Chainsaw

[TCracin440ex]

well i been in the market now for a new/used chainsaw. as of now i currently have an old Mcculloch chainsaw. its a good running saw when it runs but its broke down now and im just tired of it. its so darn heavy that it just works you to death when i do use it. it has i think an 18inch bar on it thats plenty big. but i want a stihl chainsaw. the run good they last long they cut good. ive heard so much good about stihl that i just want one.

i see plenty of used ones on craigslist all the time but i was wondering which model of stihl is better then the other. and which ones to stay away from. i dont know much about chainsaws. i can run them and use them to cut wood thats about it. so could somebody chime in and help me out. i aint looking to spend an arm and a leg on a saw that ill only use occasionally, but you never know when you will need a saw for anything and dont have one handy

i als see alot of huskys on craigslist too but my dad has a husky and he has had nothing but problems out of it ever since hes had it. so i kinda want to stay away from husky

[CJM]

Stihl is the best saw, I have had a few of them and prefer a medium duty with an 18 or 20" bar. They recently changed the model numbers, but you should look for an ms 261 or 026 iirc, its a pro model and very well built. All the pro models end in odd numbers, the lesser saws end in even numbers.

I have also used husky saws, never an issue either but I like stihl better.

To note: DO NOT USE 87 octane in a 2 stroke engine, use at least 89 as it is supposed to contain less ethanol. I personally mix a heavier than usual oil/gas and I always add a good splash of seafoam to make sure the carbs clean.

Also be warned, buy used if you can cause these saws are $$$$ Were talking 500 bucks usually if not more.

[trailrider894]

Stihl is the best!! I have used a stihl for years with my lawn buisness and on the family farm. I have a stihl weedeater that i have been using for 5 years that i have put hundreds of hours on... so i trust stihl... Husqavarna would be my next choice.

[Pappy]

My Stihl stable....

MS 240 MS 290 MS660

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Private-Gallery-2/CMR3283/1133699868_RMmZa-L.jpg

[TCracin440ex]

my dad has a husky and the muffler keeps falling off of it. he fixed it once then it came appart againt it eventually stripped the threads out on the motor, then he had to take it all the way down to have it fixed and when he did he said one of the rings on the piston broke. its not been a good saw to him. he acutally had to use an old jonsered to cut up his firewood this fall

here are a few stihl saws that are local or close by me that i have found on craigs. stihls seem to hold their value better then any other saw ive seen

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/grd/2156914361.html

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/tls/2166390407.html

http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/2173771358.html

http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/2173773693.html

http://richmond.craigslist.org/tls/2110130388.html

http://richmond.craigslist.org/tls/2164001300.html

[Pappy]

Go after the 029 or that 290

[TCracin440ex]

id like something with atleast a 20 inch bar or something that can handle a 18-20 inch bar.

here is the same saw i already have. its so heavy and hard to start. you cant start it in your hand you ahve to sit it on the ground and put your foot on it to start mine.

http://store.vintagepaperads.com/catalog/BC0391.jpg

[Pappy]

The 029 or 290 will run a 20 inch bar

[TCracin440ex]

im going to call and see if they are still avail, but what about that 028 av with the 18 inch bar? is that any good?

i know if i got me a good saw i could sell firewood for 60-75 a load. i know a few people that burn firewood year round because they use it to heat their hot water with an outdoor type of furnace

[Pappy]

You wouldnt go wrong with any of the ones you posted, im just partial to the 029/290, it is a really good model

[TCracin440ex]

Originally posted by Pappy
You wouldnt go wrong with any of the ones you posted, im just partial to the 029/290, it is a really good model

yea you got some good looking saws pappy. i bet you got an arm and a leg in them too. stihls are expensive. ive checked prices of them new

[Pappy]

Right around $2k there, not counting the other bars, many chains, files, chainsaw mills etc. Nothings cheap these days, but deals are out there for sure. The Stihls are easy to get parts for, easy to rebuild as well.


Here is a great place to get saw parts and such as well

https://www.baileysonline.com/default.asp

[wilkin250r]

I've got a cheap 18" chainsaw, I think my next one needs to be good, and big. I want 30 inch bar or bigger, lately I've been cutting some big stuff.

I saw a Stihl 076 on craigslist a few weeks back for $175, but it was gone by the time I could get a hold of the guy. That would have been great, 111cc, capable of a 60 inch bar, running a 30 inch would have been a piece of cake.

[CJM]

Out of those you posted the 290 or the 361, I like the 361 better. Littler heavier but more power and it will easily run a 24 or 36" bar too if you ever need.

