Is it worth rebuilding old milling saws?

[Cowboy Tom]

I'm just getting into milling hardwoods (walnut) on an occasional basis and was thinking about getting a dedicated big saw (i.e. 100+ cc's) Which is the better way to go for the money. Getting an old Husky 2100 or Stihl 076... that are running, and hope you can find the parts for the next few years to keep them alive, at least till the hobby generates enough income to fund a new saw. Or, buy a used newer saw (3120 or o88) for close to $1,000 and know the parts are still available.

Every knowledgeable guy around here (central Washington) claims that Husky 2100's were possibly the best big saws ever made. Easy enough to find one but scary if you have to rebuild the bottom end.....

Opinions, rants, and lengthy dissertations are encouraged and appreciated.

CT

Johny Red 630, Husky 288xp, 36" Alaskan mill

 

[OneStaple]

I'm a fan of restoring the older saws, in part because I enjoy doing that. I just finished restoring an old 051, which would be similar vintage to an 076. I was able to get all the parts I needed through people on this forum, ebay (check a guy with username "cheap stihl parts" or something), and a few from my Stihl dealer. Granted, I didn't have to rebuild the cylinder/piston/crankshaft areas, as most of my problems were focused around the carb, clutch, and oil seals. But I've seen plenty of cylinder/piston kits for the 051 and 076.

The 051 and 076 are torque monsters, which are good for milling from what I understand.

All in all, I probably put $250-$300 into the saw by the time I was done (not including the bar) and would go that route again in a heartbeat. In fact, I'm currently trying to find my next project saw.

If you're not a fan of tinkering with engines and don't want to spend the time learning or doing so, then a newer 066 or 088 might be up your alley. But I think you can get a saw that's just as good at milling for much less money if you're willing to spend a little time fixing it up. I plan on using my 051 for years to come.

Hope that helps, and best of luck!

--Tyler

 

[Dibbs]

If you want a vintage torque monster milling saw then look for an 090 Stihl, they are still in production so parts will be available for many years to come.

 

[Nikko]

I just put a Husky 2100 back on the road after it had a long life in the bush. I'm into it for about $550 (cdn), but that's including new bar sprocket, 3 loops, new clutch, new coil, Stihl Elasto-start, modded muffler (Walker), etc. etc. etc.

You can find parts, you just have to look. and frankly, that's 1/2 the fun.

A couple of weekend ago it milled a 44" diam beech tree. Worked out to 195' lineal feet of milling, mostly at 30" wide. The saw sucked 20 liters of gas and pulled and pulled and pulled...

Absolutely no regrets.

Nikko

 

[gunnarfan]

rebuild it or build one up? Is that the question?

Honestly for me half the fun is running into all the interesting characters while on the lookout for parts.

My saws have all been used, dump scores or barter fors. I just scored a running sachs dolmar 143 for some rough maple art wood. It was just requiring a muffler which I got only to make it "look right" in case I was to pass it on to a new owner. In the process I was able to get a swanky NOS windsor bar which just needed the speed tip swapped to match the sprocket and I figured I'd do the saw a favor and get a fresh air filter. All parts from one location.

Sure that was an easy restore however that was due to experience gained from several prior rebuilds with a variety of makes and degrees of difficulty. After a while you learn who to get a hold of for the stuff you need and you get to be somewhat of a specialist in some saws and figure whats swappable between saws......... then you can get temped to go off into hotsaw territory.


What I've learned is the best saws come from folks that give up on finding parts.... or are just mad at the saw due to some issue they never fix.

2100s are cool from what I know of and you can likely find a few to support the one you decide is the runner.
I like 111s jonsereds with an oversized bar and a skip chain for monolithic cuts
partner p100s are grunty
If you require real custom then consider bike motors and make a buddy with a machine shop.... I recently got a plasma cutter and am looking to see what trouble I can get in to.

 

[Burlhunter13]

I like the older stihls.....something about a heavy, well built, full metal saw. I currently have an 031 AV (little guy) and one of my favs for some reason. I had put some minor parts in it and a good cleaning and she screamed (Ebay special). I should also be receiving an old 056 AV possibly tomorrow in the mail (that'll be the saw that I'll use to quarter larger logs or/use to retrieve logs from the woods, etc.). This guy needs some work......but I agree.....thats half the fun. I'll be having my eye on ebay for those 076-084 beasts lol. That'll be something.....:greenchainsaw:

Go with the rebuild!.....learn the saw's parts inside and out, and troubleshooting should be fairly easy when things stop working.

 

[Stihl051master]

For what it's worth I just got done rebuilding my 051, which shares a lot of parts with the 076, and there hasn't been any part I needed that I haven't been able to order at my Stihl dealer. Plus, it seems like there a lot of used parts available on ebay. I would look for an 076, I don't think you'll have a probelm finding the parts you need, as they also made the ts760 cutoff saw until very recently ( I didn't see it in the 08 Stihl catalog). Plus, they are one sexy saw. You can check out some pics of the 051 I did on another thread.

One other option you may consider is one of the big Homelites. I've seen quite a few for really cheap, but I can't say how available parts are.

 

[Brmorgan]

If you want a vintage torque monster milling saw then look for an 090 Stihl, they are still in production so parts will be available for many years to come.

+1 Tom, I would encourage you to handle an 090 and try to tell me it isn't worth maintaining! They can be had for under $1000 if you keep your eyes open, and parts, either original or aftermarket, are easy enough to find. And those old low RPM engines will last a LOT longer if properly maintained than the new 13K+ RPM saws.