50cc Saw Selection

[sawfun9]

Well for the cost of buying the used 260 and porting with shipping costs you could have a new 261. If you already have the 260 then getting it ported makes sense if you really want. As long as you have the adjustable high side of the carb, I'd just Muff Mod it and see how you like it. My Muff Modded 026 pulls and handles as well as my bone stock 346NE. To me that's about all I expect out of a 50cc saw. If I need more I go to my 044's or 372.
If I had it to do again, I wouldn't have bought my 346 and been happy with my 026. There's a lot of hype on this site with certain saws like the 346 and 7900. Some folks would have you believe they can just about cure cancer. They're just saws, and one being slightly more powerful isn't gonna matter much. Your not trying to rotate the earth with one. Your also quite correct about the great handling and weight of the 260 and I've found it to be about perfect.

 

[zogger]

I've read all of those anti 261 posts and I can't bring myself to listen to one or two people about it. I am only cutting firewood so I'm not too worried.

I have another idea that no one mentioned. What if I sold the 360 and then got the 260 ported professionally. Would that be a waste of money? The 260 is lighter and more nimble than the 261. It is also the cleaner between the 360 and 260. I know the 360 has been beaten up pretty bad and I bought the 260 and it looked barely used. Or would it be stupid to pay $250 for a saw and then $250 to port it haha. Or will someone do it cheaper or are they just as hard as every other saw?

Go for it!

 

[mt.stalker]

As i'm reading this post , I'm chuckling at everyones opinions . Do youself a favor . Go with your original thought , don't second guess . Sell the 2 Stihl's , and come to the dark side . It's time you experianced the Husky world . You have enough Stihl's already .

 

[wap13]

Not sure how a 260 responds to porting but if it was anything like a 261 you would not be disappointed. Contact bsnelling, mastermind, or whoever you feel good about and see what they think about a ported 260.

 

[locofrog]

Well for the cost of buying the used 260 and porting with shipping costs you could have a new 261. If you already have the 260 then getting it ported makes sense if you really want. As long as you have the adjustable high side of the carb, I'd just Muff Mod it and see how you like it. My Muff Modded 026 pulls and handles as well as my bone stock 346NE. To me that's about all I expect out of a 50cc saw. If I need more I go to my 044's or 372.
If I had it to do again, I wouldn't have bought my 346 and been happy with my 026. There's a lot of hype on this site with certain saws like the 346 and 7900. Some folks would have you believe they can just about cure cancer. They're just saws, and one being slightly more powerful isn't gonna matter much. Your not trying to rotate the earth with one. Your also quite correct about the great handling and weight of the 260 and I've found it to be about perfect.

While they might not cure it,it'll cut off affected parts. Now seriously some saws are hyped a little much but I don't think one of them is the 346xp. Every saw is different and yours could've been a turd, but I've never heard too many people have bad stuff to say about these saws. Plus it sounds like you're saying that you should've just "settled" with the 026. When talking about 50cc saws and there's no 346 in the bunch, personally I feel like cindarella didn't make it to the ball. It deserves respect as do the 026 and 261. He needs to run them I guess to see which he'd like best.

Loco

 

[blsnelling]

Not sure how a 260 responds to porting but if it was anything like a 261 you would not be disappointed. Contact bsnelling, mastermind, or whoever you feel good about and see what they think about a ported 260.

Yes, a 260 responds well to porting, but I'd still rather have a 261, even if just MMd and tuned.

 

[SawTroll]

Nikko, I like you, but....doesn't that ever get old? Have you ever considered that there are opinions based on different factors than what your limited appraisal provides. The 261 is a fantastic saw for many people, period.

Old maybe, but the situation hasn't changed - so it still is valid information. Not everyone read the old threads, so it has to be repeated! :msp_smile:

 

[bower4311]

Yes, a 260 responds well to porting, but I'd still rather have a 261, even if just MMd and tuned.

Do you think a ported 260 would be faster in buried 12-18 inch wood with a 16 B&C than the same setup with a 261 just MM?

