Stihl 38 Magnum II

[Justsaws]

Came across a Stihl 38 Magnum II for sale for $300.00. Looks okay, ran okay. Price seemed high to me. Crappy bar and chain. Question is how does it compare to other 4.4 c.i. Stihl saws? Do not have any in that size range and I think I might "need" one. I would rather find one to that needs work but have not so far. Never used one just wondering about it in general.

 

[clearance]

I bought one brand new in '88, the on/off/choke switch is bunk, other than that a good saw. Kind of heavy compared to new saws of the same size, lots of torque, good firewood saw. $300 seems a little much, specially if it needs a new bar, if you can get em down a bit and its in good shape, yes.

 

[Bill G]

The majority of people who owned them wish they still did. A solid saw that has plenty of power. I have a real nice one that I do not plan on parting with.

Bill

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

I have a 038magnum, it does good for what it is, i think the magnum II is larger than the magnum.Im with clearence....300.00 is a bit high if it needs a bar.

 

[Justsaws]

I was thinking it was high but I have a tendency to be a cheap jack---. I know the person selling it and will wait awhile. I did not want to haggle, I do not in general. If it is more than I am willing to pay I walk away. I do not like it when people dicker at my prices so I generally do not. If someone says make me an offer that is different. This person did not.
I like the way the saw felt. How does it compare to a 046? That is what I have been looking for.

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

I was thinking it was high but I have a tendency to be a cheap jack---. I know the person selling it and will wait awhile. I did not want to haggle, I do not in general. If it is more than I am willing to pay I walk away. I do not like it when people dicker at my prices so I generally do not. If someone says make me an offer that is different. This person did not.
I like the way the saw felt. How does it compare to a 046? That is what I have been looking for.

The 038 magII is only 4 cc's smaller than the 046, not much i would think.Probably a bit lighter to.

 

[Justsaws]

Not to high-jack my own post but how do you like your 694?

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

Not to high-jack my own post but how do you like your 694?

Ill tell ya what....i really like it. It surprised me the first few times i used it. It has a lot of grunt to it, i have a ms660 and the 694 and 660 are close from my experience. The 694 is not broke in yet....only about 3-4 tanks of gas through it. I think its gonna be a real work horse. The other day we cut a red oak that measured 6 feet across the bottom, i used the 694 with a 24"bar and it didnt slow it down a bit. I was very pleased.

 

[Lawn Masters]

After running an 038 MAG II myself, I must say its a pretty good machine. strongly recommended if you're after something that can make great power. I didnt much care for the on/off/choke switch myself. when I was cutting I kept hitting it with my thigh and shutting the saw down. other than that, its a super machine.

you shouldnt be disappointed if you get it and run a 20-25" bar.

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

I think they are tough saws, a guy i work with has a 038 super and it looks rough. He runs the begees out of it, and he said he has never had a problem out of it.

 

[Justsaws]

After running an 038 MAG II myself, I must say its a pretty good machine. strongly recommended if you're after something that can make great power. I didnt much care for the on/off/choke switch myself. when I was cutting I kept hitting it with my thigh and shutting the saw down. other than that, its a super machine.

you shouldnt be disappointed if you get it and run a 20-25" bar.

I think I will go back in while and see if he still has it. I think it might put me over the 240 mark in terms of saws, thats why I usually do not spend that much. I need this saw like need another Mac 300. Not that I would not buy another Mac 300.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Justsaws]

I do not see many 694's around here. There is a Solo dealer about 40 miles away but he does not have any or sell many. I was just wondering. I like the 90c.c. range of engine power and always looking for opinions on saws that size. Thanks.

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

I do not see many 694's around here. There is a Solo dealer about 40 miles away but he does not have any or sell many. I was just wondering. I like the 90c.c. range of engine power and always looking for opinions on saws that size. Thanks.

The 694 is made by dolmar, with the solo name...The 690 solo is a true solo. Yep i like the big saws too.

 

[Justsaws]

The 694 is made by dolmar, with the solo name...The 690 solo is a true solo. Yep i like the big saws too.

Yeah, it is weird that Solo sells it cheaper than Dolmar.

