to match or pre-mixed? Thanks again for all of the info/help!
Scott

 

[Keith Gandy]

Keith,
Thanks for the info- much appreciated! I called my local gun store and they have the Perma Blue cream/paste by the jar so it should be the same thing. Otherwise, they said try "Midway USA" on-line for the paste tube. Where did you get yours? I though that 550 bar was pained black- wow! I assume that it seals the metal to prevent future rust same as on a gun? Is the Valspar paint a Lowe's product and is mixed to match or pre-mixed? Thanks again for all of the info/help!
Scott

The paint I order on Amazon and the cream bluing. One word of caution is to oil whatever u blue as soon as u r through bluing. It will rust if u dont treat it with a coat of oil

 

[S Tebo]

The paint I order on Amazon and the cream bluing. One word of caution is to oil whatever u blue as soon as u r through bluing. It will rust if u dont treat it with a coat of oil

 

[Duane(Pa)]

This should make a great thread......http://opeforum.com/threads/chainsaw-bar-refinishing.2061/

 

[Duane(Pa)]

@Keith Gandy can you post your pix over there?

 

[Keith Gandy]

@Keith Gandy can you post your pix over there?

Sure. Ill do better pics when i get home tomorrow

 

[Wood Doctor]

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.

Yeah, and you have to admit one thing. After bucking and noodle cutting big stuff with a Stihl 046 or 460 with a long bar, it's nice to take a break and pick up a 361, 362 or even an 028 or 026 to knock off some branches. You need a big brother and a little brother. That's what makes the world go around.

 

[SharpFrank]

I would have to say tha the xl-12 super xl series was the go to saw for firewood for many years. You can als put the different varieties of the mac 10-10. The modern take on those would probably be the stihl 029/290 and the husqvarna 55/455-460 rancher.

Terribly sorry for the up, pals. Didn't find newest relevant thread. What is the difference between 555 and 460 rancher in practice? Thanks in advance
Frank

 

[cus_deluxe]

Terribly sorry for the up, pals. Didn't find newest relevant thread. What is the difference between 555 and 460 rancher in practice? Thanks in advance
Frank

555 is auto-tune, mag case pro saw. 460 rancher is a big plastic turd.

 

[Bdby]

It obviously depends on how big you need to go for firewood...for me, 18-20" is plenty and my Poulan 3000 screams with the 18"/.325 on it. It always starts, runs all day long and never misses a beat. Right behind it would be my modified Wood Shark/Wild Thing with a 16"....it runs like a raped ape and its just plain fun to use.

What kind of modifications does the woodshsrk wild thing have

 

[motoOzarks]

My 044 I bought new

 

[MustangMike]

I still have my 044 which I bought new in Dec 1992. It is a Red Lever 10 mm saw. SN starts 126.

I've done new seals, and a carb rebuild (Zama, no snorkel), but the KS P + C and rings are all original.

It was my favorite saw till I got my ported 462s!

 

[huskyboy]

I still have my 044 which I bought new in Dec 1992. It is a Red Lever 10 mm saw. SN starts 129.

I've done new seals, and a carb rebuild (Zama, no snorkel), but the KS P + C and rings are all original.

It was my favorite saw till I got my ported 462s!

How much more does it weigh than your 462?

 

[stretch5881]

Through the 1960s and first half of the 70s, it was Homelite vs Mac for pulping and firewood. Dad said he was happy with whatever would start in below 0 weather. In his case a 770D. I was too young to know any different. I was along to pull the branches out of his way, so he could trim with an axe.

 

[MustangMike]

It is just a little lighter Mason, as the 10 mm saws are a bit lighter than the 12 mm ones.

However, the throttle response is faster, I think the saw cuts faster (the 462s are ported, the 044 is not), it is smoother, no screwdriver needed, and the air filter needs much less attention. The 462s are just more pleasant to use.

It is kinda like comparing an old Muscle car with a carb and 2 valves per cylinder to a new car with direct fuel injection, Variable Cam Timing, Multiple vales, Computer Controlled engine, etc. There really is no comparison. The newer engine will run cleaner, stronger, have a broader power band and will be less trouble to keep in tune. You will change plugs every 50,000 miles instead of every 5,000 miles. It will also get far better fuel economy.

I still am impressed with my old saws, but use the new ones far more when I need to do something.

 

[MustangMike]

Through the 1960s and first half of the 70s, it was Homelite vs Mac for pulping and firewood. Dad said he was happy with whatever would start in below 0 weather. In his case a 770D. I was too young to know any different. I was along to pull the branches out of his way, so he could trim with an axe.

My first 2 saws were Homelites, never ran either of them again after I got my 044.

 

[huskyboy]

It is just a little lighter Mason, as the 10 mm saws are a bit lighter than the 12 mm ones.

However, the throttle response is faster, I think the saw cuts faster (the 462s are ported, the 044 is not), it is smoother, no screwdriver needed, and the air filter needs much less attention. The 462s are just more pleasant to use.

It is kinda like comparing an old Muscle car with a carb and 2 valves per cylinder to a new car with direct fuel injection, Variable Cam Timing, Multiple vales, Computer Controlled engine, etc. There really is no comparison. The newer engine will run cleaner, stronger, have a broader power band and will be less trouble to keep in tune. You will change plugs every 50,000 miles instead of every 5,000 miles. It will also get far better fuel economy.

I still am impressed with my old saws, but use the new ones far more when I need to do something.

I agree with you Mike. I too think older generation saws are fun and absolutely still get the job done. But newer stuff is usually well rounded and nicer to use all day for work. More comfortable. The biggest advantage of the older stuff is probably that they usually have less complexity and the price tag that follows it. Both have disadvantages and advantages. A guy really can’t go wrong with many of the newer saws. There all pretty advanced and offer similar technology. Just pick the color you want and the right saw for the intended job.