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[blsnelling]

Do you think a ported 260 would be faster in buried 12-18 inch wood with a 16 B&C than the same setup with a 261 just MM?

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That would be an interesting challenge. The 261 is just an all around far superior saw. I'm talking AV, air filtration, power, etc. The 026/260 is a great saw, but it's a couple decades old saw, and has it's limitations.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Well, the OP was looking for a new saw I believe. Also he indicated he wanted to take advantage of some warranty that was available. Not sure you could get a big warranty for the 346 XP but there are a few of them still out there and some are to be had for a lot less than a new 261 or 550xp. Just saying. My local Husky dealer still had two 346XP's in stock last week. If the OP wanted a hot used saw I am sure Mr. NMurph could fix him up with a used 346XP for hundreds less than a new 550 or 261. The man has a good big saw, he needs a 50cc saw for limbing and bucking and felling smaller trees. At least that what I thought he was communicating.

 

[Showme]

It would be really hard for me to decide "best". I love 50cc saws and have tried most including old mag. I just sold a ported 346XP so I can say I've run about everything were talking about here. Just ran my 550XP that just has a muff mod---great throttle response and very strong in the cut but so is the ported 261. The difference in a ported 260 and a stock 260 is huge in my opinion however I'm going to keep my 026 stock. Pretty need little saw in like new condition. I've got to say a ported Poulan 330 is sweet but then a Poulan 325 by Partner is not a bad little saw either so you pick what you like and run it.

 

[ptjeep]

Since you have stihl's, it would make since to stick with them. The 550/346 are great saws but for the larger wood, the 261 would be a little better. I sold two 260's to buy my 261 and have it ported. The power it makes is unreal for a 50cc saw. Brad is right, you will not want to pick up that 441 as much and the 261 is way ahead of the 260 in comfort and air filtration. If you buy a 261 and have it ported, you will not be sorry and you will spend less time running saws.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[bower4311]

Well, the OP was looking for a new saw I believe. Also he indicated he wanted to take advantage of some warranty that was available. Not sure you could get a big warranty for the 346 XP but there are a few of them still out there and some are to be had for a lot less than a new 261 or 550xp. Just saying. My local Husky dealer still had two 346XP's in stock last week. If the OP wanted a hot used saw I am sure Mr. NMurph could fix him up with a used 346XP for hundreds less than a new 550 or 261. The man has a good big saw, he needs a 50cc saw for limbing and bucking and felling smaller trees. At least that what I thought he was communicating.

I am but I'm not. That was just one benefit or idea. My 260 is in great shape really. I wouldn't mind using that one.

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[old-cat]

I am but I'm not. That was just one benefit or idea. My 260 is in great shape really. I wouldn't mind using that one.

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If you ever let that MS260 go, I think you will regret. If you can handle disassembly of that 260, just send the cyl,/piston and muf to Terry Landrum for mods, $200. If you need the Service manual / Parts manual, I'll give you the link.

 

[nmurph]

Do you think a ported 260 would be faster in buried 12-18 inch wood with a 16 B&C than the same setup with a 261 just MM?

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Probably.

I have an 026 done by Randy and a 346 done by Randy also (and a couple others done by well known builders). The 346 is definitely stronger, but there is a pretty big jump from a MM 346 to a ported 346. The 026 is a few ounces lighter than a 346, which is in turn over 1/2lb lighter than a 261. I think a 550 and a 026 are probably very close in weight. The 261 is a very nice saw, but it just isn't as nimble as a 346. I owned a 261 for over a year. I tried to love it, use it, and give it a fair shake. But it just didn't feel right in the hands to me. I also ran the 261 and 346 (both stock) in the same log with brand new RSC chain and there was absolutely no difference in the time. I'm sure the 261 is "right" for some, but not for me. It just doesn't do what a 50cc saw should as well as the 346.

 

[bower4311]

Since you have stihl's, it would make since to stick with them. The 550/346 are great saws but for the larger wood, the 261 would be a little better. I sold two 260's to buy my 261 and have it ported. The power it makes is unreal for a 50cc saw. Brad is right, you will not want to pick up that 441 as much and the 261 is way ahead of the 260 in comfort and air filtration. If you buy a 261 and have it ported, you will not be sorry and you will spend less time running saws.

