Post by: andersonjk4 on July 09, 2013, 01:43:36 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on July 09, 2013, 01:46:15 PM
Post by: 75johndeere on July 09, 2013, 01:50:02 PM
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Post by: boneaddict on July 09, 2013, 02:21:14 PM
Post by: boneaddict on July 09, 2013, 02:23:01 PM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,114511.25.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,114511.25.html)
Post by: quadrafire on July 09, 2013, 02:26:34 PM
I was in the same boat, and really was leaning towards stihl, but ended up with a husqvarna 346xp. It is a great little saw.
If you are not brand affiliated you might check it out.
This could easily turn into a ford/chevy conversation since I through the husky into the mix......... ;)
I went back and re-read your post and you said you were set on getting a stihl (sorry to stir the pot)
Post by: hntrspud on July 09, 2013, 02:36:16 PM
Post by: hntrspud on July 09, 2013, 02:38:35 PM
Anderson
I was in the same boat, and really was leaning towards stihl, but ended up with a husqvarna 346xp. It is a great little saw.
If you are not brand affiliated you might check it out.
This could easily turn into a ford/chevy conversation since I through the husky into the mix......... ;)
:tdown: Bad idea...LOL Just real bad....If you like a plasticy saw, buy a husky. If you want it to last, buy a Stihl.. :stirthepot:
Post by: andersonjk4 on July 09, 2013, 02:39:33 PM
And Quadrafire, I am in no way opposed to Husky saws. My BIL has one and I have spent some time running it and a lot of time watching him fall wood with it and it is a great saw. The main reason I am leaning toward Stihl and brand new is that I used to work for and I have a really good friend who still works for a Stihl dealer and by buying the saw through them I know I will get great customer service if I ever have any issues with the saw.
Thanks for the info so far.... keep it coming. Its very helpful. Has anyone spent any time with a 291 or the 261? Are they worth the extra $$?
Post by: lostbackpacker on July 09, 2013, 02:41:38 PM
Post by: quadrafire on July 09, 2013, 02:44:06 PM
Anderson
I was in the same boat, and really was leaning towards stihl, but ended up with a husqvarna 346xp. It is a great little saw.
If you are not brand affiliated you might check it out.
This could easily turn into a ford/chevy conversation since I through the husky into the mix......... ;)
:tdown: Bad idea...LOL Just real bad....If you like a plasticy saw, buy a husky. If you want it to last, buy a Stihl.. :stirthepot:
See......Told ya........ :chuckle:
Post by: andersonjk4 on July 09, 2013, 02:44:39 PM
If you get an 056 you are going to have seal and ignition issues somewhere in the near future. 290 wont be around much longer, and it has always been a great saw. The 291 is only upgraded due to emissions and is an ok saw, but not something worth spending the extra cash. The 391 is also a good saw, but you wont want to cut all day with it. All around, there is a reason that the 290 is the best selling homeowner saw Stihl has ever made. I am a certified Stihl Master Tech, I see over 350 units a year that I work on. My :twocents: is, get a 290, while you still can, and enjoy it. Use non-ethanol fuel for the life of the saw if you can. Keep it stock, if you dont and have an issue later, it will void the warranty.
Thanks hntrspud. What is your opinion on the 261? Is it worth considering stepping up to the Pro line?
Post by: hntrspud on July 09, 2013, 02:52:53 PM
Post by: Buckmark on July 09, 2013, 03:08:49 PM
If you get an 056 you are going to have seal and ignition issues somewhere in the near future. 290 wont be around much longer, and it has always been a great saw. The 291 is only upgraded due to emissions and is an ok saw, but not something worth spending the extra cash. The 391 is also a good saw, but you wont want to cut all day with it. All around, there is a reason that the 290 is the best selling homeowner saw Stihl has ever made. I am a certified Stihl Master Tech, I see over 350 units a year that I work on. My :twocents: is, get a 290, while you still can, and enjoy it. Use non-ethanol fuel for the life of the saw if you can. Keep it stock, if you dont and have an issue later, it will void the warranty.Why are they dropping the 290? Are they replacing it with another saw or redesigned saw?
