My Lucky Purchase

[EJBM]

Tonight, I met up with a guy who advertised a "Stihl Mark II" chain saw. I am just getting more serious:newbie: into cutting wood since I just installed a wood burner in our log cabin.

I couldn't find anything on a Mark II, but wanted to see it anyhow. It actually was an 038 Magnum II, in mint condition, and I just bought it for $160. It has both a 16" bar w/ skip tooth chisel, and a 20" bar and some standard chain.

Everything I'm reading says I got a sick saw at an even sicker price.

What should I know about this saw? I realize it's heavy, but I'm fairly strong. What are the common maintenance issues? What preventive maintenance should I be doing with it? Is this saw dangerous for a moderate novice (I have used a chain saw before, but nothing big like this ... I had a little Homelite). Did I really get a great deal like I think?

Eric

 

[Scandy14]

You stole that saw!

 

[clearance]

Welcome to the site, and yes you stole it. I bought an 038 mag2 in '88. Good saw. The only problem I had with it, and it was a little thing but a big problem and that was the stop, start, choke switch screwing up. It is really the only fault of this saw. Thats about it.

 

[greengoblin]

You stole that saw!

Yep, you sure did steal it... Got one for $200 that was in really good shape and I thought I got a hell of a deal on that..

 

[2cyblowtrch]

EJBM, Immediately pack that nasty 038II up and send it to me!! I'm one of the few people that know how to deal with that weapon, I'll even give you $190 and
pay shipping!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some guys have all the luck.............

LJ

 

[EJBM]

I was going to buy a new 361 ... but it was almost $600. How does this compare?

 

[spacemule]

I was going to buy a new 361 ... but it was almost $600. How does this compare?

That's easy. Buy a 361 and see for yourself. :yoyo:

 

[greengoblin]

I was going to buy a new 361 ... but it was almost $600. How does this compare?

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe that the 361 is a higher revving saw and the 038 is torquier. The 361 is I believe around 60 cc and the 038 is 72cc. I have buried the bar on my 038 in wood before and you really have to lean on it to stop the chain.

 

[BIGBORE577]

I certainly do not know as much as most of the others that are residents to this site. However, I do know your saw deal was Sweeeeeet! I look forward to any further reports.

 

[aquan8tor]

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe that the 361 is a higher revving saw and the 038 is torquier. The 361 is I believe around 60 cc and the 038 is 72cc. I have buried the bar on my 038 in wood before and you really have to lean on it to stop the chain.

You are correct sir.

http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.n...7075902d4e40af8c88256dee005d2ee8?OpenDocument

 

[clearance]

That's easy. Buy a 361 and see for yourself. :yoyo:

I have ran both, new. The 038 mag 2 is a heavier and more powerfull saw. Except for the switch I spoke of earlier, a tougher saw as well. $600 more, no way, not worth it.

 

[ShoerFast]

Tonight, I met up with a guy who advertised a "Stihl Mark II" chain saw. I am just getting more serious:newbie: into cutting wood since I just installed a wood burner in our log cabin.

I couldn't find anything on a Mark II, but wanted to see it anyhow. It actually was an 038 Magnum II, in mint condition, and I just bought it for $160. It has both a 16" bar w/ skip tooth chisel, and a 20" bar and some standard chain.

Everything I'm reading says I got a sick saw at an even sicker price.

What should I know about this saw? I realize it's heavy, but I'm fairly strong. What are the common maintenance issues? What preventive maintenance should I be doing with it? Is this saw dangerous for a moderate novice (I have used a chain saw before, but nothing big like this ... I had a little Homelite). Did I really get a great deal like I think?

Eric

The basic 038 was built for the more tropical areas, it had additional cooling. To me, it seemed a little close to the 041, when it first came out, till you run one!

 

[Pablo26]

Nice! Give us a photo of that baby if you can.

 

[joesawer]

There is no need for skip tooth chain on a 16" bar. It has a high kick back potential. You might want to get a full comp with reduced kick back potential.
Btw. you got a great deal, I love those saws.

 

[clearance]

There is no need for skip tooth chain on a 16" bar. It has a high kick back potential. You might want to get a full comp with reduced kick back potential.
Btw. you got a great deal, I love those saws.

You might want to stand to one side, so you can run whatever you want and be safe. Skip on a 16, no way, too much chatter. I would run a 24", I like to stand up.

 

[romeo]

Welcome to the site, and yes you stole it. I bought an 038 mag2 in '88. Good saw. The only problem I had with it, and it was a little thing but a big problem and that was the stop, start, choke switch screwing up. It is really the only fault of this saw. Thats about it.

A friend had the same problem on one, he kept buying the switches and they kept wearing out. I just cut the wire off the switch an added a momentary button on the side of the saw. But its a good saw, he has beat the tar out of it for 20 years and it still runs great.

 

[EJBM]

Some pics

Nice! Give us a photo of that baby if you can.

Here are some pics

 

[spacemule]

That last picture shows some crud build-up on the lower cylinder fins. You should keep that cleaned off, as it will drastically affect the saw's ability to cool.

 

[rb_in_va]

Everything I'm reading says I got a sick saw at an even sicker price.

That's sick, sick, sick!







anyone remember Adam Lucas?

 

[Stihl #1]

That saw looks really good. This has been said before, but the older saws are cool and neat and fun to run, but when I need to cut I am going to grab the newest thing I can. The MS 441 is so smooth and powerful for its weight, as well as the MS 361, and for little stuff the MS 270 or even the MS 170 are so much easier on my body, that I don't want to cut with an older saw that just plain beats me up! I have 2 XL12's, an 031, 032, and even an old 020 that I have cut a lot of wood with, but not any more. I just ran the new MS 192 rear handle today, and it is so light and easy to use, that I don't care how slow it is.
But I digress...I remember when I was in Florida 15 years ago, a logger would back up to the shop with a pickup load of broke 038s, about once a month, and kick them out of the truck. I would do what I could by swapping parts around to get as many going as possible. Once running and tuned, I would squirt silicone into the carb adjustment screw holes to keep the operators from leaning them out. "Cause we all know that leaner means faster in the cut, right????
Those were tough old saws, and I think Stihl builds them in Brazil even today.
So anyway, have fun with your special deal and just be careful with it. Put some RSC3 chain on it and enjoy!