nmurph
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$100+ under list plus tax?????????????????
What makes the MS 261 better than the 346 XP?
- Thread starter rustyb
- Start date
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$100+ under list plus tax?????????????????
I put 10 tanks of fuel through my hotrodded 346 today. Man do I love that saw!!!! It ran without a hickup all day long.
indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
STLfirewood, heck of a buy! You'll love it, you'll find yourself using it a heck of a lot more than you ever thought you'd use a 50cc saw.
Typical Stihl in that it takes a few tanks for it break in, it'll just keep getting stronger.
Typical Stihl in that it takes a few tanks for it break in, it'll just keep getting stronger.
Sagetown
Farmer and a STIHL
I'd say that saw put in a busy day, and if you were the only operator, that's one way to keep your weight down.
I'd say that saw put in a busy day, and if you were the only operator, that's one way to keep your weight down.
Just me. I ran it from 10:30 AM until about 4:00 PM with a break for lunch.
STLfirewood
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have a heck of a hook up for Stihl stuff. I can't buy much at that price for obvious reasons. I think I am going to replace my bigger saws also. I want a new 660 and a new 460. I have a good 50cc saw. I have a 5100s. Dad really likes it. They are very smooth. So when we go cutting tops or small wood he always takes it. Who am I to argue he's dad. I think it will be very strong the first time I use it. Hopefully I'll get a chance in 10-days to 2 weeks. We'll see.
Scott
MuleyJ
Addicted to ArboristSite
Why were you unhappy with the 260?
SawTroll
Information Collector
An overload of hair splitting info/opinions may obscure the really important differences.....
MCW
Somebody's talking crap here & it ain't the tree!
I've realized which saw will suit ME best.
You're getting a Poulan? :cool2:
Battenkiller
ArboristSite Member
The envelope please.......... and the winner is......................
Does kinda remind me of the Academy Awards, though. Months of of hype over who'll win a couple big awards. Then the main televised event, which is endless hours of drivel before two minutes of actual awards that I even remotely care about. Even the parade of beuatiful babes in see-through designer gowns won't make me sign up for that one. Just check Google News 10 minutes after it's over to see if my fav movie made the cut.
Can we make predictions on saw choice just like they do for best picture?
And the winner is.... the Stihl MS261. (applause all around)
Way I see it is you're like the rest of us and want the best saw for your dollar. Intuition tells you that would be the most expensive saw, most things go that way, eh? But you keep hearing all these raves about the 346XP, so you just can't dismiss it. If you were a real tightwad, you'd just go out and get the Dolmar 5105... maybe the strongest in the class for overall use anyway, with the widest powerband and rock solid build. But $400? There must be something that disqualifies it from a "Pro" class saw, right?
Look, Rusty, I'm just bustin' on you. I went through the same ordeal when looking for a small detail carving saw. In the end, I went with what the majority of experienced carvers thought was the best for the purpose. I am very happy with my choice, but now I find I hardly use it. I am getting used to carving with my Dolmar 420 and find it can do almost everything the 32cc saw can do, but faster.
When I bought a 50cc class saw, I was very concerned with weight, size and handling. I had a 357XP already that can do almost anything I'll ever need. That extra 1.1 pounds of the 357 over the 346 felt like nothing in the showroom, but it sure makes a difference in hours holding the saw. The 357's a lot bulkier, too, and that makes a big difference in handling, as well as how the extra weight is distributed around the saw.
Throttle response on the 346 is exhilarating compared to the 357. The difference in lag time may be just a fraction of a second, but making hundreds of cuts while limbing out a very branched tree would now try my patience with a slower revving saw. For me that is crucial since I am mostly a carver and I am only at WOT for a second or two and I am through the cut and let go of the trigger. Only other saw I've tried that revs as fast is the MS200, but the vibes on that saw were more than my carpal tunnel hands want to deal with.
And that brings me to vibes. There ain't any with the 346, not that I can notice, and I'm very sensitive to vibes due to my condition. Most of the vibes I feel while cutting are probably coming from the chain, not the engine. The engine itself is smooth as silk.
Bottom line is I don't even bring the 357 along anymore since I got the 346, leaving room in the truck box for all kinds of extra stuff. IMHO the 357 is a tool, but the 346 is a jewel.
