Looking to buy first saw... Opinions???

[racerjohnbf]

Hi everyone! I've been lurking on here for a month or so, but this is my first post. I'm looking to get my own saw and would like some opinions.

I don't use a saw a lot (except at work), but I'm tired of having to borrow my dad's Stihl 028. I will most likely get a Stihl as that's what I'm most familiar with.

After reading on this site for a while I have come up with what seems like my best options. I would like a little more power (but not a lot more weight) than the 028, because most of what I'll be cutting will be hickory unless it's storm clean-up. I do most of my own repairs on small equipment. I am far from a pro, but I like the idea of getting a project saw. And I'm not sure if I can justify buying a new saw for my limited use (although the wife has given the OK).

Anyway here is what I have narrowed it down to from most to least expensive...

If I buy new it will be either a Stihl MS261 ($450) or MS362 ($560).

Or look for a running, used Stihl 036, MS360 or MS361. (not sure what a good price is)

Or find a project 036, 360... Where is a good place to find a project and what should I expect to pay?


All opinions welcome!

Thanks in advance!

John

 

[roberte]

Its just my opinion,
Get a new saw first as long as the war dept errr, the wife has already signed off.
Then get a "project saw". If you go the other way you may just get A project and still borrowing your dads saw.

 

[northmanlogging]

For used saws there is always the dreaded PAWN SHOP really though I've made many a good score at pawn shops and they usually let you start em up first. If they don't let you start it and see how it runs, don't buy anything from them, ever...

Don't discount some of the older saws (the ones starting with 0xx). If you do get a new 260, make sure its got the oil adjuster on it (mine don't...)

My personal opinion is to avoid buying engines etc, from fleebay, parts yes complete engines or saws no, because you can't see inside or test run the thing before you're stuck with it

 

[dl5205]

Looks like you're wanting a Stihl.

Make yourself happy and get a 440.

New, Good Used, Thrashed, or Basket Case.

If you don't pay too much for the condition of the saw, it would be hard to go wrong.

 

[angry inch]

you might call chainsawr he has used saws. there a sponser of this site 802-533-7133

 

[Guido Salvage]

Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. Don't rely on the opinions and biases of others, go out and run a few saws and you will find one you like. Buying a saw without trying it out is like agreeing to an arranged marriage...

 

[plymn]

Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. Don't rely on the opinions and biases of others, go out and run a few saws and you will find one you like. Buying a saw without trying it out is like agreeing to an arranged marriage...

Very good point, decide what you want/need then work on sourcing it.

BTW..........really nice looking 036 for sale in the trading post for $350 shipped.

 

[tallguys]

Obviously the 028 you borrow has worked well for you and you want to stay with Stihl. Just buy that 261, take care of it and enjoy it for the next 20 years or better.

 

[nstueve]

Its just my opinion,
Get a new saw first as long as the war dept errr, the wife has already signed off.
Then get a "project saw". If you go the other way you may just get A project and still borrowing your dads saw.

I've got to go the other way on this. If you have a saw available to you it's a good time to learn the mechanics and find a good project saw. I hate to say the worse the condition the better off you'll be but... If you force yourself through a full rebuild then you will understand the mechanics and trouble shooting TONS better. That means you can usually skip the saw shop and fix on site or order parts yourself. It also means you're saving money and not having to trust someone else with your saw. There's good shops out there but I would rather have the ability to fix my saw in the field and trouble shooting little stuff. Less wasted time wasted, more money saved, and more time to CUT!

Make yourself happy and get a 440.

Too big for the average user... A good 60cc platform saw is the way to go... The OP is spot on looking for a 036.
Keep in mind you can look for an 034/360/036 parts saw OP... Also you can go to local saw shops and just tell the mechanic or parts guy that you want something to tinker with and politely ask if you can buy and old parts saw from them. Most smaller dealers have plenty of parts saws. The Jonsered saw dealers should have tons of parts saws from the $100 trade in credit they give. You can watch ebay but they are expensive, you can also ask on the swap meet thread but you'd probably end up paying ebay prices to get enough parts shipped from 3-5 different people... But worth asking.

 

[roberte]

Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. Don't rely on the opinions and biases of others, go out and run a few saws and you will find one you like. Buying a saw without trying it out is like agreeing to an arranged marriage...

but my opinion rocks more :greenchainsaw:

 

[RogueWave]

Ms 261.

 

[dl5205]

Too big for the average user... A good 60cc platform saw is the way to go....

Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man. - YouTube

 

[racerjohnbf]

Thanks everyone, lots of great opinions! I wasn't expecting this many respones this fast. At first I had decided on the 261 then after reading a bunch on here I'm not sure if it will be enough saw.

I would love to get an 044/440 but that's too heavy a saw for my one saw plan... But who knows, the more time I spend on this site the closer I get to catching CAD lol.

I've run the 028 side by side with the ms290 we have at work. And just holding them in one hand they feel about the same weight, but the ms290 fees much more heavy when cutting. That's why I started thinking about a 60cc saw.

It seems $560 is a good price for the ms362, but it's the same weight as the 290. Maybe it feels better cutting, but I don't have one available to try out.

I like the idea of building a saw from the ground up as a good learning experience. So maybe that's the way I'll go. Just don't want to spend a much on an old beat up saw as on a brand new one lol.


Thanks again and keep 'em coming!

 

[D&B Mack]

For Stihl, the 261 is a great saw. However, IMO, 60cc is the best size for a one saw plan. The 361 is my personal favorite of the series. I think the 362 feels like a block after using a 61. You can find a 361 in the 350 to 400 range in good condition. If you are going 50cc's with Stihl, I would pay the extra cost to go to the 261 over a 260, the performance difference is very noticeable.

 

[Jlhotstick3]

I have a 260 which I love and I also have a 361 which I also love, at work we just started getting the 261's and I'm pretty impressed with the new 261 seems to have a lil more power than the 260 but seems a lil bigger. I never ran a 362 only saw them in the store, but out of the three saws you won't be disappointed with any, I would lean toward the 361 because you can put a 20 inch bar on it and it'll handle it or a 16 and rip through everything , jus my opinion tho, good luck!

 

[XSKIER]

Those prices in the first post are 20% off retail. Your stihl dealer must really like you a lot to offer that kind of deal. If I was faced with your decision, I'd buy a new MS261 with 16" blade .325" chain. Use it as your go to saw, then pickup a MS440 or MS460 with 25" blade 3/8 chain as your project saw.

 

[Abflyboy]

Opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. Don't rely on the opinions and biases of others, go out and run a few saws and you will find one you like. Buying a saw without trying it out is like agreeing to an arranged marriage...

My ... ahem ... OPINION . . .
MS660 with 20" bar

 

[struggle]

If most of your cutting will be mostly under 20" diameter stuff then the MS261 all the way.

With a 20" bar you can cut a 36" diameter down if you needed to.

It is nice to have big bar saws but if your not making money with it then smaller saw sounds like it would serve you better.

I have MS261 and muffler modded it and it hauls. Great great saw. Excellent choice

Remember we around here like to think bigger is better so it is easy for us to spend your money on a bigger machine

 

[gcsupraman]

The OP is spot on looking for a 036.

Agreed

The first saw i ever owned was a 260pro.....after a year I traded it in for a 360pro. I think a 60cc saw would be perfect.

 

[roberte]

My ... ahem ... OPINION . . .
MS660 with 20" bar

View attachment 276811
But with a 32"
In MY Opinion, go big or go home