ms 390 bashing

[clearance]

I have been reading a lot of you're posts lately Jeff, and you are a man of reason from what I can tell. And.... You just hit the nail on the head!!!!!! It is not a pro saw! It is not meant to be, but for persons like myself that don't run them all the time in the woods, they are awsome! If you are running one day in and out to make a living, pony up the money and buy the pro model!
Andy

There you go, its a good weekend warrior saw, thats all, good post.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Wow, you guys flatter me. Yes, I owned a 310 and it did everything I asked of it, firewood-wise. I started working more timber and spending alot of time behind saws so I needed to rearrange my quiver. I've done that, but never regretted owning or running the 310.

Jeff

 

[nilzlofgren]

It makes me feel alot better knowing that I made a good choice for the work I want the saw to do. Also I want to thank everybody for their input and for the warm welcome!

 

[sawn_penn]

Don't worry about the pro/non-pro thing unless:

1. You are trying to earn money with the saw, and you're not earning enough because the saw is holding you back.

2. You're totally loaded and NEED to have that modded 3120/880Mag with 60" bar and harvester chain for pruning the bushes at the mansion.

3. You use the saws enough to wear them out before the models change anyway.

4. You post messages on Arboristsite.com. Lord help us.

5. You are falling dodgey trees where cut speed = safety.

6. You race saws, and having the baddest saw is the sport you play.


Seriously, how many of us drive "pro" cars? How many of us are stressed about driving a "non-pro" or "not-quite-pro" car?

I drive a ten year old Corolla. I figure that has as much credibility as my saws. It gets me to where I want to go just as well as a more expensive car.

 

[PWB]

Nothing wrong with the 390, my brother's got one. Hadn't run in two years, fired up about 3rd pull with old gas. Found this out when I went to help him with a big locust, 3 co-dominant stems, one fell directly beside his deck, just missed the house. That saw cut all day and didn't miss a beat.
These guys are right about addiction though! I've had an 034 super for about 15 years, great saw. Sometimes it's a little small, so when I had the opportunity to get a rebuilt 064 for a good price, I picked it up. A month or two later, I talked myself into a 153 Dolmar, it ran way to well and was too cheap to pass up with a good Cannon bar and new chain. Then there's the 084 I bought in pieces, along with the other one I bought for parts..... (great running saw now). Wife hasn't said much (can't!) because the wood heats the house and her hobby is a barn full of horses!

 

[Leebo]

Or at least a spousal support group so "SHE" understands and doesn't leave you?

My wife says "Well there are worse things that you could have brought home...like a pregnant 16 year old neighbor girl."

 

[BIG JAKE]

My wife says "Well there are worse things that you could have brought home...like a pregnant 16 year old neighbor girl."

I'd rather bring home the saw . Maybe it's time for a new site: Arboristwives.com maybe?

 

[NorthWoods]

I've got a 390 and like it. I bought it over the 290/310 because you gain noticeably more power with no more weight. Same reason I bought the Makita 7901 over the Dolmar 6400/7300. Same saw/weight, just more grunt...

My 390 is a couple of years old and didn't have the compression release on it. Its got a decent amount of compression and the release would make it a bit easier to live with. Overall, it's a darn good saw.

Dave

 

[sawinredneck]

Wifes not laughing at that one

My wife says "Well there are worse things that you could have brought home...like a pregnant 16 year old neighbor girl."

She didn't see the humor there! Anyway, my dealer asked what I was going to be doing and talked me out of the 440! H said "You're in Kansas, how often will you really need the 28" bar?" What are the odds, first tree I take down, 64" at the base! Paid a guy $30 to stump it for me, I can give him a couple more at $30 before I paid for the 440 though.
If I were to listen to a lot of the advice on this site though, I would have to run an 880 with no larger than a 20" bar and that might not be enough saw for some of the "larger" wood!
Andy

 

[THALL10326]

My wife says "Well there are worse things that you could have brought home...like a pregnant 16 year old neighbor girl."

