Possibly purchasing stihl 034, good price?

[walkerat]

Guy in my neighborhood is selling a 034 for $200. It's the regular av not super. I've done some research on it and the jury seems to believe it's a good reliable saw. Going to use it for firewood and occasional felling. Seeing it tomorrow but guy says it's been garage kept and in good shape. New chain.

So would this price be a good deal? He seems pretty firm.

Thanks

 

[watsonr]

The only draw back on that model is that it cannot be upgraded to the 036 easily. If it was an 034 Super...

$200 for a nice clean saw is a pretty good deal.

Welcome to the site. Good luck!

 

[sld961]

It's a fair deal, not a smoking deal, and not top of the mark. I sold one that looked really ugly for 225. See if he will throw in any goodies to sweeten the deal. Screntch, case, bar oil, extra chains, extra bars, etc.

 

[fearofpavement]

For that amount it needs to be in good operating order.

 

[SEAM]

The only draw back on that model is that it cannot be upgraded to the 036 easily. If it was an 034 Super...

$200 for a nice clean saw is a pretty good deal.

Welcome to the site. Good luck!

Well, the 034, 034S and 036 all have the same stroke (34 mm)... The 034 and 034S share the same crankcase. Should be possible to upgrade if desired...

 

[MasterMech]

The 034 Super is for all intents and purposes, the same saw as a 036. My understanding is all that is required to convert an 034 AV to 034S/036 specs is the top-end swap and either 036 plastics or trimming the 034 plastics where necessary. Some trimming of a cylinder fin is also required?

 

[watsonr]

There is more to it than that IIRC... something like the wrist pin is smaller on the 034.. I'm pretty sure something about the crank/rod are different and you can't just take an 034 and make it an 036. Like a crank swap? I may be mistaken, wouldn't be the first time. The 034S to 036 yes. Muffler and top cover are different as well.
IF it was that easy, I'd never sell 034AV kits and I sell a bunch of them.

 

[sld961]

Check out this thread for upgrading to 036. It's not hard http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/stihl-034-upgrade.56561/

 

[XSKIER]

Great saw, sweet deal!

 

[SEAM]

There is more to it than that IIRC... something like the wrist pin is smaller on the 034.. I'm pretty sure something about the crank/rod are different and you can't just take an 034 and make it an 036. Like a crank swap? I may be mistaken, wouldn't be the first time. The 034S to 036 yes. Muffler and top cover are different as well.
IF it was that easy, I'd never sell 034AV kits and I sell a bunch of them.

According to the ipl, the 034 and 034S seem to have the same crankshaft&rod...

 

[mopar1rules]

$200 is a good price for a nice condition 034 in fine working order. I paid $235 for mine a few years ago. I still have it and love it to death. Great throttle response, light weight, decent power, and IMO one of the best saws for firewood cutting. Keep a 16" bar on it and you will be happy. Side note.....I've never had 1 problem with my 034 either. Works every time.

 

[teacherman]

Today you could easily get twice that for it.

 

[Brushwacker]

The only draw back on that model is that it cannot be upgraded to the 036 easily. If it was an 034 Super...

$200 for a nice clean saw is a pretty good deal.

Welcome to the site. Good luck!

I run and ran mostly the supers and a 36 or 2 or more. Ran a plain 034 w a 20in bar a year or so and really didn't notice the difference. It was a strong saw with a 20in bar. If it has a good top end would leave it that way.
I agree it sounds like a good deal.

 

[Brushwacker]

Today you could easily get twice that for it.

Old thread...

 

[teacherman]

Yeah, but it shows the increase in popularity of the oldies. The 034 and the Super are really awesome to use. Of all the Stihls I’ve had the past dozen or so years, the 0_4 series are my favorite of all. I have decided to have those be the ones I keep as I recover from CAD this year. I had a specimen 034 Super, almost like new, I got for $450 two yrs ago, which was unfortunately stolen from a storage unit last yr. I was looking at them yesterday, and they’re asking well above that for ones that look “well used.” Same with the more widely acclaimed 44.

 

[Brushwacker]

I didn't expect they went that high frequently. I have a few 34 and 36 fixer uppers I haven't got to.
I am with you on the 0-4 series of saws. 034, 044, 064 have been my staples. When it comes to smaller saws i prefer the 025's. They cut like a mini 034 and handle almost effortlessly to me.

 

[Harmon]

Back in 2008 I think I gave $300 for a near mint 034. It was in the suburbs of northern Illinois. At the time I thought it was a screamin deal compared to what a new saw would cost. That thing made me some money, it was my first real saw... It grew legs and walked away with an ex not long after she became the ex (also my weber grill. I mean what the hell.)

 

[Yukon Stihl]

Back in 2008 I think I gave $300 for a near mint 034. It was in the suburbs of northern Illinois. At the time I thought it was a screamin deal compared to what a new saw would cost. That thing made me some money, it was my first real saw... It grew legs and walked away with an ex not long after she became the ex (also my weber grill. I mean what the hell.)

I love my Saber grill and my Stihls ,if watching them leave with the x would have sped up the process i would have helped her load up.
Sometimes the price is worth it.