BTW my 032 is still running great...
Post by: hntrspud on July 09, 2013, 03:19:07 PM
Post by: jay.sharkbait on July 09, 2013, 03:26:47 PM
If you get an 056 you are going to have seal and ignition issues somewhere in the near future. 290 wont be around much longer, and it has always been a great saw. The 291 is only upgraded due to emissions and is an ok saw, but not something worth spending the extra cash. The 391 is also a good saw, but you wont want to cut all day with it. All around, there is a reason that the 290 is the best selling homeowner saw Stihl has ever made. I am a certified Stihl Master Tech, I see over 350 units a year that I work on. My :twocents: is, get a 290, while you still can, and enjoy it. Use non-ethanol fuel for the life of the saw if you can. Keep it stock, if you dont and have an issue later, it will void the warranty.Why are they dropping the 290? Are they replacing it with another saw or redesigned saw?
BTW my 032 is still running great...
I don't think the 290 will pass emissions.
I used to work for one of the largest Stihl dealers in the country and would recommend the 290. Do not mod the saw.
Stay away from the 056. They had several different ignitions and I don't know if any are still available. I saw a couple 056's that would run for a couple minutes and then the ign would crap out.
If you could find a really good 034 or 036 I'd grab that. The carbs are fully adjustable and parts are still around.
I have a shaved and ported 034 with a 16 bar that cuts the small stuff pretty good, but you need to be careful how you start it. ;)
Post by: jackmaster on July 09, 2013, 03:27:16 PM
Post by: andersonjk4 on July 09, 2013, 03:38:51 PM
STIHL OR HUSKY YA CANT GO WRONG, if your cuttin firewood i would go for around a 36 its just enough power and you can run a 28 in bar with a semi skip and not bog down to bad, or even a 24 with a full comp. and they are small and light enough to not completly kick your butt, good luck
This brings me to my next question. What is the best bar size for a saw in this size range?
Post by: jay.sharkbait on July 09, 2013, 03:44:33 PM
STIHL OR HUSKY YA CANT GO WRONG, if your cuttin firewood i would go for around a 36 its just enough power and you can run a 28 in bar with a semi skip and not bog down to bad, or even a 24 with a full comp. and they are small and light enough to not completly kick your butt, good luck
This brings me to my next question. What is the best bar size for a saw in this size range?
Short as possible. Longer bars are additional drag and inexperienced operators can get some pretty bad habits
Post by: hntrspud on July 09, 2013, 03:49:14 PM
Post by: WSU on July 09, 2013, 03:51:58 PM
STIHL OR HUSKY YA CANT GO WRONG, if your cuttin firewood i would go for around a 36 its just enough power and you can run a 28 in bar with a semi skip and not bog down to bad, or even a 24 with a full comp. and they are small and light enough to not completly kick your butt, good luck
This brings me to my next question. What is the best bar size for a saw in this size range?
Short as possible. Longer bars are additional drag and inexperienced operators can get some pretty bad habits
What kind of bad habits? I run a saw for wood cutting and around the house, but am by no means a pro.
