yet ANOTHER "which saw to buy" thread.....

[Big Donnie Brasco]

I plan on being on this forum for a LONG time to come and hope to one day contribute more than just a thousand questions!

I have narrowed my saw search to:

1. NEW Stihl 290 $359 from the dealer
2. a used Stihl 036 STANDARD, not a pro for $275
3. a used Stihl 028, properly done muffler mod for $250

Now.. both of the used machines are from a VERY respected individual known for impeccable maintenance, and he stands behind the machines he sells

I will only be cutting for home use and MAYBE 6-8 cords a year!
Nothing huge either.

Thank you all so much for your patience! I have yet to have a single comment that was anything other than helpful !!

Don

------------------------- let's hear it!

 

[NH_Wood]

If you can work on saws, I'd go with the 036 out of the bunch if it was in real good shape - a tad of 60cc's which will be nice for the amount of wood you want to process - not a terrible price in good shape (I just sold my 039 for $300 and it was very well cared for). $250 for an 028 is steep IMO and I would blink at spending $100 more for a new MS290 if I only had the two to choose from. If you are not up for tinkering and this is your first saw, I'd be giving the new MS290 a serious look. Pics of whatever beast you buy needs to be included once you choose! Cheers!

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Thank you so much.... FYI... I'll be a picture posting FREAK once I get my stove and saw!


Thanks again!

Don

 

[NH_Wood]

Good!

 

[mikefrommaine]

+1 on the 036

But to confuse matters more -- I heard a rumor that Tractor supply has started discounting anything that says Husqvarna 50%. It's at the managers discretion so YMMV.

 

[Thistle]

Grab that 036 & dont look back.....

 

[HittinSteel]

Forget about the 028.

Now that leaves you with 2 to choose from. The 036 is a pro grade saw. If its in the condition you say it is, I'd take it over a new 290 in a heartbeat. Ask him if he'll muffler mod it for you as part of the sale price.

 

[smokinj]

Grab that 036 & dont look back.....

I will +3 this, but the 028 would be a very close second........

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

Forget about the 028.

Now that leaves you with 2 to choose from. The 036 is a pro grade saw. If its in the condition you say it is, I'd take it over a new 290 in a heartbeat. Ask him if he'll muffler mod it for you as part of the sale price.

I agree that the 036 is a great machine, HOWEVER the saw in question is NOT a Pro model. No decomp button, or auto adjust oiler.

Thanks

Don

 

[BobUrban]

It is still a pro saw - just no decomp. I bought one this year, used, for 350 and do not regret a penny. Mine was from a local guy that did a complete ovehaul and it has 175psi with new everything and the piston is pristine. It was this or a new 562xp and I am very happy with the saw. I would buy another at 275 all day long.

 

[NH_Wood]

I wouldn't be too concerned Don - unless the saw is a real big boy, the decomp isn't all that important - you'll pull it no problem. I thought the 036 had the adjustable oiler, but I'm probably thinking of my 039. As long as it's oiling well and you keep the oiller clean and bar clean (oil ports and groove), I wouldn't worry about that either. The extra oomph will be worth it (assuming it's in real good shape - can you test the compression before buying?). Cheers!

 

[DexterDay]

I agree that the 036 is a great machine, HOWEVER the saw in question is NOT a Pro model. No decomp button, or auto adjust oiler.

Thanks

Don

Yeah all 036's are Pro saws (white handle), they made a "Pro" model with oiler, decomp... But the standard is still a Pro saw.

I am a little biased on which I would take. I love my 036 and its my go to saw now.

Knowing your budget is a key factor and also are you cutting a cord a year, or 8 cord a year. Husqvarna's at 50% off is pretty good. I don't know if that includes the 460 Rancher, but if I could step into one of them at $200-$250 new? I'd be all over that. My 455 Rancher was a great saw. Non Pro (plastic HOG), but still ran great.

The 036/360/361/362 series saw is prob the most popular model for Firewood (Stihls model) and the Husq 562XL or even the little 550cp (woods ported and this is a Mean @as machine, Jack!!) Are some of the best power to weight ratios out there.

