Final suggestions for firewood saw

[FatGuy-LttlCoat]

hi again. First off, i want to thank everyone that posted in my last thread. The info you all gave me helped a lot in stearing me in the right direction. And now its time for me to come to a final decision, and again i turn to you for your experienced advice.

Ok, heres the background info modified from the last post.

Im buying a saw for my dad for christmas(hes 58). He currently has an 028 super, which he has had for.....well, longer then i can remember. He mainly uses the saw for cutting the firewood for us each year(i figure between 7-10 cord, but i havent done any official calculating). . We've got 2 piles 30-40 foot logs that we use for wood, so for the next 3 years or so he doesnt have to drop any trees, just cut the pile of logs up. I'd say 90% of his saw usage is our firewood.

I've narrowed it down to Stihl, since theres a dealer right here in town. And from the last thread, i've had suggestions of:

MS 361- $590
MS 280- $430
MS 260 pro- $520

The 280 has the option of a tool-less chain adjuster,(which seems like a good idea to me, but what do i know) what do you guys think of it? That raises the price from 430 to 480. Another option they had was for a second chain brake, (which is icluded in the $480 for the 280, but adds like an extra $100 on the 361). Any opinions on this?
The majority voted for the 361, but is it worth the extra $150 for it(over the 280). So, with all that info, from my stand-point, which saw would you buy?

One last thing, how do those prices look. Do they seem steep, or is that generally what the saws go for.

Sorry for the long post, once i get going, it takes a while to stop...lol

I wanna thank everyone for all the help. This is a great site, full of very kind and helpful people. And it has been a very enjoyable experience(for the week that i have been here).

thank you again for all the help you have given me

 

[gslater]

Just bought a 361 last week. The dealer listed price was $590, but he gave it to me for $370. Also got a case and a 2nd chain together for $30. And a free Stihl hat.

As for the chain quick adjuster thingy, the main comments I think people have made about it is that it's not so desirable. If it were that great, it would be on the higher-end pro saws, but it's not. Just one more thing to go wrong.

 

[litefoot]

I know you're thinking the extra $$ for the 361 might be tough. But think about it this way. You're making Dad's life easier by having a saw that cuts faster. He won't have to work it so much.

But what he might like even better is for you to grab that old 260 or 280 and get out there and help him!!!!

P.S. The quoted price, $590, is what 90% of us will pay. gslater's price is a little hard to believe (or as Troll will subsequently point out, maybe a misprint).

 

[gslater]

I haven't run a 280 to compare it to my 361, and I haven't run anything in the past few years other than my father-in-law's 5 year old Husky (not sure of the model), but that 361 is SMOOOOOOOOTTHHHHHHHHH, and that could be a factor when buying a saw for Dad. Perhaps the 280 is equally smooth, but somehow I kinda doubt it.

 

[SawTroll]

....
The 280 has the option of a tool-less chain adjuster,(which seems like a good idea to me, but what do i know) what do you guys think of it? That raises the price from 430 to 480. Another option they had was for a second chain brake, (which is icluded in the $480 for the 280, but adds like an extra $100 on the 361). Any opinions on this? ...

Just steer away from those features, they are designed to solve "newbee problems" that will not exist for your dad, as he is accustomed to chainsawsaw use.
The quick adjuster is a maintenase pita, as it dicourages proper bar maintenance - and the QSS chain brake is a potensial safety hazard if you get accostumed to it, and it suddenly doesn't work because a wood-chip or something block its function - and it isn't needed in the first place......:angry2: :angry2:

Both features also add weight to the saw.

 

[SawTroll]

... gslater's price is a little hard to believe.

I believe that has to be a misprint - probably 570......

 

[SawTroll]

...and just get the 361 for him!:biggrinbounce2:

It weights about the same as his 028, and has a lot more power, much better anti-vibe, and much better air fiter system.

The 280 weight nearly as much as the 361, and has a lot less power, but still more than any 028 version. It is not a full blown pro saw, if that matters.....

The 260 is notisably lighter, but has bad anti-vibe and air filter system. Power vs the 028 depends on wich version his 028 is - could be a bit less, and could be a bit more.

 

[daemon2525]

I noticed that the 260pro is on your list.

Do not let me convince you of anything because I have never ran a 361.