Haven't even had a 261 in my hands, but it's obviously bulkier, heavier, and cuts no faster in the tests I've seen - a virtual dead heat. The 346 has been called a "light saber" by more folks than I'd care to guess at. As Obi-Wan Kenobi said, "not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon, from a more civilized age." "Elegant weapon" describes my feelings about the 346 to a tee. But the title of the thread implies that you came into this feeling the 261 must be superior, so my guess is that you will go that way and, hopefully, be happy with your decision.:msp_wink:
Very good post. Thanks!
As of now, my mind is made up...though it has been known to change at the drop of a hat!
For those tuning in to this show :film:--or car wreck on the other side of the road--, the winner will be announced at a later date. My reasons for the chosen might perplex some. It will surprise others. And it will make at least one of you giddy like a little school girl.
Get the bets going or make predictions for this Grand Finale! Till then, stay tuned......opcorn:
As of now, my mind is made up...though it has been known to change at the drop of a hat!
For those tuning in to this show :film:--or car wreck on the other side of the road--, the winner will be announced at a later date. My reasons for the chosen might perplex some. It will surprise others. And it will make at least one of you giddy like a little school girl.
Get the bets going or make predictions for this Grand Finale! Till then, stay tuned......
opcorn:
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nmurph
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Very good post. Thanks!
As of now, my mind is made up...though it has been known to change at the drop of a hat!
For those tuning in to this show :film:--or car wreck on the other side of the road--, the winner will be announced at a later date. My reasons for the chosen might perplex some. It will surprise others. And it will make at least one of you giddy like a little school girl.
Get the bets going or make predictions for this Grand Finale! Till then, stay tuned......
No thanks. That will be an anti-climax after the suspense and drama of this thread to this point!!!
I don't care for the anti vibe set up and the filter. Not a very good design there, in my opinion. Though I have mine running nice now with a fully adj 026 carb, choke and muffler mod, it was a real let down when stock.
I've had two 346s, one new and the other nearly new, both are gone now. They are good saws, I just don't care for the way they feel. I used them both and tried to learn to like them, but it never happened. I bought a 261 a month or so ago and I like it much better.
I don't see either one being superior to the other in any way, I just like the way the 261 feels in my hands. I think the size and balance talk on saws this small is just plain silly. they both handle good, and both cut real good. Buy the one that feels the best in your hands.
I don't see either one being superior to the other in any way, I just like the way the 261 feels in my hands. I think the size and balance talk on saws this small is just plain silly. they both handle good, and both cut real good. Buy the one that feels the best in your hands.
D&B Mack
Sawin Wit It!
After having some quality time in on my 261, I am going to chime in on the 25 page thread. For reference, I have owned the 260pro, 5100-S and now the 261. A few guys I work with run one of these saws and the rest run 346's. From a working in the woods point of view, I think they all are quality saws. Most of time we are cutting with 70+cc saws, but we tend to drop to 50cc on some thinning projects. Anyway, from our point, we would all be happy with any one of the three brands. Just personal preference and dealer support. Although, would like to add that the 261 does keep a cleaner filter longer than the other three.
SawTroll
Information Collector
Thay is a very important point, that doesn't show in the specs or comparisons of cutting times......
Terry Syd
Addicted to ArboristSite
Unless there is an issue of flywheel mass, a lag in acceleration is a carburetion issue. The 346 may have come from the factory with spot on carburetion, but that doesn't mean that it can't be duplicated on other saws.
Perhaps the reservoir of fuel is inadequate in the mixing chamber and the carb goes momentarily lean, no problem just move the metering lever closer to the diaphragm to increase the level of fuel in the chamber. A drop in pop-off pressure might also fix the problem. It could also be a mixture transition problem from the idle circuit to the low speed circuit, the fix would be to lean the idle by allowing more air to bypass the throttle plate, then open the Low speed screw to increase the flow through the low speed circuit, turn down the idle and you're good to go.
Perhaps the reservoir of fuel is inadequate in the mixing chamber and the carb goes momentarily lean, no problem just move the metering lever closer to the diaphragm to increase the level of fuel in the chamber. A drop in pop-off pressure might also fix the problem. It could also be a mixture transition problem from the idle circuit to the low speed circuit, the fix would be to lean the idle by allowing more air to bypass the throttle plate, then open the Low speed screw to increase the flow through the low speed circuit, turn down the idle and you're good to go.
Ok, I just ordered it...a 346.
