Best Affordable Firewood Chainsaw
I think if you are on a budget, this chainsaw is the best value for firewood cutting. Even without modifying the muffler, and retuning, or changing the chain to a good Stihl RS or Oregon LGX chain, it cuts good, with adequate power to get through decent size wood. If you have the money, get a Husky 372xp or 562xp autotune. But, for about 1/2 the price, this saw is great. It is pretty light, and if you do the muffler mod, retune, and put a good chain on, cuts fantastic! Even stock, it came tuned nice a rich for break-in, and then leans out a little as the motor opens up (usually about 5 to 10 tanks). I have 4 echo saws (CS-352, CS-490, CS-590, CS-6700) and all feel good cutting, well balanced, and as amazing as this sounds, came tuned correctly (a little rich, but cleaning up in the cut). I know this is a small sample of saws, but I have been very happy with them so far. Decent clutch, oilers, etc. I do not love the stock (lpx type ramped cutter) chains they come with - but they do get sold at Home Depo to people who don't use saws much - so I guess they need the safety chains. All my saws are muffler modified slightly, and retuned, and are running different (usually smaller) bars and good chains, and cut great, and are a joy to use. My 562xp is a better saw, but costs a bit more. The little CS-490 is a little underpowered stock, for a firewood saw. But, put a 16" bar, good chain, and muffler modify - it is a great super light little saw for smaller diameter wood - really nice balance too. I really like that little saw, but for real wood cutting, and stock, I think the best saw is this CS590. Have fun! And again, my experience is that the echo's aren't coming set too lean these days - which is good, because they used to burn up if not retuned, once they broke in a bit and leaned out. Of course, I only have a few saws ... so quite a small sample - but all were tuned perfect, a little rich for break in, and all run great now. They are good inexpensive saws, in my limited experience.Read full review
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