To return to the original question, my opinion. I have had 046, 460, 461, and 462. All are excellent saws. But with time and improvements, the 462 is hands down the best of the bunch. More dependable, as much or more power, and lighter.
I am a big fan of Council Tool stuff. They have several axes that are just as good as the Velvicut for much less money, and I consider even the Velvicut a good deal. Biggest difference in them is appearance and finish, and sometimes the handle quality. IMO they are as good as anybody's.
My first educated guess is you have an obstruction. Start by doing the cheap stuff first, unhooking everything and checking flow and/or blowing it out. If nothing helps there, you may have an internal problem in the cylinder. Not so cheap there.
There is always a certain amount of risk involved in buying something like a wood handle. With that said I have had good success with House Handle Company. I generally order several and pick and choose depending on the intended usage. You might get more consistent quality at some other places...
Can I jump in here with a question? I have heard somewhere that you can put a coild for the 620 onto a 590. Does anybody know if that will work? Not trying to really gain much, but need to replace the ignition anyway.
Must be a macho thing refusing to use the decomp valve. To each his own, but the push of a button is not a hard thing to do, and makes life easier. Also prolongs starter rope life. My current 261 has been an excellent saw for roughly ten years now. I run 3/8. 050, 20 inch bar on mine and 90...
Curious as to the outcome of this. Have a 590 with similar issue, and everything is fine except the coil, and I have trouble wrapping my brain around a coil just totally quitting all at once.
I feel your pain :):) I have had a 261 for several years now and consider it to be the best money I ever spent on a saw. It is under-rated in so many ways. I changed mine to a 20 inch bar, 3/8, .050 chain so it uses the same chain as some of my other saws, and did not affect it at all.