What saw should I use for carving ?

[sasha.p]

I just wondered can anyone recomend a saw that is suitable for carving with I am completly new to carving but have wanted to have a go for a long time now .I think the time has come to get a new chainsaw so if somebody can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated

[pulsar46]

To start small i'd use the MS180, although hard to find new now, the ms 181 is the replacement but I didn't like it, depending on your size of carvings to me the smaller the carving the better you become, loads of room for mistakes on big carvings.

 

You will need a blocking out saw to, For the smaller carvings I use the MS250, so its 2 saws you should look at getting.

[splinters]

if you go back through my posts you will find several saw reviews. but in short either an MS 181 or MS 211 with a dime tip bar as a detail saw and either a MS 231 or MS 260/ 261 as a blocking out saw.

[Coletti]

Just my 2pence worth but I've got a little echo cs280wes as a detailing saw and cannot fault it. Similar power, weight and size as the stihl ms150c and at around £300 with a cannon bar not a bad price either, if you have a word with rob d at chainsawbars he can sort you out with a 1/4 sprocket now as well

 

 

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[rooster]

Not an easy question.

Depends on your chainsaw experience, your budget and the size of the logs you want to carve.

 

I have made some recommendations on my website based on beginner, low budget, safety first.

 

I also post patterns based on 12-16 inch logs, suitable for beginners.

 

ROOSTER

chainsawcarve.ca

[MattyF]

Low power and dime bar you won't go wrong with detail ... I had used a ms 200 that could be a bit snappy but now I'm using a ms 150 and detail is far more controlled.

[rooster]

"Low power and dime bar you won't go wrong with detail .."

 

I can't agree more!!

At our three day beginner carving camp in June, I put my 5 lb. MS150 into the hands of lady with a weak arm, that had never even run a saw before. She carved an owl, an eagle and a small bear. The next day she went out and bought one.

 

$350, "pro" quality saw, easy to control, and worth every penny.

It will also double as an excellent "trimming saw" for yard work.

[sasha.p]

Thanks everyone for the recomendations it looks as though I will be looking for a MS 181 or MS 211 then already have a ms261

[sasha.p]

And thanks for mentioning your website will take a look at those patterns

[NorfolknGood]

The MS150 seems a reasonable option. I have one and like it and have now heard of several others using it and preferring it to their old saw. That is to say with the standard bar and chain which DOES NOT need to be run slack although has a slightly larger radius tip.