Stihl 028

[Sidecarflip]

Actually, 45 plus years old and Stihl only offered the one I own for 2 years I believe. Mine also has the heated handle and has the toggle switch recessed on the clutch side of the saw. The heated handle option is (what I understand) a really rare option. Hopefully, mine never expires because I bet those parts are also NLA.

Nothing beats a warm handle on a cold winter day....

At 75 years old, I suspect it will outlast me and my wife can sell it for peanuts along with the 075 and 090 that I should really sell but I won't. It's a nostalgia thing with me.

Sort of like my vintage Norton and Triumph motorcycles. I don't ride them but I like looking at them anyway.

 

[Sidecarflip]

The issue with 'buying one now' would be, it would be used, most likely run hard and put away wet and who knows what it would need to be viable again. Finding a one owner well cared for 028 Vintage saw would almost be impossible.

 

[StihlMS360]

The issue with 'buying one now' would be, it would be used, most likely run hard and put away wet and who knows what it would need to be viable again. Finding a one owner well cared for 028 Vintage saw would almost be impossible.

That is true, but this one looked pretty good.

 

[Bigjimmythunder]

The issue with 'buying one now' would be, it would be used, most likely run hard and put away wet and who knows what it would need to be viable again. Finding a one owner well cared for 028 Vintage saw would almost be impossible.

I bought an 07 from 1963 on a whim because i thought it looked cool, it wasn't running and hadn't for more than 10 years, actually looked like it hadn't been used in 20

Probably had a dozen or more owners over the years, it took a fair bit of work and sourcing parts but in the end i have a working saw not just a shelf queen, wouldn't really want to use it for long as it has no AV and your hands tingle after running it. My point is that some Stihls are made to last and the 028 is one of them.

I only own one "MS" Stihl, its my least favourite and i rarely use it. All my older "0" ones out perform it and in my opinion are just better made. Heavier yes and if something does go wrong its a hassle to source NOS parts but that's part of the challenge/fun of having these old girls. Yes i have named all my saws!

 

[Chevboy0167]

Got this sweetheart earlier this spring. Just aboot mint..... very light use. Still paint on the bottom and original bar. Wasn't cheap by any means but fires and runs perfect on 2nd or 3rd pull.

 

[StihlMS360]

I bought an 07 from 1963 on a whim because i thought it looked cool, it wasn't running and hadn't for more than 10 years, actually looked like it hadn't been used in 20

Probably had a dozen or more owners over the years, it took a fair bit of work and sourcing parts but in the end i have a working saw not just a shelf queen, wouldn't really want to use it for long as it has no AV and your hands tingle after running it. My point is that some Stihls are made to last and the 028 is one of them.

I only own one "MS" Stihl, its my least favourite and i rarely use it. All my older "0" ones out perform it and in my opinion are just better made. Heavier yes and if something does go wrong its a hassle to source NOS parts but that's part of the challenge/fun of having these old girls. Yes i have named all my saws!

I don't have my MS saw anymore. I liked the 038, 041, and 011 much better. I also like the older McCullochs and Poulans, unfortunately I sold the last old Poulan I owned a couple of years ago.

 

[StihlMS360]

Got this sweetheart earlier this spring. Just aboot mint..... very light use. Still paint on the bottom and original bar. Wasn't cheap by any means but fires and runs perfect on 2nd or 3rd pull.



View attachment 1225740

That's one nice looking saw!
What size of bar are you running?

 

[Sidecarflip]

I had a Poulan years ago with the bow bar on it. I was not impressed with it at all. It was prone to vapor lock and overall quality was just not there. It came and went. Just 2 brands now Stihl and Echo.

 

[StihlMS360]

I had a Poulan years ago with the bow bar on it. I was not impressed with it at all. It was prone to vapor lock and overall quality was just not there. It came and went. Just 2 brands now Stihl and Echo.

My favorite Poulan was the 3400 Counter Vibe. That saw could cut!

 

[Sidecarflip]

Interesting, my 028 has a rudimentary AV system on it. In fact when I replaced the plug this last summer, I also replaced the isolastic mounts as well. They were all hard and cracked. Don't really notice excessive vibration with it anyway. 2 isolastic mounts on the bottom side and one on top next to the carb. I know they work because if I hold the engine proper and flex the handle you can see it move, not a lot but a bit.

I probably should have mentioned that under 'repairs' but I forgot. The top mount was completely cracked through and pulling away from the metal plate it was vulcanized to. I also replace the back plastic shroud as mine had a small crack where it sat over the top of the handle. Bought one on Flea Bay. I wonder (and I need to look) to see if I can fined the nylon chain guide that fits to the side cover. Maybe I'll get lucky.

