Advice Requested On Which Stlih To Purchase

[MARK ANDERSON]

I AM NOT A "LOGGER" BY TRADE. I MY FIRST AN ONLY SAW IS A STLHL 028WB WITH AN 18" BAR. HONEST TO GOD IT RUNS AS GOOD TODAY AS THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. I CUT MAYBE 5 CORDS OF WOOD A YEAR. IT HAS ONLY REQUIRED THE BASIC AS FAR AS REPAIRS. I HEARD FROM MY STIHL DEALERSHIP THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DISCONTINUE MAKING PARTS FOR THE 028 IN THE NEAR FURURE. WITH THAT IN MIND, I AM GOING TO SELL THE SAW. WHAT SAW SHOULD I REPLACE IT WITH? I'M NOT "LOADED", BUT I'M A FIRM BELIEVER THAT YOU SHOULD BUY THE BEST THAT YOU CAN AFFORD. MODELS THAT I AM CONSIDERING ARE :260, 260 PRO, 290 SUPER FARM, M310, 360 PRO AND THE 390. I KNOW THAT MOST OF YOU THAT WILL REPLY ARE "PROFESSIONALS" AND WILL ALWAYS GO FOR THE "TIM TAYLOR" MODEL (MORE POWER). BEAR IN MIND THAT WHAT I CUT, YOU WOULD CONDSIDER AS RECREATIONALY. WHAT SAW DO YOU FEEL WOULD BEST FIT "MY" NEEDS? HOPE THIS QUESTION ISN'T LIKE THE QUESTION, "WHAT DEER RIFLE SHOULD I BUY." I HOPE THE ANSWER IS MORE CUT AND DRIED. THANKS FOR ANY INPUT.

 

[MARK ANDERSON]

Thanks for the reply.

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
First, turn off the caps lock. No need to holler, we can read lower case just fine.

The MS260 is the current comperable saw to your old 028. The 290/310/390 series are junk homeowner saws only recommended by Stihl dealers or people who have never owned a better saw. The MS360 is another step up in size from the 028/ MS260. A couple pounds heavier and more power for bigger logs.

Why would you get rid of your 028 if it runs perfect?

Sorry for the caps. I do it because I am lazy. Whoever thought up that caps is yelling is probably about 18 years old. Anyway, iIm going to sell the saw because parts will be unavailable to mein the near future. I have had no problems to date, but what if? I've looked on Ebay and I should get around $200 for the 028. considering what i paid for it, that i wont be able to get parts and what I can buy a new saw for, I consider it a "No brainer." Thanks again. Mark

 

[MasterBlaster]

Keep yur 028 and run it til it don't run no more.

During that time, save for a brand-new saw.

 

[ricksvar]

You already have a good saw that should be able to handle anything the smaller saws you've noted can handle.The MS360 should be the ticket if you're hankerin to get a more powerfull saw and it has to be a Stihl.I would not put a bar longer then 20" on it.

I hear Stihl is comming out with a 361.You might want to wait awhile and check it out before you spend any money.

Rick

 

[Wade Huggins]

I wouldn't rule out the possibilty of trying a husqvarna or jonsered either. They are really good saws as well, I am by no means knocking stihl I think all 3 saws are pretty equal. They all have good and bad features. You might also find out you like the feel and balance of one of the saws better. I use to run the 046 religiously until I stumbled on to the 371 now 372, I just love the way it feels in my hands and it has been one of the most dependable saws I have ever ran. Anyway, shop around and read some more opinions, you will get a wide variety of feedback here.........Wade

 

[ricksvar]

If I had a good runnin 028 and wanted to take a step up in performance the 044 or 372(yeah baby)would get my consideration.

I would hold onto the 028 and use it as a backup and on the floppers.

Rick

 

[buckwheat]

yup. hang on to the 028 until you can't get it fixed anymore, then go for a new one.

but if you must, and if its gotta be a Stihl....
5 cords/yr. = ms250

 

[Lumberjack]

Before I knew the difference I bought a 250 instead of getting the 260 or the 260 pro. However I am very happy with it, and its cutting performance. I paid $300 for it, with the toolless adjuster (great buy!). If your saw is running fine, then I would keep it. There will be parts for it for a while to come IMO.


Carl

 

[tony marks]

my compliments on u taste in saws..
what i did was get an oleo mac 962..
it got the same feel as the 028 and 13 more cc. not to high priced either. but dang good piece of equipment..it really makes me feel like i gotta 028in my hands and with good cut settup is a lot stronger . i use 16bar an chisel.. it stays in its power in anything.. plunges like one o them electric meat carvin knives
good luck.

 

[sedanman]

As others have already said, the 028 will be serviceable for MANY years to come. If you had an extra clutch, intake boot, fuel line and impulse line you'd be good to go. Have the carb re-built before the diaphragms get hard and keep fresh fuel with the good oil in and it should not need any of the parts your dealer is saying won't be available. BTW, I have a Jonsereds 49SP that was made in 1975 and parts for that have been extinct for years....................I can still get the stuff I need to keep it running.

 

[stihltech]

028

Don't sweat the parts issue. I, and many others here, are still repairing them weekly, if not daily. Boxes of good used parts around.
If you must and can afford a 260 get it. A 250 would be my second choice.
Email me and I will clue you in on how to make it perform like a 260.

 

[shoot501]

If you sell the 028 you'll be sorry, if you just have to have a Stihl make it the 026/260. I'd rather have a Makita/Dolmar 520i for firewooding. IMHO

 

[Fish]

IGNORE BRIAN!
HE IS A TROUBLEMAKER!

 

[jokers]

Hey Fish,

Isn`t this where you are supposed to say buy a Stihl 029 Farm Boss Pro?

Russ

 

[tony marks]

yea fish u slippin fello

 

[DirtTroll]

MS 260 pro. The pro over the normal only for the adjustable oiler. Set the oiler wide open and forget about it. The saw is balanced for the 18" bar, so get the 18" bar. I love mine.

You'll be pretty impressed with the light little saw. It has the same power as the 028 WB but alot lighter.

 

[jokers]

Hi DirtTroll,

Sorry to say that I disagree with you on buying the 260 Pro for the adjustable oiler. Initially I thought it would be an improvement, but on the three Pros that I`ve bought in the last two years, the oilers all seem anemic compared to the older standard 026s and a new one I picked up last year. I haven`t had any issues with lack of lube really but I like it when the chain is wetter than what the adjustable oiler gives you. I also have a deep rooted dislike for the Intellicarb with the fixed Hi speed, but I believe the newest ones are again fully adjustable. That`s something I`d check before buying a new one. Other than that, the 260 is rock solid in my opinion.

Russ

 

[Grateful11]

> Sorry for the caps. I do it because I am lazy. Whoever thought up that caps is yelling is probably about 18 years old.

Shouting or not I personally have a hard time reading it and I have 20/20 vision.

Anyway keep the 028 because I doubt you'll ever be able to wear it out. I have an MS250, it was a gift, and I really like it but it doesn't have the power of an 028. My old 028WB needs some minor work but still runs good.
Grateful

 

[Fish]

WHATTT???!!!
SPEAK UP!!!!!

Slippin???
Don't start no shxx and there won't be none!!!!!!