New Saw!

[Flatbedford]

My $125 used 036 crapped out on me a couple weeks ago. https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/rip-036.127991/ With Mrs. Flatbedford's blessing I went and picked up a beautiful new MS362 yesterday. It is a significant investment, but it should be the last saw I ever have to buy.

It looks so nice all new and shiny. I went with the 20" bar and the dealer gave me a yellow chain to replace the green that it comes with. I only made a few cuts with it last night, but I can tell that saw is everything I thought it would be! It starts on the second pull cold and runs like a beast! It feels much more powerful than I remember my 036 being. The anti-vibe is so much better too. It feels so comfortable and smooth. The specs say it weighs a bit than the 036, but it doesn't feel any heavier when using it. In fact the the added comfort makes it feel lighter and easier to handle. I don't know how old my 036 is, but Stihl sure has improved their product over the years. I can't wait to do some serious cutting with this saw.

 

[TreePointer]

Congrats on the new saw!

I am, however, bothered by one aspect of that saw. It's entirely too clean.

 

[brant2000]

*long, slow whistle* That looks like a photo advertising a brand new, shiny Ferrari.

 

[Flatbedford]

I hear you on the too clean. I took a couple before pictures.


At least I can look back at what it looked like on the day I brought it home in a few years. I haven't had a new saw since 1996.

 

[WriteNoob]

Very nice! New tool days are awesome, are they not? Have fun.

 

[Jags]

Wait till you get several tanks through it. Then it wakes up.

 

[Flatbedford]

Wait till you get several tanks through it. Then it wakes up.

Gonna be great!

 

[JustTom]

Congrats. Good deal making it face all those lovely stacks so it knows what's in store for it.

 

[budman]

Ur right across the bridge from me good luck with the new saw.

 

[CenterTree]

Love the Stihl air cleaners!!


Congrats!, Now get out and get cutting.

 

[lindnova]

Congrats. You will like that saw. I have a MS362 that is almost 2 years old. Love it. You have the updated air filter. That looks a lot better than the old type fiber one I have.

 

[D8Chumley]

Congrats! Is it a 362 C-M? I just got my MS360 back yesterday I can't wait to cut with it! Subscribing for the updates

 

[osagebow]

Looks even sexier with the top off...But still classy with the scabbard cover. Congrats, let 'er rip!

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I think if I ever get a new saw, this would be it.... Enjoy....

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Say, how much was that out the door? Thanks.....I need to start saving......

 

[Flatbedford]

$749. A significant investment, but I am trying to break it up over 20 years in my head. This is my Father's Day, anniversary, birthday, and, possibly, Christmas gift...maybe for a couple years.

 

[Flatbedford]

Yes it is a MS362 CM.
http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms362cm/

 

[D8Chumley]

I haven't run any 361 or 362s but over at AS I read the C-M is the Mac daddy of the 362s. Maybe some day ...

 

[maple1]

What would the main differences be between this one & a 360? Saw a 360 for sale here a little while ago - if it wasn't so far away it would likely be mine now. Still pondering a drive though...

 

[D8Chumley]

360 is an older Pro saw. I think it might be about the same cc

 

[Jon1270]

360 is an older Pro saw. I think it might be about the same cc

The 360 is basically the same as an 036. Something like 10 years ago Stihl switched from their old model numbering scheme to the one they use currently, and the 036 became the MS360, the 025 became the MS250, etc. AFAIK, there weren't a lot of technical changes at that time, just cosmetic ones.

The 361 and 362 each had significant mechanical differences. Both are slightly smaller displacement than the 036/360 and both are engineered to burn cleaner and more efficiently, and they also have better antivibration hardware than the older saws. The 362 has the lovely new air filter design seen above, which looks to be a vast improvement over the older designs but may not matter much for non-professional use.

The big difference with the latest version, i.e. the 362C-M, is that the carburetor is now constantly, automatically, electronically adjusted, so it runs well in all sorts of conditions without the user having to fiddle with it. Almost everything I've read about this change has been extremely positive.

 

[Flatbedford]

I'm glad somebody else answered D8Chumley. I was trying to put and answer together in my head.

 

[D8Chumley]

Yes same here, thanks Jon for the info. I'm still new to this kind of stuff so I'm glad someone clarified the mud I posted haha!

 

[maple1]

Yes same here, thanks Jon for the info. I'm still new to this kind of stuff so I'm glad someone clarified the mud I posted haha!

Are you happy with your 360? What do you have on it for a bar?

(I guess we're getting away from Flatbedfords topic - ooops. That 362 is a very nice looking saw. Would love to have one of those but I'm afraid there would be some dog house time for me if I came home with one...)

 

[Jon1270]

I've had several 036 variants, including an older, basic 036, an 034AV which I converted to an 036, and an 036 Pro. The MS360 is basically the same, but the only one I've ever used is my neighbor's, and his needed a tuneup and sharpening so that wasn't a good experience. The typical bar length for all of them is 20", but ranges from 16" ("light saber") to 28" (once in a while, patience required). These are all really solid saws that would make 99% of personal firewood cutters very happy. They're all reliable, powerful, easy to maintain, and enjoy good parts availability. If you can't swing the price of a shiny new saw, don't despair. The world is rich with excellent used machines.