Saw confused

[sawinredneck]

That is another chain stop built into the handle where the throttle is, the chain rears back, it activates as you take pressure off the handle.

 

[sawinredneck]

STIHL Quickstop® Plus Secondary Chain Braking Feature (Q)*
STIHL also offers a second additional, manually-activated chain brake on some models. This system is designed to engage when the operator’s right hand completely releases the rear handle, stopping the chain within one second. Available on some models.

Half way down on this page: STIHL Quickstop® Chain Stopping System - Chain Braking System | STIHL

 

[Sagetown]

Web site I'm looking at tells me I can get a 261 for $560 or the 261 C-Q for $660. Just to get something called Quickstop Plus that they don't really explain.

I'm at 6,700 feet.

I'd keep my saw as light as I could then. Personally; I'd get the MS261......

 

[BLDR]

So is Quickstop Plus Stihls way of saying the standard brake is inadequate and I should pay more to get a safer product? How often is it an issue that this feature might make a difference?

Regarding bar length, how much does 2" make? I was thinking 18" but how would going shorter or longer affect things? Weight, balance, reach, other factors.

 

[Sagetown]

The 16" Bar will give you more power. It also is safer in my opinion. The 18" bar will still have great balance and provide enough bar for the larger trees. The 20" bar would be necessary if you have big trees, but I've heard reports of the stingy oilers makes it marginable.

 

[sawinredneck]

I personally like the feel of an 18" bar on a 50cc saw, the 16 doesn't seem to balance that well for me.

 

[Sagetown]

The QS model may be safer if you slip and fall on steep terrain with the saw running wide open. I don't know.

I'm thinking you will be working steep terrain. I'd probably want a pair of calk boots to prevent foot slippage for sure.

 

[Evanrude]

The CQ garbage is unneeded. Its some extra chain brake feature on the handle.

 

[BLDR]

Last question, for now. For cutting pine, what difference would I see between .325 stock chain and a 3/8 chain? Since I'm starting fresh, I'd rather start off right instead of having to upgrade later.

 

[sawinredneck]

On a stock, or even lightly modded 50cc saw, I say stay with .325, it will cut faster, most are already set up for it, so it will probably cost more to change it over and the bars and chains will cost more!
The only exception to this is the Dolmar 5100, but it really doesn't fit in any class.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

Last question, for now. For cutting pine, what difference would I see between .325 stock chain and a 3/8 chain? Since I'm starting fresh, I'd rather start off right instead of having to upgrade later.

A 3/8 chain will cut faster as long as you have the power to pull it good. You would probably be better off with 3/8th and an 18" bar. If you go 20" you might want to go with the .325 chain.

So is Quickstop Plus Stihls way of saying the standard brake is inadequate and I should pay more to get a safer product? How often is it an issue that this feature might make a difference?

Regarding bar length, how much does 2" make? I was thinking 18" but how would going shorter or longer affect things? Weight, balance, reach, other factors.

Lol, you're a paranoid dude arent you? The CQ is just an added safety feature. It has nothing to do with inadequate chainbrakes. It unnessessary and not needed. It's just extra weight.
Every inch of bar length will come in handy. 20" bar would be fine on that saw cutting the soft pine. Remember though, the .325 may be your best bet with a 20" bar. The weight difference would not be an issue between those two bars. I doubt the balance would change much either.

 

[Sagetown]

On a stock, or even lightly modded 50cc saw, I say stay with .325, it will cut faster, most are already set up for it, so it will probably cost more to change it over and the bars and chains will cost more!
The only exception to this is the Dolmar 5100, but it really doesn't fit in any class.

Sounds like good advice to me.
sawinredneck; Would a 16" 3/8ths chain be noticably slower ?

 

[sawinredneck]

I honestly can't say, I do, however know, that if you don't have enough power behind it, the chain can be graby and will vibrate the snot out of you!

 

[Sagetown]

Anthony__Va. ~ A 3/8 chain will cut faster as long as you have the power to pull it good. You would probably be better off with 3/8th and an 18" bar.

Looks like I got my answer. I see where the MS261 comes in the 3/8 chain configuration. I had an old '72' Pioneer w/50cc pulling a 3/8 chain ~ no problems with it.......

EDIT = Let me back up here. My catalog is 2010 with the MS260 showing both configurations......
I assumed this same configuration would apply to the new MS261 as well.........................

After reading post #36 I'm not so sure now.................................

 

[sawinredneck]

Interesting! I wasn't aware it came with 3/8's! Run the sucker as the dealer sets it up then!

 

[sawinredneck]

A little digging, the ms 261 comes standard with 26-rmc3 chain, it's .325"

 

[Sagetown]

Well; since there have been no more comments on the 3/8ths configuration of the MS 261, I did some searching, and found that there are a few owners here on AS that have that very set-up. And as usual some really like it, some don't, and some were undecided.

One individual ( an actual owner ) who had a negative position on the 3/8ths configuration after his 1st use, decided to give it another try. After 20 minutes of continuous cutting into a large hardwood log had a complete change of heart, and gave it a Thumbs-Up.:msp_thumbup:

 

[computeruser]

So is Quickstop Plus Stihls way of saying the standard brake is inadequate and I should pay more to get a safer product? How often is it an issue that this feature might make a difference?

Quickstop is a feature intended to help take extra money away from weak-kneed idiots.

 

[SawTroll]

I recently asked Stihl about offering the MS241 in the USA and they told me there were no plans to offer it. It would be a nice little runner.

The MS241 is here, despite the MS240 that it replaces wasn't....

 

[SawTroll]

.....
So is the 261 C-Q worth the extra $100 over the regular model? Sounds like the 241 would be my best choice if I could get one in Colorado this week. I'd consider Makita if there was a local dealer. But I need to get on this project soon.

You actually pay for extra weight and complexity, for no good reason.