Best Sub €200 Chainsaw?

The Governor

I have an older relative who had a Ryobi 3335 14" chainsaw which was mainly used for cutting handy logs and pallets, cutting small to medium branches, etc. It finally gave up and he's looking for a new one.

We were looking at just updating to a newer version the Ryobi 3535 but looking at online reviews there very dodgy.

Would any of you rec a good 14" saw for under the €200 mark for the small jobs kisted ?

Sir Arthur Daley

For that money you wont get anything half decent new, second hand offers loads of opportunity for a good used machine.
Are you set on new or open to second hand options?

Reggie.

The Governor wrote: »

I have an older relative who had a Ryobi 3335 14" chainsaw which was mainly used for cutting handy logs and pallets, cutting small to medium branches, etc. It finally gave up and he's looking for a new one.

We were looking at just updating to a newer version the Ryobi 3535 but looking at online reviews there very dodgy.

Would any of you rec a good 14" saw for under the €200 mark for the small jobs kisted ?

If ya pushed to €280 you could get an ama.

CJhaughey

€200 is too low for a new saw of any quality.
Secondhand or up the budget a bit.
What are Stihl MS181's selling for these days?
I'd recommend one of them as a small saw, but new would be outside your budget.

BunkMoreland

€99 one in Aldi.

People will mock, but it has a 3 year warranty, 16" bar, extremely easy to start, lovely fuel mixer, and has been more than good enough for the jobs I've done (which were a bit bigger than the small jobs you described)

You could spend 200-250 on something new that's of the same quality but just over priced, or you could buy something second hand which to me is a no go with a chainsaw. Who knows what fool was mis-using it for how long.

If the chain is good and sharp, it will cut, regardless of brand / price point.

Nekarsulm

Worth a look?

http://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/chain-saws-and-engine-driven-skateboard/7840302

Sir Arthur Daley

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Worth a look?

http://www.donedeal.ie/gardenequipment-for-sale/chain-saws-and-engine-driven-skateboard/7840302

The chain brake is missing more than likely broke on that 254, picture quality isnt great but looks like a tired saw. The 260 is cheap if its good.

Nekarsulm

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

The chain brake is missing more than likely broke on that 254, picture quality isnt great but looks like a tired saw. The 260 is cheap if its good.

Agreed, and on a closer look, that 254 probably has a faulty throttle lock. The cable tie on the handle is a bit suspicious.
What about the skateboard, Sir Arthur? makes the saw look safe by comparison

Sir Arthur Daley

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Agreed, and on a closer look, that 254 probably has a faulty throttle lock. The cable tie on the handle is a bit suspicious.
What about the skateboard, Sir Arthur? makes the saw look safe by comparison

I wonder is it driven through a reduction box of some sort or what sort of blue peter went into it.

Nekarsulm

Poor pictures, but that silver rectangular thing this side of the engine must be a gearbox of some kind.

Sir Arthur Daley

The 260 is an american spec saw too, nothing wrong with that though. Depending on the year of it it could be held back on power than ones here.

ford2600

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

The 260 is an american spec saw too, nothing wrong with that though. Depending on the year of it it could be held back on power than ones here.

Brother in law bought a Zomax for just over that msybe 230.

For firewood for one house, light work he just has to cut the lenghts he gets from me.

Used it out of box for a day. Ok at best.

Runs fine but very plasticky and won't take much hardship.

Good make 2nd, from some who is good at maintenance is a better investment imho.

Whatever you do, you need to keep fuel fresh and proper mix. Don't buy low quality bar or 2 stroke either.

Maintenance is everything with a saw

Nekarsulm

when did Stihl 170's jump to €280? Seems not too long ago they were less than 200.
Pretty plasticky saw as well, even the "felling dog" is just a part of the moulded plastic. Fine saw for lighter use, but the chain MUST be kept razor sharp.

Sir Arthur Daley

How well can the stihl 170 pull the chain, i see its only a 30cc saw but has the 3/8 picco chain.

Nekarsulm

I bought it on ebay for 70 sterling. after a few months had to get the plug hole helicoiled .that was less than a tenner. bought it for cutting ivy off trees and fencing, etc. With a good sharp chain its a flyer. comfortable in timber up to about 6 inches. if chain dulls, the engine feels like it has no power.

