No.

 

They advertise on sale for around $120 new.
So wait and buy a new one.

 

Let's see, Mac, Shidaiwa, Jonsered, and Echo(3) currently in use at our farm. I have had other brands in the past 35 years, but I have found Echo to be consistently better for firewood and cutting timber to be milled into lumber for building purposes. Chainsaws are not unlike automobiles or trucks. Everyone has their opinions, these are my personal ones.

I might add that I have been very pleased with Opti-2, 2 cycle lubricant since I started using it.

Caveat: A chainsaw where I live is a day in and out tool. It needs to work when you need it. A "good" used one will probably be stolen since if you have one that works well, why in the world would you get rid of it. A chainsaw requires quite a bit of maintenance by the user and if this is neglected, they become used and not so good anymore. I actually bought my last Echo CS-490 at my local pawn shop, BUT, it was as new, all paperwork and came from an estate.

My stepson, who lives in suburbia has found that the battery operated ones work well for him in his wooded 3/4 acre lot. It all depends on what your needs are. I have cut and burned several cords of wood this year and will start soon building up surplus for next year. I burn a lot more wood now that I am retired.

In summary a used chainsaw us very rarely a bargain......

 

Let's see, Mac, Shidaiwa, Jonsered, and Echo(3) currently in use at our farm. I have had other brands in the past 35 years, but I have found Echo to be consistently better for firewood and cutting timber to be milled into lumber for building purposes. Chainsaws are not unlike automobiles or trucks. Everyone has their opinions, these are my personal ones.

I might add that I have been very pleased with Opti-2, 2 cycle lubricant since I started using it.

Caveat: A chainsaw where I live is a day in and out tool. It needs to work when you need it. A "good" used one will probably be stolen since if you have one that works well, why in the world would you get rid of it. A chainsaw requires quite a bit of maintenance by the user and if this is neglected, they become used and not so good anymore. I actually bought my last Echo CS-490 at my local pawn shop, BUT, it was as new, all paperwork and came from an estate.

My stepson, who lives in suburbia has found that the battery operated ones work well for him in his wooded 3/4 acre lot. It all depends on what your needs are. I have cut and burned several cords of wood this year and will start soon building up surplus for next year. I burn a lot more wood now that I am retired.

In summary a used chainsaw us very rarely a bargain......

Stihl 026 pro and other popular pro models is what you look for on used stihl, I prefer a Husqvarna myself, and stay under 9 pounds, and if you plan to cut a lot of firewood get one for main use, and a light weight limbing model. I have a little Echo (not sure of model) lightweight that's perfect for cutting limbs, and it will surprise you how much power it has as well.

I heat with wood and I'm the "branch manager" at work so I spend the majority of the year with a saw in my hands for one reason or another.

Opti 2 is the real deal and has everything you could want in a 2 stroke oil mixed at half the rate of traditional oils. Smokeless with a fuel stabilizer I have yet to have a batch mixed with Opti 2 go sour.

The right saw for the job is a big thing. I currently run a Jonserud 670 and a Husqy 480 for felling and bucking and a Stihl 024 and Husqy 340 for limbing and cutting in slash piles.

I have an 031 out in the shop that I retired a few years back. It still runs strong but it's heavy and no dampening.

Used saws aren't always a bad deal. My Husqy 340 cost me $100 used. The original owner used it until it was dull then burnt the chain up and ruined the bar. I had a brand new bar and chain hanging on a peg that fit it so for $100cdn I ended up with a next to new saw.

If you are only going to need it on occasion, buy new. You will know what you have and how it's been treated. That said, saws are easy to work on and parts can be had cheap for most things...unlike my Stihl line trimmer that is impossible to get a gas tank for...

 

Stihl 026 pro and other popular pro models is what you look for on used stihl, I prefer a Husqvarna myself, and stay under 9 pounds, and if you plan to cut a lot of firewood get one for main use, and a light weight limbing model. I have a little Echo (not sure of model) lightweight that's perfect for cutting limbs, and it will surprise you how much power it has as well.

 

Don't know about the newer ones, been using the same sthil for over 20 years.

 

Rclint nailed it. Stihl 026 pro is a could choice.
i run a Stihl 026, 036, 044, MS440 and a MS460. Use ethanol free gas and a quality 2cycle (synthetic) oil

 

I run a Husqvarna 350, and it's a good size saw for firewood, and for what I do... however you start using these size saws above your knees or waist and they will beat you down in 30 minutes. I run a Husqvarna 51 for many years, and it was never lacking... I have run a bunch of Stihl saws and just sold a 036 pro model a month ago.. it was just to heavy for my use, it was a hoss, any of these type saws are absolute hoss, plenty of power, and last for years, and years. Like I said I prefer Husqvarna, but Stihl is just as good... lots of arguments between which is the best, but if you could change out the plastic covers on them.. give either one to a hard core every day user, tell them it's a new model (don't let the crank it tho LOL) they would both be happy customers.. They are both top tier saws, however both companies are putting a lot of junk in between the fine models to sell off the name of the many years use.

