New saw, MS-290

[Stihlmike]

With all of the negativity associated with my previous saw and the ridiculousness that happened so far, I just wanted to turn the page and bring back some excitement to my wood cutting endeavor.

I picked up a new MS-290 today. I purchased a spare chain as well. Only got to do a few cuts with it when I got home, before putting dinner on. It cut pretty quick and was decently smooth. It started very easy as well, one pull on full, then switch to half and it started right up. It cut through a small log in a few seconds, and handled the 7-9" diameter log with ease.

The weight of the saw was a bit more noticeable than that of my 230, but can be expected with more cc's. I also moved up to an 18" bar on this saw as well.

I am looking forward to this saw, and having minimal issues Will post some pics when I get her in the woods.

Thanks for looking, and hope all my threads are positive from her on out.

 

[Dairyman]

Its a good saw. I've seen many that are abused and still do the job when called upon time after time.

 

[DexterDay]

We are a positive people. So keep it clean, eh!?! LOL

Congrats man... I hope it's good for you. Those are good saws and have cut Tons of firewood for many people. I started with a "Rancher" saw. The 455 Rancher. Still miss it a lil. That saw had a bunch of torque. Would out pull my 036 Pro on the bottom. But on top, the Stihl made the Husq chit the bed

 

[Stihlmike]

I'm hoping all gos well. Will be out tommorow evening weather permitting. Should have s good report.

I thought it would be a lot harder to pull to be honest, wasn't bad at all. I never used a saw with more than 40 cc's so it might take a bit to get used to. Will finish up the manual in a few minutes

 

[pyroholic]

Muffler mod, you'll love it, screw the warranty.

 

[clemsonfor]

When you mod the muffler, I would wait till warrenty is over, but it will be like gaining g 5 CC!! It blew my mind when I modded the 390. Wishes I did it years before!

 

[DexterDay]

If anything happens? Buy another muff.

My 460 was mod'd within DAYS... Warranty? I have one...

 

[TreePointer]

Congrats on the new saw and may it serve you well!

If you don't have one already, try a full loop of RS chain (yellow, full chisel) on that saw and don't look back. It will make you much happier than the standard issue RM3 (green, semi-chisel).

 

[clemsonfor]

Yell yellow label chain is mandatory or any other "chisel" chain from other makers. You don't want safety chain, or semi chisel. You can spot the cutters and the weird double rakers or funny shaped takers or huge rakers.

 

[MasterMech]

You don't want safety chain, or semi chisel.

What's wrong with semi-chisel?

 

[Beer Belly]

Oh yeah.....like my MS 290 also......my first cut grabbed and practically dragged me over the log I was cutting....not used to anything bigger than my ol' dependable Craftsman 36cc

 

[clemsonfor]

Don't buy MM 460 then!

 

[Stihlmike]

Thanks for all of the helpful info. Going to stick with the safety chain until I get used to the saw, and get more in depth with cutting. I want to really focus on safety right now. With all of my bad luck lately the last thing I want is to be holding a machine I am not good with and cause an injury. I will be cutting this evening and should have a few pictures up.

 

[clemsonfor]

What's wrong with semi-chisel?

I assume it don't cut like full?

 

[MasterMech]

I assume it don't cut like full?

Ask somebody who skids logs....

Semi is excellent for dirty wood. Holds an edge much longer than chisel chain. Yes, you sacrifice some speed but you win on pit strategy. . Great for rotten logs, and flush cutting stumps. Save the chisel chain for clean and green stuff.

 

[swagler85]

I have a 290 and really like it, cut a lot of firewood with it. I did a muffler mod and run the yellow chain on it. It does a good job, still wanting a big saw though for a lot of the stuff that I get into.

 

[Stihlmike]

How do you like the two nut chain adjustment? Does it last and keep the chain tight or are you constantly adjusting. My dads old craftsman had a style like this but the adjustment was done on the bar, and it never kept it tight, then again it was a beat old saw.

What do the muffler mods look like for this saw. Are they created by unbolting the factory cover, and placing in a new bracket with larger hole? Do you take out the baffling. I doubt I will be doing this but just wondering what they look like. Does anyone have a vido of a 290 with muffler mod?

 

[swagler85]

Chain stays tight when set, my muffler mod was simply opening up the holes in the muffler and running it a little richer on the carb.

 

[DexterDay]

You can open the factory port, or add a second port, with deflector.

The big saws have a dual port cover option. I have the factory port (enlarged), then a second port w/deflector on opposite side, then the ported cover. Or a Tri-Port

And yes, it sounds very Good

 

[MasterMech]

Check out this thread for some good info and pics of opening up that particular muffler without the saw becoming obnoxiously loud.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/stihl-029-bar.111625/page-2#post-1482360

The muffler stuff is near the end of the thread.

 

[Stihlmike]

Thanks guys. Ill look into it.

Why is no one just buying mufflers off ebay, modding them, then reselling them. I bet you sell a lot. Or just offer a kit that you could bolt on. Then if something does happen, just put the original muffler back on

 

[clemsonfor]

Because its so easy to do. Some muffs do have more holes in them than factory.

But here's the thing. I'd ur not mechanically inclined to mod it yourself or take directions here to do it yourself then you likely aren't mechanically inclined to tune your Carb either. Which will cause you to smoke your saw, or lock it up.

 

[Teddi]

Since finding this forum, I have done a muff mod on my 7 year old 290 and ordered a couple of RS chains off ebay. Those 2 changes have made me much more productive. I plan on getting either a 261 or 362 by the end of the year. I love this place.

 

[clemsonfor]

A muff mod causes your saw to breath easier. To more efficiently get rid of exhaust faster. Doing so will allow it to take in more air. More air at factory setting means it will run to lean at higher rpms. Its a 2 stroke lean is your enemy. The lube is in the fuel so you have to adjust your fuel for the increased airflow.

 

[Stihlmike]

That was my main reson for not doing this mod, and just reading into it. The last thing i need right now is more saw issues. Just wanted to read up on both Muffler Mods and carb tuning, with the carb tuning being my number one read right now. Want to learn to fix/work on these myself, and then the playing can begin.

I did watch a few videos on how to tune the carb. One had a guy tuning a 460 i believe, he had some sort of square looking device he set on top of his motor, does that device read rpms, or something?