HAHAHAHAHA, thats a good one for sure and true. Bringing home 10 grand worth of saws would go over much better than that 16 year pregnant girl with the wife. Dayummmmmmmmmm that was a good one,hahahahahahaha

 

[THALL10326]

Hello, I am new to this forum, and thought I would look up "ms 390" since I own one. I was shocked to find out that that the majority here, don't like the 390. Now I know that it isn't designed to be a pro saw, or would be the choice of loggers or land clearers, but I have an excavating business, and have used my 390 faithfully to cut driveways and clear as much as an acre or two at a time for horse pastures. As I said earlier I wouldn't expect it to work a 40 hour work week, but it isn't a bad saw. Also, I stick to a 20" bar only. Does anyone agree?

Looking at your post there it seems you have fallen into the trap of worring about what others are saying about your saw. Fact is if your saw is serving you well and you like it then you need not worry or care what others say at all. If it was breaking down all the time and spent more time in the shop than in the feild then its worth a look to find out what others have run into with the same model of saw. The 390 merely is not the most popular Stihl model for two reasons, neither which have to do with the quality of the saw. One is price and the other is weight. For the weight of it and price most would pass it to get a 361. For the price only and weight no issue most tend to grab the 290 or 310 overlooking the extra power of the 390. Some don't need the extra power or care about the extra power. None of those issues have anything to do with the quality of the 390 at all. I've sold many 390's and have yet to ever see one come back for service or had any compliants. The old 390's without the compression release were alittle tuff to crank but thats been taken care of on the new ones with the release now standard. It will serve you well just like you have said it does and thats what matters most. Sounds like yours is making you money and not spending time in the shop so I'd say you got a good saw there.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Yep. Hit the nail on the head. I probably remove two trees a month, yet I'm looking at my saw lineup and thinking, "a 260 'd fill a gap in the range", yet when a 460Mag comes along 2nd hand, I'm off chasing it. I hardly use the big saw I've got, so why do I need another big one?

Is there a 12-step program anywhere?

*sniff sniff* *Condescending look*


I don't have that problem. I don't go chasing saws I don't need.


I'm too broke!

 

[THALL10326]

*sniff sniff* *Condescending look*


I don't have that problem. I don't go chasing saws I don't need.


I'm too broke!

Hey Blue Ridge of Virginia where is your location in the Old Diminion, I'm in Leesburg...................

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

If I were to listen to a lot of the advice on this site though, I would have to run an 880 with no larger than a 20" bar and that might not be enough saw for some of the "larger" wood!
Andy

Ha! There are some short bar guys here. But it's often a regional thing. I run a 24" on my 361 and most guys here think that's insane. Here, it's normal and anything less is a waste of good hp. I don't pay much attention to "balance" either because once the bar is in the cut, it balances just fine!

Jeff

 

[stevieb]

Before I joined this forum a couple of weeks ago my chainsaw was well just a chainsaw. Slung it in the back of the van. But know im starting to care about it. Is this normal? do I need help? Should I be worried about my marriage?:monkey:

 

[THALL10326]

Before I joined this forum a couple of weeks ago my chainsaw was well just a chainsaw. Slung it in the back of the van. But know im starting to care about it. Is this normal? do I need help? Should I be worried about my marriage?:monkey:

ahahaha, thats a good post. At the rate your going you will soon be divorced, paying alimony and child support but you will be in saw heaven,hahahaha. I suggest counseling at your local Stihl dealer asap. Just messing with ya,hahaha.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Hey Blue Ridge of Virginia where is your location in the Old Diminion, I'm in Leesburg...................

Front Royal - I drive by you every day! Too expensive where you live!

 

[THALL10326]

Front Royal - I drive by you every day! Too expensive where you live!

Cool,love the Front Royal area, great mountian views up there on Skyline Drive. Front Royal is a neat town, really nice. Yes your correct about Leesburg, getting way too expensive.

 

[tonka]

A chainsaw used to just be a tool for me.

 

[sawinredneck]

OK, A little pissy now!!!!!!

I ran my 390 today with the 25" bar, ran great!!! Then....... I had to drop one tree, it had to fall, forest fire burnt the core and it was going to fall, I just guided it's direction. I cut maybe 1 1/2 cord (3 rick in my neck of the woods) but did not run it out of gas. Went to start it to drop the last tree would not start, for anything, would not start. Filled it up with gas, stgarted right up, then continued to die!!!!! Finally got it to run, but ran like crap the rest of the time!!!!!!! Temp was low 70's with 50% humidity, any thoughts?
Andy