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Which Stihl Chain Saw?

T

Tom Lewis

Joined
Jul 2, 2005
Messages
130
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Location
Carlsbad NM
I think it is time to move up from my Poulan to a Stihl. I use a chain saw quite a bit since 90% of our home heating is from a wood stove.
I want one with a 18" bar.
Those of you with Stihl experience, which model would you recomend?
I am looking at the MS260, MS260 Pro, and the MS361 models.
 
MS 260Pro. No question IMO.

I've used one several times and the balance is very good. If I can ever kill my 19 year old 023, that's the saw I'll buy for my "small saw" (I use a Husky 372xp with a 28" bar for the big stuff).

mm

ps: I take it the Poolan has pooped out?
 
Ms361

Tom,

My Stihl dealer recommended the 361 when my 320 had a problem. I have been extremely pleased with the 361.

Someone asked a similar question and several of us recommended the 361. He bought the 361 and then wrote about his first cut with it. He was used to an old Homelite with a dull chain and having to apply lots of pressure. On his first cut with the 361 he sawed right through the log AND his saw stand. Yep, he sawed his saw stand right half in two. Every time I think back to that I get tickled and have another laugh. Then he opined that he thinks he will like using this saw a lot better than his old one. 😀

My point is, the 361 has good power.
 
Ms361

Tom, I posted this earlier above but definitely agree with the MS361. Have owned mine for about 3 years now without any problems. Make sure you get the decompression button on any model you choose. Well worth the cost. The MS361 has ample power which you don't always need but is really nice to have when you need it. You are making the right decision. Bill
 
They're all good, high-quality saws....

I also have the MS 260 Pro (with the decompression feature) - works superbly and would recommend it as a good general purpose saw. Plenty of power for any tree/log cutting I've needed to do for turning..... I'm NOT a lumberjack (....but I'm still OK*). BTW - the MS 260 is essentially the same as the 'old' model 026 for those comparing. I agree fully with Bill - get the decompression feature with ANY model you choose.

I also have a Bosch electric chain saw that I use for light trimming/shaping of rough blanks just before putting them on the lathe, etc., but probably use the MS 260 Pro about 90% of the time.

You are choosing among excellent saws!

Work safely,

Rob Wallace
(*with apologies to Monty Python's Flying Circus)
 
Easy Start?

A friend recommended I get a Stihl with an easy start feature. Is that common among all of them or just a particular model?

I do not have the umph in my arms to get my current chainsaw started and it is rather expensive keeping a muscle-bound chainsaw started on salary.🙄
 
Truffuls said:
A friend recommended I get a Stihl with an easy start feature. Is that common among all of them or just a particular model?

I do not have the umph in my arms to get my current chainsaw started and it is rather expensive keeping a muscle-bound chainsaw started on salary.🙄
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the Stihl "easy-starts" are only (I believe) on the smaller consumer saws. Tom is looking at pro saws. Those that use'em can pull'em 😀

"He's a lumberjack, and he's okay. . . "
 
Stihl saw

Hi,

I have the MS 310. 20" bar. Not a huge saw, but powerful enough to cut the full length of the bar. Pretty easy starter too.

Herb
 
I bought the 310 on the recommendation of the Stihl manager for the DE and MD territory who happend to be in the store when I was looking for a new saw. I told him what I wanted to do and he came up with this model. He suggested I stay away from the Pro models inasmuch as I'm not in the tree removal/logging business. And, of course, he was pleased I wasn't looking for a weekend-type saw from Home Depot/Lowes.

I'm glad I got the 20" bar. The saw has good balance, and I've very often needed the length.

Finally, the best piece of advice he gave me was to get an extra chain ground at 10*. It makes ripping so much easier.

Get yourself a Stihl file holder: it has marking for both 30* and 10*.
 
Stihl saws

Truffels - go to the Stihl web site. The MS361 is a pro model with the decompression button. This is a fairly recent addition to their saws and most including the pro models do have them now. Very good to have. I think that you might want to try some of them out through friends first, if that is possible. I am not large in stature either, but the MS361 is heavier than the lower models. I think at least an 18" chain length would be adviseable. I like the 20" for ripping log sections cut for turning. Stihl has a very good web site.
 
Tom Lewis said:
...Those of you with Stihl experience, which model would you recomend?
I am looking at the MS260, MS260 Pro, and the MS361 models.
Click to expand...

If you can afford it, the 361. It has the ability to go to a 25" bar if you need it later on. The larger saw will be heavier and more powerful though. It may be only a couple of more pounds, but all day, a couple pounds is significant.

Here is a good comparison

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/comparison.html
 
Ed, I have the MS361 without the q or b features. The 2nd brake might be good but don't know about the quick adjustment for the chain. The chain adjustment on the 361 is very easy with the tool on the side anyway. I feel that these items are really just another option for which they can get more money and unecessary. Mine is a fantastic saw as is and cost enough money to begin with. Works great everytime. I would really have to see the options working and determine how much more they are charging for them.

Bill
 
About 1 1/2 years ago I bought a Husky 365 with a 20" bar. Love it.
I just had to throw this in the Sthil love fest.
Hugh:cool2::cool2::cool2:
 
2 years ago added a Husky 455 Ranch King with 20" bar to my little 20 year old Stihl. Dealer sold both brands and suggested the Husky. I'm very happy with it. To me either brand would be an excellent choice.