I chose the 260 because I am a relatively small man, and thought that I would like the lighter saw. If your father is small or aging and could benefit from a lighter saw, then the 260 should be considered. Otherwise I think that the group will recommend the 361.

I love the small compact power of the 260. It blows away my friends 029s.
I have 3 different friends that own 290s, and they have used my saw and like it better than their own. It easily keeps up with the 29s and feels much more solid.

I originally thought that the 29 was on the list, and now I see that it is the 280 and I did not want to scrap my post, so I edited the thing.

 

[Scooterbum]

Go to your dealer and run them both.

 

[FatGuy-LttlCoat]

thanks again for the suggestions. I was leaning towards the 361, due to the massive support for it by the members here. That and the fact that if he thinks its to big for him, he can take it back and get what he wants, but the supprise will still be there. However, if i went with a smaller saw, and he wanted a bigger one, he could take it back, but then have to pay some to get a bigger saw. This way its all on me.

And about going to the dealer and running them both, I admitted in the last thread that i didnt know much about saws, and i'll say here, that i have never run a saw....yet that is. So i wouldnt have any impact on me how one felt vs another one. But i do appreciate the post. thank you

 

[infomet]

Dad's Saw

Yep, if he's 58, it's time to get out there with him.
Wilson

 

[jefeVTtreeman]

i would go for the 361 and i think you should at least get some free chains or chaps this time of year. The dealer around me dont like dicounting thier saws but they always make it up with free stuff. if they know its a gift then they will know you will be back. I like the idea of going for the more expensive one so he wont have to pay more if he decides to change saws. I hope my wife thinks the same way and parks the porsche in the driveway so i can trade it in for a new gt 500 shelby.

 

[SawTroll]

Yep, if he's 58, it's time to get out there with him.
Wilson

Very true, but 58 is not old age today, so there is no reason to let the age restrict the choise of saws......

 

[gslater]

I believe that has to be a misprint - probably 570......

OOOOOPS!!!!!! Sorry 'bout that. It was indeed $570. I WISH it had been $370. Too many damn numbers running around here on the saw forum. And speaking of which, has Stihl always used the "MS" designation in their saw model numbers, or is that something that was added, perhaps to aid in the distinction between Husqy model numbers and their own?

Here's a list of saw model numbers: 260, 280, 290, 310, 350, 353, 357, 361, 390, 441, 455, 460. Some Stihl, some Husqy, some both. No real apparent rhyme or reason to the numbering scheme. Can drive a newbie crazy!

 

[Logjam]

Get the MS 361. Your Dad will be exstatic when he uses it.
As a matter of fact. Once you cut with it, you'll want to get one for yourself.
Kinda Father-Son thing!

Pull the Pin...... Go get it........... Your Dad deserves it!

 

[Wes]

To cut that much wood, I would also suggest the extra $$ for the 361. Then again, none of your choices are bad saws at all.

 

[FatGuy-LttlCoat]

thanks for all the comments. I'm going out monday to buy the saw, and i think for sure i'll go with the 361. And i guess it's about time for me to pick up the old saw, and some pointers from the old man.

thanks again for the help

 

[Logjam]

thanks for all the comments. I'm going out monday to buy the saw, and i think for sure i'll go with the 361. And i guess it's about time for me to pick up the old saw, and some pointers from the old man.

thanks again for the help

Your Welcome!

Keep us posted on how it goes when your Dad unleashes that saw for the 1st. time.
It should be a good story

 

[tek9tim]

Good choice. The 361 is a nice saw. I hadn't run 260s until recently, when I've been using one to clear out snowshoe trails. With full chisel chain, it isn't too bad if you aren't looking to get done too quickly. In fact, I thought to myself as I was bucking up a 24" cottonwood that I had just dropped "Man, I sure wouldn't want to get firewood with this thing." The 361 is a lot better.

 

[tek9tim]

Oh yeah, and to go along with everybody else again, you should be out there with him too. (not to discount what your dad's capable of) Heck, I've been the workhorse for both my mom's and my dad's firewooding since I was about 15. I go home every spring and spend about a week getting their wood in. Good times, my girlfriend runs the 044 for the small stuff, I run the 460 in big wood, we all split, and mom loads the truck. (and she's over 60)