American - German Stihl's

[WoodTick007]

I just picked up a like new Stihl 034av today for $150 with a case.

Questions

1.) What year did Stihl stop making the 034av in Germany and when did they change from Aluminium handle bars?

2.) How can I tell if my 034 is the smaller or larger bore?

3.) Do you think that the German made saws are better quality than the saws made in America?

Thanks for you input on this!

 

[bwalker]

.) Do you think that the German made saws are better quality than the saws made in America?

I dont think the German saws are of any better quality than the US made ones. Sames parts, same tooling, same saw. FWIW I have owned Stihls made in both countries and can not tell a differance.

 

[BostonBull]

No matter where the saw is mad it is still made withthe same parts and to the same speciications as all other Stihls. In america for instance Stihl is the biggest plastics manufacturer....PERIOD! They are also one of the top in the world, and they only produce plastics for themselves. NONE of their products are private labeled, and they are stillfamily owned and strictly dealer supported. Ill pay a little more for a great product with great principles.

 

[PES+]

http://www.stihl.com/werksfuehrung/motorenteile/kunststoff.htm

 

[PES+]

I have a theory regarding mental capacities versus exposure to military hi intensity radio waves but my thesis isn't finished yet.......Virginia Beach ground zero

 

[bwalker]

I have a real hard time believing Stihl is the # 1 plastics mfg in the USA.

 

[PES+]

They aren't by a long shot...see previous post

 

[BostonBull]

Why would Stihl be promoting themselves as the number 1 in the country? Risking a false advertisement lawsuit and humility?

Post some eveidence of them not being.

I only have what the head US reps have told me and the materials I have been shown to go on.

 

[bwalker]

I have been in injection molding factories that service the auto industry that are likely bigger than Stihls Virginia Beach plant.
How many saws does Virginia beach make per year. How many cars does GM make per year? Think about it.

 

[WoodTick007]

Saw Age And Displacement

I just picked up a like new Stihl 034av today for $150 with a case.

Questions

1.) What year did Stihl stop making the 034av in Germany and when did they change from Aluminium handle bars?

2.) How can I tell if my 034 is the smaller or larger bore?

3.) Do you think that the German made saws are better quality than the saws made in America?

Thanks for you input on this!

Can you tell me the CC and approximate age?

If you would like I can start a "Who's the largest Plastic Injection Molder in America" post. Just let me know...

 

[Tree Farmer]

I have 034, great saw. The 034 is 56.5 cc and I think 034 Super is 61.5 cc same as an 036 It would say "super" right on the name plate.

 

[Lakeside53]

Never go by the name plate - they get changd around all the time - measure the bore though the exhaust - 46mm and 48mm...

The plastic handles appeared late 90's... Became standard on the MS360, and were sold as a spare part for the 034/034S/036. The Tube handle is also still available as a spare part.

They didn't "stop" making the 034/034S in Germany - at some point the USA started making them also... Serial number starting with a 1 is German, 2 is USA.

 

[musch]

Based on all the bins I see everywhere, I would imagine Rubbermaid is pretty big too! :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[PES+]

The largest injection plastic manufacturer in the USA is Proctor and Gamble

 

[THALL10326]

I have been in injection molding factories that service the auto industry that are likely bigger than Stihls Virginia Beach plant.
How many saws does Virginia beach make per year. How many cars does GM make per year? Think about it.

In 1997 Va Beach produced 1 million motor units. This year they will produce over 4 million, thats at Va Beach alone. Not a bad growth for 10 years, 300-400%. Counting the other factories they have around the world its hard to say how many million units they will produce this year.

In America they may or may not be the biggest in plastic but remember alot of cars on the road have plastic components in them made by Stihl, mainly Mercedeces and BMW.

 

[PES+]

Not quite

Stihl does magnesium casting for those manufacturers....not plastics...they claim they do 75% of their own plastics but that number is in doubt

 

[manual]

The largest injection plastic manufacturer in the USA is Proctor and Gamble

I would also say Matal is up there too.
They even make the M-16 stocks.

 

[Lakeside53]

Stihl does magnesium casting for those manufacturers....not plastics...they claim they do 75% of their own plastics but that number is in doubt

How do you know they don't make 75% of their own, or don't make plastic parts for others?

You can't get all of the picture just from the promotional section of the German web site!

 

[manual]

I would also say Matal is up there too.
They even make the M-16 stocks.

Barbie Dolls

 

[PES+]

I have seen the numbers they are looking for in their suppliers/vendors section.

I am in stages now to offer something unique to the arborist and pro woodcutter. Stihl has forgotten what made them their name in the first place and their pro line is no better nor worse than the Husky pro line...and BOTH are headed downhill fast.....the sheer numbers of production and the consumer market does absolutely NOTHING for the professional. Stihl has decided to take the Elux approache and the pro market is suffering because of it.

Tell me the story of how every item Stihl makes is performance tested and tuned before it leaves the factory.