What to buy

[StephieDoll]

Went out looking at saws over the weekend and today. First thought was a Husky from Lowels (don't remember the model but $199 and up). Went to Home Depot and looked at a couple of Echo's about the same price. After finding this site I am leaning tward the Stihl saws now. Looking at 3 models, the 210C-BE, the 250C-BE, the 270C-B or the 290. I am leaning to the 290 even though it is overkill but I want it to be reliable and able to handle what I come across. I like the easy pulling of the 210 and 250 but have concerns on long term reliablity. Any idea's ?
I should add that I am looking at using it for firewood. My dad has quite a bit of farm land I can pick from so looking at maybe a weekend a month or so. Could be times he borrows it as well.
Thanks again.

Stephanie

 

[Lakeside53]

Don't worry about the reliability - any Stihl it will run just fine for a thousand or two hours... if you keep it fresh gas and look after it.

 

[2000ssm6]

The 290 seems to fit your needs well. It is not a "pro" model Stihl but is a good saw. If money is not a issue, the ms361 is just what you need. They are around $550-600 but will last longer than the 290 and blow it's doors off. Many here don't like the 290 but it is one of Stihl's best selllers..

 

[Dadatwins]

Best advice for novice saw buyers is to find a servicing dealer they are comfortable with. This does not include big box stores, the sales people generally know nothing about the products, and usually do not service what they sell. Once you find a good service dealer, then the choice becomes easier. Welcome to site.

 

[computeruser]

290 is a good, reliable firewood saw for the level of use you have in mind. A sharp chain and good maintenance/upkeep, and you should be all set for many, many cords of firewood.

 

[Urbicide]

Welcome to AS Stephanie. Ask a simple question and go get your fishing pole because you have just opened another can of worms. Get your baseball bat out for some of the rabid Stihl guys. They won't care what you buy as long as it is a Stihl. (Stihl does have some nice saws but there are other brands to consider too). What size wood will you be cutting and what is your saw budget? Are you looking for a "home owner" grade saw or for something that will last a lot longer? Is the weight of the saw a concern for you? Are you single?opcorn:

 

[StephieDoll]

I'm not all that sure about the size I will be cutting. Best guess is the 12" and under. I'll spend abound $350 to get something that will hold up. I started out looking in the $150-$200 range but from this site and others I am rethinking that idea. I know everyone has their saw of choice and I am open to options. I have pretty much thrown out the big box stores because of lack of support and I feel that is important. Home ower grade would be fine but I think I want something a little better.
Thanks everyone for the imput.

Stephie

 

[Mr_Super-hunky]

The 290 is a 13 lb saw. Why not consider a Dolmar 5100?. Its much lighter, more powerful and priced very close.

 

[West Texas]

StephieDoll, You can tell from my signature that I'm a Stihl saw guy. On the other hand, I used a Poulan Pro and my friend used an Echo for several years until we got serious about cutting firewood. These smaller cheaper saws are good little homeowner saws and hold up pretty well for the casual user. And when they bite the dust and go South on you, you can toss them in the Dempsey Dumpster without too much pain in parting. If you've never used a chainsaw, these are good little learning saws, I've got years of usage out of Poulan Pros and my friend has an Echo that's cut a lot of wood over the years. Once you feel good about using chainsaws, you can always upgrade to a nice Stihl if you know that you are going to be cutting a 'lot' of wood over the years.
Start at the place and price you feel comfortable with; and 'grow' from there. Good luck.opcorn: PS I graduated from UNO many years ago.

 

[Mad Professor]

I've not priced/brought a new saw in a while but I'd take a 026 (ms260?) stihl over an 029 (ms290?), and a 036 (361) over both.

P.S. Be CAREFUL about lending saws, LEND the mix with it, extra mix and bar oil too...........get the saw back before they can use up all the mix.

 

[superfire]

thats what i would say tooooooooo

290 is a good, reliable firewood saw for the level of use you have in mind. A sharp chain and good maintenance/upkeep, and you should be all set for many, many cords of firewood.

also steph check my post on saw selection. buy a cheap saw and you will not get a good result, buy a pro type of saw and you wil be very happy. just my beer monies worth :monkey:

 

[Nitroman]

Good advice on spending a little more money for a little more than you need; in the long run, you'll be happier with your purchase. Buy the best you can afford/willing to spend.

 

[peter399]

This is when we all should stand up and shout: Don't buy a MS290!
As someone said previously, If you have already bought it, then fine, we should support the guy, give him advice and try to cheer him up. But in this case, the battle is not yet lost. Recommend him another saw and if it has to be a Stihl, then a 260 or something. How much is the price difference between a 260 and a 290 ? Couldn't be that much and that money must be worth every single cent! Or how much is the price difference between a 290 and a 359? The market for pro quality saws will soon be equal to zero if ït continues like this. A new pro saw every 15 years, how fun....

346Xp/MS260/PS5100 , YES YES YES!!!!!!
Ranger and farm Boss, NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

 

[maccall]

Went out looking at saws over the weekend and today. First thought was a Husky from Lowels (don't remember the model but $199 and up). Went to Home Depot and looked at a couple of Echo's about the same price. After finding this site I am leaning tward the Stihl saws now. Looking at 3 models, the 210C-BE, the 250C-BE, the 270C-B or the 290. I am leaning to the 290 even though it is overkill but I want it to be reliable and able to handle what I come across. I like the easy pulling of the 210 and 250 but have concerns on long term reliablity. Any idea's ?
I should add that I am looking at using it for firewood. My dad has quite a bit of farm land I can pick from so looking at maybe a weekend a month or so. Could be times he borrows it as well.
Thanks again.

