Which powersaw to buy

deaner · Sep 25, 2020

Debating between a 461 and 661. I'm 6'4 230 and fairly athletic. Mainly using for getting firewood. Nice to have the option for an Alaskan mill. Either saw would work for what I need. Boils down to is the weight of the 661 worth it? $150 difference between the two

ferniesnow · Sep 25, 2020

deaner said:
Debating between a 461 and 661. I'm 6'4 230 and fairly athletic. Mainly using for getting firewood. Nice to have the option for an Alaskan mill. Either saw would work for what I need. Boils down to is the weight of the 661 worth it? $150 difference between the two

Both those saws are out of the range of my skinny arms. Both are great saws, I'm sure you would like either.

ABMax24 · Sep 25, 2020

For getting firewood both are overkill for most people. My Husqvarna 550XP MKII at 50cc and 4 hp is enough to get the job done quickly, I can cut enough to fill my 6.5ft truck box in an hour. The 461 at 76cc and 5.9hp is more than enough, and the 661 at 91cc and 7.24 is way overkill.

That being said if you want to run an Alaskan Mill bigger is always better, it's very slow and most like to run at least an 80cc saw on one. In that case the 661 is the ticket.

Caper11 · Sep 25, 2020

Band saw mill is a totally different animal, than cutting firewood.
I have a 046 stihl, the 461 replaced it. Wicked fast cutting hardwood saw, especially with the larger tooth oregon chain, it was my main saw for firewood that was all hardwood.
If I was doing mainly softwood than the 461 will be adequate, if your doing hardwood than go bigger for the bandsaw mill.
Sent you a text deaner.

S.W.A.T. · Sep 25, 2020

Try a husky 465 with a 30in bar. Could also look at the pro series with heated grips lol. I run a 455 rancher and cut about 20 cord a year

busted2x · Sep 25, 2020

When I bought a saw my buddy who is an arborist’s advice was buy the smallest one that get the job done without struggling. So I went with the husky 445. It’s nice to be able to clip it on your belt and walk out dragging the log. Not often I wish it was bigger, but there have been a few times.

d8grandpa · Sep 25, 2020

I have a husky 550xp great little saw. And also the ms661, when i have some larger firewood to buck up the 661 is the bomb.

busted2x · Sep 25, 2020

d8grandpa said:
I have a husky 550xp great little saw. And also the ms661, when i have some larger firewood to buck up the 661 is the bomb.

That’s some next level fire wood!

smokinD · Sep 25, 2020

For sure, 1 of those will burn for days i bet lol

X-it · Sep 25, 2020

I have the 480 husky it is over 3lbs heavier than the 661 and a way older saw. I hate waiting for those dinky saws to cut. I have been getting old age pension for a while now.

S.W.A.T. · Sep 25, 2020

busted2x said:
When I bought a saw my buddy who is an arborist’s advice was buy the smallest one that get the job done without struggling. So I went with the husky 445. It’s nice to be able to clip it on your belt and walk out dragging the log. Not often I wish it was bigger, but there have been a few times.

The 445 is my bucking saw, great tool, often use it for the smaller stuff

rknight111 · Sep 25, 2020

Husqvarna 550XP II chainsaw is on sale too. Starting at $629

https://lawnmowerhosp.com/product/husqvarna-550xp-ii-chainsaw-1221

doorfx · Sep 26, 2020

A 50cc won’t run a mill very well.
For what you want to do , a two saw plan would be a much better idea.
STIHL 251/271 for limbing, felling and bucking firewood , and a 661 or bigger to run a mill.
An underpowered saw will live a short life on a mill.
Plus you will always be switching bars and chains out as you need ripping chain on a mill.

X-it · Sep 26, 2020

Cutting speed 20% faster according to this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdXjWNCmAaE

deaner · Sep 26, 2020

Wow, I have to say I am surprised at all of the level headed replies. I guess deep down I was hoping for some help talking me into the big saw. Truth be told, I have a 455 rancher that works absolutely great...... It's just a small saw that takes forever to cut through a 20+" tree.

20 cords a year with a rancher is impressive swat!

S.W.A.T. · Sep 26, 2020

deaner said:
Wow, I have to say I am surprised at all of the level headed replies. I guess deep down I was hoping for some help talking me into the big saw. Truth be told, I have a 455 rancher that works absolutely great...... It's just a small saw that takes forever to cut through a 20+" tree.

20 cords a year with a rancher is impressive swat!

I cut at 38" so it actually doesn't that much, can do about 3 cord per day when I really get at it. Set up is key though

Lightningmike · Sep 26, 2020

If you just cutting wood and can have something to lift up at knee level or so a bigger saw isn't bad. If you knocking down trees and limbing or cutting trails get something a little lighter. Much easier on body.

doorfx · Sep 27, 2020

Agreed^^^^

Pedaling pete · Sep 27, 2020

Get this bad boy.

https://youtu.be/u17ll043Ld8

X-it · Sep 27, 2020

Just wondering why you never mentioned the 462?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6e7panPQJ8

Which powersaw to buy

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