Post by: raydog on July 09, 2013, 04:43:04 PM
Thanks for the update buckmark! Namely because of the emissions curve, they had to redesign the 290,310,390 line to meet emissions standards. That is also the main reason they had to get rid of the 044. the 291 is the new 290. Still to soon on this saw to be able to know enough about it.They got rid of the 044 :yike: that was one of my favorites
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 09, 2013, 05:01:15 PM
Post by: boneaddict on July 09, 2013, 06:11:24 PM
Post by: kglacken on July 09, 2013, 06:24:29 PM
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: In all seriousness, The farmboss is nice if you will only use it a few times a year. I Also run a MS 362 at work a lot and I love that saw. I never feel like I cant cut through something, yet it isnt too bad to pack around. If i were to buy one, id go with the 362 but whatever saw you decide on, learn how to REALLY take care of it. (Keeping it cleaned, greasing the tip, filing the riders and how to sharpen it right) That will make the biggest difference in how it performs :twocents:
Post by: Humptulips on July 09, 2013, 06:44:51 PM
orrrrr you could spend some money and get The Stihl Magnum 660 with a 36 in Oregon bar like i run at work....Talk about a saw that will rip through a log :tup::yeah:
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: In all seriousness, The farmboss is nice if you will only use it a few times a year. I Also run a MS 362 at work a lot and I love that saw. I never feel like I cant cut through something, yet it isnt too bad to pack around. If i were to buy one, id go with the 362 but whatever saw you decide on, learn how to REALLY take care of it. (Keeping it cleaned, greasing the tip, filing the riders and how to sharpen it right) That will make the biggest difference in how it performs :twocents:
I personally am a Husky fan but the 362 would be a good saw. How the heck is a 290 a mid-size saw. That is a small saw. 660 is a bit over kill for wood cutting so something between that and the 290 is mid-size.
I wouldn't have a saw with less than a 28" bar, 30" better unless you're into back pain.
I'll throw in with the crowd and say stay away from the 056. I used to have one and never liked it. They were too heavy when new. They don't get lighter as you get older. Obsolete and the ignition will go eventually and then all you have is an anchor. Can't get parts.
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on July 09, 2013, 06:51:53 PM
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Post by: boneaddict on July 10, 2013, 05:59:55 AM
Post by: headshot5 on July 10, 2013, 06:17:09 AM
Overall you can't really go wrong with a STIHL. Just keep your chain sharp and they won't let you down.
Post by: jackmaster on July 10, 2013, 06:34:05 AM
the kind of bad habits, people use the dogs to cut limbs instead of using the tip, or when they dog into a log and roll over the top the dog the tip right into the dirt or aspault and then they get pissed because it aint cuttin good :chuckle: oh i have seen that so many times and it always make me laugh, its good humor watchn those types :chuckle: or watchn guys undercut when the should be comin from the top, you get to watch them get all bound up, well thats priceless to :chuckle:. but seriously if your not gonna where chaps atleast wear safety glasses and ear protection, it sucks but man it can save you in the long run. i remember the day of climbing trees and all i wore was my baseball cap... pretty dumb to say the least.... hind sight is always 20/20 :tup:STIHL OR HUSKY YA CANT GO WRONG, if your cuttin firewood i would go for around a 36 its just enough power and you can run a 28 in bar with a semi skip and not bog down to bad, or even a 24 with a full comp. and they are small and light enough to not completly kick your butt, good luck
This brings me to my next question. What is the best bar size for a saw in this size range?
Short as possible. Longer bars are additional drag and inexperienced operators can get some pretty bad habits
What kind of bad habits? I run a saw for wood cutting and around the house, but am by no means a pro.
Post by: Woodchuck on July 10, 2013, 06:50:32 AM
Man, I am old school. I still operate a 038Super with a wrap on it. It might be heavy, but so am I. :chuckle: Imagine the emmisions. LOL!!!!:chuckle: My saws are all run on 110 octane leaded gas :tup:
Post by: dreamunelk on July 10, 2013, 07:15:53 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on July 10, 2013, 07:30:02 AM
Post by: Whitpirate on July 10, 2013, 08:02:13 AM
Post by: Mudman on July 10, 2013, 08:15:03 AM
Post by: Dbax129 on July 10, 2013, 08:48:31 AM
Post by: woodswalker on July 10, 2013, 08:52:53 AM
Post by: jackmaster on July 10, 2013, 10:07:13 AM
I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic chain and learn to file it. Will do you for everything you need to do. As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.the only bad thing with a short bar is ya gotta bend more, i dont about you fellas but the ole back aint what she use to be :chuckle: i have a 28 on my 36 and it is plenty of saw for cutn wood abd it gives you plenty of room to stay away from the business end when whippn through brush.... what it comes down to OP is whatever makes you comfortable, if you dont have much expierience with a saw then you should really have someone go over the do's and dont's thats for sure, i know i have cut into my leg a couple times and that was when the saw was idling down, one little simple thing cured that,and i wasnt using chaps which wasnt to bright
Post by: woodswalker on July 10, 2013, 10:13:03 AM
I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic chain and learn to file it. Will do you for everything you need to do. As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.the only bad thing with a short bar is ya gotta bend more, i dont about you fellas but the ole back aint what she use to be :chuckle: i have a 28 on my 36 and it is plenty of saw for cutn wood abd it gives you plenty of room to stay away from the business end when whippn through brush.... what it comes down to OP is whatever makes you comfortable, if you dont have much expierience with a saw then you should really have someone go over the do's and dont's thats for sure, i know i have cut into my leg a couple times and that was when the saw was idling down, one little simple thing cured that,and i wasnt using chaps which wasnt to bright
We wont dicuss chaps. Never used them 30 years ago...I do NOW for sure...37 stitches changes your mind after a CLOSE call.
