I've got a MS290 which performs great for what I bought it for, ie felling trees and cutting them up, however it is a bit heavy for any around the house work, and taking up into trees to cut down smaller limbs. What do you think would make a nice complement to my Stihl?
Thoughts on a second chain saw
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D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
I have a 170 that I use more than the 290 when I had it but since upgraded to a 391. Love that little saw and at $179 I'd buy another tomorrow if it died. I might think about going to a 180 but the 170 has done whatever I asked it to
I know what I mean by a light weight saw, but that may be different for you. Get to your local dealers and pick up a bunch of saws to feel the weight and balance. Note the displacement.
Jonathan70
Member
splitoak
Member
Ashful
Minister of Fire
I would not buy a second rear-handle saw for your intended purpose. I'd buy (actually did buy) a Husq. T435 or a Stihl 200T. My T435 sees more use than my other two saws combined, being so light and convenient.
Many will dispute my advice, based on the safety aspects of rear handle vs. top handle, but look in any pro's truck. You'll find their 30 - 35 cc saws are top handle.
Many will dispute my advice, based on the safety aspects of rear handle vs. top handle, but look in any pro's truck. You'll find their 30 - 35 cc saws are top handle.
Firewood Bandit
Minister of Fire
I'd trade the MS290 and $200 and get Husky 545 or 550XP.
This is what I've been looking at. I want something I can hook to my safety belt, and easily climb a tree and work at it, and use for trimming around the house.
@Firewood Bandit: How would either of those saws do what I've asked? The fact is I've not handled them, but they seem to be as big as my current saw?
Top handle saws are great in trees if operator is trained.
I'd also sell that 290 for a pro 50cc saw, but I have CAD in a bad way.
I'd also sell that 290 for a pro 50cc saw, but I have CAD in a bad way.
jeffesonm
Minister of Fire
I bought a Stihl 180c and it was $180 brand new with the 12" bar. It weights next to nothing, is very nimble and sips gas... really a pleasure to use. With the 12" bar it is excellent for limbing... effortless to swing around and you don't have to worry about hitting other branches with the tip of the bar. There was a month or so when my 036 was in the shop and all I had was the 180 and I really put it through its paces. In the 18 months I've owned it I've probably run 30+ tanks of gas through and cut a few cords of wood and it's performed flawlessly. Some may say 32cc is too small, but if you're cutting bigger stuff, you use the bigger saw.
If you expect to be climbing trees (and reaching with one hand to cut stuff) the top handle does seem like the way to go.
If you expect to be climbing trees (and reaching with one hand to cut stuff) the top handle does seem like the way to go.
Firewood Bandit
Minister of Fire
Climbing saws are a real specialty use saw and unfortunately, the good ones are very expensive.
You choices are limited by your budget.
I have a personal bias against Stihl MS290. They do run and cut and most will not be able to wear one out. If you have not run a pro line saws you will be perfectly happy with it. Once your have runs something like a MS 261, Dolmar 5100 or Husky 346/550XPyou will change your mind if you cut a lot. With that said, I just don't like them. Several of my friends have them and almost always they never do any maintenance on them and always arrive with a chain that is in bad shape. That will guarantee a saw will not perform well.
The MS290 will have about the same power as the 346/550XP, but it will be heavier, have poor balance, and lack good anti vibe while being larger. I am not saying it will not cut wood with a good chain that is sharp.
As Tree Pointer said, CAD makes one discriminate about little things most would overlook and I too am guilty.
IMHO, there is no use for saws smaller than 50 cc. That size is not heavy and easily has the guts to do about everything a firewood cutter will need. I got by with a Stihl 028 Super for over 20 years. I now cut a lot more than I did before I retired and I seem to collect saws. It is perhaps a frivolous luxury but it is convenient to never have to sharpen a chain or fuel a saw in the field, when you can just grab another saw. Some will tout the big saws, 70+ cc, but unless you are doing nothing but bucking logs, they are not real fun to use for firewood use.
Anyway sell the MS290 and get yourself a real good one. (I am sowing the seeds for your CAD).
Notice what I am telling you will not SAVE you $$$$$.
- Jun 12, 2006
- 1,053
Firewood Bandit has the answer in my opinion. Here is why:
I have a few misclenious saws laying around. Craftsman or Macs. I don't know if they run because I don't care to run them anymore.
I only have so much time, daylight, and energy. I wasn't realy unhappy until I compared my saw with my buddy's old Stihl 038. Then I bought the Dolmar 5100, then Makita 6401. Thye pay for themselves nearly every day. I will not go back.
I'm not much for climbing so I don't use a tophandle much. If you were happy with the current saw I don't think this post would be here. Try a MS 261, Dolmar 5105 or Husky 346/550XP in some wood.
All the best,
Mike
I have a few misclenious saws laying around. Craftsman or Macs. I don't know if they run because I don't care to run them anymore.
I only have so much time, daylight, and energy. I wasn't realy unhappy until I compared my saw with my buddy's old Stihl 038. Then I bought the Dolmar 5100, then Makita 6401. Thye pay for themselves nearly every day. I will not go back.
I'm not much for climbing so I don't use a tophandle much. If you were happy with the current saw I don't think this post would be here. Try a MS 261, Dolmar 5105 or Husky 346/550XP in some wood.
All the best,
Mike
It's not that I'm not happy with my current saw, I just know that different jobs need different tools. I haven't yet had the opportunity to run a pro saw, I'm just thinking it would be nice to have a complementary saw for things like climbing up a tree to clear some branches the 290 isn't designed for that.
I really appreciate your input, I am the least when it comes to experience...that's why I'm here!
Firewood Bandit
Minister of Fire
Hi Mike, I agree.
I haven't run a 5100 but know they are real screamers, just make sure they aren't set to lean from the factory. I had a Dolkita 6401 and it was a very strong saw that ran great.
This thread may be an indication of my becoming infected. I'm okay with that.
Firewood Bandit
Minister of Fire
Amen to that, heavy emphasis on the desire to acquire different chainsaws whether needed or not.
This can branch out into grinders and buying chain by the 100' roll and acquiring a breaker/spinner.
Ashful
Minister of Fire
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