Size Chainsaw for Firewood?

[vogue]

Hi, i need a new chainsaw now that we have a wood heater (main source of heat).
I already have a Stihl ms210 which is great for camping etc, but now i need something bigger.
What size should i get?
I'm trying to decide between a Stihl 291, 311 or 391.
I like Stihl and do some work for the local dealer, so am not interested in other brands.
Stihl have $200 off the above saws at the moment, so a good time to buy.
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Thanks

[Saitch]

I've got a Stihl 170 & 290 for work around the place & never needed any more. The little 170 is perfect for pruning, trimming branches off felled trees etc. In my opinion you wouldn't need to go bigger than the 290 for firewood. An 18" bar & 64cc is more than adequate for firewood. Have had Stihl since early 70's & "Stihl" using them. Of course it depends on the timber in question. I'm normally sawing ironbark, red & gray gum & black wattle. The wattle is fantastic!

[Beckford]

I have the Stihl Farmboss 311 with a 20" bar. I use it for firewood, fencing and cleaning up fallen trees on our 10 acre block.

I get the pros in to fall really big trees, and then do all the hard work at ground level.

I used to have the previous model until it was stolen in a ram raid while getting serviced. The 311 has an improved vibration system, but I miss using my old 310.

[blitz]

Chain saws are a bit like power tools the big brands have a DIY level and a "trade" level.

Being a tradesman I always chose 'trade' so even though I have a different brand - huski, overkill maybe but I will still have working fine in 30 years

[uninformed]

as Blitz said, get your dealer to show you the "pro" models. I think the 361 has just been replaced by the 362???, Im not a Stihl guy so dont quote me. Huskies are a bit easier to size by their model number, for example a 372xt is 72cc. a 390xp is 88 cc, a 346xp is a 50cc

Good if you can afford to support your local dealer, but prices here in Oz, especially Stihl are rediculous. I have bought all but 1 of my saws 2nd hand from Ebay.USA

[Beckford]

I always chose 'trade' so even though I have a different brand - huski, overkill maybe but I will still have working fine in 30 years

We don't really have that problem on the central coast. My first chainsaw was stolen after only 5 years of use.

I now list my chainsaw and brushcutter on my home & contents as a portable valuable. (The repair shop eventually replaced my saw. But in the meantime I had to buy another one, so I could keep fencing and cleaning up from the 07 storm.)

[isuzurover]

I have a husky 357XP [pro series husky] which has filled all my firewood duties fine to-date. I think the closest STIHL equivalent is the 361/362.

I also have a Stihl 038 Magnum project saw, but just because I got it cheap, and occasionally could use a longer bar then the 16" bar on the husky.

When I bought the husky it came with an 18" bar, and while it has the power it was unbalanced, and is much nicer to use with a 16" bar. The 038 mag is a fat pig so feels balanced even with a 20" bar

[Drover]

Have had a Husky 372 for the last few years, it's quite a saw.

More than enough power,nice balance and feel.

And remember, just like KTM -

If it ain't orange - then its a lemon.

[rick130]

It all comes down to what you are cutting, and can you sharpen a chain

[edit] What I mean by that is that my modified 80cc saw almost isn't enough saw for some of what I cut, I really need a couple of more saws but I'm used to something that cuts pretty damned quickly and efficiently.

[LandyAndy]

AWESOME.
Another chainsaw thread.
You cant get any better than a Husky 120XP.
If you are ever in downtown Williams WA you can have a play with mine.
Bar length is your choice,3 foot 6 or 4 foot
120CC of pure grunt,sounds like a motocross bike
Andrew