Suggestions for a carving saw please

[Coletti]

Hello everyone, I have recently started carving and a really enjoying it so have been looking into getting a carving saw but cannot decide what to get so looking for suggestions as to what to get please. If I get in there quick I could get an ms192c off ebay, what are these like and will it be fit for purpose? Thanks in advance

 

George

[wisewood]

Not tried one but a lot of carvers rate the 192 as a detail saw. Sticking with Stihl, ms200/201, or even the new 150 are great pro saws. the 181 or 211also if on a tighter budget.

Echo are great saws, if I had money to spend I'd get a CS-280WES, only £230 with a 2yr pro warranty/5 yr home user.

I don't work for Echo, but if they want to give me a saw for my blatant plugging that's ok with me:laugh1:

[splinters]

As Si has just said. 192 is a great saw but be careful buying off fleebay. TBH you are really going to need two saws one for blocking out and a detail saw. I use an MS 201 as my detail saw and an MS 231 for most of my other cutting. it really depends on your budget the 201 is a good saw but its bloody expensive. as a starter saw I would highly recommend the MS 181 its a little heavy but it rolls side to side nicely making it good for tip work. I used one when I was teaching people. the ms 150 is a little small to be your main detail saw. the ms211 is good from what I hear.

 

if you have the funds I would recommend starting with a 181 as your detail saw and either a 231 or a 261 as a roughing saw.

[Coletti]

I already have a 550xp I can use for roughing so just in need of a detailing saw. Shall probs give the 192 on the bay a miss then as look for a 181 or similar. Thank you for the input

[splinters]

don't forget to budget for a dime tip bar chain and sprocket.

[openboater]

Hi, I use an old Husky 141 for the small stuff with a Cannon dime tip bar, the 1/4 sprocket came from DS Bennett. Always works fine. Next size up is a Husky 345, £40 from a boot sale. Then for the big rips I have a Stihl 064 that's over 20 yrs old.

[Marc Lewis]

The ms200 with the back handle (cant remember model), is a very good carving saw.

[dervishcarving]

i use a 181 for detailing (new one, the oiler died on my old second-hand one, must replace it and sell it on). great saw and stihl are preferable for small-saws. for bigger saws i prefer a husky. contact Rob D here for bars/chains/sprocket. not cheep but i like the stihl carving-kit. the zebra bars Rob has are fine but no oiler hole... no idea why

[wisewood]

i use a 181 for detailing (new one, the oiler died on my old second-hand one, must replace it and sell it on). great saw and stihl are preferable for small-saws. for bigger saws i prefer a husky. contact Rob D here for bars/chains/sprocket. not cheep but i like the stihl carving-kit. the zebra bars Rob has are fine but no oiler hole... no idea why[/QUOTE]

 

Hi Dave,

that's weird, do you have to drill your own then?

The Oregon sculptor bars are very good, not up to cannon standard but not cheap tat either.

[Coletti]

Have been looking at the ms211, same weight as the 181 but a bit more power and I shall certainly be speaking to rob at chainsaw bars when I get a saw sorted, have also considered the small echo rear handle, anyone got any experience with that one? I have the little echo topper and that's spot on hence considering the rear handle