Recommendations for a bigger saw

[KMB]

I own a stock MS 260 with a 20" bar and use it for cutting firewood and whatever pruning needs to be done around the yard. This has been my first saw since I started cutting firewood 2 years ago, and I love the saw. I like cutting so much that I want to start cutting firewood to sell. I plan on keeping my 260. I want a bigger saw to get through the larger logs faster. I'm new to this forum and I've found a lot of good info about saws here. I'm sold on Stihl's, so that's where I'm basing my choices. I've been considering the MS 310, 390, 361 and 440. I'm on a tight budget, and from what I've found for the prices for a new saw, the 310 is realistically my max for a brand new saw - the other saws I've mentioned would have to be used or for a really good deal brand new. Even though I'm not a pro who uses a saw every day, I really like what I hear about the 361 - realistically a used 360 Pro or a 036 Pro. A used 440 (or 044) would be nice, but I don't think I really need a saw that big...or do I? I'm not to sure about the 390 - same weight but more power than the 310. I'm in good shape - about 6'2" and 205 lbs, so the weight won't bother me. just wanting the best bang for my buck. I live in southwest Arkansas and cut mostly oak. I hope I've given enough info to get some advice here. Thanks and sorry for being so long winded.

 

[pallis]

Where at in Southwest Arkansas do you live? I hear the 7900s run great there.

 

[Simonizer]

I own a stock MS 260 with a 20" bar and use it for cutting firewood and whatever pruning needs to be done around the yard. This has been my first saw since I started cutting firewood 2 years ago, and I love the saw. I like cutting so much that I want to start cutting firewood to sell. I plan on keeping my 260. I want a bigger saw to get through the larger logs faster. I'm new to this forum and I've found a lot of good info about saws here. I'm sold on Stihl's, so that's where I'm basing my choices. I've been considering the MS 310, 390, 361 and 440. I'm on a tight budget, and from what I've found for the prices for a new saw, the 310 is realistically my max for a brand new saw - the other saws I've mentioned would have to be used or for a really good deal brand new. Even though I'm not a pro who uses a saw every day, I really like what I hear about the 361 - realistically a used 360 Pro or a 036 Pro. A used 440 (or 044) would be nice, but I don't think I really need a saw that big...or do I? I'm not to sure about the 390 - same weight but more power than the 310. I'm in good shape - about 6'2" and 205 lbs, so the weight won't bother me. just wanting the best bang for my buck. I live in southwest Arkansas and cut mostly oak. I hope I've given enough info to get some advice here. Thanks and sorry for being so long winded.

Try not to rush this purchase. Save up and get a new MS460 if it at all possible, 28" bar, 75ga. chain.

 

[KMB]

Try not to rush this purchase. Save up and get a new MS460 if it at all possible, 28" bar, 75ga. chain.

I am in deed planning on saving my pennies, but why your suggestion of the 460?

 

[KMB]

Where at in Southwest Arkansas do you live? I hear the 7900s run great there.

I just outside of a small town called Stamps, AR. I'm at the southwest corner of the state - near the Louisana and Texas state lines. I'm not familiar with the 7900s - what make is that?

 

[Simonizer]

I am in deed planning on saving my pennies, but why your suggestion of the 460?

You already have an excellent 50 cc saw. The 77 cc MS460 is a quantum leap up in power and keeps your performance between the two from overlapping. Saws too close together make one-another semi-redundant.

 

[KMB]

That makes sense, but the price of a new 460 (I believe it retails for about $800 with a 20" bar) is out of my league - maybe a used one or a used 046.

 

[West Texas]

If you are happy with the 260 and would just like to have a 'second' saw that is larger and you have budget restrictions, then be realistic; don't be bowled over by the people of this web site, who think you should have a modified motorcycle engine (044, 046 and 088) as a minimum; that's tongue in cheek of course. But the guys on this site tend to 'over recommend' what a normal firewood guy needs.

As you will note in my 'signature' below, I've got a 260, 360 Pro and a 361 -- all of which I bought used; yet, all three were also almost new too. I saved at least $200 over each saw's "new list price." You should be able to get a good 036/360 Pro or even a 361, pretty soon, when all the Hurricane people put their saws up for sale on ebay or drop them off a local pawn shop. I paid $300 for my 360 Pro from a pawn shop and it still had the paper bar code on the front of the saw. It will run a 20" bar perfectly balanced; and, has all the power you will need to mow down SW Arkansas.

I cut oak today and only used the 260, even though I had the 360 Pro along. I enjoy the greater powered saws and they are fun to work with; but, the wood in your area and mine rarely demands more than the 260. Its a pro saw and it will take heavy duty work.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[West Texas]

And Stamps, AR is East of Texarkana, between Lewisville and Buckner. I'm sure you all know where that is? He's closer to a Wal-Mart than I am though, ours is 83 miles away.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I think West Texas put it well. A nice, big powerfull saw is always good to have, but for firewood use, any of the saws you mentioned would work fine. Though the 44 and the 361 would have a much easier time at it. The 310 and 390 are designed, built and marketed as firewood saws...must be a reason for that. I will say that if you're gonna look at the 310, save a bit longer and get the 390. They weigh the same, and with the 390 you get a decomp valve, and more hp. It'll cost a bit more, but isn't the jump up to the 361. And then you can do what I did-buy a saw to get started with, in my case a 310, use it for a while sell it and then move up into a 361. From there, I've bought and had and sold a good number of saws, keeping the ones in my signature, but it all started with the 310.

