£450-£650 chainsaw. Best VFM?

[CJM]

A 365 is basically a 372 check youtube if it was me personally is square up a 461 and a 576 and if I was gong to choose I'd choose the 576 which I will do in a few months time only because my best mate has a 461 and I want a 576 just to try and out do him

[Eddy_t]

So am I better off with a 365 and porting it (what is this and how much does it cost)? Or should I just 'go big or go home' and get the 372XP, which is probably way too cool for me

 

I knew this would be difficult!

 

 

Porting is modifying a 2 stroke engine for more power. The 365 and 372 are essentially the same saw, other than the little metal covers on the cylinder, which have constrictions on the 365.

There is a thread on here about the modifications that can be done, although it does void warranty.

Speaking to different members will give different prices on the work, but you don't have much choice on who would do the work, as dealers don't, so it's a choice of spud or petermate. Or you could do it yourself! It's not difficult!

[TurtleWoods72]

I'm up for any mods I need to do myself (warranties don't seem to be worth much these days) or I could just wait till the warranty expires and do it.

 

In terms of performance, would the ported 365 really be the same as the 372XP? And what about reliability.

 

I don't need a formula one car to collect the milk from Tesco, but if I can get one cheap and reliably I'm in guys!

 

Nobody has given any love for the 555 or MS391 'farm saws'..are they really that bad, or is it just because you guys need to cut wood fast, all day to make profit?

 

Also, just to throw a spanner in the works, why the hell is the 35cc MS201 so much money?

[david wood]

for the love of god dont buy a 555

[MattyF]

365 and 372 are now the same saw its just the 365 is slightly restricted in standard form its a good saw. personally would leave it alone until it's done two years and out of warranty.

You would benefit more from learning how to sharpen well than trying to build a race saw.

As pros lol ,I guess we stIck to the husky xp's and black and white handled stihls on a whole because they are faster and more reliable stronger engines and better anti vibes ... Supposedly.

[david wood]

i hate the 555 so much it deserved its own post.

 

now to attempt to justify my hatred.....

 

had a makita something or other, about equal to dolmar 100 for my first saw for years, litteraly worked it to death, great first saw.

 

husky 350 i think as next saw and ran for many years and then sold on ebay for 50% purchase price, it was a truly hard working saw and if i hadnt run into some pennies would still have it.

 

works 351 still runs, a little tired but work horse and used for rough joinery work, fencing, felling and firewood by 4 users for many years, and if its less than bar length i still grab it first at work.

 

my own 357 xp well its worked hard since day 1, and still goes hard, love it

 

my own 372xpg , equally worked hard and i love it. take it into work for free and accept wear and tear over using crap 555

 

works 555 - hate it! never seems to hit peak revs, especially no fun in windblow. too fussy to start from cold so sucks for fencing and joinery type jobs and just hatefull.

 

thats over 19 years of saw use so hope a little experience.

[Eddy_t]

I'm up for any mods I need to do myself (warranties don't seem to be worth much these days) or I could just wait till the warranty expires and do it.

 

In terms of performance, would the ported 365 really be the same as the 372XP? And what about reliability.

 

I don't need a formula one car to collect the milk from Tesco, but if I can get one cheap and reliably I'm in guys!

 

Nobody has given any love for the 555 or MS391 'farm saws'..are they really that bad, or is it just because you guys need to cut wood fast, all day to make profit?

 

Also, just to throw a spanner in the works, why the hell is the 35cc MS201 so much money?

 

 

The basic conversion mod will match the 372 (as the saws are identical), which requires a t20 or t15 Allen key (with dimple hole), a dremel with milling burrs (eBay) and fine sandpaper for polishing.

Spuds tuning and porting thread, and what's on your bench today thread are two essential reads if you want more out of the saw. Reliability is down to aftercare, a looked-after race saw can outlast an abused stock saw!

 

The 201 costs so much because it's a top-handle climbers saw, and climbers like to spend stupid money on shiny kit (don't believe me, look at any thread on here containing the acronym SRT)

 

As for the 'farm' saws, the 555 is good (more power than a 550) but it's no 560 and can't be made into one. As for the Stihl semi-pro range... I'd rather stick glowing hot needles up my arse than use one of those slugs ever again!

[TurtleWoods72]

Sooo..555 is a bad choice. Crossed off.

 

550XP not worth it since £100 more buys much better 560XP

 

Echo CS620-SX £50 less than 560XP and same size, power. But not much love from the masses.

 

But what I really need is a 365 X Torque which I use until out of warranty and then port, making it a 372XP to all intents and purposes.

 

Oh brother. I think I need to order before midnight tonight as the discounts end, or am I mistaken?

 

(Radmore & Tucker/ FR Jones & Son)

 

Aaaaaarrrghhhh...

 

And thanks people for your honest late night advice!

[mendiplogs]

Sooo..555 is a bad choice. Crossed off.

 

550XP not worth it since £100 more buys much better 560XP

 

Echo CS620-SX £50 less than 560XP and same size, power. But not much love from the masses.

 

But what I really need is a 365 X Torque which I use until out of warranty and then port, making it a 372XP to all intents and purposes.

 

Oh brother. I think I need to order before midnight tonight as the discounts end, or am I mistaken?

 

(Radmore & Tucker/ FR Jones & Son)

 

Aaaaaarrrghhhh...

 

And thanks people for your honest late night advice!

Hi mate service at F R JONES is great mate far better then them other ones your on about thanks Jon

[TurtleWoods72]

Stihl MS201 Petrol Chainsaw

 

This was the MS201 is was curious about the cost of.

 

I think the 555 is off the menu like mussels in August, and I'm leaning away from the 560XP.

 

365 in standard trim is tops on my new list (thanks to you brilliant buggers!) ...

 

This is the best bang for my buck I can achieve, isn't it?