What to buy

[Lakeside53]

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

Good point... only a tiny percentage of non-pro OR pro saws in homeowner hands saws are ever rebuilt... because the never get enough use to need it.

 

[Lakeside53]

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!!!!!!!

About $180, or about 30% more for the 260. Most importantly, in the hands of a homeowner, even a firewood gathering homeowner, both will last a lifetime. I face this question with custoemrs every day, and simply on the basis of price, the 290 outsells the 260 many many times over.



If he wants a 290, it wil serve him well, very well... same for a 250 or whatever. If he wants the Husky brand, a Rancher 455 will do just fine...

 

[SawTroll]

Peter,

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

Dr. Jack

LOL, not true.....

For 12" wood, the MS250 should be enough saw, but I'd prefere the Husky 350/Jred 2150 for less vibes (fact), better air filter system (fact), better ergonomics (personal opinion), etc.

No need for a MS290 for 12" wood, so I will not say more about that one.....:taped:

The MS270 is a better quality saw than both the 250 and 290, but quite bit heavier than the 250

 

[Billy_Bob]

Go to a chainsaw servicing dealer and you will be amazed at the wide variety of saws, chains, accessories, and helpful knowledge.

Here is a listing of dealers for Omaha...

PRUITT, INC.
4524 LEAVENWORTH ST
OMAHA, NE. 68106
(402) 556-1610

MOWER WORLD
13595 GILES RD
OMAHA, NE. 68138
(402) 614-6102

TED'S MOWER SALES & SERVICE
5155 Q STREET
OMAHA, NE. 68117
(402) 731-7058

LITTLE ENGINES
5717 N 90TH ST
OMAHA, NE. 68134
(402) 493-8717

ANDERSON INDUSTRIAL ENG. CO.,
5532 CENTER STREET
OMAHA, NE. 68106
(402) 558-8700

 

[Mr_Super-hunky]

Again, just for comparison. The Dolmar 5100 is much more powerful than the Stihl ms260, it weighs almost the same amount, and retail price is $389.00.

I don't think there is a saw on the planet in this price range that has this much power (4 hp), and is this light (11 lbs), and costs this little, ($389.00).

None of the saws mentioned can can beat these specs but rather only come close.

The only other saw I would consider would be the new 346xp with the larger displacement engine, but unfortunately, it does'nt exist yet and it's pretty hard to cut wood with a saw that has not been released yet!!

 

[sperho]

I don't think there is a saw on the planet in this price range that has this much power (4 hp), and is this light (11 lbs), and costs this little, ($389.00).

None of the saws mentioned can can beat these specs but rather only come close.

The real question is, have you bought the 5100 yet and cut wood with it yet?

 

[SawTroll]

Again, just for comparison. The Dolmar 5100 is much more powerful than the Stihl ms260, it weighs almost the same amount, and retail price is $389.00.

I don't think there is a saw on the planet in this price range that has this much power (4 hp), and is this light (11 lbs), and costs this little, ($389.00).
...

In the real world it is about a pound of weight between the standard MS260, and the Dolmar 5100S, a bit more than the specs say, and Dolmar has quit stating the 5100S has 4 bhp - they say 3.8 now....

...but I still agree with your conclusion.....

 

[GASoline71]

The 290 will be just fine. The person asking the question on the thread is the exact tagert that Stihl is lookin' for in the MS290 Farm Boss... the non-pro/occasional/part time user/homeowner.

She is the same target that Husqvarna wants for their 455 Rancher.

I believe a Dolmar would be out of the question for her because of dealer support. That being said... is the only reason I have yet to buy a Dolmar. No dealer support like I have with the 3 Stihl dealers I go to.

My vote for Steph is the MS290... she's leanin' that way anyways.

Gary

 

[StephieDoll]

Thanks again for the input.
I have not purchased anything yet. The 260 looks like it is $100 more then the 290 and really more saw then I need. I'm guessing most of my cuts will be closer to the 8" area. In talking with one of my co-workers today, sounds like they are going to give me a saw they no longer need. I don't know what kind it is but I am sure it is just a small consumer saw. He said it runs good and has a new chain. At least I can give it a try and see how it works. The 290 is heavy and after awhile I can see it getting to me. As far as the 5100 I don't see any dealers in the area and not even shure were to look for them (even on line). I will keep you all updated when I get the freeby saw.
Thanks again

Steph

 

[Four Paws]

Only 8" you say? How about a 346XP Husqvarna...you'll grin from ear to ear when you run it through 8" wood.

 

[Austin1]

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

Excellent post! I will rep you for this one.
I used to hate Stihls home owner saws! But it was not the saws fault as much as who owned them! I formed a opinion that my Poulan was twice the saw as any stihl home owner saw was. It was fed good gas and tuned up by me and the chain was sharp. However putting a tach on them my little 2550 poulan would still kick but on all the little 40cc stihlsNot wanting to make this a post about what saw is better as long as you take care of it it will last!Go with a dealer you like and by the way I think the Sthil will out last a poulan.

