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Replacement chainsaw: stick with 57cc or go 42cc with power-sharp


Martin Jenkins
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Some heartless swines smashed my garage door in yesterday (in broad daylight!) and swiped my chainsaw and some other stuff.

 

I had a Husqy 357xp, 57cc, selected after a previous request to this community (http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/firewood-forum/9148-chainsaw-recommendation.html), with the advice being "get as big as you can afford, as you will thank the extra power".

 

Now I am in a position to make a new selection. I am considering getting a smaller Husqy, so that I can get the Oregon Powersharp system for it, which maxxes out at about 42cc I think - valid Husqies:

 

HUSQVARNA 36, 41, T425, 136, 137, 141, 142, 235, 236, 236e, 240, 240e, 334, 334T, 335XPT, 338XPT, 339XP, T435. PLEASE NOTE only suitable for Husqvarna chainsaws which use 3/8 low profile chain.

 

What do you reckon? Has anybody got an Oregon powersharp system? I am weighing up the benefits of a 2 minute break to sharpen really easily against a more powerful, but heavier, chainsaw.

 

Thanks!

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The powersharp system does not cut or sharpen up like a standard chain - it is only valid for those who blunt a chain and then have to throw it away... for this sort of customer it works well.

 

 

For everyone else it is not that useful. :001_smile:

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Ah, that's really good to hear. I will stick with a close to like-for-like replacement then.

 

The powersharp looked so easy... I think I am alright with sharpening - a veteran groundsman gave me a good lesson, and made me get a Oregon sharpening jig (one of these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/filing-guide?da=1&TC=GS-030433736&gclid=CjwKEAjwtYSsBRCDx6rM1v_uqmsSJAAZgf2qSV-8QfNJGfdDMIHJYY05uGIbXj_nzv5krVyWLPmSvhoCpRbw_wcB) and I have that, a bench vice, and I did have a stump vice (one of these [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chain-Stump-Sharpening-Chainsaw-Makes/dp/B00LKLQ1F6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434555405&sr=8-2&keywords=chainsaw+stump+vice]Saw Chain Stump Sharpening File Vice For All Chainsaw Makes: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BVoR-qX5L.@@AMEPARAM@@41BVoR-qX5L[/ame]) that I used with a normal file holder, but that has gone with my lovely chainsaw.

 

Thank you.

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  Martin Jenkins said:
Ah, that's really good to hear. I will stick with a close to like-for-like replacement then.

 

The powersharp looked so easy... I think I am alright with sharpening - a veteran groundsman gave me a good lesson, and made me get a Oregon sharpening jig (one of these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/filing-guide?da=1&TC=GS-030433736&gclid=CjwKEAjwtYSsBRCDx6rM1v_uqmsSJAAZgf2qSV-8QfNJGfdDMIHJYY05uGIbXj_nzv5krVyWLPmSvhoCpRbw_wcB) and I have that, a bench vice, and I did have a stump vice (one of these Saw Chain Stump Sharpening File Vice For All Chainsaw Makes: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors) that I used with a normal file holder, but that has gone with my lovely chainsaw.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Like for like is the 560xp. If the insurance are paying then the tea leaves did you a favour! Just use a good quality oil in it :)

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I have the 357xp then I bought the 346xp 2nd hand. I much prefer to use the 346.

So assuming you will be getting the modern equivalents. I'd go with the following. If you are resting the saw on the wood as you cut mainly, go heavier and more powerful. If you are needing to be agile go smaller. I assume you don't cut much wood a foot or more in diameter. Otherwise it's the big un.

I can use the 346 all day but the 357 is more fatiguing. I use 13inch bar in 346 and 15 in the 357.

I do have another ported 346, which means I can get the job done much quicker.

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Thanks. Generally I use the saw for felling ash and alder, up to about 24" diameter, cut about 20 each year, then round them in the woods and tractor them all back. I use a 15" bar currently, which seems to be a good compromise, as for a 24" base, the trunk rapidly gets narrower. Lighter is good, and agree that the 357 is (WAS, sob) quite heavy at the end of the day - although I always think "Got to be good for me, like lifting weights!"

 

On the security, yes. I had heard there were garage breakins, with the up-and-over doors being targetted, and I do not use my up-and-over door, so I stuck a bit of metal in the works, so there was no way it could be opened. That actually worked fine, as it is clear they had a go and failed - but then they pulled apart the door frame for the side door; the door (solid wood) is essentially undamaged, but the frame is shot. Only thing I can think of is a much beefier frame that cannot be pulled apart like the existing one.

 

They had all my chainsaw gear too, including my lovely Pfanner forest helmet. They also took my 7 years old generic helmet, which will be as much use as a chocolate teapot.

 

I am keeping my eyes open on ebay, see if I can spot any of my gear...!

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