Let us know what you decide.

I think I will stick with Stihl just because of the bar and chain situation.

That would be an interesting challenge. The 261 is just an all around far superior saw. I'm talking AV, air filtration, power, etc. The 026/260 is a great saw, but it's a couple decades old saw, and has it's limitations.

Power isn't the only issue in this situation. I could not afford to buy and port a 261, so right now it's a ported 260 or stock/MM 261. Even though this topic can get ugly this thread has seemed to be pretty good haha. I've gotten a lot of good information. I am really leaning towards porting the 260 because of its weight and how nimble it is. But I do have a question, what is the advantage of the air filtration? Is this a problem with other saws because everyone talks about the 261 air filtration. Also, AV isn't really an issue for me. I could care less in a 50cc saw. Once I get an explanation on the air filtration, besides the 261 being a new saw, the other big advantage is that I could port it down the road and it will be better than the 260 ported now. But, I am a bit content on staying with my short term game plan, that is a light nimble but powerful when necessary limbing saw. The ported 260 I'm sure would keep up with the stock 360. That combination means that I don't need a third saw (two people working anyway) and, I get basically a near 360 power in a light nimble 260 package. Best of both worlds. Why would I keep the 360 when I could turn the light 260 nearly or possibly better than a 360. I'd have to get a second opinion on that, but I'm sure the ported 260 would be the same if not better than the 360 for the bar size I need (16").

 

[o8f150]

this is my 346xp after about a dozen tanks through it,,, but of course it was masterminded

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/41A6Ax1U1YI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Philip Wheelock]

Do you think a ported 260 would be faster in buried 12-18 inch wood with a 16 B&C than the same setup with a 261 just MM?...

No one can answer that for sure. If the stock 260 isn't making it for you, just let it go. Best business move is to sell it along with the 360 and put the money towards a new MS261, 550xp, or MS261 C-M when it comes out. Most likely you can earn the extra money for a new 261 in a day's work. I'd probably wait a few months for the 261 C-M to show up.

I have a stock MS260 Pro that I use pretty much every day. It's my best-running saw and most useful. I have two air filters for it, which I rotate every 8 hours and dust with a bit of compressed air in between. You can tell the difference in power with a clean air filter.

 

[blsnelling]

I think I will stick with Stihl just because of the bar and chain situation.




Power isn't the only issue in this situation. I could not afford to buy and port a 261, so right now it's a ported 260 or stock/MM 261. Even though this topic can get ugly this thread has seemed to be pretty good haha. I've gotten a lot of good information. I am really leaning towards porting the 260 because of its weight and how nimble it is. But I do have a question, what is the advantage of the air filtration? Is this a problem with other saws because everyone talks about the 261 air filtration. Also, AV isn't really an issue for me. I could care less in a 50cc saw. Once I get an explanation on the air filtration, besides the 261 being a new saw, the other big advantage is that I could port it down the road and it will be better than the 260 ported now. But, I am a bit content on staying with my short term game plan, that is a light nimble but powerful when necessary limbing saw. The ported 260 I'm sure would keep up with the stock 360. That combination means that I don't need a third saw (two people working anyway) and, I get basically a near 360 power in a light nimble 260 package. Best of both worlds. Why would I keep the 360 when I could turn the light 260 nearly or possibly better than a 360. I'd have to get a second opinion on that, but I'm sure the ported 260 would be the same if not better than the 360 for the bar size I need (16").

The 260 has an extremely restrictive filter setup. It's a limiting factor in the performance of the saw. The 261 has one of the best on any model saw made.

 

[old-cat]

You ask about air filtration. I just learned or am learning a little trick with the MS260 air filter. I recently got aquainted with the 034/ 036 saws and their air filtration, it works VERY well! So I applied the same little trick to my 260 and my MS361. The air has to pass through a screen before it gets to the filter, it WORKS great!