What makes the MS 261 better than the 346 XP?

[rustyb]

Weight comparisons? Surely there's someone around here who has put both these saws on the scale....one at a time, of course. Anyone?

 

[SawTroll]

There is no such thing when filtration is involved

Probably not where you live, but it surely is here!

 

[SawTroll]

Weight comparisons? Surely there's someone around here who has put both these saws on the scale....one at a time, of course. Anyone?

I have never done it with any saw, but I believe Brad once did? :msp_smile:

 

[rustyb]

I'm surprised none of you techno numbers geeks (I say that jokingly) have not weighed these two saws. Maybe it's considered unmanly???

C'mon, surely there's one of you who has. Come out of the closet and admit it....or grab yer scales and check it out....and post the results. When sawing all day, I see weight as a pretty big deal.

 

[wendell]

I have a 346, my dyed in the wool Stihl head cutting buddy has the 261. Both saws are great but both of us like the 346 better.

Sorry, rusty, no scale here either but the 261 feels heavier but I wouldn't worry about that for cutting all day. It's definitely not like you're running a 880! :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

I'm surprised none of you techno numbers geeks (I say that jokingly) have not weighed these two saws. Maybe it's considered unmanly???

C'mon, surely there's one of you who has. Come out of the closet and admit it....or grab yer scales and check it out....and post the results. When sawing all day, I see weight as a pretty big deal.

Weighting used saws introduces some variables.........

 

[rustyb]

Weighting used saws introduces some variables.........

You're correct. One way would be to remove the bars and chains and fill the oil and gas tanks then weigh. I think that would be fair.

Any takers?

 

[CentaurG2]

I think this has been done and might be well documented in the archives. As I recall, the ms261 is an overweight pig compared to the 346xp. I think the scales also showed the 346 besting the once vaulted(now clubbed like a harp seal) ms260 as well in the weight department. Could be wrong but what does it matter?? Weight, handling characteristics, warrantee don’t matter to the homeowner. All that counts is the brand, color scheme and the flippy caps.

 

[c5rulz]

OK, I just "weighed it", my 346 Xp with 1/2 tank of fuel/oil w/16"bar and chain comes in at 14 1/4#'s.

 

[blsnelling]

I think this has been done and might be well documented in the archives. As I recall, the ms261 is an overweight pig compared to the 346xp. I think the scales also showed the 346 besting the once vaulted(now clubbed like a harp seal) ms260 as well in the weight department. Could be wrong but what does it matter?? Weight, handling characteristics, warrantee don’t matter to the homeowner. All that counts is the brand, color scheme and the flippy caps.

What thread did I do that in? I'm thinking it was the huge 261 thread when I did the big comparison thing with it and threw a 260 in the mix. I'm too lazy to go dig it up, lol.

 

[SawTroll]

You're correct. One way would be to remove the bars and chains and fill the oil and gas tanks then weigh. I think that would be fair.

Any takers?

Yes, but gunk in the saw and varying tank capasity still remains as variables + dawgs, if you use them on such small saws (I don't).....

 

[blsnelling]

I got unlazy and found it

All three saws here are outfitted with factory 16" bars and .325 chain. All are full of fuel and oil. The 261 is 9.6 oz heavier than the NE 346XP.

Now here's the kicker. How many Stihl vs Husky threads have you been in and time after time heard the Stihlheads with blinders talk about how much better the 026 is than the 346 because it's so much lighter, like that's supposed to make up for everything else that's far better on the 346? I say baaah humbug! The proof's in the pooding. We're talking about a measely 2.6 oz here! And the OE 346 is lighter than the NE 346! I'm calling that arguement null and void, lol.

Now before any of you get your panties in a wad, don't forget what this thread's about, a Stihl. Yes, that's right. I want the Stihl to come out on top. I've always loved Stihls and always will. But I call it like it is. If another brand is better, I'll say so in a heart beat

 

[Steelz]

For me no one had the MS 261 or the 346XP in stock. So after reading the threads here on both saws. I had my local dealer order the 261. For what I'm cutting the 261 works great. Took down 4 more tress today with it. The last one half rotten maybe White Oak. The more I use this saw the better it runs. This last tree was 18"+

 

[Jtheo]

Here's my 2 cents.

I have been wanting to see and handle a 261, and kind of had one in mind for my shopping list.

Yesterday I got a chance. A dealer in Birmingham had one in stock.

The feel and balance of the saw did not suit me, and it seemed heavy. I know it is a good saw, I am just stating my impression.

Others will see it in a different way, and I am not knocking Stihl, they build excellent saws.

But I have a Snellerized 350 that would maybe cut as fast.

It sure rips, I used the saw some yesterday afternoon.

So for now, I took the 261 off my want list.

Brad you did good on this 350. I will probably hang with my 346X.

If not it won't be far behind.:msp_smile:

 

[rustyb]

I got unlazy and found it

I knew someone had to have done this. Thanks!!!

9.6 oz heavier, eh? That's more weight than I had hoped it would be. One could tape a can of soup to the 346 and it would still be lighter than the 261. This bums me out as buying a 261 seems the more logical choice for me but I don't like packn' around any more weight than necessary. Maybe in practice, the 261 doesn't feel much heavier than the 346.?..? All comments welcome.

 

[wendell]

See post 105.

Yes, it is heavier and yes, it feels heavier but it is a 50 cc saw so the the 261 still doesn't weigh that much.

It would seem to me this is much more of a dealer issue so if you want a dealer nearby buy the 261. If you doubt your saw will ever see the dealer's door again, go get the 346.

They are both excellent saws.

 

[SawTroll]

I knew someone had to have done this. Thanks!!!

9.6 oz heavier, eh? That's more weight than I had hoped it would be. One could tape a can of soup to the 346 and it would still be lighter than the 261. This bums me out as buying a 261 seems the more logical choice for me but I don't like packn' around any more weight than necessary. Maybe in practice, the 261 doesn't feel much heavier than the 346.?..? All comments welcome.

Well, the layout of the saw (261) surely doesn't contribute to a better "feeling" - rather the opposite. I maintain that an inboard clutch isn't a good idea on a 50cc saw, as it puts the bar too far away from the mass centre of the saw, and makes it handle more or less like a larger saw. Also, the weight difference between the 261 and the 361 simply is too small.

 

[nmurph]

You're correct. One way would be to remove the bars and chains and fill the oil and gas tanks then weigh. I think that would be fair.

Any takers?

Empty, clean, PHO; that is the way to introduce the fewest variables.
Here are a couple. Sorry, no 261. I haven't put my grimey mitts on one yet. These saws are cleaned (tanks, mufflers removed and everything blown-out/washed), emptied, flushed and dried.

346OE

346NE

 

[outdoortype]

Have you handled the 261 yet? Buy it unless there is something you really don't like about it-not what others on here don't like about it. I wouldn't want to drive 60 miles to get a saw repaired. The 346 could have a cat muffler and does have a rev-limiting coil.

 

[rustyb]

Empty, clean, PHO; that is the way to introduce the fewest variables.
Here are a couple. Sorry, no 261. I haven't put my grimey mitts on one yet. These saws are cleaned (tanks, mufflers removed and everything blown-out/washed), emptied, flushed and dried.

Thanks!