Replaced old Homelite. Opinions?

[user 6147]

The old Homelite Super XL has broken down one too many times just when I need it most, so I went out and bought a replacement today. I need a saw to cut largish firewood to feed an old coal/wood furnace in a big old farmhouse. The Homelite was just about the perfect size for this, and has worked well for many years. The new saw I chose is a Stihl MS 290 Farm Boss with an 18 inch blade. Do you guys think it was a good choice?

I expect to repair the Homelite again and keep it going. But I need something reliable if I'm to keep the house warm this winter.

TJ

 

[SawTroll]

I have never even seen a 290 "live", as they don't sell them here in Norway.

From the substansial amount of feedback I have read on this and other forums, there should be little doubt that it is a reliable and long lasting model.
However, it is a "homeowner" design with plastic crank case and a bit much weight for the power. It is also lacking some nice features that is on the "pro" models.

To be honest, I don't understand why people buy the 290 and 310, when the 390 weights the same and has more power + compression release for easier starts. The 390 is the only saw from this series that Stihl offer over here......

I think the 18" bar is a sensible choise.

 

[16gauge]

Homelite vs. Stihl

The MS290 is Shihl's best selling saw according to the 2005 brochure. It does weigh a pound or so more than the 361 and 2+ more than the 260 but the cost is substatially less, new or used. I find it to be an excellent firewood saw for the money. BTW my first saw was a super XL. How would you compare the Homey to the new Stihl?

 

[Gumneck]

Just curious, how much did you shell out for it?

 

[computeruser]

In response to SawTroll's remarks, the reason why people buy a 290 or 310 is because it costs a goodly bit less than the 390. $310 versus $460 is quite a bit, especially as a % price increase. And once you get to $460, you have a lot better options than the 390.

The 290 is an excellent saw for home firewood use. The saw is durable, reliable, and surprisingly fuel efficient. Mine has been the least troublesome of any saw I have ever owned. You will undoubtedly get good use out of yours - you made a good choice. As for the 18" bar choice, I think that is a good match for the saw's power. In response to those who will undoubtedly tell you that you should return it and buy a bigger, pro saw (Stihl 440, 460, and Husqvarna 372 get mentioned a lot), the truth is that if you needed more saw, you would have known it.

Enjoy your new saw!

 

[user 6147]

Just curious, how much did you shell out for it?

$340, but it included full tanks of gas and oil, a blade cover, and an extra chain. Guy even fired it up for a brief test before giving it to me, which I thought was a nice touch. I maybe could have saved a few bucks by shopping around, but I needed a saw THEN.

I cut a face cord of firewood today, some sugar maple, some black cherry that came down in an ice storm two years ago. The 290 cuts as nice as the Super XL with a new chain, but is much easier on my aging 56 year old back. Starts about the same, well the same as the Super when it's working right. I had to open up the chain oil adjustment, but will check it again after using my oil a bit. The oil they provided seemed really thick and sticky in today's cold weather. (Cold for November - didn't get above freezing all day.)

TJ

 

[user 6147]

The 290 is an excellent saw for home firewood use. The saw is durable, reliable, and surprisingly fuel efficient. Mine has been the least troublesome of any saw I have ever owned. You will undoubtedly get good use out of yours - you made a good choice. As for the 18" bar choice, I think that is a good match for the saw's power. In response to those who will undoubtedly tell you that you should return it and buy a bigger, pro saw (Stihl 440, 460, and Husqvarna 372 get mentioned a lot), the truth is that if you needed more saw, you would have known it.

Enjoy your new saw!

Thanks. This is plenty of saw for what I need. I just want to cut 10-15 face cords of firewood a year, and maybe take out a wayward tree once in a while. I've toyed with the idea of cutting firwood for sale, but the truth is I'll probably never get enough time away from my farmwork to do that, too.

TJ

 

[sedanman]

TJ, Your Stihl dealer is bound by his dealers agreement to show you the features of your saw including how to safely start it. I know a guy that cuts about 75 cords of firewood a year to supplement his farming income, all with a 290. He gets about 4 years out of one then sells it for about 1/2 the cost of a new one and repeats the cycle.

 

[wagonwheeler]

Though I opted for the 361 my dealer really had sung the praises of the 290. Said he sells a ton of them and they just don't give problems.

