Choose me a saw!

[bogydave]

If I were to buy a new saw:
http://www.husqvarna.com/us/forest/products/xp-saws/562-xp/

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

Nah, tooo pretty!

 

[wkpoor]

Nobody mentioned the Dolmar 5105.

 

[amateur cutter]

I'm not sure exactly where you are in SW MI. but look on CL for Tom from Belmont. He does a really nice job w/used saws, & isn't asking way too much for them. FWIW, I traded an MS 290 for a nice 026, & wouldn't go back. A C

 

[amateur cutter]

[email protected] Might be worth a look as well.

 

[Wood-row Wilson]

Thanks again, guys, all good advice. I like the idea of a pro saw, and is it wrong to say that I like the classic look of a Stihl saw?

Ponying up for some added durability and longevity is no problem for me, however, I want to be sure The thing I'm thinking now, however, is going used. What's your take on this one? (broken link removed to http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/grd/2937937174.html). I figure I can bargain him, maybe? I tend to think of a new saw like a new car. Once you drive it off the lot, it looses a lot of it's value. Although not as much comparatively, of course...

 

[Wood-row Wilson]

Thanks again, guys, all good advice. I like the idea of a pro saw, and is it wrong to say that I like the classic look of a Stihl saw?

Ponying up for some added durability and longevity is no problem for me, however, I want to be sure The thing I'm thinking now, however, is going used. What's your take on this one? (broken link removed to http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/grd/2937937174.html). I figure I can bargain him, maybe? I tend to think of a new saw like a new car. Once you drive it off the lot, it looses a lot of it's value. Although not as much comparatively, of course...

Looks like the same link you posted AC...just may check it out

 

[DexterDay]

The 026 Pro is a good Saw.

It looks battered. But a little elbow grease and some paint for the bar..... It will be like new. Or if you can get it for a little cheaper, you will almost pay for a new Bar. Makes an old saw look brand new.

Here is my 036 and the beat up 25" bar that came with it (used saw) and then some cleaned up pics with a new Bar and Chain.

The difference between a Pro Saw and Home owner is amazing. I love my 455, but the 036 rips it apart... The 460. Well.. Its a another story.

 

[MasterMech]

Thanks again, guys, all good advice. I like the idea of a pro saw, and is it wrong to say that I like the classic look of a Stihl saw?

Ponying up for some added durability and longevity is no problem for me, however, I want to be sure The thing I'm thinking now, however, is going used. What's your take on this one? (broken link removed to http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/grd/2937937174.html). I figure I can bargain him, maybe? I tend to think of a new saw like a new car. Once you drive it off the lot, it looses a lot of it's value. Although not as much comparatively, of course...

The 026 Pro is a good Saw.

It looks battered. But a little elbow grease and some paint for the bar..... It will be like new. Or if you can get it for a little cheaper, you will almost pay for a new Bar. Makes an old saw look brand new.

I wouldn't call that "battered". But for $300 I'd prefer it to say MS260 Pro on it. Same saw really, just an age difference. 026's can vary in performance depending on which carburetor was on it. Stickers are cheap & easy to replace and I actually like the bare metal look on a bar. I say get it for $250.

 

[HittinSteel]

I wouldn't call that "battered". But for $300 I'd prefer it to say MS260 Pro on it. Same saw really, just an age difference. 026's can vary in performance depending on which carburetor was on it. Stickers are cheap & easy to replace and I actually like the bare metal look on a bar. I say get it for $250.

That reminds me..... if your shopping for a 260 used, make sure it has a high adjustment screw...... there were some that came with a fixed H jet.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I thought the same and it says this in the stihl documentation:

ms290 2.8kw/3.8bhp

ms261 2.8kw/3.75bhp

It makes no sense but the my ms290 16" is a year and some change but started using it this past fall. The ms261 18" is only several months old and it will cut faster and pull you into the wood better than the ms290! In this case I think the numbers are a mistake....And the mpg is better also ;-)

That is I say stock for stock! My saws are not modded except for the spark arrester is removed which is nothing. Chain speed I think is the key! So I think I explained why it maikes no sense.
End or rant!

If the numbers are a mistake they are an ongoing mistake that Stihl has been making for 10+ years. You'd think they'd have caught that one by now. . .

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

I think Mr Steel explained it here:

HP specs seldom tell the story....it is in the cylinder/piston porting among other things. A great example of this are the 290 and the 261. One is an anemic pig and the other is a hot rod.

