Homeowner needs help on choosing a stihl(250-290)

[H 2 H]

Its not illegal to have a woodstove but they are illegal to have in a detached garage. The theory is that you will leave the garage unattended and a fire will start when something falls and lands on/near the woodstove.


Well I went to a different stihl dealer. This one was an elite dealer. I ended up buying the ms250. I held both the 290 and 250 and the weight felt about the same to me. I also played with some of the pro saws. For me the ms250 seemed more than sufficient for my needs. The dealer wouldn't lower the price off of msrp but gave me a file, a additional chain(yellow) and gave me a gallon of bar oil for 10 bucks. Overall I didn't think it was a bad deal.

I don't know if all stihl dealers did the but the guy then filled up the saw and took me outside and went over the saw for five minuted. Showed me how to start it and just general guidelines. I was happy with the purchase and plan on cutting some wood tomorrow. It also came with the 18 inch bar. He stated that he has done more warranty work on the 290 than the 250 but then again that is the number one selling saw so I don;t know the exact sales to repair figures. Once the warranty expires I plan to port the muffler but that not for two years since I bought the oil.


Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.

Buy and extra muffler off freebay and MM that; muffler on freebaay will cost between $12 and $20 that will wake up the saw even more :msp_w00t:

 

[FastGame]

If you're considering a plastic clamshell saw like an MS250 (which sounds like it would be perfectly appropriate for what you need), save your money and get a Poulan Pro PP4218AV and a good chain. It's quite a bit less expensive and has a strato engine, a fully adjustable carb and the bar studs don't screw into the plastic housing.

I have the regular MS250 and it's a popular saw in the area of Michigan where I live, I think it fits the bill to a tee...I would take the Poulan Pro PP5020AV over the PP4218. The Poulan Pro PP5020AV is a pretty darn good saw for the $$ it cost, but it's weight is more than the MS250.

 

[jonnysteals]

Buy and extra muffler off freebay and MM that; muffler on freebaay will cost between $12 and $20 that will wake up the saw even more :msp_w00t:

I never thought of that. I will look into that as well.

I did not get the case for this saw. Do you guys recommend the case to protect these saws. Right now I got a box with the oil, tools and chain in there and the saw separate with the saw cover on it. Will the hard plastic case be able to store all of this stuff or will I still need to store the oil and all separate. I am planning on doing some cutting tomorrow and will update this accordingly.

Thanks to this website I found the muffler mod thread here.
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/167636.htm
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/99937.htm
I figure with all the info about the 250 in this thread might as well link to the modifications thread

 

[H 2 H]

I never thought of that. I will look into that as well.

I did not get the case for this saw. Do you guys recommend the case to protect these saws. Right now I got a box with the oil, tools and chain in there and the saw separate with the saw cover on it. Will the hard plastic case be able to store all of this stuff or will I still need to store the oil and all separate. I am planning on doing some cutting tomorrow and will update this accordingly.

IMO; you don't need a case just the cover for the bar and keep the saw off cement (in storage)

 

[zogger]

--you lost me at woodstoves illegal in new jersey.Seems like everytime I read anything about new jersey it is taxes and mass widespread corruption are legal, everything else isn't.


If I was getting a brand new cheap saw for occassional use, I'd look hard at the poulan pro 5020av/ craftsman equivalent.

 

[H 2 H]

This is the inside of a MS 390 muffler

They are about the same as the 250 but much bigger

I will take a 250 apart in the next few days and I'll post pics of it

 

[jonnysteals]

IMO; you don't need a case just the cover for the bar and keep the saw off cement (in storage)

Yea I have the cover for the bar. I think I will just stick it on a shelf in the garage and save the money.

--you lost me at woodstoves illegal in new jersey.Seems like everytime I read anything about new jersey it is taxes and mass widespread corruption are legal, everything else isn't.


If I was getting a brand new cheap saw for occassional use, I'd look hard at the poulan pro 5020av/ craftsman equivalent.

South Jersey isn't bad really. Most all the bad you read about is northern NJ. They have crazy building and zoning laws but thats everywhere I would think. The woodstove is illegal in the garage but perfectly fine in the house. Both my buddy and my brother both have woodstoves in their garage and never had an issue. South Jersey is actually very nice. Where I live the prices of houses are astronomical but you make a fairly good amount as well. I live at the jersey shore(no fistpumping like seen on mtv jersey shore) and the only thing I worry about is a seagull crapping on my truck. I feel northern NJ at times shines a negative light on the entire state at times. The fishing and hunting sucks compared to maine or florida. The deer in NJ are big dogs compared to what maine has. The fishing sucks because the canyons are 70 miles off the coast so if your into big fish its really expensive to go out that far. When the stripers migrate south from Maine the fishing is phenomenal though.

