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As title really, anyone know where the cheapest place to buy a Makita 6401 is? Not fussed about bar size, i can sort that at a later date. Any help much appreciated! Cheers.

The 346 is provided by work. The 260 and 357 are my saws. It's running a .325 stihl rsc chain. I am not brand loyal either. I use whatever works best, but when the only choice is a 346 what can i do? It's not me that is asking for help here, it was tractormatt

How is what i have said here any different to what i have posted on other forums? I haven't said don't get a husqvarna get a stihl... All i have reported is that i don't hold my 346 in the same esteem as alot of other members do. Maybe something is wrong with it, but the figures and evidence suggest not? It wears a 15" husqvarna bar with Stihl RSC chain. I have recommended that tractormatt buys the next size up saw which would suit his needs better imo. It was still a Husqvarna that i was recommending, so what is the problem?

Just felled some willow and some whitebeam. The whitebeam will obviously be ok for firewood but was wondering about the willow. Alot of poeple say it is rubbish, but i might just save it until next winter then split it and sell it on at a smaller price. I placed an add on gumtree and i have had a few people contact me for firewood. We haven't got a massive supply, so i was in two minds whether to do it or not, but glad i did now, even if we run out it is better than having a load left come march/april. We are going to town now on saving it for next year to sell. Might even have to bring it home too...

When did i do that? All i said was that the 261 will challenge the 346...

Nope, it the new model. There is nothing wrong with my 346, it's tuned to 14,1 i had it checked at the dealers.

Love it how we have gone from a 50cc saw to a 70cc. :lol: 3120xp... ???

Have a look on ebay mate for your protection etc, It is extremely better quality, the cheaper things are uncomfortable and like you say, basic. The hi flex are really good imo. The 261 is will be somewhere around that of the 346, both roughly 50cc saws so they won't be much difference. If you are set on that size saw then go for the 346xp or ms261. I have felled, snedded and bucked some approximately 19inch - 20inch willow today and it didn't like it much. That was using Stihl RSC chain too which is quite an aggressive chain. My 346 seems to get bogged down quite alot in the cut, where as the 357 just keeps cutting. I can imagine the 365 even more so! Obviously alot of difference between the 346 and the 365 size wise, but if you're not bothered about weight then bigger the better, no replacement for displacement! Does the saw have to be new? I picked up a bargain ms260 from gumtree for £150. Also got my 357 from ebay for £221. I would consider used as you could get a bit bigger saw for less money and have more money to spend on better PPE. Although there is nothing quite like having a new spanking saw in your hand!! My 346 was new and i felt like a king with it, lol. Also consider makita saws, they are excellent saws, cut really well, brilliant value compared to the equivalent husqvarna and stihl models and made really really well with full professional build on the higher end saws. Good luck.

i would be buying the best protection available mate, i would rather have better protection than a better saw! The next class up in saws engine wise is a must i would say Matt from what you have said you will be doing. Big difference between my 346 and 357. And as for stihl not having anything to touch the 346, the new ms261 should take care of that...

Hi there Matt. In all seriousness, i wouldn't buy either for what you primarily intend to be using it for. I would pay a bit more and get the 357xp. I use the N.E. 346xp all day at work, and for pruning, brush clearing and limbing it is the best saw you could ever wish for, beautifully balanced with a 15 inch bar and it is zippy as hell when snedding up. But for firewood, it isn't the saw for me. The 357 is alot more saw. The extra 6cc's makes a massive difference. It is a bit heavier than the 346 granted, but imo it is definately worth it. How big will your wood be? I wouldn't want an 18inch bar and chain on my 346, the 15 is enough for it when burried in hardwood. The 353 is basically a de-tuned 346xp hence the reason why they use the same manual. 359 is the detuned version of the 357xp. Also, just out of curiousity, why would you need class two safety gear for the 'next ones up?' A 346 would cut your leg off just as fast as a 357. The 346 will rev to 14,100rpm's and the 357 to 14,000 so either will make a mess! The XP Husqvarna saws are professional grade saws and i would always opt for one of these over the 'robust saw' range. Not saying the others won't do what you need, but the xp ones will do it just that little bit better. The XP saws should be lighter, more powerful and be made using higher grade materials. Hope that gives you a bit of help. Cheers, David.

thanks guys, i cant wait to use it more and more!!

:lol: :lol:

Finally got my 357xp from postman pat. It is completely different to my 346. 6-7cc's makes a world of difference. Can't imagine what a 372 would be like to run! lol. Here are a few pics. Cleaned up pretty well considering the mess it was in when i got it. It needs a few bits and bobs replacing eventually, but thats just for my OCD needs... Any thoughts, comments and tips welcome

I like the looks of the top handle mate, looks really good.

I think they're highly rated mate amongst those in the know!

Here you go matey, hth... EXHAUST MUFFLER FITS HUSQVARNA CHAINSAW 61 268 on eBay (end time 25-Dec-10 08:30:31 GMT) 20" Oregon Guide Bar 208SLHD009 For Husqvarna Jonsered on eBay (end time 21-Dec-10 17:56:04 GMT) HUSQVARNA 20" 3/8 CHAINSAW CHAIN H42 x 72E - BRAND NEW on eBay (end time 16-Dec-10 11:26:50 GMT)

It's not new, its nearly two years old and probably has 150+ tanks through it. I have recently started using a new guide when sharpening and it seems to have helped it. Wish I could tach it myself, knowing our mechanic it will be set 2 thousand rpms lower than it should be!! Would also like to file the rakers lower.

Good advice, works everytime.

read too many posts about them being the bees knees, then when i got mine it wasn't what i thought it would be. Bogs to easily for my liking when cross cutting, it's ok for snedding and zipping bits and bobs etc. I bought a second hand 2006 260 and i prefer that over the 346.

Sorted? Make sure that you press the nose of the bar down on a log or something that won't damage the teeth when you are tightening. I tighten mine so i can just see the tangs if i pull the chain down then i tighten the nuts up and away i go. I find the oregon chains are just as temperamental as the husky ones mate, as already mentioned, i think they are the same manufacturer anyway. Not sure how a new chain is going to help though? Just take it back to the dealer and tell him to sort it out! Im not overly impressed with my ne 346xp anyway.

Like i said, rancher kind of saw.

Very true, but it is basically a de-tuned version of the 261. It isn't aimed at the pro market like the 261, more of a 455 rancher saw? Why would a professional user want a saw that is basically a detuned version of another? Plus it is heavier, so is obviously using different materials? Orange and white plastic handles weigh the same...

The 270/271 isn't classed as a pro grade saw. This isn't to say that it will stop working after a day os hard graft.

Why is Elm not very good for burning? I took down an Elm which had been standing dead for a year or three and gave it to a work colleague and he said it was so hot that they had to have all the windows open! Me and a mate are selling bags of logs on the side, we're employed anyway, and the logs are usually 'given' to anyone (or thats what it seems like! brown envelopes etc etc ) who turns up at the yard, vans, lorries, trailers, it is actually quite ridiculous really!! We don't rob people, we're flogging black bags full of logs for £2.50. Mainly seasoned hardwood. Don't know how many bags full would fit in a cubic meter bag though.

Nope. The 261 is a strato saw, so it is supposed to be more economical, produce less emmissions and you don't have to breathe all the 2 stroke smoke in all day. The design of the new 261 is also bang up to date rather than being 20 years old like the 260. Having said that, my 260 has a place in my heart, i would pick it up over my 346xp any day. I won't be chopping it in for a 261, not for £200 extra! lol.