Another saw selection thread...

[altonj]

I know... there are a lot of them... but each situation seems to be slightly unique.

I've been using saws for the better part of 30 years in stops and starts. Bought a little Poulan Pro 260 (42 cc / 18" bar / all stock) about 6 or 7 years ago for a specific job and it's been working fairly well for me - though I must admit that working on larger logs gets tiring.

About 18 months ago we installed a wood burning insert in our fireplace and are using wood as a 'primary' source of heat keeping the gas furnace as a backup. Depending on weather of course - we go through about a cord or so a week, averaged over the season - and this is Southern Ontario.

My parents have a farm nearby where I get most of my wood... others (friends/family) know I burn wood so trimming jobs often come my way. I'm often working with trees where I have to take that Poulan all the way around the base in order to cut the stump off level to the ground.

Since the activity level picked up I've been thinking about getting a better saw and relegating the Poulan to trimming and small/dirty work or tasks where the chance of damage is high. I like Jonsered, Husky and Stihl... due to local dealer and service support I'm thinking that Stihl is the way to go.

The quick adjust on the bar of the Poulan is fubar'd and I was in at a local service shop to order a replacement bar and they just happen to have a Stihl MS 290 on sale... a little over $100 (Cdn) off the regular price.

My question is... would that saw be big enough for what I do? My intent is to cut down on some of the time and effort expended on the larger logs.

Thanks for your time,
Jim

 

[pbuehning]

I've had a MS290 (running .325) for 2+ years and it hase been a good reliable saw. If you toast the P&C due to lean running, it becomes a throw away due to the high labor charges and the way the saw is built(not a pro saw). But if you take care of it - it will due the job for not allot of money. Having said that I now have a 361 (lots of $$), but I flat out love it - there is no comparision between the two.

 

[ktoom]

I think the MS 290 would be a good choice for what your looking to do with it.

 

[altonj]

I've had a MS290 (running .325) for 2+ years and it hase been a good reliable saw. If you toast the P&C due to lean running, it becomes a throw away due to the high labor charges and the way the saw is built(not a pro saw). But if you take care of it - it will due the job for not allot of money. Having said that I now have a 361 (lots of $$), but I flat out love it - there is no comparision between the two.

And there's the rub... I'd rather pay more and spend the money once as opposed to jumping on a sale and not getting what I really need.

Thanks for the info.

 

[bytehoven]

And there's the rub... I'd rather pay more and spend the money once as opposed to jumping on a sale and not getting what I really need.

Thanks for the info.

If you really want to pay a little more, and get a saw that will out perform and out last the 290, see what kind of deal they will give you on a MS361.

If they were giving you $100 off the 290, that might mean you could get the MS361 for under $500, which is a steal.

 

[TDunk]

The 290 is a good saw, and for what your planning on doing, it's probably about the size. BUT, the 361 has had nothing but good remarks. And for a little bit more $, you might be better off. (it's better to have to much power and not use it, than need it and not have it) But cash talks so get wha tyou can afford.

 

[pbuehning]

But he's talking canadian $, no where near 500.:censored:

 

[TDunk]

But he's talking canadian $, no where near 500.:censored:

Well, i never said i was the sharpest chain in the box. my bad

 

[SawTroll]

opcorn: Just get a MS361, and be done with it! :greenchainsaw:

 

[Timberhauler]

Ditto on the 361

 

[computeruser]

Assuming you are not going to be in 30"+ wood on a regular basis, I'm going to second the sentiment that an MS290 would be a good choice for the use you anticipate putting it to.

The MS290 has a lot going for it as a homeowner/landowner saw. It is relatively inexpensive (especially on sale!) for its power output and it is a durable, proven platform. It is not without its vices, of course, with its power-to-weight ratio and plastic chassis/horizontally-split motor among them. But for the guy who just wants to have a saw that will run when he asks it to and will cut some firewood, it is a fine choice.

I owned an MS290 for a few years, a few years back. I gave it a pretty good workout in the years before I sold it to my father-in-law. It never gave me a lick of trouble, and was probably the most monotonously reliable saw I've owned. It will be happiest with .325" pitch chain, and can run up to a 20" bar with this chain in hardwoods and produce satisfactory results.

Sure, you could spend more and get an MS361 but it doesn't seem like you really need to. Now if you want to, that's another matter. But purely on the basis of need I suspect that the MS290 will give you years of good service.

 

[altonj]

Thanks

Wow... I can't believe how active this board is. Thank you for all the feedback.

As for the 30"+ wood being the norm... no... not in diameter anyway. Lots of stuff in and around the 25" range though.

The gist I'm getting is that the MS 290 is a good saw... the MS 361 is a better saw. And I assume it's safe to say their both a big step up from the PP 260.

When I'm back at the dealer/service shop tomorrow getting the new blade for the PP260 I'll take a better look at the 361 (if they have one there). And I'll see if I can justify the price difference to myself. I may end up telling the dealer to give me a call when they have a deal on the 361.

Thanks again... sharing your experiences and knowledge is greatly appreciated.

 

[FourMoCajuns]

A cord a week huh? The 361 would make the most sense to me. More money yes but also longer life and the ability to tackle larger jobs more easily not to mention the rebuildability (word?) and less wear and tear on the human machine.