If you have a decent repair guy around or can support yourself with regard to small engines, I'd take a look at:

- Shindaiwa 377
- RedMax 3800
- Ryobi 10532

That Ryobi is a very inexpensive saw that might be made by RedMax. There have been some good reports about it despite it being in the throwaway price range.

You are correct about Poulan building alot of lower quality for manufacturers. I don't think that is the case for Stihl, but I am pretty sure it is for Husqvarna and Sears.

I don't know what saw to recommend from Stihl, Husky or Echo for lightweight homeowner use. I am thinking you might be better off with an Echo among those three in that category if I had to choose between only those manufacturers.

Lots of saws and even more opinions are out there :).

If you buy the Ryobi, I did refurburshed for $99 shipped from Amazon. You need to open the muffler up, adjust the carb and put a good bar and chain on it which will make huge improvements in cutting speed. Also the line in the gas tank is a little too long and needs to be shortened. These saws are the same as a Redmax, built good for a cheap saw. A Echo CS400 or CS370 off Ebay for around $200 is another good buy, they also need the muffler opened up and the carb tuned richer to make hugh improvements in cutting speed and the build quality is better than Husky and Stihl homeowner models. And Masiman has a couple of good models listed also that will have more quality Husky and Stihl homeowner saws. Your 345 shouldn't have burned up, either it was set too lean when new, most are nowdays or the carb got gunked up from ethonal gas with no Stabil or Seafoam. If these saws aren't taken care of right you'll be buying new saws on a regular basis Steve

Steve,

Think I may have topped off my tank with regular gas. It did smoke when I last used it but thought the mix was too high. Little did I know it was over heating.

Did you pull it apart, if the piston is scored only by the exhaust port then it was lean, if all the way around then not enough oil. Steve

Steve,

Great news, my Husqvarna 345 started. After reading your last post I took a closer look at the cylinder walls. DidnÂt seem that bad so put it back together and gave it one more try. To my surprise it started. Cut down two 3" trees that needed to be removed just to make sure it worked. No problem. Am taking it to a local repair guy this morning to get a full assessment. Thanks for your help.

Tom

If saws aren't scored too bad honing the cylinder and sanding the piston lightly and a new ring works good lots of times. Stevew

There's no way Poulan is making anybody else's saw of quality. Ryobi chainsaws are manufacured by HomeLite I believe. Husq supposedly makes Craftsman saws, but they must be made to Sear's lower grade specs regardless of price. Know nothing about Jonsered and can't even find a price. Stihl is of course the brand most of us hear of and Echo is a good brand down at the Depot. Got a Husq 235e from Tractor Supply but returned it because it was missing a part which went between the outer shell casing and the main piece. A black plastic piece belonged there so it never closed right once opened. The inertia bar wouldn't engage properly. Checked eBay for Echo's but the manufacturer wouldn't stand behind any reseller. Sears of all places had a sale on Husqvarna 445: 50 off retail, 25 bonus reduction, free shipping + taxes beats 429 for a Stilh for the homeowner like me.

noweedzone, Poulan and Husqvarna = same company. Been there.

Poulan and the cheapest Husky saw are the same, The Ryobi 10532 has a engine made by Redmax in Japan, a good bargain with a muffler mod and retuning. Steve

Owned a husky 55 for a couple of years then traded for a jonsored 2259 The jonsored had way more power than the husky. I have cut over 200 cord with this saw and love it.Very reliable.

The 2259 should have quite a bit more power as it's 59cc compare to the 55 which has 53cc and if your 55 had a 3/8 chain on it (lots did) you could have made big improvements in cutting speed by switching to .325. Your 2259 has plenty of power to pull a 3/8 chain. Steve

Fixitman, last time I checked the Stihl 270 has 50cc's. I bought an Echo CS 530 for $419, 50cc, 18" bar, light enough, easy starting, very well made. Five year warranty. I have really liked this saw. REJ2.

Out of all my saws my ECHO CS510 (older CS530) is my favorite saw. Good power, light and handles nice and never breaks down. If you buy a new Echo or quite a few other saws you need to pull the limiter caps and adjust richer, most are set so lean they'll burn up. Steve