Sir Arthur Daley

Nekarsulm wrote: »

With a good sharp chain its a flyer. comfortable in timber up to about 6 inches. if chain dulls, the engine feels like it has no power.

Edge is everything like you said earlier.

O.A.P

Nekarsulm wrote: »

when did Stihl 170's jump to €280? Seems not too long ago they were less than 200.
Pretty plasticky saw as well, even the "felling dog" is just a part of the moulded plastic. Fine saw for lighter use, but the chain MUST be kept razor sharp.

180 EUROS at my local place last time I looked at one about 2 years ago when I needed a small saw. I kept my money anyway it felt like a toy . I don't know I just thought it would brake as soon as it was asked to do a days work.

gk5000

BunkMoreland wrote: »

€99 one in Aldi.

People will mock, but it has a 3 year warranty, 16" bar, extremely easy to start, lovely fuel mixer, and has been more than good enough for the jobs I've done (which were a bit bigger than the small jobs you described)

You could spend 200-250 on something new that's of the same quality but just over priced, or you could buy something second hand which to me is a no go with a chainsaw. Who knows what fool was mis-using it for how long.

If the chain is good and sharp, it will cut, regardless of brand / price point.

Fully agree. Have one and have cut down and diced trees of 1-2 foot diameter with it.
Only trick is using foot as throttle lock to start it.
Only issue so far was petrol feed pipe kinked at top of tank when I yanked too much, so just took a while to figure it out, and then straighten it.

I could not justify an expensive machine, but this is perfect for branches, pruning and one or two small trees per year .

bogman_bass

BunkMoreland wrote: »

€99 one in Aldi.

People will mock, but it has a 3 year warranty, 16" bar, extremely easy to start, lovely fuel mixer, and has been more than good enough for the jobs I've done (which were a bit bigger than the small jobs you described)

You could spend 200-250 on something new that's of the same quality but just over priced, or you could buy something second hand which to me is a no go with a chainsaw. Who knows what fool was mis-using it for how long.

If the chain is good and sharp, it will cut, regardless of brand / price point.

I got a great little one from Lidl. Its made by husqvarna and is lovely and light to work with and starts on the button. cant fault it

ronn

bogman_bass wrote: »

I got a great little one from Lidl. Its made by husqvarna and is lovely and light to work with and starts on the button. cant fault it

Have you any pics, or what make is the lidl saw

monkeynuz

I have the ms170 as a lighter alternative to my 372xp, had it 7 years and it has never let me down felling trees and cutting logs up to 2 feet in diameter with 15 inch bar when my husky was out of action but I remember paying about €250 for mine all those years ago.

DarByrne1980

ronn wrote: »

Have you any pics, or what make is the lidl saw

always a bit concerned about buying the lidl/aldi chainsaws. theyre not built for anything bigger than small branches.

Gosub

DarByrne1980 wrote: »

always a bit concerned about buying the lidl/aldi chainsaws. theyre not built for anything bigger than small branches.

Shhh... don't let my Aldi saw hear you say that. It regularly eats through 2 foot trunks. It's all in the chain. Keep a good chain sharp and it'll look after you.

My Aldi saw has 18 months of hard labour behind it now and has needed nothing more than a new bar and a few new chains. Nothing has fallen off or broken. It still starts on 2 pulls.

DarByrne1980

Gosub wrote: »

Shhh... don't let my Aldi saw hear you say that. It regularly eats through 2 foot trunks. It's all in the chain. Keep a good chain sharp and it'll look after you.

My Aldi saw has 18 months of hard labour behind it now and has needed nothing more than a new bar and a few new chains. Nothing has fallen off or broken. It still starts on 2 pulls.

I dont deny it - 2 foot trunks. thats great goin. Its the same with weed strimmers. lads could pay a fortune for one and yet a one out of lidl or aldi would do the same job and never give an ounce of hassle.

Thespoofer

I'm going to jump on board here, looking for a low price chainsaw for cutting up a couple of trees and occasional use after.

A builder friend of mine has the proplus 20 inch and says it's a grand saw. Has anyone any dealing with this brand ? ( I've never seen it in the flesh ).

cpg093

A relation of mine bought the pro plus saw you are on about. It only lasted a few months of occasional light use and gave up. They don't seem to be sturdy to use in my opinion. You might be better off buying a decent second hand saw either husky or stihl. They will last far longer