Need a little advice

In terms of amount of use a saw gets, these are the top three saws in my stable:

346XP (50cc, 16",.325)
MS-361(59cc, 20", 3/8)
Makita 7901 (79cc, 24" and 32", 3/8)

As I've gotten older, weight has become more of an issue. I grab the lightest saw that will get the job done in a reasonable amount of time. The 346XP is a joy to use because it's light and well balanced front to back and side to side. If I want speed through most larger diameters I encounter in my area, it's the 361. The 7901 is the saw I like in hardwoods when the 361's bar is maxed.

I could be happy with a 50/70+cc two saw plan, but I'd like to keep the 361 around for when I can't tote the 7901 (or heavier saw) anymore.

If you're frequently needing more than a 20" bar or having to cut big trees from both sides to get through them, then a larger saw is probably in order. I think you'll soon find yourself wanting a smaller, 50ish cc powerhead to go with it. I have an 044, noticeably smaller and and lighter than a 461. It's great in combination with an 026 or similar, but I wouldn't want to use it exclusively.

361 is a nice all around saw. I wouldn't trade it but I might consider buying a bigger saw for the bigger jobs.

You know as soon as you trade her away the big jobs will dry up, right ?

Ah the ugly disease of CAD surfaces again- my particular stable of saws ranges from 36cc to 122cc with the bulk of the work falling on the 60cc class saws. In the very dense material that shifts to the 80cc class. The bull in the china shop (122cc) only plays in the 36"+ dia.

I say keep the 361 and buy the other saw as well. Nothing wrong with having 2 saws... Or 3...

Osagebndr said:

Your thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

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I think you're a grown man and should do whatever you want

Get that 361 ported!

See if you can find a used 044, 046, or 460 for your big bar fix.

Yup. You will have the new saw while the other one is out getting ported.

That's my plan actually. I've got an 036. Gonna keep my eyes out for a bigger one and then send my 036 for the supercharge

I bought a rebuilt 460 power head at AS for $500 shipped. Now I only use it for bigger wood and it usually wears a 25" bar but I have a 20" for it also and it's a beast with the 20 on it. I've mostly been using my new Echo 590 with 18" bar and my 170 but it's nice to have that grunt on tap for when I need it