Mr Steel said in a thread I started when i first got the saw that I would forget about ms290 and should sell it after using the ms261. I thought the same as you that it is more cc and slightly more bhp. After using it the ms261, Mr Steel is right! The 261 is BA!

In my case the ms261 pro is a perfect fit. This year my uncle and I cut probably 15-20 cord already as he is getting his knee replaced and wants to be a fair amount ahead. I didn't want to kill the 290 (if I could) and so I wanted something in the pro arena. I wanted bigger like the ms440 and had one lined up but took a risk on the ms261. A great risk!

 

[Wood-row Wilson]

Well guys, it never hurts to ask a seller how much he'd be willing to go down. Here was our text conversation prior to me committing to go down and take a look. Yes, he used that many exclamation points.

Me: "How bad do you want to get rid of your saw
Him: "not that desperate"
Me: Would you be willing to talk? How old is it, how many cords did you go through with it?
Him "I think in bought in 2000 but not sure I have five saws! A new one costs around 600! I used it to cut small stuff around my house Not sure how much I actually cut!
Me: "Good information, thanks"
Him, 4 minutes later: "Its not worn out and I won't take less than 200"

Short story long, picked up my 026 pro saw for $200. Thanks for all of your opinions and help on my first legitimate saw purchase!

 

[DexterDay]

Well guys, it never hurts to ask a seller how much he'd be willing to go down. Here was our text conversation prior to me committing to go down and take a look. Yes, he used that many exclamation points.

Me: "How bad do you want to get rid of your saw
Him: "not that desperate"
Me: Would you be willing to talk? How old is it, how many cords did you go through with it?
Him "I think in bought in 2000 but not sure I have five saws! A new one costs around 600! I used it to cut small stuff around my house Not sure how much I actually cut!
Me: "Good information, thanks"
Him, 4 minutes later: "Its not worn out and I won't take less than 200"

Short story long, picked up my 026 pro saw for $200. Thanks for all of your opinions and help on my first legitimate saw purchase!

Nice.... Now time for some pics. !!

As the saying goes. Pics... Or it never happened!

Congrats on the purchase. Thats an awesome deal on an 026 PRO.

Still gonna need a little TLC. A little cleaning, sharpening, and maybe a lil maintenance (air filter cleaned, new plug, spray down with some Sea Foam, etc). Running a "Wild Thing" will never be the same

 

[chad3]

Grab a 362 and you will have a saw that will cut anything you take down now and you want to take down in the future. At some point you will have bigger trees and this will do you well. Few bucks a year at most.

 

[HittinSteel]

That will be a great saw for you. Nice grab.

 

[Wood-row Wilson]

Yes, DexterDay, I'm also a big proponent of "pics or it didn't happen". Was able to use the saw today, more pics here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/work-with-the-new-saw-wood-id.86414/

The saw ran pretty good. Started up just fine, but needed to choke it if the saw had been turned off for more than 10 minutes (is that customary?). It needs to be cleaned up a bit. It would idle down pretty low when sitting, a couple times stopping. I'm thinking I'll try some new gas to see if that does the trick, was able to run it today all with the previous owners gas in it.

HittinSteel, you'll have to tell me what you're talking about with the "high adjustment screw vs. the fixed H jet). Are you talking about the bar oil regulation?

 

[HittinSteel]

The carb adjustment screws on the clutch side of the saw. They are marked H, L and LA. I can see it has all 3 from the pictures and it is an 026 so it never had the fixed H jet (which is a good thing).

For the low idle, turn the LA screw a little clockwise while the saw is running. You should notice the idle picking up rpm. I usually turn it until the chain starts to "jump" or move and then back it off just a little.

 

[rkshed]

Are Jonsereds all washed up?
There are alot of them on CL and I am considering buying a bigger one but...

 

[kingquad]

Are Jonsereds all washed up?
There are alot of them on CL and I am considering buying a bigger one but...

They are damn good saws. I wish there were a lot of them where I'm at.

 

[MasterMech]

Are Jonsereds all washed up?
There are alot of them on CL and I am considering buying a bigger one but...

See this thread: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/when-a-saw-is-suggested-its-usually.86345/

 

[rkshed]

See this thread: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/when-a-saw-is-suggested-its-usually.86345/

Thanks for the thread.
Now I know.
I've had my Jred for 20+ years and it still runs great. Binds up when burried in big logs so I want to go with a stronger saw.

 

[HittinSteel]

Thanks for the thread.
Now I know.
I've had my Jred for 20+ years and it still runs great. Binds up when burried in big logs so I want to go with a stronger saw.

Make it easy on yourself.... buck up for a 2172 and enjoy another 20+ years