Post by: TheHunt on July 10, 2013, 10:31:49 AM
I also agree a 28 inch min bar length will save your back.
Post by: jackmaster on July 10, 2013, 12:04:23 PM
funny how it takes stuff like that to change a fellas mind huh :chuckle:I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic chain and learn to file it. Will do you for everything you need to do. As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.the only bad thing with a short bar is ya gotta bend more, i dont about you fellas but the ole back aint what she use to be :chuckle: i have a 28 on my 36 and it is plenty of saw for cutn wood abd it gives you plenty of room to stay away from the business end when whippn through brush.... what it comes down to OP is whatever makes you comfortable, if you dont have much expierience with a saw then you should really have someone go over the do's and dont's thats for sure, i know i have cut into my leg a couple times and that was when the saw was idling down, one little simple thing cured that,and i wasnt using chaps which wasnt to bright
We wont dicuss chaps. Never used them 30 years ago...I do NOW for sure...37 stitches changes your mind after a CLOSE call.
Post by: woodswalker on July 10, 2013, 01:05:34 PM
Post by: andersonjk4 on July 10, 2013, 05:21:40 PM
I've got a 290 for sale... Has a 24" bar. Pm if interested. Trying to get $300
Thanks for the offer. If I were closer I would take a look at it, but unless you are planning on a trip to Spokane then I think you are too far away.
Post by: syoungs on July 10, 2013, 08:57:07 PM
Post by: hntrspud on July 11, 2013, 10:24:38 AM
Post by: syoungs on July 11, 2013, 05:29:06 PM
Yes they are the "Farm Boss". The "wood boss" was the 028, now is the ms270. The bar was probably either replaced or they just didnt put the "Farm boss" bar on it.
awesome! thanks for the info, gonna go pick it up tommorrow.
Post by: wadu1 on July 11, 2013, 07:39:12 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on July 12, 2013, 10:27:19 PM
Post by: andersonjk4 on July 15, 2013, 08:02:07 AM
Post by: hntrspud on July 15, 2013, 08:08:37 AM
Post by: TheHunt on July 15, 2013, 08:25:42 AM
Post by: andersonjk4 on July 15, 2013, 08:28:11 AM
....So I guess that brings up some more questions...
What brand/style of chaps does everyone use/like?
What about chain sharpeners? Are the Stihl sharpeners the best? Electric or manual?
Post by: Hilltop123 on July 15, 2013, 08:54:43 AM
Post by: 75johndeere on July 18, 2013, 10:06:18 AM
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Post by: lostbackpacker on July 18, 2013, 10:25:56 AM
Now cut a hole in the muffler and wake it up. My 290 kicks ass now that I did that it went from bogging if I put any pressure on it to leaning on it pretty damn hard before it started to bog down. best way to do it is get a second muffler off of eBay so that if you do need warranty work you can put it back on and keep track of how far you move your adjustment needles so you can reset those if needed as well
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any chance of getting a pic of where you cut that whole in the muffler?
