Just Bought A Ms390...

[hansol04]

Hey all,

I'm new to the forum, and after reading a few posts on this site, I can't help but wonder if I made a mistake ...

I came home with a brand new Stihl ms390 today. I don't make a living by falling timber by any means, but nonetheless wanted a big-ish saw to cut firewood for my wood stove. I live on the Pacific coast, and felt the ability to run a 24" bar was what I wanted. After chatting with a faller in town here, he suggested I get a husky, somewhere along the lines of the 365, but if not that, anything around 60cc would work for what I wanted.

So I went into the equipment store today, and priced out a few of the saws. The husky saw (a 362xp I believe) was priced at around $800 (I am up in Canada), but then was told that the Stihl ms390, was on for $499. It felt not too bad, and the price seemed a little more reasonable, so I picked it up and brought it home.

Now, after having read a few opinions on this site, it seems to me that I have bought a piece of #### (to put it bluntly). Like I said, I don't make a living falling timber. I may clear an occasional fenceline, with trees usually up to
18" thick, and cut a truckload of wood on a saturday afternoon. But that being said, I don't mind paying for quality either. I'm a carpenter by trade, and know what it is like to use a quality tool.

So what I would like to know is if will this saw work for my purposes, or if I would be better off trying saving for a better one? Thanks -Cameron

 

[Gologit]

Not to worry...welcome to As

Your saw, for what you bought it for and the use you intend for it, will do just fine. Use good mix, keep the filter clean, the chain sharp, and don't let it sit for months with old gas and it should last you a long time.
Are there better saws? Sure. Are there worse saws? Absolutely.
You have to remember that most of the people on AS are chainsaw fanatics and spend a lot of time comparing horsepower versus CCs and weight versus whatever...right down to the nth degree. This is good and it's informative.
Concentrate, for now, on using your saw properly and safely and drop in anytime with questions. We might not know all the answers but we'll entertain the heck out of you, anyway.

 

[COLD_IRON]

Keep good care of the 390 and it will last you a long time.

Most people don't like the 390 because of the power to weight ratio and it got a little more plastic to it (and a few other little things).

 

[chowdozer]

Your saw, for what you bought it for and the use you intend for it, will do just fine. Use good mix, keep the filter clean, the chain sharp, and don't let it sit for months with old gas and it should last you a long time.
Are there better saws? Sure. Are there worse saws? Absolutely.
You have to remember that most of the people on AS are chainsaw fanatics and spend a lot of time comparing horsepower versus CCs and weight versus whatever...right down to the nth degree. This is good and it's informative.
Concentrate, for now, on using your saw properly and safely and drop in anytime with questions. We might not know all the answers but we'll entertain the heck out of you, anyway.

What Bob said. Now go cut wood!

 

[Lakeside53]

It's a fine saw... lot's of grunt. Ignore the skeptics - enjoy it

 

[kevlar]

you poor bugger... just kidding you will like that saw,of course a pro logger would look down his nose at it!

 

[flashy]

keep it

That saw will serve you well for a long time.

 

[Tzed250]

You made a good choice! That saw is the best of that series. Plenty of grunt, and stone solid reliability. Take care of it and it will last a very long time and cut much wood.

 

[hansol04]

thanks for the quick replies!

I've never had a problem with using a heavy tool or whatever. I've used saws previously, whether it was for ripping plywood from a framed-in window, demolition work, and land clearing, but they have always been small saws, 35cc with a 20" bar sort of thing. This was to be my first "firewood" saw, with maybe a bit of falling work on the side.

Like i said, from what I'd previously read, it made me feel like I had made a big mistake, but maybe its not so bad after all. As long as the thing won't break too easily, and is able to handle the 24" bar without bogging, I will be happy. Cheers-Cameron

 

[Bowtie]

Boboak said it perfect. Biggest thing as far as making the saw last is to use quality mix oil, (I prefer stihl HP Ultra, in the white bottle). Also use quality gasoline 89 octane or higher, and dont let it sit forever. Nothing wrong with those series saws for cutting firewood.

 

[davefr]

After chatting with a faller in town here, he suggested I get a husky

A faller in the PNW that advocates Husky??? Travesty!!!

 

[Tzed250]

If you are going to run the 24 in. bar then learn to keep your chain super sharp!

 

[hansol04]

Haha well what can I say. The guy is a really good friend of mine, and it was his opinion that husky was just a tougher saw. He decided this after it jumped out of his truck bed... twice... and never had any problems either time. He's run all the brands at one time or another, and still says that husky seems to take the abuse better. But to each their own I suppose.

 

[BaldSawRunner]

I bought a MS 390 in December last year, and have used it every weekend save for a couple since. 20 inch bar, runs like a champ. I am however, in the market for a bigger saw, as I am in some big trees on my uncles property. He is 73 years young, and has had heart surgery this past year, and he does not want to cut down the bigger trees anymore. But it sounds like you do not have the big tree problem. Just be safe with the thing.

 

[hansol04]

well I am fortunate enough to be good friends with that guy I mentioned, and if I remember right, the saw he is running right now is a husky 3120 (i think thats the right number) with a 36" bar. So when it comes to the really big stuff, I just give him a call.

But thanks to everyone for giving their opinion. It'll certainly help me sleep better tonight, rather than falling asleep thinking of the $500 piece of "garbage" sitting out in the shop. Cheers -Cameron

 

[windthrown]

The Stihl saw most compared to the Stihl 390 is the Stihl 361 which goes for $100 more. More metal parts in the 361, and it has a slightly lighter spring mounted suspension for less vibration. But do not undercut yourself by thinking that you made a big mistake. The 390 has most of the pro parts, like an adjustable oiler and compression button for easier starting. It also cuts the same as a 361 (just a hair less power).

I have a 290 the little brother of the 390. I still use it, even though I have a 361. Your 390 will do just fine for what you say you want your saw for. For occasional use sawing, it will last for 20 years or more. It will cut far larger than 18 inch DBH trees too. Keep your chain sharp and run premium gas and premix oil in it. If you store it for more than a month drain the gas out of it, or use gas stabilizer to keep the gas fresh.

And as the others here have said welcome to AS, and the PNW group in particular.

 

[parrisw]

A faller in the PNW that advocates Husky??? Travesty!!!

Up here in the REAL PNW, British Columbia, I think most pro loggers use Husky!

 

[Crawfish]

Well, I am new to the site but I can tell you that you didn't buy a junk saw. I have a MS 390 that I use for my firewood business. I've had it for 2 years and NO problems yet. Cut a couple of loads today as a matter of fact. Full time tree folks may have a different story but I like mine.

By the way, it's great to be here and I look forward to learning everyday. Great bunch of folks here.

Dennis

 

[VI sawguy]

Originally Posted by davefr
A faller in the PNW that advocates Husky??? Travesty!!!

Yep, BC is Husky territory

 

[clearance]

Yep, BC is Husky territory

No, its split. Many fallers use 066/660 Stihls. I am not a faller, I do have a 394and a 395, I have used a few 066/660s, they are nice powerfull saws. Been around enough logging shows to see the two kinds, and it is only two kinds. I just prefer Husky, if I had to use Stihl, it wouldn't bother me. Thats falling, now, if you are to talk spacing or slashing powerlines, well, of course Husky rules.