Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks - Are chain saws sold by shops better than cheaper

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Are chain saws sold by shops better than cheaper

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Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=196426
Printed Date: 06 Aug 2025 at 2:39pm
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Topic: Are chain saws sold by shops better than cheaper

Posted By: Darwin W. Kurtz
Subject: Are chain saws sold by shops better than cheaper
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 8:52pm

Wondring if there is any difference in the quality of chain saws sold at local saw shop dealers vs those sold at discounters like Menard's or Trctor Supply ?
I know Wrangler jeans sold at Wal Mart dont last as long as the pricier ones sold at a Western clothing store

Replies:

Posted By: festus51
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 9:50pm

My experience is that the TSC and big box stores sell cheaper consumer grade saws. At saw shops and small engine shops sell higher quality saws. Most saw manufactures two or three gra.des of saws

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We the unwilling Led by the unqualified Doing the impossible for the Ungrateful

Posted By: Darwin W. Kurtz
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 10:28pm

An old guy that used to hobby with working on saws after he retired told me the saws like at TSC.....they are only rated to run so many hours then they just quit....anyone else heard that

Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2023 at 10:56pm

why not support your local shop that will care about taking care of you when you need it the box store guy will be lucky to even know what a chain saw does

Posted By: klinemar
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 5:22am

Look at Chainsaw manufacturers website for rating of their saws or it should be where you buy them. All saws are rated professional or forestry use and what I refer to as homeowner.Here is Stihl's webpage describing their saws. https://www.stihlusa.com/guides-projects/a/chainsaw-buying-guide/" rel="nofollow - https://www.stihlusa.com/guides-projects/a/chainsaw-buying-guide/ . Most chain stores do sell a cheaper saw because their customers are shopping for a cheap saw.I have had excellent service from Echo chainsaws. They rate all of their saws as professional.

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 8:04am

For the most part if you're buying a chainsaw, it ought to be Orange! I have Stihl's and one little Husky that was Dad's. Wouldn't bat an eye at an echo either.

Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 8:06am

you have to compare apples to apples... If your buying a STIHL MS250... it dont matter WHERE you buy it.. Same saw.. They dont make a "cheap MS250" for Wal Mart... Now if your buying a 180 at the Box store and a 261 at the LOCAL SHOP, yes they are different price......... Box Stores sell the SAME THING at lower price because the do Volume and they dont have any Service Dept.... Thats what your paying for at the LOCAL SHOP.

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Like them all, but love the "B"s.

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 8:16am

261's a great saw, love mine! Also have a 250 that has cut many a chord of wood that decided not to oil the chain anymore. Despite all of my efforts it still wont. May break down and take it to a shop and see if they can solve this riddle. It's a handy little saw, miss having it to use.

Posted By: scott
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 9:33am

I think walmart etc makes deals with major brands for cost competitive versions of standard products.

Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 10:24am

Support your local independent businesses, they are the ones that support your local community and have good customer service. As for my buying a chainsaw from a big box store....NO WAY! I have 2 Stihls and a big Poulan that are over 40 years old and still running strong. If you want a throw away saw give the don't give a rat's arse big box store your money.

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Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

Posted By: Darwin W. Kurtz
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 12:37pm

buying Husqvarna from local shop, only about 60.00 higher than an Echo from Bomgaar's

Posted By: Walker
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2023 at 8:05pm

Unless you're fancy talking rev limiters I've never heard of a so many and done device. A dealer willing to stick his neck out is capable of selling a pro grade saw. With Husky it's Xp models = Stihl is the white handles. No box store is suppose to be selling pro grade of any kind. Although I did see an XP 372 in a Town and Country once.

Posted By: Lars(wi)
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2023 at 8:26pm

Bought a Stihl maybe 20+/- years ago from the local True Value Hardware store, who at the time was also an authorized service center for Stihl. Off the top of my head I don’t recall the model #, but I know it says ‘Farm Boss’ on the bar. About 10 years before that I bought a Homelite chainsaw from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.

Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2023 at 8:41pm

Lars, Farm Boss was the 029, wood Boss was the 028. Both that I have are the 028's.

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Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God.

Posted By: Walker
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2023 at 8:53pm

Once upon a time Homie's Poulands Macs you name it, they were all good and at the same time all just everyday saws made to preform. Then somebody decided they could lie a little, tweak this or that, lighten here customize there but keep on lying till the end and more money could be made. The only thing they continue with today is lying. They claim three grades now pro, light farm and homeowner and good luck and hurry back which you will. Topping Sequoias with a homeowner saw is not recommended.

Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 1:47pm

A friend worked for Homolite dealership here in MN and then got a Johnsred distributorship for the US except West Coast timber areas . That was in late 60's .
I bought a used 601 saw from him he had out for rental shop use , He rebuilt it and told me the only thing that would wear out in my lifetime would be the case bottom from sliding in and out of truck bed . Well he was close but last year the recoil spring broke and trying to find one has been a long search . Also have a smaller Johnsred saw I picked up at garage sale for $75 - good little saw but no where near the power of the 601 .
Seems like a lot of good products - they are sold out to others who just want the name and the product goes to H fast after sale .

In 1954 Jonsered launched its first chainsaw, the 'Raket'. This entry kick-started a story of success and made Jonsered a name in the forest equipment market worldwide for many years. In 1979 the Jonsered company was acquired by Electrolux but some fifteen years later Electrolux parted ways with its outdoor equipment division and Jonsered became part of the newly formed Husqvarna Group.

Since then, the Jonsered brand has been part of Husqvarna Group, with a portfolio covering chainsaws, other handheld power tools, lawnmowers, snow throwers and more. Jonsered has been a highly appreciated brand by a certain customer group but always a smaller brand in range and sales compared to the Husqvarna brand.

As of September 2022, the product Jonsered will not be available on the market. We will continue to offer the best possible customer service to our Jonsered customers.

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Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Posted By: Walker
Date Posted: 03 Aug 2023 at 3:27pm

If a Homelight saw out of 60's 70's doesn't have a textron label on it I don't bother with it, now Zips, Wiz, Old Blue a different story. Coke there are some forums online that could most likely hook you up with a spring one is House of Homelight.