Stephanie

Welcome to the site!

Never mind the 210, it weights the same as the 250 but with lesser power.

I've only had my 250C-BE for two years, but the Easy2Start-feature works as good now as when it was brand new, so I don't think you have to worry about the quality of that. If I would have bought the saw today, I would however have skipped that feature; the saved weight and money would be more worth to me than the feature.

Of the saws you listed the 270 also seems to be a fine choice, and it also seems to be about the same money as the 250C-BE, so go to your dealer and handle them booth, one might be much more comfortable to you.

The 290 separates this site in two categories: One side really dislikes it because of a somewhat bad power/weight ratio, the other ones says it's worth that because of it's good price/general performance ratio. Just pick a side and you will find friends on either...

I think it sounds as if you could manage your business with the 250 and that there's no need for you to carry around the more than two extra pounds of weight of the 290...

Also, if you have a Husqvarna or Jonsered dealer (a real dealer that is) nearby their 350/2150 (same saw, different color) has a good reputation and is $300-ish.

 

[2000ssm6]

This is when we all should stand up and shout: Don't buy a MS290!
As someone said previously, If you have already bought it, then fine, we should support the guy, give him advice and try to cheer him up. But in this case, the battle is not yet lost. Recommend him another saw and if it has to be a Stihl, then a 260 or something. How much is the price difference between a 260 and a 290 ? Couldn't be that much and that money must be worth every single cent! Or how much is the price difference between a 290 and a 359? The market for pro quality saws will soon be equal to zero if ït continues like this. A new pro saw every 15 years, how fun....

346Xp/MS260/PS5100 , YES YES YES!!!!!!
Ranger and farm Boss, NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

There goes a 290 hater. The 260 is $470 here, $170 more than the 290. The 260 is a better saw but doesn't have the power of a 290. Not sure on the 359, no e-tech's!!!

 

[joatmon]

The Doctor is in the house

This is when we all should stand up and shout: Don't buy a MS290!
As someone said previously, If you have already bought it, then fine, we should support the guy, give him advice and try to cheer him up. But in this case, the battle is not yet lost. Recommend him another saw and if it has to be a Stihl, then a 260 or something. How much is the price difference between a 260 and a 290 ? Couldn't be that much and that money must be worth every single cent! Or how much is the price difference between a 290 and a 359? The market for pro quality saws will soon be equal to zero if ït continues like this. A new pro saw every 15 years, how fun....

346Xp/MS260/PS5100 , YES YES YES!!!!!!
Ranger and farm Boss, NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

Peter,

You MUST call my office for an appointment. As you know, Mr. ST has benefited greatly from our sessions.

Dr. Jack

 

[maccall]

The market for pro quality saws will soon be equal to zero if ït continues like this. A new pro saw every 15 years, how fun....

346Xp/MS260/PS5100 , YES YES YES!!!!!!
Ranger and farm Boss, NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!

Peter,

You MUST call my office for an appointment. As you know, Mr. ST has benefited greatly from our sessions.

Dr. Jack

Even if it might be for his own good, Dr. Jack, I do think peter399 has a point here: If there's going to be a future for pro-grade saws, there probably has to be more than just pro's buying them, otherwise everything will be converted into harder-and-not-worth-it-to-repair plastic-thingys. At least it's a thought worth considering.

But for the OP in this case it seemed to me a good quality homeowner-grade saw would be perfectly fine. Besides, when you start looking at pro saws, you're also probably wanting more than just one saw anyhow, so this might perhaps be a good start...

Just look at my collection, it has certainly progressed lately... :biggrinbounce2:

 

[joatmon]

Even if it might be for his own good, Dr. Jack, I do think peter399 has a point here: If there's going to be a future for pro-grade saws, there probably has to be more than just pro's buying them, otherwise everything will be converted into harder-and-not-worth-it-to-repair plastic-thingys. At least it's a thought worth considering.

But for the OP in this case it seemed to me a good quality homeowner-grade saw would be perfectly fine. Besides, when you start looking at pro saws, you're also probably wanting more than just one saw anyhow, so this might perhaps be a good start...

Just look at my collection, it has certainly progressed lately... :biggrinbounce2:

I do think the 029/290 naysayers have a point. The saw is heavy and not a easy rebuild. I don't think most 290s purchased today by a homeowner are going to need a rebuild. If that's your concern, preach about the merits of fresh gas with a good quality syn oil. The heavy part, well, laying in the wood making firewood cuts, OK, you tell me, is it worth the extra money for a 260?

Inform people and let them decide how to spend their money. Don't say all 290s are bad for all applications. They're not.

Peace,

Dr. Jack

 

[wood rat]

Why not consider a Dolmar

Because dealers are as rare as hens teeth.

 

[straight6jeff]

Also

Not much to add in the saw department...my current and only saw is a 1983 Husky 61. But...$125....Helmet/face/ear/eye protection, steel toe boots, Chaps.