 

[Freakingstang]

I was thinking it was high but I have a tendency to be a cheap jack---. I know the person selling it and will wait awhile. I did not want to haggle, I do not in general. If it is more than I am willing to pay I walk away. I do not like it when people dicker at my prices so I generally do not. If someone says make me an offer that is different. This person did not.
I like the way the saw felt. How does it compare to a 046? That is what I have been looking for.

I haven't run the 038, but can imagine it is older and parts may be a problem in a couple years. I love my 046. It isn't too heavy and has a lot of grunt, enough, that I don't break out my 066 very often. If you get a weekend where you are gonna do a decent amount cutting, I could let you borrow it, or come down and cut with you and let you run it all day. I'm about 2 hours north of you.

-Steve

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

Yeah, it is weird that Solo sells it cheaper than Dolmar.

much much cheaper

 

[Finnbear]

I have an 038 Super that I run a 20" or 24" bar on and I like it. I've run an 044 and I can't tell any power difference that would cause me to want to upgrade. Parts should not be an issue as there seem to be a bunch of them around and they are pretty well-built/reliable anyway. I've had no trouble getting anything for mine. The on-off switch is just about like my 028WB so it doesn't bother me much. The 038 Mag and 038 Mag II are the same displacement (72.2cc) with 34mm stroke and 52mm bore where my Super is only 50mm bore (66.8cc). A number of nice looking 038 Mag and Mag II saws have sold on eBay recently in the $250-$350 range if you're looking for a price reference.
Finnbear

 

[thompson1600]

Someone in another thread used a good analogy. They said (and I paraphrase);the 038 Magnum is like a big block V8 and the 044/046's are like turbo charged V6's.

The 038 Mag doesn't get up to the high rpm's but it also takes an awful lot to slow it down in a cut. It has real grunt torque in the cut. Just remember that there are 3 sizes of the 038, the 038 AV, the 038 Super and the 038 Magnum (Magnum II is the same size as the Magnum).

The 038 Mag is a just a slight bit heavier than the 046. I don't make a living cutting or have to hold one all day. For my use, I've sold off all my 044's Ms440's, 046's and MS460's I've had, but I kept my 038 Magnum. With a 20 to 24" bar it's a great saw. Built real solid, parts are easy to get both new and used.

Tom

 

[lovetheoutdoors]

Someone in another thread used a good analogy. They said (and I paraphrase);the 038 Magnum is like a big block V8 and the 044/046's are like turbo charged V6's.

The 038 Mag doesn't get up to the high rpm's but it also takes an awful lot to slow it down in a cut. It has real grunt torque in the cut. Just remember that there are 3 sizes of the 038, the 038 AV, the 038 Super and the 038 Magnum (Magnum II is the same size as the Magnum).

The 038 Mag is a just a slight bit heavier than the 046. I don't make a living cutting or have to hold one all day. For my use, I've sold off all my 044's Ms440's, 046's and MS460's I've had, but I kept my 038 Magnum. With a 20 to 24" bar it's a great saw. Built real solid, parts are easy to get both new and used.

Tom

As for me, i wouldnt pay the diffrence for a 044-046 vs a 038, a 038 as stated is a bit heavier but not much. Im pleased with my 038 mag

 

[sawinredneck]

Someone in another thread used a good analogy. They said (and I paraphrase);the 038 Magnum is like a big block V8 and the 044/046's are like turbo charged V6's.

The 038 Mag doesn't get up to the high rpm's but it also takes an awful lot to slow it down in a cut. It has real grunt torque in the cut. Just remember that there are 3 sizes of the 038, the 038 AV, the 038 Super and the 038 Magnum (Magnum II is the same size as the Magnum).

The 038 Mag is a just a slight bit heavier than the 046. I don't make a living cutting or have to hold one all day. For my use, I've sold off all my 044's Ms440's, 046's and MS460's I've had, but I kept my 038 Magnum. With a 20 to 24" bar it's a great saw. Built real solid, parts are easy to get both new and used.

Tom

Is this "FOR REAL????" I would like to have something a little larger time to time, just don't want to spend a fortune getting it. I have seen Big bore kiks for the 038 for a decent price, would this be of the 046 nature or am I pissing in the wind? Not being a Samrt a, just trying to learn!
Andy