[BuB400]

Hey TC, I have the same MAC610. Circa 1980, I've been waiting for this thing to blow up so I have excuse to buy a new one,but this thing just won't quit. I agree,very heavy and hard starting. I figured out the starting issue is the poor air filter. Clean the carb area and even pull the carb apart on a reg basis and it will start alot easier. I just replaced my smaller Mac with an Echo 370. Great saw and I will replace my 610 with an Echo when the time comes.

[TCracin440ex]

idk why mine is hard starting. i know it aint the carb or filter becasue the carb has been tore down and rebuilt. it aint the plug either. its just an old saw thats a pita to start. and when it does run its heavy and hard on my back. i need something a little lighter and easier to start. but other then those issues its a damn good saw and cuts its as$ off.

[slightlybent47]

I use a stihl 290 farm boss with a 20” bar and it has been a great saw. It always starts easy and runs great. If I had the cash I would get another one for sure.

I also worked for a tree trimming company and they used Husqvarna and they seemed to work just fine as well. Never seen anyone of them give us a problem.


The key is keeping them clean, sharp and in good shape.

[fastredrider44]

Husky fan here. :devil:

[trailrider894]

Originally posted by fastredrider44
Husky fan here. :devil:

I agree.... Husky was all i ever used for a-lot years. But the stihl has been great also.

[ngates788]

we have an old 031 that has held up for 30 some years with no major problems and i just recently picked up a new ms362. just an all around good saw. light weight and easy to start not to mention easy to clean, so im sure either one you pick will be just fine.

[slightlybent47]

One thing to remember is if you buy a cheap saw and try to run it a long time, it will wear out real quick.
If you plan on cutting for extended periods of time, get a commercial model.
Twenty to thirty minuets on a cheap saw and you need to let it rest a bit and cool down.
I’ve run my 290 for several hours at a time and it just keeps on cutting with no problem.
The only time I stop it is to re fuel and add lube and hit the chain with a file.

A sharp chain will cause the saw to pull itself through the wood. If you have to push it or force it then you need to sharpen the chain. A dull chain will cause it to get hot and stretch the chain and cause unwanted wear.
If you have sharpened the chain and it still doesn’t cut good and chatters a bit then check the height of the rakes with a gage. If they are too high it won’t cut right. The chain will sit to high and the teeth won’t dig in.
I keep several spare sharp chains in my saw box so I can cut all day and sharpen the blades at night.

[MOFO]

Originally posted by CJM
Out of those you posted the 290 or the 361, I like the 361 better. Littler heavier but more power and it will easily run a 24 or 36" bar too if you ever need.

I agree with taking the 361 over the 290.... 361 is a pro saw and is built like a tank. 290 is a great saw, but if you can swing a 361, it will be the last saw you own.

as for running a 36" on a 361, that aint gonna happen in any hardwood.

24/25" would be the largest I'd run on a 361....

[krt400ex]

my grandfather has a stihl that is 25+ yrs old. i'm not sure of the model. i've had mine for two years now. all i needed was a trim saw since i was doing landscape and really only used it to cut thick branches on trees and stuff that i was trimming, or to drop a small tree. i have a stihl ms170 and this saw is incredible. its only a 14" bar, but i have taken trees 20" around with it lol. its got tons of power, and it will go through anything. starts every single time and i have had no issues at all.

[TCracin440ex]

bump i found another deal on a saw locally. its a stihl 024 for 100 bucks and i was just wondering what size bar could i run on it. it has a 16 now, but wondering if it could hold up to an 18-20 inch bar

here is the link of the saw

http://lynchburg.craigslist.org/tls/2187396028.html

[ben300]

if your looking for a decent priced deal on a new saw, check these out.

https://www.baileysonline.com/category.asp?catID=44

these are dolmar saws with just the blue plastic covering adn the makita emblems on them. They are the same internal components as the high end domars.

ive had experence running the dsc6420..same as the dsc6421, just a year older. the saw performs flawlessly, and runs just as good as the other high end dolmars ive used, and it costs a fraction of the price. we use it with both a 20 and 22" bars, for anything from cutting fire wood and felling medium size trees. they're good performers.

ill also agree with everyone else though, im a husky/dolmar fan myself, but stihl makes one of the best performing, most long lasting products out there....cant go wrong with buying a nice used one online.

[TCracin440ex]

im not looking to drop alot of money in a saw. thats why i was looking at used stihls. if i was looking to spend alot of money id buy a brand new stihl but they are costly

[ben300]

Originally posted by TCracin440ex
im not looking to drop alot of money in a saw. thats why i was looking at used stihls. if i was looking to spend alot of money id buy a brand new stihl but they are costly

hey i fully realized what your intentions where..i was just showing you an option..

your much welcome