Final suggestions for firewood saw

[computeruser]

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.

Well said!

 

[Greenthorn]

Speaking from my last month of research on getting a new saw - which became 2 saws... I would go with the 260 pro... that is just my opinion and I will leave it at that. Now I am pretty well a greenhorn and will be till I lay my saws down. I have been cutting firewood for about twenty years - and know what "I WANTED" So..., after 15 years of abuse of the ragged old XL's, 036 pro, 029's and 025's an occasional sachs and other husq's, I decided to upgrade to the newer saws.
First off, tried the MS260 pro ($469) Loved it from first hold and cut and bought it that day - can't say anything else about it, for "ME" it was perfect - 3 weeks and still ecstatic
- guess I will have to wait till fourth week rolls around.
Two weeks ago bought the 361 ($569) have 24" and 16" bar for it, I will not verbally dog the saw...but my 15 year old 036 pro has more torque and RPM's than the new 361 - is this true?? Well I don’t know about specification wise if it is true - but to me it is.
I feel, again this is me, the 260 pro would put up with anything the 361 could handle, for firewood. Now I have only used the 361 about 3 hours, so maybe I will appreciate it more in the next few hours of use. Now if I could just get rid of these other saws... I would probably appreciate it quicker, just still trying to get over the grand I spent.

 

[SawTroll]

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

That would be a (or two really) wery good move(s)......:rockn: :rockn:

 

[SawTroll]

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

Yes, but it need about 10 litres (15 tanks) of fuel trough it before it is broken in.

The power will steadily improve during that period, but it is pretty good from the outset also.........

 

[SawTroll]

Speaking from my last month of research on getting a new saw - which became 2 saws... I would go with the 260 pro... that is just my opinion and I will leave it at that. Now I am pretty well a greenhorn and will be till I lay my saws down. I have been cutting firewood for about twenty years - and know what "I WANTED" So..., after 15 years of abuse of the ragged old XL's, 036 pro, 029's and 025's an occasional sachs and other husq's, I decided to upgrade to the newer saws.
First off, tried the MS260 pro ($469) Loved it from first hold and cut and bought it that day - can't say anything else about it, for "ME" it was perfect - 3 weeks and still ecstatic
- guess I will have to wait till fourth week rolls around.
Two weeks ago bought the 361 ($569) have 24" and 16" bar for it, I will not verbally dog the saw...but my 15 year old 036 pro has more torque and RPM's than the new 361 - is this true?? Well I don’t know about specification wise if it is true - but to me it is.
I feel, again this is me, the 260 pro would put up with anything the 361 could handle, for firewood. Now I have only used the 361 about 3 hours, so maybe I will appreciate it more in the next few hours of use. Now if I could just get rid of these other saws... I would probably appreciate it quicker, just still trying to get over the grand I spent.

umpkin2: Odd story, that 361 can't be set up right - bring it back to the dealer, and make him adjust the carb correctly.
It should have slightly more max power, and a broader power band than the 036......

..the 260 shouldn't even be close, even though the 361 is not run in yet.umpkin2: umpkin2:

 

[adkranger]

Well I'm going to join the rest and recommend the 361. Not just because the rest did, I think it best fits your situation. Nothing wrong with the 260 IMO if you were merely replacing the 028 in kind. It has similar or better power in a lighter wieght. The 361 is roughly the same weight as a 028 with much better power, air filtration and antivibe systems. Go for it. Don't know much 'bout the 280 but would recommend the "Pro" saw for anyone who knows their way around a saw. Don't need the quick bar adjust, gimmicky IMO.

And yes, go out and rip some chips with the ole man. Learn safe saw techniques and it's always good bonding over power tools. If they make big noise and messes even better.:hmm3grin2orange:

Good luck and let us know the results after the holidays.

 

[Greenthorn]

Thanks for the advice Sawtroll, I have to agree it is odd, and I will take it back to the dealer, and see if there is some fine tuning that needs done to the 361 - before I start to tinker with it. Just wondering "specs-wise" if the 036 pro does compare up to the 361? I also agree and am sure that the 361 "should" run circles around the 260 pro, I was only assuming that for "just cutting up firewood" the 260 pro would suffice. Sometimes we get into 30 - 40 inch ash and oaks and others (why I also choose 361), just cut 32 inch osage orange that sure did a number on the chains today, but I guess I should not be cutting concrete "agent orange" with my new saw. Never the less the old 036 pro kept going... didn't hunker down or bog a bit. When starting to max out on the 361 it would bog down, so I will see what dealer says tommorow, needless to say - I really am happy with both saws - I've needed new saws for about 5 years. Mostly in the usual circumstance - just cutting up 20 inch or smaller - my opinion is that the 260 pro wood be sufficient for the task. Thanks again for the advice, pretty new here, and believe me I need alot of listening and learning. The site here has been excellent. Yep'er thinks me mights be hooked.

 

[ktoom]

A 24" bars sounds a little too big for a MS 361. Try droppin down the bars size to like a 20". How does your saw run with the 16"?

 

[SawTroll]

A 24" bars sounds a little too big for a MS 361. Try droppin down the bars size to like a 20". How does your saw run with the 16"?

Yes, but in west coast softwood it is reported the handle the 24", provided the chain is skip - but balance has to be really front heavy ( not good imo).

I don't really see the point in such a setup, even though it has been explained to me several times - a bigger powerhead has to be better for that bar length......

 

[Just Mow]

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.[/QUOTE]
Oh grasshopper, but it is available on a higher end pro saw.
It just became available on the 361.

As for if it works? It works fine, just a little more cleaning.

 

[Just Mow]

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

I have the extra chain brake on my 280 and love it. I wish I had it on my 361.
If I were buying a saw for my dad I probably would go with the 361 due to how much abuse it has been able to take. The 280 is a fine saw as well. Use it to clear cedar.
I haven't had to buy my dad a saw, but fishing gear is another story.
Of all the things he ever taught me that is the one I love the most.