I've used a Husqvarna 346XP for over 10 years now, after I used one of their lower end saws for a couple years. I'm very happy with it, I regularly use it to cut through Oak, Ash, and Maple, and have taken down trees nearly twice the blade length. If you go with Husky, their XP series is far better built and can cut much faster, I'd stay away from the ones sold in HW / Farm & Fleet stores. The 346XP has since been replaced by the 550XP.

IIRC, there is a similar split in Stihl saws - sort of a homeowner vs professional line, though I don't know if the quality difference is as great.

I echo the sentiments about training, if you've never used a saw. There are a few basic techniques that'll save you from getting the saw stuck, dropping a tree the wrong way, and most importantly, preventing injury.

If you want endless entertaining chainsaw reading, go to arboristsite.

Now I want to go out and do some cutting, chainsaws are so much fun!

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Paul
If we weren't all crazy, we would go insane - Jimmy Buffett
NAR #87246 www.wooshrocketry.org