Jeff

 

[ehp]

If you can get a 361 then get it, it is a great saw and is really a nice saw to run just open your muffler up and you will have a nice powered chainsaw, The 361 is nicer to run than some of the other stihl's to me, it has a better vibration system which to me means alot and is nice and light

 

[Al Smith]

Try not to rush this purchase. Save up and get a new MS460 if it at all possible, 28" bar, 75ga. chain.

Simon please enlighten us as to what,pray tell,a 75 ga. chain is.

 

[KMB]

If you are happy with the 260 and would just like to have a 'second' saw that is larger and you have budget restrictions, then be realistic; don't be bowled over by the people of this web site, who think you should have a modified motorcycle engine (044, 046 and 088) as a minimum; that's tongue in cheek of course. But the guys on this site tend to 'over recommend' what a normal firewood guy needs.

As you will note in my 'signature' below, I've got a 260, 360 Pro and a 361 -- all of which I bought used; yet, all three were also almost new too. I saved at least $200 over each saw's "new list price." You should be able to get a good 036/360 Pro or even a 361, pretty soon, when all the Hurricane people put their saws up for sale on ebay or drop them off a local pawn shop. I paid $300 for my 360 Pro from a pawn shop and it still had the paper bar code on the front of the saw. It will run a 20" bar perfectly balanced; and, has all the power you will need to mow down SW Arkansas.

I cut oak today and only used the 260, even though I had the 360 Pro along. I enjoy the greater powered saws and they are fun to work with; but, the wood in your area and mine rarely demands more than the 260. Its a pro saw and it will take heavy duty work.

Good luck.

Tom

Thanks for the info. I have been looking on e-bay the last week or so and looks like there are some fairly good deals. Sounds like you got some sweet deals on your 361 and 360 Pro - I hope one day I can find those type of deals. I do like my 260 - just want something bigger. Like you said - a 'second' saw. I guess I'm developing a liking for saws - I love cutting wood. It will/would be fun to have more power in my hands on some of the bigger stuff - but I'm trying to be realistic regarding budget and what is overkill in saw size.

 

[Simonizer]

Simon please enlighten us as to what,pray tell,a 75 ga. chain is.

It's an Oregon chain, (number stamped on the drivers). Specifically, it is 3/8" pitch with a driver width of 0.063"

 

[KMB]

And Stamps, AR is East of Texarkana, between Lewisville and Buckner. I'm sure you all know where that is? He's closer to a Wal-Mart than I am though, ours is 83 miles away.

Sounds like you know exactly where I am. I've only been there a little over 2 years. Actually I'm a 'transplanted' Canadian. Kinda long story - the short version is I met a girl down here, and decided to move here out in the country. I'm from the city of Edmonton, Alberta - about 2000 miles north and west from where I am now. The main complaint about the south is the heat during the summer. The winters here are like Fall back home

 

[KMB]

I think West Texas put it well. A nice, big powerfull saw is always good to have, but for firewood use, any of the saws you mentioned would work fine. Though the 44 and the 361 would have a much easier time at it. The 310 and 390 are designed, built and marketed as firewood saws...must be a reason for that. I will say that if you're gonna look at the 310, save a bit longer and get the 390. They weigh the same, and with the 390 you get a decomp valve, and more hp. It'll cost a bit more, but isn't the jump up to the 361. And then you can do what I did-buy a saw to get started with, in my case a 310, use it for a while sell it and then move up into a 361. From there, I've bought and had and sold a good number of saws, keeping the ones in my signature, but it all started with the 310.

Jeff

A 310 or 390 is probably what I need...but I like what I've heard about the 'pro' features of the 361 (360, 036). It'll all come down to dollars and cents when I make a purchase. Starting with the 310 - like you did - might be the realistic thing for me to do - unless I can find an awesome deal on a used 361, 360 or 036.

 

[Al Smith]

It's an Oregon chain, (number stamped on the drivers). Specifically, it is 3/8" pitch with a driver width of 0.063"

I understand the 3/8" by .063,but the 75 ga. doesn't match with anything,hmm.The 75 on the driver signifies .063 but the ga does not match any chain I could find.Maybe it's a west coast thing.

 

[TonyM]

Dolmar PS7900. Best 80cc saw out there right now. And priced considerably better than an MS460, and more powerful, lighter, with a better warranty.

Dolmar

 

[pallis]

I put in some time at Caddo Gap years ago. Tony is right about the 7900 Dolmar/Makita, more juice and less weight than the 460, easier on the budget too.

 

[asb151]

If you can hang on a little while longer and save a few more dollars I'd say go for the 361. I used my friends a few months back and I liked it a lot. I would not hesitate to buy one. Of course Husqvarna would have to go out of business first before that would happen.