langkg
ArboristSite Lurker
long time lurker - few posts but wanted to throw this one out to you regulars.
I have a 038 Mag that I bought brand new in 1986 or 1987. I've run the piss out of this saw over the years and LOVE it. I'm not a professional but the saw gets plenty of use. We typically burn 6-8 face cords a year and I cut wood for others. I rebuilt the carb on the saw several years ago and I've gone through some bars and so forth but she just keeps going and going and going. The saw is approaching 30 years old (it hurts my head to think about this!) and I'm afraid it will outlast me. In fact, I'm pretty sure I KNOW it will outlast me...lol I'm in good shape though and cutting wood is my exercise. The saw has a 20" bar and it's just a great saw but maybe not the lightest thing in the world after you throw it around for a few hours.
So a few years ago I decided I should get a lighter "limbing" saw that I could combine with the trusty 038 Mag. At the time I was thinking about a MS362 but it turned into a Christmas gift and the wife got me a MS290. She got it with a 20" bar and it had the green chain on it. I started looking at specs and it was all of a pound or two lighter than the 038 Mag so I was concerned. I took it to the dealer she bought it from and had them put yellow chain on it and an 18" bar to try to cut a "little" weight. Frankly it's not a whole lot lighter than my big saw so I'm not sure why I bothered with it but I own it. It spools up a lot faster than the big saw which is nice for limbing. The saw has NO balllllzzzzz. I'm thinking the aggressive chain doesn't help...lol. Maybe I'm just used to a lot of torque as the chain will very rarely stall on the 038 Mag. This poor MS290 is a bit of a sissy especially considering it's not that much lighter than my big saw.
SOooo, I ask you all. I'm never giving up the 038 Mag and I do like having TWO saws now (actually I have a little 011 top handle but it gets used rarely). If I dump the MS290 I'm not sure what would fit the bill. I want light, fast and something with at least a bit of azz behind it. I know guys say the MS440 is the newer equiv of the 038 Mag but I'm never parting with it. I don't need a "replacement". I just want something fast and light that has some power that will compliment my old, big saw.
Thx...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 038 Mag that I bought brand new in 1986 or 1987. I've run the piss out of this saw over the years and LOVE it. I'm not a professional but the saw gets plenty of use. We typically burn 6-8 face cords a year and I cut wood for others. I rebuilt the carb on the saw several years ago and I've gone through some bars and so forth but she just keeps going and going and going. The saw is approaching 30 years old (it hurts my head to think about this!) and I'm afraid it will outlast me. In fact, I'm pretty sure I KNOW it will outlast me...lol I'm in good shape though and cutting wood is my exercise. The saw has a 20" bar and it's just a great saw but maybe not the lightest thing in the world after you throw it around for a few hours.
So a few years ago I decided I should get a lighter "limbing" saw that I could combine with the trusty 038 Mag. At the time I was thinking about a MS362 but it turned into a Christmas gift and the wife got me a MS290. She got it with a 20" bar and it had the green chain on it. I started looking at specs and it was all of a pound or two lighter than the 038 Mag so I was concerned. I took it to the dealer she bought it from and had them put yellow chain on it and an 18" bar to try to cut a "little" weight. Frankly it's not a whole lot lighter than my big saw so I'm not sure why I bothered with it but I own it. It spools up a lot faster than the big saw which is nice for limbing. The saw has NO balllllzzzzz. I'm thinking the aggressive chain doesn't help...lol. Maybe I'm just used to a lot of torque as the chain will very rarely stall on the 038 Mag. This poor MS290 is a bit of a sissy especially considering it's not that much lighter than my big saw.
SOooo, I ask you all. I'm never giving up the 038 Mag and I do like having TWO saws now (actually I have a little 011 top handle but it gets used rarely). If I dump the MS290 I'm not sure what would fit the bill. I want light, fast and something with at least a bit of azz behind it. I know guys say the MS440 is the newer equiv of the 038 Mag but I'm never parting with it. I don't need a "replacement". I just want something fast and light that has some power that will compliment my old, big saw.
Thx...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!