Plastic saws!

[blis]

Which Stihl models were you handling?

The pro models are still metal (magnesium) cased with plastic handles and covers and feel pretty solid to me. Sure, the plastic homeowner saws are a different matter, but the mag cased pro saws are designed for and have proven trackrecords for durability and longevity.

Front handle is also plastic?

 

[TooTall999]

"If a 30-year old abused chainsaw still runs, I wonder what some of the current plastic chainsaws will be doing after 30 years of use and abuse?"

I doubt they want something to last that long. More profit for them if they sell a bunch of the plastic jobs.

It's called planned obsolesence,almost every manufacturer could build products that would last alot longer,but then sales would drop due to products not failing.They can't wear out too quickly,or sales will drop,but they can't last too long for the same reason.

 

[SawTroll]

Front handle is also plastic?

The grip area of them are on the 361, but not the mounting area....

It isn't the same thing as the plastic handles of the consumer saws.

 

[deezulsmoke]

Does anyone have some close up pics of a stihl plastic crankcase that they could post ?? I have never torn one apart or seen one up close before. I have messed with the mag cases but not plastic. Just wondering how you replace bearings, ect. on the plastic cases ?

 

[reifsnyderb]

Which Stihl models were you handling?

The pro models are still metal (magnesium) cased with plastic handles and covers and feel pretty solid to me. Sure, the plastic homeowner saws are a different matter, but the mag cased pro saws are designed for and have proven trackrecords for durability and longevity.

I was looking at the MS390, with a 20 inch bar. This saw is almost $500. For that amount of cash, I guess I am asking too much to have metal handles and covers. I wonder how much the older chainsaws, with all magnesium housings, fuel and bar oil tanks, metal handles, etc., would cost today in inflation-adjusted dollars?

 

[computeruser]

I was looking at the MS390, with a 20 inch bar.

That would explain it. Go pick up a 440, side-by-side with the 390. The weight and overall dimensions will be about the same, but the feel will be different. Neither is going to feel like an old metal-top, metal-handle saw, of course, but there is still a noticeable difference.

The homeowner line of saws, including the 290/310/390 family, utilize the same sort of plastic engine cradle setup that is also used in the MS250 on down. It is a fine design for the saw's intended market and it helps keep costs down, but they just don't feel especially durable, do they? I've owned and run saws in the 290-series and they are durable and reliable saws, if somewhat underwhelming on the performance side of the equation, but they feel strange in your hands if you're used to a saw with more metal in it.

Congrats on your purchase of an 041. Those were and remain good, solid saws. You'll be hard-pressed to find a modern saw in that displacement class that can approach the torque that those old flat engines produce. And if you're used to cutting with torquey saws then you definitely made the right choice. I look forward to seeing some pics of that 041 at work!

 

[reifsnyderb]

That would explain it. Go pick up a 440, side-by-side with the 390. The weight and overall dimensions will be about the same, but the feel will be different. Neither is going to feel like an old metal-top, metal-handle saw, of course, but there is still a noticeable difference.

The homeowner line of saws, including the 290/310/390 family, utilize the same sort of plastic engine cradle setup that is also used in the MS250 on down. It is a fine design for the saw's intended market and it helps keep costs down, but they just don't feel especially durable, do they? I've owned and run saws in the 290-series and they are durable and reliable saws, if somewhat underwhelming on the performance side of the equation, but they feel strange in your hands if you're used to a saw with more metal in it.

Congrats on your purchase of an 041. Those were and remain good, solid saws. You'll be hard-pressed to find a modern saw in that displacement class that can approach the torque that those old flat engines produce. And if you're used to cutting with torquey saws then you definitely made the right choice. I look forward to seeing some pics of that 041 at work!

Ok, that explains it. I thought that was a professional-use saw. I just checked Stihl's website and they have it listed as mid-range. But, all that plastic....for almost $500?

The 041 is a story unto itself. Here it was mis-represented on e-bay and is in horrible shape. (It does run, however; but the clutch is burned out.) Fortunately, the seller and I have been e-mailing back and forth and it turns out that he placed it on e-bay, by the seller, sight unseen and going by his friend's word that it was in "good mechanical condition." (It was his friend's saw.) So, to make a long story short, he is sending me half my money back and I have an 041 parts saw on it's way. The saw I have coming needs some of the good parts on the saw that I have now. So, once I have the parts saw in hand, it shouldn't take more than a couple weeks or so to get everything cleaned-up, painted, assembled, and running properly. I am looking forward to having it up and running. Eventually, I'll probably get both saws running so I have a backup.

You are right, I am used to running an old, all metal, saw. My dad has some old all-metal saws that I have been using. Then, there is his Poulan...but that is another story.....


Regards,

Brian

 

[GASoline71]

Ok, that explains it. I thought that was a professional-use saw. I just checked Stihl's website and they have it listed as mid-range. But, all that plastic....for almost $500?

Go down just a little further on that drop menu on Stihl's site and you will get into the professional saws. The mid range saws are still in the "homeowner/occasional use" category. The Pro lineup starts with the 260.

The 041 is a pig. It is one cool-azz saw, but it is a heavy vibrating monster. I had one. I miss the way it sounded, but not the numb hands after a day of cuttin'.:biggrinbounce2:

Gary

 

[computeruser]

Ok, that explains it. I thought that was a professional-use saw. I just checked Stihl's website and they have it listed as mid-range. But, all that plastic....for almost $500?

Yeah, that's why the 290 makes sense within its market niche - 3.8hp for $340 - but the 310 and 390 make progressively less sense.

Good luck with the 041 rebuild. When it is all said and done you will have a saw that is both fun to cut with and a source of pride to own!