I have the $999.00 model from TSC, 2nd year. It has split everything I have put to it including large trunks with big knots, and my Dad's finger when he forgot to move it.(it healed 10 months later, kinda) This cheaper model only has a 6.5 briggs on it, but plenty of power. I only run it at 1/2 throttle to keep the noise down, it works a little slower that way, so I kinda get a break while working, and it's great on fuel. If you can build 1 cheaper & have the time to wait for your finished product, GO FOR IT, I love to save $ when I can, but I needed 1 much quicker than I could build 1.