It is still a pro saw - just no decomp. I bought one this year, used, for 350 and do not regret a penny. Mine was from a local guy that did a complete ovehaul and it has 175psi with new everything and the piston is pristine. It was this or a new 562xp and I am very happy with the saw. I would buy another at 275 all day long.

My BIL has a 562xp and I smile every time I pick it up

 

[Nixon]

I agree that the 036 is a great machine, HOWEVER the saw in question is NOT a Pro model. No decomp button, or auto adjust oiler.

Thanks

Don

You seem to know more about saws than You let on initially . Hmm . Have You considered Husqvarna ? 562 ,550Xp pro model , 555,545 home owner models .

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

You seem to know more about saws than You let on initially . Hmm . Have You considered Husqvarna ? 562 ,550Xp pro model , 555,545 home owner models .

Nope.... I still don't know Jack-diddly-squat! I just repeat what I read an hear!

I just repeated the information given to me by the guy selling them.... and as you can see I didn't even get it correct then! I was unaware that the 036 WAS a Pro

Having a great time learning tho! Who knew there was SO much to know about saws, their uses, and maintenance!

 

[HittinSteel]

I agree that the 036 is a great machine, HOWEVER the saw in question is NOT a Pro model. No decomp button, or auto adjust oiler.

Thanks

Don

It IS a pro model saw though, regardless of not having the cool "pro" sticker.

Unless you have a shoulder injury there is no need for a decomp and the 036 puts out plenty of oil for a 20" bar.

 

[osagebow]

Nothing wrong with my farmboss, but in retrospect I would have liked to have gone to a used saw guy around here that sells similar stuff on CL.

 

[mikefrommaine]

It IS a pro model saw though, regardless of not having the cool "pro" sticker.

(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-026-MS-260-036-MS-360-PRO-STICKER-DECAL-NEW-/230709407636?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b75a2f94) will take care of that. But personally, I would use (broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/STIHL-CHAINSAW-MAGNUM-STICKER-DECAL-046-MS440-066-MS660-/230937258658?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item35c4eeeaa2). Then all your friends would be really jealous.

 

[bogydave]

036. Bar size?
Throw a 20" full chisel chain just fine .
Like you said after you get into to it more,
in a few years you may upgrade & should be able to move the 036 easier than the 028.
"Assuming " the 036 is in good shape

What's the seller throwing in with the deal ? Extra chain/(s)

 

[MasterMech]

1. NEW Stihl 290 $359 from the dealer 2. a used Stihl 036 STANDARD, not a pro for $275 3. a used Stihl 028, properly done muffler mod for $250

Oh hell that's easy. I only see one option there.

036 all day every day over the other two options. Fuh gedda bout that 028. The 290? Only if you REALLY want a new saw. The 036 is twice the saw of the other two there.

 

[smokinj]

It IS a pro model saw though, regardless of not having the cool "pro" sticker.

Unless you have a shoulder injury there is no need for a decomp and the 036 puts out plenty of oil for a 20" bar.

Agree 100 percent. It may in fact help your ears pick up that first burp that I seem to miss and flood the crap out of a 361. That really suxs.

 

[maple1]

Before you do anything else I think I'd head to the closest TS and inquire of the manager about those half-price Huskys you heard about...

 

[mywaynow]

+1 on the 036

But to confuse matters more -- I heard a rumor that Tractor supply has started discounting anything that says Husqvarna 50%. It's at the managers discretion so YMMV.

I know from TSC management that Jonsered is a comin'. That may be exactly why the Huskys are going bye bye.

 

[HittinSteel]

+1 on the 036

But to confuse matters more -- I heard a rumor that Tractor supply has started discounting anything that says Husqvarna 50%. It's at the managers discretion so YMMV.

That sure would be nice to find an old stock 359 sitting on a TSC shelf with a 50% discount tag.......that'd be a pro grade saw for about $250

 

[DexterDay]

I just read on "The other site" that its parts only on the Husq's??

I'm stopping at my dealer on the way home anyways. I just sold one of my 036 Pros to a guy on AS! Stoked!!

 

[Big Donnie Brasco]

I'm going to go to TSC at lunch to inquire. I'll let you all know what my KS store has to say!