Johnsenred (spl ?) Homelite, Echo, and I'm sure I forgot some also are outstanding saws

 

Buy a new Stihl and ditto on the ethanol free gas. I am leery about buying used as you never know how it’s been (mis)treated.

 

Speaking of chainsaws!

I came across this site a while back. I'm not pushing any of these on you, but if you like do it yourself.

Stihl Chainsaw Parts | Husqvarna Chainsaw Parts | Huztl Farmertec Online Store

 

Speaking of chainsaws!

I came across this site a while back. I'm not pushing any of these on you, but if you like do it yourself.

Stihl Chainsaw Parts | Husqvarna Chainsaw Parts | Huztl Farmertec Online Store

But that's what my saw looks like now..............LOL

 

No. That 031 is too old. Parts for these series are starting to dry up since it's been out of production for almost 30 years. Look at the re-released 025. Best saws I've ever used for power to weight. Buy a good one and it will last forever.

 

Since the 031AV was introduced in 1971 buying a new one is out of the question. And waiting for new one to come on sale ain't gonna happen either.

Now that being said, the 031AV (48cc) is a well respected saw and built like a tank.. The fact that there are a bunch of runners out there attest to that. By today's standards it's a slow heavy saw but just keeps on going. The power head alone weighs 12.5# without the bar & chain and runs at 12,500 rpm.
It has a magnesium case compared to the plastic of today, and you don't want to sit magnesium on concrete. Keep it off floor or put a piece of wood under it. Otherwise you'll end up with corrosion that referred to as the "white death". Once it starts, it's close to impossible to stop.

I bought the same saw last spring. It had a few issues that I fixed, nothing major, and sold it 5 mo later for $120. Parts are easy to find but if your not mechanically inclined and have to take your saw to a shop, pass on it. At the age of that saw it could be needing crank seals, clutch & drive sprocket not counting (bar & chain $50) fuel system overhaul or just plain getting wore out.

If you like to putz with saws and it's complete (no missing parts) has good compression, starts easy and runs good, (look it over carefully) I'd try to get $10-15 off the selling price. Get it as cheap as you can because you'll be another $50 into it before you can even use it.
One final thought, you can get an older saw for cheap, but it can turn into an expensive saw fast.

 

I have a Stihl "Farm Boss" that has served me well for the last 20 years. Like others have said find a source of 100% gas and do your maintenance (fuel, air filters, spark plugs, etc). Everything I own now is Stihl. I quit buying stuff at the big box stores. We only got 4 acres but seems like there is always something that needs trimmed of cut down. Watch for spring sales from Stihl. I picked up a small chainsaw last spring for $150.00. Just right for limbing out. At my age swinging the Farm Boss around all day is a pain.

 

Ahhhh Chainsaws, a topic I know something about. I have 6-8 chainsaws of various makes and sizes. BUT hands down the Stihl Farm boss is the top of the heap! It is everything a chainsaw needs to be. I also have a tiny mighty mac 8 inch chainsaw (70's) , and a craftsman 16" which is a real workhorse and various other older mccullochs. it is tough to keep them all running and sharp, but come in real handy during my annual blueberry pruning, coming up soon!

as far as electric no dice, buy it new

 

Lots of good thoughts here. I think I'll pass on the used Stihl since I don't know how it has been used or abused. This area is plentiful of log cutters and firewood gatherers. I'm not really in the market for another chainsaw, the Craftsman runs fine but can be finicky. But I like to tinker and this seemed like a deal, but yea, at it's current age, probably more of a parts headache. There is a Stihl new-saw dealer in town, as well as a Husquavarna dealer. And a box store. My only real issue with the current Craftsman is the chain tension doesn't seem to stay put.

 

unless you like to work on old stuff, or want to build up your stamina... get a newer model, you will not be sorry. Plastic has it's place, and has really made chainsaws lightweight

Chains, bars, oilers, filters, etc can get expensive fast. The little Echo I have came with a skip tooth drag chain I think it's called, the Huskvarna has a regular chain, and you have to get into some heavy wood before the bigger Husky will even keep up with the Echo.. The Echo is 33cc, the Husky is 50 CC and sounds like a old timey dirt back going ying ying ying. In my locale you can find a nice pro model saw with less than 5 hours use on it during the summer months. Even the older saws are mostly in good shape, some made need a little work.. Cutting firewood or a little light use around the farm isn't going to put a dent on the pro models, and when you get to around a 50cc the decompression button is a nice feature for cranking

 

My Stihl has served me well over 20 years and counting. I recommend you catch a sale and buy new.

