Wanting a firewood saw capable of making some lumber. Suggestions please.

[rustyb]

I'd like some thing light enough not to tire me while cutting firewood yet big enough to cut a few dozen beams 4"x18" and smaller.

I only cut a couple cords per year and the wood I'd be milling would be Doug Fir or Pine.

I have a MS260 as my firewood saw now and it seems too small about 60% of the time.

Physically, the Husky 372 and Stihl 460 seem about as big as my stature would want to be swinging around for firewood. Would they be sufficient for the milling I want to do though?

Open to all suggestions. With every nickel counting though, I'll need the most bang for the buck... and I'm not all that keen to buy used...unless it wasn't used much and it was a screaming deal.

 

[Former Saw Builder]

I like the 066/MS660 series Stihl it is a great firewood saw with a 24/25" bar in 3/8 .050 8 tooth rim,,,, and for milling it is awesome with a 36" .404 .063 and a 7 tooth rim.... the 066 saws are my favorite all around model saws

 

[gremlin]

waiting for someone to come along and suggest the 361. it wont be long he he

 

[chrispy6822]

waiting for someone to come along and suggest the 361. it wont be long he he

17 minutes this post has been up and no mention of the 361? Strange.

 

[Brian S]

17 minutes this post has been up and no mention of the 361? Strange.

He mentioned that he wanted to mill a little, and I heard the 361 produces so much torque that it usually bends CSM's into pretzles.. Duh.

 

[Lakeside53]

Milling? There is not subsitute for power... I like my 066, but... it's barely suitable in 20-24 inch timber...


361? I'd never use mine for milling.. well.... maybe in 8 inch wood...


And....you may as well buy used -milling will turn your new saw into an old saw real quick...

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I love my 066 but it is almost too much in the smaller wood, to big and awkward to swing around in close quarters. The 460 is much more at home in the 20" hardwood trees.

 

[William Balaska]

Real nice 076 will do the trick if you can find one not hagged out. An ok firewood saw, i've been dragging my 051 around the woods same weight it's actually become a favorite of mine, but for the same size i'll take the 76 and it will mill just about anything

 

[gremlin]

17 minutes this post has been up and no mention of the 361? Strange.

yes very very strange

 

[Jack_Shaft]

Husqvarna 372 or Stihl MS460

They'll be a bit slow in the Douglas Fir, but plenty fast in the Pine. As long as your source wood is not too big, you'll be fine. I have seen a few guys mill a lot of lumber with just an 039 Stihl, but the S-P-F logs are only 10-12" diameter and yes it is slow.

 

[SAWITALL]

Okay, 361

 

[chrispy6822]

He mentioned that he wanted to mill a little, and I heard the 361 produces so much torque that it usually bends CSM's into pretzles.. Duh.

True, but what is a bent CSM when you cancer is cured.

 

[BlackCatBone]

Just me, but I'd muffler mod the 260 and keep cutting firewood with it for a very long time and get something used and BIG for milling.

ps: 361 jokes getting stale

 

[rustyb]

Husqvarna 372 or Stihl MS460

They'll be a bit slow in the Douglas Fir, but plenty fast in the Pine. As long as your source wood is not too big, you'll be fine. I have seen a few guys mill a lot of lumber with just an 039 Stihl, but the S-P-F logs are only 10-12" diameter and yes it is slow.

What's "S-P-F"??

Thanks.

 

[rustyb]

Just me, but I'd muffler mod the 260 and keep cutting firewood with it for a very long time and get something used and BIG for milling.

ps: 361 jokes getting stale

Thanks! I did the muffler mod long ago though...along w/ a little choke mod and an adjustable 026 carb. I like the saw fine in wood 8" and less but I have been turning down a lot (for me any way) of free wood simply because the saw feels underpowered in the 12-18" diameter stuff.

Otherwise, I like your idea and it's one that I pondered a while back and then again after I posted. It's not like I'm a big time cutter or anything so I wouldn't need a larger firewood saw that many times per year.

So, financially speaking, buying used would seem to make the most sense. But, knowing how some people can trash mechanical things like this, I'd be very nervous about buying used....unless the saw had few hours on it AND I knew the person had a history of taking care of his equipment. But, where do I find this saw and person? Any takers here on AS??

 

[Lakeside53]

What's "S-P-F"??

Thanks.

It's a wood species grading group... Spruce-Pine-Fir.... and covers a heck for a lot of different trees of similar wood strength.

 

[grandpatractor]

Physically, the Husky 372 and Stihl 460 seem about as big as my stature would want to be swinging around for firewood. Would they be sufficient for the milling I want to do though?

Open to all suggestions. With every nickel counting though, I'll need the most bang for the buck... and I'm not all that keen to buy used...unless it wasn't used much and it was a screaming deal.

I would suggest considering a dolly 7900. It would be a nice compliment to the 260. I will hold up well to some "occasional" milling. I "broke" mine in milling some white oak slabs. And its 'bout the same weight as the 372 or 460. It's good bang for the buck too.

 

[Jack_Shaft]

What's "S-P-F"??

Thanks.

Spruce-Pine-Fir, common abbreviation on our local lumber stamps.

 

[nikocker]

What's "S-P-F"??

Thanks.

Spruce - Pine - Fir

Welcome to the site!

OK so I'm a bit late with my response! Computer is a bit slow today.

Al

 

[teacherman]

What's "S-P-F"??

Thanks.

Spruce/Pine/Fir is a catchall designation for coniferous species used in commercial framing lumber.

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