 

[Sodboa]

Go to a chainsaw servicing dealer and you will be amazed at the wide variety of saws, chains, accessories, and helpful knowledge.

Here is a listing of dealers for Omaha...

PRUITT, INC.
4524 LEAVENWORTH ST
OMAHA, NE. 68106
(402) 556-1610

MOWER WORLD
13595 GILES RD
OMAHA, NE. 68138
(402) 614-6102

TED'S MOWER SALES & SERVICE
5155 Q STREET
OMAHA, NE. 68117
(402) 731-7058

LITTLE ENGINES
5717 N 90TH ST
OMAHA, NE. 68134
(402) 493-8717

ANDERSON INDUSTRIAL ENG. CO.,
5532 CENTER STREET
OMAHA, NE. 68106
(402) 558-8700

Which one of those is a Dolmar Dealer?

 

[SawTroll]

Thanks again for the input.
I have not purchased anything yet. The 260 looks like it is $100 more then the 290 and really more saw then I need. I'm guessing most of my cuts will be closer to the 8" area. In talking with one of my co-workers today, sounds like they are going to give me a saw they no longer need. I don't know what kind it is but I am sure it is just a small consumer saw. He said it runs good and has a new chain. At least I can give it a try and see how it works. The 290 is heavy and after awhile I can see it getting to me. As far as the 5100 I don't see any dealers in the area and not even shure were to look for them (even on line). I will keep you all updated when I get the freeby saw.
Thanks again

Steph

If it has to be a Stihl, just get the 250 then, it is perfectly adequate for 8" wood - and preferably with a 14" bar.....

It is not a bad saw, even though there are better ones out there.....:biggrinbounce2:

Get the C-BE only if you really need the easy-start, as it adds weight, and also makes it easy to "flood" the saw, so it won't start at all....

I'd avoid any Stihl with a "C" in it's model designation, for various reasons.

 

[StephieDoll]

Thanks Troll,
If the used one does not work out I will start looking again. I am not sold on only Stihl, I just got the impression that they are one of the better ones out there. Still open to ideas, but I don't think I am in the market for a pro saw unless it is $350 or less.
Thanks.

Me

 

[SawTroll]

.... Still open to ideas, but I don't think I am in the market for a pro saw unless it is $350 or less.
Thanks.

Me

I don't think the Husky 353 is too far from that in the US, probably the cheapest pro quality saw around.

 

[Dadatwins]

There are basically 4 chainsaw brands that you can start searching for dealers, they are Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo, Dolmar. All of these brands make a quality chainsaw that will last the average homeowner many years with proper maintenance. As you have already realized the big box stores will sell anything but they know nothing about the item. You need to find a full service dealer in your area that can put a chainsaw in your hands and explain its functions to you.

 

[XJWoody]

Based on all the above, I'd suggest interviewing some OPE (outdoor power equip) shops in your area... Get a 'hands-on' feel of the saws and see how their recommendations fit with what you've heard here. Stihl, Husqvarna (Jonsered is a red-headed twin of Husky), and Dolmar all make some pretty good saw models. I'd visit all you can, be honest about your abilities & predicted usage, and see which place seems like they treat you best.

I personally would rather use a lighter tool that lags a bit on the 'worst case' 2/10 situation, rather than fight & become fatigued by a beastly tool that is overkill for 8/10. Without knowing your fitness for the task, I'd not suggest differently. Every saw is approx the "same" when it comes to basic operator maintenance, (sharpening & tensioning the chain, cleaning air filter, using up the mixed fuel or draining it out for storage) and that is what can make the difference between a dud and a lifetime friend.

Whichever saw you choose, please budget for some basic PPE - chaps, safety glasses, earplugs, gloves, & hard hat if felling.

 

[RiverRat2]

Thanks Troll,
If the used one does not work out I will start looking again. I am not sold on only Stihl, I just got the impression that they are one of the better ones out there. Still open to ideas, but I don't think I am in the market for a pro saw unless it is $350 or less.
Thanks.

Me

just priced the MS270 349.95 brand new

http://www.stihldealer.net/productdetails-dealer-006774-prodid-540.aspx 2 lb lighter than a 290 and quite nimble @ that,,,,,

and the Dolmar 5100 is good, the Husky 346XP . they are all 45- 50 cc range saws and all three are excellent performers,,,,, the 290 is an Ok saw but any the pervious three would serve you much better,,, JMHO

 

[epicklein22]

Steph, I was in the same position last year about buying a saw around $350. I choose the ms270 and just love it. Starts easy, has plenty of power and easy to take care of. It is built better than the 290 and is lighter. If I had to choose again, It would be the 270. Another saw that I would look at is a husky 350. They are a nice saw for around 300.

 

[Just Mow]

Welcome, I would suggest the MS270 instead of the 290.
The 270 is lighter and only 1/4 hp less than the 290 but has the features found in the pro saws. It also turns a higher rpm than the 290 so it outcuts it as well.
Good luck and buy a STIHL