Was just using it this afternoon to cut down some of the saw logs I'm roasting that no one seems to want. Cold here and the heated grip was nice. In between cuts it just sat idling away, perfectly content. I still have a shitte pile of well seasoned hardwood saw logs to roast.

 

[StihlMS360]

Interesting, my 028 has a rudimentary AV system on it. In fact when I replaced the plug this last summer, I also replaced the isolastic mounts as well. They were all hard and cracked. Don't really notice excessive vibration with it anyway. 2 isolastic mounts on the bottom side and one on top next to the carb. I know they work because if I hold the engine proper and flex the handle you can see it move, not a lot but a bit.

I probably should have mentioned that under 'repairs' but I forgot. The top mount was completely cracked through and pulling away from the metal plate it was vulcanized to. I also replace the back plastic shroud as mine had a small crack where it sat over the top of the handle. Bought one on Flea Bay. I wonder (and I need to look) to see if I can fined the nylon chain guide that fits to the side cover. Maybe I'll get lucky.

Was just using it this afternoon to cut down some of the saw logs I'm roasting that no one seems to want. Cold here and the heated grip was nice. In between cuts it just sat idling away, perfectly content. I still have a shitte pile of well seasoned hardwood saw logs to roast.

I still prefer Stihls over Poulan, I just wish I hadn't sold my 3400.

 

[stihltech]

Best saw stihl ever made in it's size- many agree.
Just start it up after 40 years and it runs great- will for a while until it takes the piston out.
Do your self a big favor- new fuel and pulse line, AV mounts, plug, fuel filter. Check the plug wire for wear, install a carb kit. Look over the intake boot really well. And vacuum and pressure test. Crank seals most likely.
Rubber parts only last so long. If you really want to keep and use it, show it some love.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I was on Flea Bay last night after leaving here and there is a boatload of 028 parts on there and a few 028's for sale, not running and in various states of condition but alas, no nylon chain guides that fit on the metal pin on the backside of the side cover that I have on my saw. There are a number of side covers with a nylon guide already installed but all the ones on there, the insert is black and mine is translucent nylon. Gonna keep looking...

 

[Okie]

The 028's are the energizer Bunny of the Stihl's.
I have the old models and the newer models.

I use them in the firewood lot.
Have some that are 40 years old and only require little bit of TLC. (still running on the points ign system. I prefer the 16-18 inch bars for firewood after the log is down. 20 inch bar for the felling saws.

 

[Sidecarflip]

All my saws that I use except the top handle saw wear 20" bars. For me, a 20" bar is ideal and on the lower powered ones with 20's, I just don't over tax them and they all wear very sharp loops as well with properly dropped rakers.

Bar length is not an issue with me at all. Being cognizant of a saw powerhead's capability is what I go by.

 

[StihlMS360]

All my saws that I use except the top handle saw wear 20" bars. For me, a 20" bar is ideal and on the lower powered ones with 20's, I just don't over tax them and they all wear very sharp loops as well with properly dropped rakers.

Bar length is not an issue with me at all. Being cognizant of a saw powerhead's capability is what I go by.

That's usually what I base bar size off of too. I've seen 28" and 36" bars on 036s, that always seemed to big to me. I think the sweet spot for 036s is 20" maybe 25".

 

[TheTone]

I probably have three or four 028s in the project stage (CAD) and one that I use. The one that runs may well be the most reliable saw I have. Built like a tank, but a bit heavy for its cc's. It's a solid handguard model that came without chain brake, but I found one of the old style chain brake mechanisms and installed it. The crankcase was built with that in mind, but I believe it was an option at the time. Those old style chain brakes are very hard to find, though.

 

[sawfun]

I believe the 026 PRO may have the same power as the 028 Super, but that would likely have to be decided at a GTG. The typical stock 026 did not have enough torque to comfortably pull a 20" bar or run even with an 028. I have to wonder if my 026 PRO with an 18" bar would stay even with my 028 Super AV. It would make for an interesting match. Just MHO.

47cc's vs 51cc's and it showed to me. But I like both and hade several. To me it was handling vs a bit more torque.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Still a few of the old 028`s hanging around,

 

[Wood Doctor]

And this one, chain awaiting final file sharpening in my shop-made bar vise:


I've never been able to part with it. Last week I used it with a 20" bar. It pulled it nicely.