Post by: jackmaster on July 18, 2013, 11:07:17 AM
Post by: Skillet on July 18, 2013, 11:10:24 AM
you can just open it up and gut it, after your saw breaks in you could also lean your gas out alittle more, that alone helps alot, the problem with gutn your muffler is that noise increases alot, i am sure you wear hearing protection but its still loud :tup:
Might do this with my MS440... neighbors already complained about the noise when I put up my last few cords though.
I think it sounds GOOD!
Post by: hntrspud on July 18, 2013, 11:17:54 AM
Post by: 75johndeere on July 18, 2013, 02:13:35 PM
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Post by: hntrspud on July 18, 2013, 03:10:13 PM
Post by: 75johndeere on July 18, 2013, 03:46:54 PM
I am just giving advice from a professional opinion. And if I cant prove failures, then I'd be out of a job. Do what you want, its your saw, just my :twocents:I'm not bashing on you or your job I'm just saying if you tune it right there won't be a problem ie.. to lean I'm sure you could tell if my saw was way leaned out and blew up but there is no way to prove some yahoo at wherever you bought it didn't tune it that way vs me modding a muffler and I'm not calling you a yahoo I'm just saying in general
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Post by: Gobble Doc on July 20, 2013, 07:30:07 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on July 20, 2013, 08:12:30 PM
Post by: Mudman on July 20, 2013, 08:31:07 PM
I'm just reading this post. Everyone likes the 290. I've got the 310. I'm wondering if I should have gotten the 290? :dunno:NA, 310 is better. :chuckle: I have 310 also.
Post by: Wazukie on July 20, 2013, 08:38:43 PM
Post by: hdshot on July 20, 2013, 09:15:33 PM
If you get an 056 you are going to have seal and ignition issues somewhere in the near future. 290 wont be around much longer, and it has always been a great saw. The 291 is only upgraded due to emissions and is an ok saw, but not something worth spending the extra cash. The 391 is also a good saw, but you wont want to cut all day with it. All around, there is a reason that the 290 is the best selling homeowner saw Stihl has ever made. I am a certified Stihl Master Tech, I see over 350 units a year that I work on. My :twocents: is, get a 290, while you still can, and enjoy it. Use non-ethanol fuel for the life of the saw if you can. Keep it stock, if you dont and have an issue later, it will void the warranty.
No E gas is getting harder to find and looks like e15 in the near future. I sold out because saws are blowing up on that junk gas.
Post by: Sawbuck on July 20, 2013, 09:36:20 PM
A chainsaw motor is just a 2 stroke engine, no different than any other 2 stroke. Tune it, use it and abuse it!Well said Wazukie, but I would caution about turning them up too much. I had mine (390) a little over the top and ended up melting part of the bar oil res. I was able to plastic weld it back together, but after that I turned it down a little. Still cuts crazy fast and has been a great saw.
Post by: hntrspud on July 22, 2013, 11:18:35 AM
If you get an 056 you are going to have seal and ignition issues somewhere in the near future. 290 wont be around much longer, and it has always been a great saw. The 291 is only upgraded due to emissions and is an ok saw, but not something worth spending the extra cash. The 391 is also a good saw, but you wont want to cut all day with it. All around, there is a reason that the 290 is the best selling homeowner saw Stihl has ever made. I am a certified Stihl Master Tech, I see over 350 units a year that I work on. My :twocents: is, get a 290, while you still can, and enjoy it. Use non-ethanol fuel for the life of the saw if you can. Keep it stock, if you dont and have an issue later, it will void the warranty.
No E gas is getting harder to find and looks like e15 in the near future. I sold out because saws are blowing up on that junk gas.
? Not sure what you mean by this. If you look online you can find alot of places that sell ethanol free fuel.
Post by: BigGoonTuna on July 27, 2013, 09:38:55 AM
the guys who had the least amount of ethanol problems were the timber fallers. most of the time if a saw of theirs wouldn't run it was from water in the fuel, leaving their gas cans in the back of the truck.
of course, some saws are set way too lean from the factory, especially the home depot specials. never had that problem with a real saw(stihl or husky). saw a lot of brand new poulans come in with scorched cylinders.