 

[jonnysteals]

This is the inside of a MS 390 muffler

They are about the same as the 250 but much bigger

I will take a 250 apart in the next few days and I'll post pics of it

Please do that would be very useful.

 

[Kenskip1]

JS exactly where are you in south Jersey? As I mentioned I was brought up in what is called the "Pine Barron's"This is near Waretown or in Ocean County.I also grew up on the Jersey shore Surf City,Mays Landing, Meyers Yacht Basin. Cost of everything is way to spensive for this piney.Also to many foreigners. Ken

 

[jonnysteals]

I live in Cape may count at the shore in Ocean City. The 30 acre property I own is in Denisville right by gentilini ford. I know exactly where you were because when I was younger used to take my truck offroad in the Pine Baron's. I work right in Egg Harbor which is right next store to Mayslanding. Small world. What made you move to Texas; I traveled down there for work in August and it was way to hot for me down there. Think I lost 10 pounds sweating just trying to find a taxi sitting outside the airport which come to think is probably not a bad thing.

Man if you thought there were foreigner's here down go down to maimi. I was there for work and everywhere I went they told me my bill in Spanish. Only time in my life I felt like I was a foreigner in my own county. I had to ask to see the check so I knew how much the bill was. That was a terrible terrible trip. I liked texas buts it just to hot for me.

 

[Chris-PA]

Are you talking about the ms250? Because they cost a lot more than $200.

HF

No, I was talking about my suggested alternative, but it doesn't matter now. I'm sure the MS250 will serve him well.

 

[jonnysteals]

No, I was talking about my suggested alternative, but it doesn't matter now. I'm sure the MS250 will serve him well.

I see in your signature you have the poulan pole saw. Its my brother birthday in two weeks and he could really use this. Once again I will not spend the 600 dollars on a pro pole saw. How is this working out for you. Any reviews on this? Would you recommend me buying this for my brother?

 

[Arbonaut]

Yea I have the cover for the bar. I think I will just stick it on a shelf in the garage and save the money.


South Jersey isn't bad really. Most all the bad you read about is northern NJ. They have crazy building and zoning laws but thats everywhere I would think. The woodstove is illegal in the garage but perfectly fine in the house. Both my buddy and my brother both have woodstoves in their garage and never had an issue. South Jersey is actually very nice. Where I live the prices of houses are astronomical but you make a fairly good amount as well. I live at the jersey shore(no fistpumping like seen on mtv jersey shore) and the only thing I worry about is a seagull crapping on my truck. I feel northern NJ at times shines a negative light on the entire state at times. The fishing and hunting sucks compared to maine or florida. The deer in NJ are big dogs compared to what maine has. The fishing sucks because the canyons are 70 miles off the coast so if your into big fish its really expensive to go out that far. When the stripers migrate south from Maine the fishing is phenomenal though.

Fumes hover a certain distance from the floor in a garage. In the NEC there is requirements for the height off the floor for electrical receptacles in explosive locations. With the gasoline present in garages, a few people with no sense end up ruining it for all.

Heh, Somebody said, "Pine Barrens." Has any of ya heard of Tom Brown Jr. or, "Stalking Wolf?"

 

[Kenskip1]

Have you ever heard about the Jersey Devil?used to like to live in the pines, Ken
Here is what is happening in NJ this weekend
Five Things to Do This Weekend - Barnegat-Manahawkin, NJ Patch

 

[Chris-PA]

I see in your signature you have the poulan pole saw. Its my brother birthday in two weeks and he could really use this. Once again I will not spend the 600 dollars on a pro pole saw. How is this working out for you. Any reviews on this? Would you recommend me buying this for my brother?

I like it a lot actually, it's been a really handy tool. It's got decent reach and power. While they're all a workout to use at times, it's certainly effective. I have the brush cutter and string trimmer attachments for it as well, and I've used the brush cutter a fair amount. I found it's also great for getting into large multiflora roses and vines and nipping them off, without getting all caught up in them.

 

[zogger]

Yea I have the cover for the bar. I think I will just stick it on a shelf in the garage and save the money.


