about to purchase MS261 - HELP

[Sidecarflip]

You got a lot of learning to do kid.

EXACTLY

 

[Evan]

Another one bites the dust.

I do have sometime on the 261. Its a nice saw i dont think youl be dissapointed.

 

[user 188535]

You got a lot of learning to do kid.

Yes, yes I do.

 

[user 188535]

Whatever. Personally I think you have a line of crap or at least a vivid 14 year old imagination and if you are not, or mostly not, you are the rare exception to the rule.

I have never worked for fun. Fun and work are the opposite.

Being 73 and retired, I do what I want when I want to and if I make money at it, that is my business and no one else's.

Well. I have fun working on saws. My real leisure is mountain biking.

 

[littletimber]

I've run the new MS261 through a tank of gas.

First impressions:

Starting: I follow the manual and hit the decomp valve when I go to start it. It starts right up in 2 pulls so far. Very minimal impact on shoulder or arms. Not that my 290 or 170 are hard but it is smoother or maybe easier.

Overall feel: The 18 in bar feels a bit off. It may be I am so used to my ms290 after 12 years that I have muscle memory with the 290 and this is just a new feeling.

Weight: It is lighter. I can feel that.

Cut: I can not tell much difference cutting wise compared to my 290. Granted I think my 290 was a little lean and running kind of hot so it probably isn't a fair comparison.

Smell: it smells different. I am not sure if it's the metal getting hot or from what I gather by reading the silver bottle Stihl oil mix vs the orange I always ran in the 290. It's not that it's bad or good just different.

That's it for now. I am pleased with the purchase. I do like the saw overall and am excited to get another 5 or 6 tanks of fuel through it as that will likely make it a bit more powerful after the break in period.

 

[LuDookie]

I don’t think the 290s are bad saws at all and I like them for what they are but to me, they seem quite “sluggish” compared to my 261.

 

[mister28]

I think you made an excellent choice with this MS261 !
Lighter than a MS 290 - 310 -390 - Better than a MS280 (already tested)
And almost identical in weight to an MS 230 -250 -231 -251 but above all better balanced!
did you get it with the light bar 04? (I think it suits him very well).

just to give some comparison figures. Even if that's not everything (my units are metric and not US, sorry)



I really like the MS261, in addition, metal casing, captive bar nuts

 

[littletimber]

Well I need to sale my MS290. I think I'm going to keep the 261

How much should it go for with or without the bar and chain?

Bar is new from December, Rapid super (yellow) Chain is new from Dec. - Which I would LOVE to keep as it fits my 261.

Probably only 6 tanks of gas on the bar and chain.

MS290 powerhead, unsure how old. I purchased it used over 10 years ago! It'

It has a generic muffler on it. No plastic cracks. The gas cap string doesn't stay attached. Otherwise great.

 

[TN Cattleman]

The 290 still looks good, but I doubt you will miss it with the 261 around.

 

[LuDookie]

Always good to keep a beater saw around.

 

[ammoaddict]

Always good to keep a beater saw around.

Yep, for stumping and such.

 

[littletimber]

haha I appreciate the thought for stumping but for the past 15 years I've managed with two saws so I think I will continue the trend. less is more freedom for me. Less to keep track of, less to maintain, less to break, etc. I usually have an older bar and an older chain for those such task. Any thoughts on how much it would go for? $220 with bar and chain? $150 for the powerhead alone?

 

[TN Cattleman]

The nicer MS 290's with bar seem to be averaging from $225 to $275 on Facebook Marketplace around here. Marketplace in your area should give you some ideal of how to price it.

 

[2strokeoil4blood]

I might catch some heat for this, but I always thought that the 026/260/261 saws were overrated. I know the 290 saws were the brunt of many jokes, but there is no sub for cubes. If you want a quality "pro" saw, sure the 260/261 is a good choice. But if you are wanting power, a 390 weighs the same as 290 and will smoke a 261 all day.

390 is a boat anchor!

 

[TN Cattleman]

I might catch some heat for this, but I always thought that the 026/260/261 saws were overrated. I know the 290 saws were the brunt of many jokes, but there is no sub for cubes. If you want a quality "pro" saw, sure the 260/261 is a good choice. But if you are wanting power, a 390 weighs the same as 290 and will smoke a 261 all day.

With a 64 cc engine and weighing in around the 13 lbs range, the 390 should smoke a 261. Two different saw sizes.

 

[Bubster]

With a 64 cc engine and weighing in around the 13 lbs range, the 390 should smoke a 261. Two different saw sizes.

Of course they are different saws, but if he was happy with a 290, a 390 would weigh the same and smoke them both. Cutting smaller trees I won't argue that a pro grade 50 cc saw is lighter and better. I have a 550XP that is my go to saw for most anything.

 

[user 122190]

I've run the new MS261 through a tank of gas.

First impressions:

Starting: I follow the manual and hit the decomp valve when I go to start it. It starts right up in 2 pulls so far. Very minimal impact on shoulder or arms. Not that my 290 or 170 are hard but it is smoother or maybe easier.

Overall feel: The 18 in bar feels a bit off. It may be I am so used to my ms290 after 12 years that I have muscle memory with the 290 and this is just a new feeling.

Weight: It is lighter. I can feel that.

Cut: I can not tell much difference cutting wise compared to my 290. Granted I think my 290 was a little lean and running kind of hot so it probably isn't a fair comparison.

Smell: it smells different. I am not sure if it's the metal getting hot or from what I gather by reading the silver bottle Stihl oil mix vs the orange I always ran in the 290. It's not that it's bad or good just different.

That's it for now. I am pleased with the purchase. I do like the saw overall and am excited to get another 5 or 6 tanks of fuel through it as that will likely make it a bit more powerful after the break in period.

The 290s do run lean. After 10 years of owning one, I finally had to rebuild the carb and in doing so removed the limiters. I richened it up and it ran much better. Then I sold it for the 261. Lighter, faster, and runs a 20B&C 3/8s skip-tooth just fine. Lots of saw in a little package.

 

[littletimber]

I've put another tank through the MS261. I fell two trees. Both dead standing, one 12 in diameter the other 18 in diameter. I am very pleased with the saw! The exhaust from it does not make me stink nearly as much as the 290. The wife REALLY likes that.

I have noticed the lighter weight after hiking through the woods with it for a while.

I am curious to open up the case and look at the filter, see how much dust and chips are in there.

Would continue to recommend the 261.

 

[littletimber]

 

[littletimber]

I posted my MS290 today...received an offer from a local within 45 min. Bar is from Dec, basically new, less than 6 tanks on it. The chain is going to be brand new from my MS261. Curious to see if they actually show up.