Stoppy
 
I debated over several of the Stihl models, and ended up getting the MS390. It was a bit less expensive than the 361, but still capable of powering a 24" bar. I got it with both an 18" and 24" bar. For my occasional use, I expect it'll be the last chain saw I'll need.
 
I've a 360 with a 25" bar that I got slightly used off eBay that works very well splitting logs. When my trusty very old model Pulan Pro died (one of the good ones) I went to my local Stihl dealer to get a 260 - he talked me into a 250 with easy start and an 18" bar. It works quite well, but is a bit heavy for limbing and around the home work (what I wanted it for). It won't pull a 20" bar though and I went back and bought what I should have in the first place with that size bar.

Bottom line, the regular 260 has all any but a professional wood cutter would need. It's got the same power but is missing the parts that someone using one every day for hours would need to keep it running for years. I've cut 36" diameter oak with mine and it hardly slows down. I do use the 250 for home use and sort of like the 'soft' start feature, but that just adds too much weight - the two saws actually weigh about the same, but a 20" bar is a bit too long to do limbing safely (cutting branches off a downed tree to get to the trunk).
 
Hugh said:
About 1 1/2 years ago I bought a Husky 365 with a 20" bar. Love it.
I just had to throw this in the Sthil love fest.
Hugh:cool2::cool2::cool2:
Click to expand...

Stihl users are not so much loyal as maybe proud?
Both saws are good brands, the Husky's get discounted though, Stihl the best I ever saw was a free bar,chain and case with the head purchase.
 
I recently bought a used ms 440. Great saw. Usually run it with a 24" bar, but can run a 32" if need. Let me just say it really screams with an 18". A little heavy to use all day, but other than that great tool.

My other say is a ryobi 18" electric. Works well enough. Not sure what is wrong with my poulan pro, starts right up but stalls as soon as you let off the gas. Now that I got a stihl I'm about to dump it into the trash. Serious waste of money.
 
Husqvarna Saw

I have a husky and it is very nice. I would recommend it for several reasons. First, a Husqvarna chainsaw is cheaper, to buy and maintenance, and second it is lighter and less vibration.
 
I run a Stihl 028 Wood Boss and have for over 25 years. Used up a couple of bars and a sprocket or two, but she keeps on burping on the second or third pull.
 
Stihl chain saw

I have a older 290 and an "upgrade" to a 280. Didn't know what you guys were talking about with a decompression button. The 290 gives me no problems with starting.
The 280 on the other hand has given me intermittent problems. Seemed to start better in warm weather. By starting I mean (and this was was not what was elucidated in the thread) I can't get the rip cord out of the housing but a couple of inches-from the get go. I thought it was a faulty starter rope/coil/spring or whatever. Then another day I could start fine. Last week I got irritated (I revert back to my old 290 saw)-and took it to my friendly fix it shop (not stihl) and Glen said "boy it has a lot of compression". That rang a bell about you guys talking about a decompression valve. Took it over to the stihl store. They cleaned out the carbon hoping I could start it better.Didn't happen. I start it on the ground as I don't have the strength or knowhow to start it at my waist where you get the help from the falling saw while you pull the cord.Think I will sell it. Guy said they run about $400 now. The 260 that many of you rec was $500. Think I will bite the bullet. Nice to have 2 saws in case one dies!!!!🙁😀
 
Truffuls said:
A friend recommended I get a Stihl with an easy start feature. Is that common among all of them or just a particular model?
Click to expand...

I have an EasyStart and love it...so do all the big brawny guys that have used it! The biggest problem I have found is that everyone wants to drop start it with a huge jerk like they do their saws. I can start that saw (literally) with my pinky.
 
I use a Stihl 028 Super. I bought it 19 years ago, it finally refused to start last week after all those years of continuous use, which includes at least 100 cords of firewood. A new fuel line from the tank to the carb cured the problem....DRAT! I had my sights set on a new 361 or better yet, a 441 Magnum. If I decide to upgrade, I want the billet bar with removeable tip my old Poulan professional model had. ( I loved that old Poulan: big, heavy, and powerful) Important note: Stihl makes their own bars and their own chains! Stihl chains outlast anything else out there.
 
i'm new to turning bowls and using a shopsmith which won't go slow enough for anything of large size so my 20 year old stihl 024 with 16 inch bar is doing great for me. for now
 
Easy start Stihl

Carole Valentine said:
I have an EasyStart and love it...so do all the big brawny guys that have used it! The biggest problem I have found is that everyone wants to drop start it with a huge jerk like they do their saws. I can start that saw (literally) with my pinky.
Click to expand...

Carole-the ones I saw tags for in the store all said 14" bar only. Does your have a bigger bar? I need 18" to rip thru the log pieces I cut, Gretch
 
Gretch Flo said:
Carole-the ones I saw tags for in the store all said 14" bar only. Does your have a bigger bar? I need 18" to rip thru the log pieces I cut, Gretch
Click to expand...

(No Carole 😉 Most stores will let you buy a head unit and the bar and chain separate. What you want to understand is what bar do you want to use all the time, and what is an occasional length. Additionally, they put short bars on them to take up less counter space. The 290 has a recommended bar length of 16"-20", so you shouldn't have a problem.
I have a 039 and use a 20" bar all the time, but on rare occasion go to a 28". It is underpowered at 28" but far cheaper to use that on occasion than buying another saw.
 
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