South Jersey isn't bad really. Most all the bad you read about is northern NJ. They have crazy building and zoning laws but thats everywhere I would think. The woodstove is illegal in the garage but perfectly fine in the house. Both my buddy and my brother both have woodstoves in their garage and never had an issue. South Jersey is actually very nice. Where I live the prices of houses are astronomical but you make a fairly good amount as well. I live at the jersey shore(no fistpumping like seen on mtv jersey shore) and the only thing I worry about is a seagull crapping on my truck. I feel northern NJ at times shines a negative light on the entire state at times. The fishing and hunting sucks compared to maine or florida. The deer in NJ are big dogs compared to what maine has. The fishing sucks because the canyons are 70 miles off the coast so if your into big fish its really expensive to go out that far. When the stripers migrate south from Maine the fishing is phenomenal though.

Ya, that's cool if ya like it. Granted, on your own 30 acres you can be fine most anyplace.

I like where I am now but it has some negatives as well. I *do* know that even were I a zillionaire I would still like to heat with wood and cut and split it myself. Just something about it that's so satisying. That and gardening, I "dig" growing a lot of my own food.

Anyway, there's some threads on that poulan pp5020av, aqpparently a decent 50cc saw for 200 bucks.

 

[jonnysteals]

Fumes hover a certain distance from the floor in a garage. In the NEC there is requirements for the height off the floor for electrical receptacles in explosive locations. With the gasoline present in garages, a few people with no sense end up ruining it for all.

Heh, Somebody said, "Pine Barrens." Has any of ya heard of Tom Brown Jr. or, "Stalking Wolf?"

Not too worried about the fumes. Inside the garage there is 1 boat motor, i compact tractor, two quads, one dirtbike, one rididng mower and a ariens snow blower.
Never heard the tom brown jr or stalking wolk but I will google it.

Have you ever heard about the Jersey Devil?used to like to live in the pines, Ken
Here is what is happening in NJ this weekend
Five Things to Do This Weekend - Barnegat-Manahawkin, NJ Patch

YEa I heard of the jersey devil. Heard stories about that in elementary and middle school.

I like it a lot actually, it's been a really handy tool. It's got decent reach and power. While they're all a workout to use at times, it's certainly effective. I have the brush cutter and string trimmer attachments for it as well, and I've used the brush cutter a fair amount. I found it's also great for getting into large multiflora roses and vines and nipping them off, without getting all caught up in them.

Thats good to hear. Im not woried about the workout part because my brother is a big boy at 6'3" and 300 plus pounds. Looks like I just got to buy him that for his birthday now.

Ya, that's cool if ya like it. Granted, on your own 30 acres you can be fine most anyplace.

I like where I am now but it has some negatives as well. I *do* know that even were I a zillionaire I would still like to heat with wood and cut and split it myself. Just something about it that's so satisying. That and gardening, I "dig" growing a lot of my own food.

Anyway, there's some threads on that poulan pp5020av, aqpparently a decent 50cc saw for 200 bucks.

Yea 30 acres is nice to have but sometimes its a little overwhelming to maintain. I wish I had the time to grow my own food but between work, grad school and life there is little free times these days.

 

[jimbo64]

Do you have any Dolmar / Makita dealers around? I would think a 501 would be a more solid choice and perhaps comparible in price. Or, how about a Husqvarna 353? Stihl is great, don't get me wrong, I'm just tryiing to think in your price range and still have you get a well built saw.

husky 353 was the best firewood saw i ever had-flawless performance---have wished i had it back every day since i sold it------have a stihl 270 now but still think the old husky 353 is a better choice

 

[Roll Tide]

Its not illegal to have a woodstove but they are illegal to have in a detached garage. The theory is that you will leave the garage unattended and a fire will start when something falls and lands on/near the woodstove.


Well I went to a different stihl dealer. This one was an elite dealer. I ended up buying the ms250. I held both the 290 and 250 and the weight felt about the same to me. I also played with some of the pro saws. For me the ms250 seemed more than sufficient for my needs. The dealer wouldn't lower the price off of msrp but gave me a file, a additional chain(yellow) and gave me a gallon of bar oil for 10 bucks. Overall I didn't think it was a bad deal.

I don't know if all stihl dealers did the but the guy then filled up the saw and took me outside and went over the saw for five minuted. Showed me how to start it and just general guidelines. I was happy with the purchase and plan on cutting some wood tomorrow. It also came with the 18 inch bar. He stated that he has done more warranty work on the 290 than the 250 but then again that is the number one selling saw so I don;t know the exact sales to repair figures. Once the warranty expires I plan to port the muffler but that not for two years since I bought the oil.


Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.

Did you really say they felt the same weight? Not even close to the same weight. Good purchase.

 

[7sleeper]

For keeping my stuff together for moving around I use one of these bags from Ikea. They cost ~60 cents. Put some old newspaper inside and the saw on top. I usually only mix a pint at once and use it up. So the fuel and oil fit also easily inside the bag.

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