demo saws, who makes the best?

stumpjumper83 · Jan 10, 2011

So I'm looking for a good demo saw. Local guy says go partner / husky, or makita (sacks-dolmar). He also wants to sell me a reconditioned k750 for $500.

I'm partial to stihl on my chainsaws and weed eaters, but have heard that the demo saws are not perfect.

who else on here has demo saws and what do you run? Experiences with the partners also appreciated.

bill5362 · Jan 10, 2011

Stumpjumper,
I've had a few different demo saws, now all I have is Partner. I have 3 K750, and 1 K950, and won't have anything else. I had stihl before, but I never thought they started very easily, flooded way to easy.

I bought a Dolmar cut off saw (PC 7435), and a chainsaw (PS 7900) last year. I had problems with both, had to replace the jug on both, twice on the chainsaw. They run the same mixture as my Husky saws ( I have 5 Husky), and partner, and still haven't had any problems with huskies or partner's. The other thing I didn't like about the Dolmar was they cut pretty well at high rpm's but when the rev's dropped the saws really got to be dog's.

This is just my opinion for my experiences, hope it helps.

shep450r · Jan 10, 2011

I personally like the partner saw for demo of all types! i have an old one but still works great! I don't use it everyday so for my use it's great!

Monte1255 · Jan 10, 2011

I used to have a Stihl ts 400 hated it for sure...overpriced hard starting blankety blankety blank!!!
these days it's husky all the way!

barklee · Jan 10, 2011

Husky Husky Husky!!!!! There is no better when it comes to cut off saws. We run ours cutting mortar for 10 hrs a day and up to a month at a time everyday and you cannot kill them. I have Stihls also which arent bad, they are just hard to start, break pull ropes, and are a bit more sensetive to dust than the Husky. Hands down i would buy the Husky every time! I cant say one bad thing about them..... period

nickbowers · Jan 11, 2011

i like my stihl no prolems what so ever

JD450A · Jan 11, 2011

I Like stihl chainsaws alot and there starting is spot on. but the TS 400 I used at work was an awful starter. Flooded easily and had (Imho) way too many controls for fuel, choke, decompressor etc, If you did'nt get it on the first pull it would fight you all the way.

I've used sevral Makitas in the past, and would reccomend them. To put this into perspective I did a course on grinders and cutoff saws. And I was the only person who'd ever used a petrol cut off saw. Everyone started it with ease.

S.R.E. · Jan 11, 2011

Go with the Partner/Husky. I bought a used partner from a rental store about 3 years ago and It been a great saw for me. I've used the stihl and I don't like them. I think the partner/husky is better balanced.

diggin02 · Jan 11, 2011

We run Shindaiwas. I know they are hard to find but we love em. Once you start them the first time in the morning they'll start the first pull the rest of the day. Also, they'll put a Stihl in the dirt for power and speed.

Speedpup · Jan 11, 2011

Partner is the best which is now Husquvarna. Light, powerful, filter last a long time. Parts easy to get. I have 4 as a mason contractor. They are just excellent. Few pounds make a huge difference when using them for hours or holding them up on a wall.

Jim Dandy · Jan 11, 2011

I am on my 2nd partner. The first was a used one that I bought from a rental store. Both have been good saws and start reliably. I have Stihl chainsaws and they have a technique for starting so I can understand how people find them hard to start.

shooterm · Jan 12, 2011

Stihl has pretty much got the market cornered for chop saws. We had one partner saw and i thought it was cheap and had wierd features like spring loaded head. I find I like my 420 better then the 720 we use at work. Bigger isnt always better.

stumpjumper83 · Jan 12, 2011

Took the partner k750 home, 14" model so I guess I'll see if I like it. It starts easier than any stihl chop I've ran, one yank and its going, maybe two if its cold.

Randy88 · Jan 12, 2011

I've run huskvarna, parter, and now a dolmar, liked them all, the only problem I've had with the dolmar is dust plugs the air filter more often than the others, but if you run water, that solves the problem.

joispoi · Jan 13, 2011

Partner makes a good saw. I think you'll be happy with it.

The only bit of advise I would offer to anyone shopping for a new saw is to buy something that they can get parts for on short notice.

390eric · Jan 14, 2011

Had a great ts 400 started great and ran awesome till an operator ran it over. We demoed a 14'' and 16'' husky/ partner 14'' was alright 16'' horrible but it looked like a well used rental. The blade bounces to much IMHO. Good way to ruin a $400 ductile iron blade. They both took twice as long to to cut through a piece of 16'' ductile. Bought a ts 900 I think , the 16'' one. Its light powerful and great for cutting, starts every time if you know what you are doing with it.

lynchy · Jan 17, 2011

Over here in UK most places I've worked seem to use Stihl,pretty much the generic name for saw's over here,but my own saw is a Partner,didn't get it through choice but I prefer it to Stihl now,most cutting done bending over and I think the handle much easier to use?

Dualie · Jan 17, 2011

I have three partners and used to have one sthil. they were all used equally under the same service conditions. well the partners are still going while the sthil is in a box above my office in pieces pretty much junk.

Pretty much the only thing i use them for is cutting steel decking.

Speedpup · Jan 20, 2011

Although I have Partner or Huskavarna now I always send the saw to a job with an extra pull cord assembly ready to just swap in. I hate playing with it on the job. Usually you can see trouble coming with wear but not always as the spring can break. Plus and filters in a box also.

Squiddog · Jan 22, 2011

Definately go the husky or makita.
Have racked up over 100 hours of solid cutting on husky, makita and stihl (all 16" blades)

The stihl is quite heavy and awkard to hold after long periods, it is also very moody in australian climate (cold weather in the morning, hot in the afternoon) and often has trouble starting.

Husky is regarded as our old faithful, starts first time every time, and has a very good water system on it (good connections, quality hoses running to the blade)

I think makita is now the market leader, it is reliable, strong, and very high quality, our saws are tossed around alot and do some hard cutting for hours on end.

Whatever deal you can get on the husky or makita with best after sales service (eg warranty and parts) run with that.

demo saws, who makes the best?

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