 

I gotta add a photo to this thread, my crazy sasquatch nephew sent me a photo of his monster Stihl and a tree he just cut down Of course he is a HUGE kid 7ft tall so he is plenty of man to handle it.

 

I don't know how you plan to use a saw, but I recently bought a DeWalt battery powered chainsaw. It has a 16" bar and uses a 40 volt 4 or 6 amp hour battery. I have been very pleased with this selection and have used a chainsaw more this last year than I have in the prior 20. The thing I like most is quiet and no smell. Also, when I need to cut, you just pull the trigger, no starting and pulling. I was clearing a couple fields and got about 2 hours out of one 4 amp hour battery. Will it do the work of the big chainsaws, no, but I cut 12" logs petty easily and it served me well. Just a thought. Cost is around $240, I think.
V

 

dbl post edit

 

For a while I worked for NC A1`Stump Busters Inc. The only chainsaw Rick would buy/use was Stihl. He owned 5 of 'em in different sizes. He said he talked to lots of tree service guys and they all recommended and used Stihl saws only.

That being said, I recently bought a new Stihl MS 251 C-BE-2 and I am quite pleased with it.

I'd be wary of buying a used chain saw unless I knew a lot about it's use and owner, and could see the saw crank, run, and cut wood 1st.

 

I use a Stihl MS250 and it does everything I need it to do. I put a longer bar and chain on mine than it came with. I use it mainly for tree/brush trimming, storm clean up and some fire wood. Our deer camp dictates we need to always have a chainsaw in case a tree goes down across the trail up the hollow. I like the MS250 (or the older 025) model because parts are cheap and all over the place. I see people selling these because they quit running well and the shops charge so much to fix them, so many just buy a new saw. The secret is usually you can get them running like new for 20-30 bucks and some wrenching. Ebay has tons of parts cheap from China, but they have always worked for me on all my Stihl equipment. It beats paying more than the saw is worth for the shop to fix.

 

Most most common issue with any new/used chain saw is fuel related, or in simpler terms ethanol blend gas. Avoid it if at all possible. The older saws were not designed for it, and are not tolerant of ethanol gas.
The average home owner/saw user thinks gas is gas and uses anything cheap at the pump. Cuts some wood and puts it away to sit for who knows how long before he'll use/need it again.
Time comes to use it down the road, and it will not start or run right. So off to the saw shop he goes to get the "pos" fixed. When he finds out the shop charges $75 hour plus parts, and a new replacement is not that much more, he looks at a new saw.
If he follows the same routine with the new saw, it's just a matter of time and the cycle starts all over again.
If your not gonna use the saw in any foreseeable future, dump the gas & oil, start it and run it dry. The next time you go to use it you'll be a happy camper.
That's what I do with my saws, and I've never had a problem.

 

Perchance, what does gas ethanol do to a chainsaw that it doesn't do to (e.g.) a lawn mower, small generator, snow sled or outboard?

 

It will ruin most anything I believe. I think the worst part is leaving it sit. 2 weeks sitting is the longest time recommended for ethanol fuels in small engines.

My equipment seems to run better long term with ethanol free fuel. It's been years since I've run ethanol fuel in my small equipment or mowers. Definitely less repairs on the 2 cycle stuff.

 

All this talk about chainsaws has me wondering...How many of you wear chaps, eye protection, ear protection? Just curious.

I ran saws for a living for many years, would never consider running a saw without chaps. Good chainsaw chaps are cheaper than stitches ya know. The average is 110 stitches.

 

I've got to agree with proper protection! Chainsaws are like firearms, you've got to think every moment you operate one. It's harder because fatigue can become a factor pretty quickly and many times we're operating alone.

With that being said, I bought a Stihl MS271 last summer. I haven't used it a lot yet, really just broke it in. I ran the pre-mix fuel. It's not economical for someone that uses it daily, but you'll never have to worry about fuel related problems.

 

Ethanol is like poison to anything with a carburetor. It corrodes needle valves and pretty fast too. I use ethanol-free gas in all my small equipment and older plow jeep.....anything with a carburetor. Just do a google search and read about the carnage.

 

I always use high test gas and I always use oil with a gas treatment in it also. Since using high test I have had less problems and easier starting in my equipment. A logger told me about it and he was right.

 

Just a note:
Hi test gas means nothing unless it's E-free. Make sure to check the pump, because some Hi test does indeed have the dreaded ethanol.