Buy new or rebuild. Input please...

[J_Ashley]

So for the past few weeks I've been looking at an MS460 Arctic to replace my 290 for full time cutting. I'm out in the shop the other day, and happen to notice a rather large saw on the shelf missing it's covers and cylinder. Sure enough, it happens to be a 460mag the customer chose not to repair. I asked my manager, and for 50 bucks, it's mine. The rod is sized on the crank, it's missing the piston and other small parts, and the rear handle is broken. I would probably have to spend 400 bucks on parts, plus my time to get this think running again. On that note, I can get a new 460mag for less than 700 bucks at work.

I need some insight here as to weather saving a couple hundred dollars would be worth the hassle of rebuilding the dead saw. Also, the dead one doesn't have the arctic option, which i would like for wintertime use Advice, comments, thoughts, testimonies, insults or threats would all be appreciated. Thanks!

Justin

 

[computeruser]

I guess it depends on how much you value your time. If this is actually a saw you intend to make money with, that you actually need, I would imagine that you would be better off buying one new, under warranty, and putting it to use immediately. Now, if this is simply something you could use at work but don't truly need, then by all means take it on as a project.

Were it me, I guess I would just pay my money and buy the thing new. But that's me - I have little patience or time for tinkering with mechanical things anymore, preferring to have things that work right now to things that might work in the future.

Or you could just buy both...that might be the most entertaining option of all!

 

[ButcherGY54]

I would rebuild the saw. As a mechanic, I am always fixing or hot rodding something. Plus this is a good opportunity to learn the inner workings of a saw if you do not already know. Plus you can hot rod the saw and not have to worry about voiding the warranty.

David

 

[PWB]

And don't let the "arctic" part affect your decision. You're in Kentucky for god's sake! you guys don't get any cold weather, at least not from the point of view of some of us!

 

[Fish]

Sounds like the parts will cost more than you think, unless you can get them at dealer
cost. Even so, you would still be better off buying a new one
And so you guys up north don't think we have any cold weather down here, It actually was cold enough here to SNOW down here TWICE last winter!

 

[smokechase II]

You're better off buying a new saw for full time.
But, having that $50 parts saw was probably a good purchase.

 

[046]

sounds like a parts saw.

I'd pass if it's missing any amount of small parts, which are a pita to chase down and replace.

sized rod could mean new crank and rod assembly. way better to start with a saw complete and runs.

just found a used MS460 for $180 that runs great!
that price was exceptional, but you get the picture.

 

[jokers]

happen to notice a rather large saw on the shelf missing it's covers and cylinder........The rod is sized on the crank, it's missing the piston and other small parts, and the rear handle is broken. I would probably have to spend 400 bucks on parts, plus my time to get this think running again. On that note, I can get a new 460mag for less than 700 bucks at work.
Justin

Justin,

Let`s fully consider the information that you have given us. The saw needs a new crank/piston rod assembly, cylinder/piston assembly, tank assembly, cylinder cover, air filter and cover, and carb? Does it have a clutch cover? Other parts not mentioned but implied include a wrist pin bearing, intake boot, crank bearings(not sure if they are included with the crank on this saw) and seals plus a gasket kit, maybe even a throttle linkage. I think you will have way more than $400 in parts in this saw. Shop cost on the cyl/piston and crank will be that much anyway.

I guess that you might as well price the parts out while at work just to be sure, but if your boss would give them to you at cost, wouldn`t he give you a new saw at cost?

Russ

 

[Vman]

buy the new one and get the old one for parts too....before it gets cannabalizied at your shop!

 

[bcorradi]

Buy the parts saw and sell it on ebay and use the profit towards the purchase of a new 460.

 

[neverenough]

Arctic option...in Ky....Hehehehe....LMAO. I live in MN and find no need for it, but then again, I don't wear gloves until it's about 10F or colder. I could see it being handy for the Canadian boy's and others, living above the 49th.

As far as the saw goes, make sure you include ALL possible parts needed when you figure out the EXACT cost of rebuilding the saw. If your like me, and find working on projects like that, for yourself, enjoyable and not caring about the time involved, I would say go for it. Even if you only save $150, but end up with a like new saw, IMO it would be worth it.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Buy the new saw and for $50 buy the parts saw too. I think that building a saw from the parts you describe would be a fairly large undertaking and costly as well, and I think more costly than you're anticpating. So do you work in a saw shop? If so, it might be a different story, but if you work in a saw shop I don't reckon you'd need to ask us either way.

And I'd strongly reconsider the Arctic option on that saw. Not because you live in KY (I'm from IN on the Ohio River, so I know that it gets cold down there) but because I'd think you'd need to do alot of cutting (almost full time) in cold weather to justify it. But that's just me. Money for that option is money that can go towards a dual port muffler front, an extra chain, a full wrap handlebar (if you're a fan of those like I am.), etc. If you really want it, go for it.

Jeff

Jeff

 

[J_Ashley]

Joker, the covers and cylinder were detatched, sitting next to the saw. I should have stated that.

I do work in a saw shop and i get merchandise at a discounted cost, this goes for parts as well as a new saw. The 400 dollar figure i stated covered the crank/rod assembly, piston kit, bearings, seals, gaskets, carb gastket kit, new rear handle/tank housing, and other small parts I can't remember. I tried to be fairly considerate of missing and unanticipated parts when i put together an estimate. the 400 dollar figure i feel is a pretty safe estimate for parts cost. As for the artctic option, it's debatable. Thanks again guys.

Justin

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Well if you can get everything for that cheap, and you know what you're doing behind a wrench, then I'd say it's up to you. Heck, you could buy an Arctic handlebar and convert the parts saw to one.

Jeff

 

[Simonizer]

Buy a new one. Don't play around. Cheers.

 

[stihltech]

parts

This sounds like the old saying "The best thing you can do is jack up the radiator cap(gas cap in this case) and put a new car (saw) under it."

Parts only, unless you find enough used parts to make it go. And you have lots of time to kill.

 

[J_Ashley]

haha, i like that one stihl tech. Thanks guy for all the responses. I think I'm going to wait untill I'll be able to use the saw a lot (spring time maybe) and spring for the new one. On that note, of anyone needs some 460Mag parts, drop me a line.

Justin

 

[Fish]

Just for the record, I called it first! I would like to see your price list, even at cost,
the parts bill should be prohibitive. Like said before, part it out on E-bay!

 

[jokers]

Just for the record, I called it first!

That`s only `cause you can hang out and post here all day, the rest of us have to work for a living.

Russ

 

[J_Ashley]

Oh crap fish. I had 16 part numbers on the estimate i had printed. I'd wear myself out trying to type them all on here! lol I get stuff at 10% over cost, and i think the tally was like $397 for parts. BTW Fish, where's Beaver Falls KY? Anywhere near the laGrange/Louisville area? I predict an cahinsaw get-together in the near future. lol

Justin