Honestly though, the 261 to me, looks like a higher quality saw...in every aspect and the wider powerband I've been hearing about makes more sense to me for pure firewood cutting. Then there's the obviously better filter, the retained chain tensioning nuts and the flippy caps which I happen to like.
Why the 346 then? I know the difference of 9.6 ounces seems silly to many of you but one must consider varying perspectives and background. Since starting this thread, I have handled (but not ran) both saws a few times each. To me, the weight difference was very obvious, right away. I guess being a long time ultra-light traveler (backpacking, etc) has given me sensitivities to small weight differences like that. You might say I'm in tune to those kind of things. Also, of the four saws I own, my 260 is by far the heaviest. If the smallest saw one has is a 261, and they typically run a 362, 372, 880, etc, of course the 261 and 346 is going to feel light and they likely won't feel much difference between a measly 9.6 ounces.
I also liked the smaller size of the 346. I can't tell you why.
I have also seen much praise here for the 346's throttle response and I find that appealing. Several yrs ago, I used a Husky 3 something...maybe a 340 or 350. Whatever it was, I remember it being a homeowner saw with fewer than 50cc. But, that little thing ripped in the Aspen I was sawing up. Great throttle response and it was really fun to operate. I reasoned that the 346 would be that plus a whole lot more.
With those positive things going for the 346, I just thought it would be more enjoyable for me than the 261. I really like going through a tree that's already down and cutting up all the limbs for firewood, as swiftly and gracefully as possible, like a dance, as gay as some of you manly men will think that sounds.
Lastly was the $90 savings and free case. To make the sale of my 260 more attractive, I figured I'd sell this soft case with it. I always planned to keep the nice plastic Stihl case I've hauled my 260 in for my new saw. Re the $90, I'll later apply that towards the bigger saw I've wanted for a long time...probably a 70cc unit. Being as much fun as you guys had with this thread, you could then help me with that saw decision.
BTW. Hope I like this 346. Back ordered so it won't be here for at least two more weeks.
Honestly though, the 261 to me, looks like a higher quality saw...in every aspect and the wider powerband I've been hearing about makes more sense to me for pure firewood cutting. Then there's the obviously better filter, the retained chain tensioning nuts and the flippy caps which I happen to like.
Why the 346 then? I know the difference of 9.6 ounces seems silly to many of you but one must consider varying perspectives and background. Since starting this thread, I have handled (but not ran) both saws a few times each. To me, the weight difference was very obvious, right away. I guess being a long time ultra-light traveler (backpacking, etc) has given me sensitivities to small weight differences like that. You might say I'm in tune to those kind of things. Also, of the four saws I own, my 260 is by far the heaviest. If the smallest saw one has is a 261, and they typically run a 362, 372, 880, etc, of course the 261 and 346 is going to feel light and they likely won't feel much difference between a measly 9.6 ounces.
I also liked the smaller size of the 346. I can't tell you why.
I have also seen much praise here for the 346's throttle response and I find that appealing. Several yrs ago, I used a Husky 3 something...maybe a 340 or 350. Whatever it was, I remember it being a homeowner saw with fewer than 50cc. But, that little thing ripped in the Aspen I was sawing up. Great throttle response and it was really fun to operate. I reasoned that the 346 would be that plus a whole lot more.
With those positive things going for the 346, I just thought it would be more enjoyable for me than the 261. I really like going through a tree that's already down and cutting up all the limbs for firewood, as swiftly and gracefully as possible, like a dance, as gay as some of you manly men will think that sounds.
Lastly was the $90 savings and free case. To make the sale of my 260 more attractive, I figured I'd sell this soft case with it. I always planned to keep the nice plastic Stihl case I've hauled my 260 in for my new saw. Re the $90, I'll later apply that towards the bigger saw I've wanted for a long time...probably a 70cc unit. Being as much fun as you guys had with this thread, you could then help me with that saw decision.
BTW. Hope I like this 346. Back ordered so it won't be here for at least two more weeks.
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MuleyJ
Addicted to ArboristSite
Glad to see you finally bit the bullet on one! You will love the saw. I believe that the lighter weight of the 346 is a benefit especialy when you see that the 261 is within a half pound of the pre-strato 60cc saws. I almost bought a 261 but then decided it felt nearly as heavy as my 361 and lacks well over a half horse stock vs stock. The brilliant filtration everyone talks about would be nice though, as that is my only complaint about the 361. That being said I'm happiest using a heavy a** 70cc saw for almost everything.
:wave: Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :wave:
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