Chaser

 

[user 6147]

TJ, Your Stihl dealer is bound by his dealers agreement to show you the features of your saw including how to safely start it. I know a guy that cuts about 75 cords of firewood a year to supplement his farming income, all with a 290. He gets about 4 years out of one then sells it for about 1/2 the cost of a new one and repeats the cycle.

That explains it, then. Nice idea on the firewood. I may try it yet.

TJ

 

[user 6147]

Though I opted for the 361 my dealer really had sung the praises of the 290. Said he sells a ton of them and they just don't give problems.

Chaser

This guy used to sell Homelite, back when Textron still owned the brand. When I walked in and said I was looking for something to replace a Super XL he immediately pointed out the 290. We talked about the others, but he seemed to think this one was the best deal for me. He also said it's his best-selling saw. Of course, the fact that he's pushing it may have something to do with that.

TJ

 

[jokers]

Hi TJ,

What dealer did you buy your 290 from?

Thanks, Russ

 

[user 6147]

Hi TJ,

What dealer did you buy your 290 from?

Thanks, Russ

Lafayette True Value Hardware, Lafayette, NY. South of Syracuse, about a mile north of the intersection of I81 and US20. It's about 10 miles from my place.

TJ

 

[16gauge]

Jokers, what's that question all about

Hi TJ,

What dealer did you buy your 290 from?

Thanks, Russ

This seems like an odd question. Are you thinking of buying an MS 290? Based on your previous opinions offered on this saw I wonder what your motivation is. Not playing with you here, just would like to know what motive you would have for asking this question...Phil. :angel:

 

[DanManofStihl]

I ran a ms 290 for 9 months it was a good saw I really liked it for cuttting some of the smaller wood 18 in or less I ran a 20 in .325 bar on it and it pulled it very well. I think you made a good choice it will work out great for cutting large amounts of firewood.

 

[user 6147]

I'm not surprised at the differences of opinion about the 290. In fact, I'm encouraged by it. Had the saw been universally panned, I would have been very upset at my purchase. Had it been universally praised, I probably bought MUCH more saw than I wanted or needed. I'm not a pro woodcutter. I don't need a pro saw. As for the weight, that doesn't bother me at this time. It's much lighter than the Homelite I was used to running. When I cut wood, I don't do it for hours at a time. Besides, I'm a farmer. I handle things in my job all day that are much heavier than 13 pounds. For the time being, I can handle it just fine. Maybe in 20 years, when I'm old and feeble... But by then I'll be in the nursing home and won't need to cut wood.

TJ

 

[jokers]

This seems like an odd question. Are you thinking of buying an MS 290? Based on your previous opinions offered on this saw I wonder what your motivation is. Not playing with you here, just would like to know what motive you would have for asking this question...Phil. :angel:

Hi Phil,

All questions are fair. I asked what dealer because I am always gauging various dealerships and it helps me to crudely qualify a shop by noting which models they push.

Russ

 

[jokers]

Lafayette True Value Hardware, Lafayette, NY. South of Syracuse, about a mile north of the intersection of I81 and US20. It's about 10 miles from my place.

TJ

Thanks for the feedback TJ.

The validity of your ability to handle the weight of the 290 is noted. I have no doubt that you work much harder on many other farms tasks.

BTW, it`s beautiful country down your way. I`m currently living in the 10,000 year flood plain of Lake Ontario. It`s too flat around here.

Russ

 

[user 6147]

Thanks for the feedback TJ.

The validity of your ability to handle the weight of the 290 is noted. I have no doubt that you work much harder on many other farms tasks.

BTW, it`s beautiful country down your way. I`m currently living in the 10,000 year flood plain of Lake Ontario. It`s too flat around here.

Russ

The dealer knows I'm a farmer. My family is rather well-known locally, as we have had a roadside vegetable stand on the farm for over 40 years. Had I been the guy who runs the small sawmill next door, his recommendation probably would have been different. This dealer has also been in business here for many years. Had he been in the habit of steering people wrong, I'm sure I would have heard about it by now.

The hills out this way are truly gorgeous in October, most years. Not so much this year, as we had too many rainy days. I've lived here all my life, and I like it. That's why I came home after my service in the Army (drafted in early 70's) instead of taking the engineering job I was offered in Washington, DC.

TJ