090 parts availability

Padua12 · Nov 8, 2016

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I'm getting into chainsaw milling (I posted this in the Chainsaw forum but thought reposting here might get some varied response the web address to the other post is below.) I'm looking at getting a bigger saw I've got a 455 rancher at the moment which is not enough saw. I'm interested in a 090 but was wondering if parts are still available. I've searched and have seen this covered in the past, but a lot can change as time rolls on. I'm 27 (read money is an object) and would hate to buy a saw only to have something break and have trouble getting parts.

Thanks God bless.

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/090-parts-availablitiy.302686/#post-6041097

backhoelover · Nov 8, 2016

parts all over ebay.

rarefish383 · Nov 9, 2016

I had cash in hand to buy a new 880, with 3 bars and chains, was somewhere over $2000. As I was waiting for my sales guy, I kept looking at the 660, and decided to save almost $1000. Got the 660 with 25" and 36" bar. He gave me the second bar half price, two extra chains half price. Through in a six pack of 5 gallon mix (made 30 gallons) and a jug of bar oil. I've always been in the bigger is better camp, but saving $1000 bucks was nice too. I've never been let down by the 660. You can probably find a used 880 cheaper than an 090. Since you are just getting started, just want to warn you, CSMilling is a labor of love, not a way to make a bunch of money. You can make some money if you can find specialty wood, but you can't compete with the box stores on lumber. Welcome to the site and good luck with your milling. It gets in the blood once you get the bugs worked out, Joe.

Padua12 · Nov 9, 2016

Thank you for the replies. Over the years I've looked at various trees that have had to come down and wanted to get lumber out of them. I'm a bigger is better fella myself and really like the idea of bigger meaning a quicker cut (not always the case) I also like the idea of being able to pull a long bar with speed should the need arise. I enjoy working wood. Here is a picture of a board I free-handed from a spalted sycamore that my parents had taken down. I need to get an actual mill setup.

rarefish383 · Nov 10, 2016

Nice looking board. Keep your eyes on the classified here, big saws come up regularly. Put the word out with friends. I asked a friend to keep his eyes open for me and not too long after that, he called and one of his customers gave him a Homelite XL923 for me. It pulls a 30 inch bar well. My cousin got a C5 Homelite that runs great for 50 cents. I think the 090's are getting so collectible that you can get a new saw for the same money. I'd keep on the look out for an 088/880. I've picked up several 100 + CC saws from tree companies that were in great shape. On the East Coast, most big saws don't get used that much, mostly to flush big stumps. So, a 20-30- year old saw may have very low hours. I guess my real advice would be, at your age, bite the bullet and get a new, at least newer, saw. In 30 years you'll still have it and long forgotten the cost. You could be milling tomorrow and not looking for parts, Joe.

Padua12 · Dec 6, 2016

Rare fish, thank you for the advice. I decided to just treat myself to a new saw. I decided on an MS 880. I think it's the torqueiest saw on the market today and inlike big things. I believe the rules of the forum are pics or it didn't happen. I put my dad's 455 husquavarna next to it. I've got a granberg mill on order and some chaps and helmet/face shield/ear protection combo coming. Now if I have enough forearm strength I can get the saw broken in and start milling.