You hit the nail on the head, the 290 class Stihl is a fine saw until you run a good saw. Steve
Price on MS290 Farm Boss
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You hit the nail on the head, the 290 class Stihl is a fine saw until you run a good saw. Steve
GPX433Todd
Small Engine Addict
"XSKIER, post: 4557658, member: 85202"]5.3s were 320, now 345 this year I think? There's no way I would ever trade my aluminum mds 5.3 for your 327/350.[/quote]
Who would drive a Chevy in the first place?
jdhacker
ArboristSite Operative
A stock 359 husky and a stock ms291 would be very close, other then I would still be cutting when you was getting gas.
bryanr2
Addicted to ArboristSite
I'll give you a pass since you're a Newb..... but if you really believe that you have a lot to learn.
Given your opinion..... a Stihl 291 and 311 should run with a 362pro. A 391 should outperform a 362.
Or a Husq455/460 should outperform the 357, 359, 562.
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jdhacker
ArboristSite Operative
I'll give you a pass since you're a Newb..... but if you really believe that you have a lot to learn.
Given your opinion..... a Stihl 291 and 311 should run with a 362pro. A 391 should outperform a 362.
Or a Husq455/460 should outperform the 357, 359, 562.
New to the fourm yes, noob no im 45 years old. I started cutting firewood for my mother when I was 13. You want to compare apples to hickory nuts, But any way your 359 wonder saw husky, and a ms291 have almost the same size engine same power same rpm. Yet some how your wonder saw will run off and leave a 291 weird huh
bryanr2
Addicted to ArboristSite
I don't give a flip how long you've been cutting your lack of "saw" knowledge shows. 359 is a semi-pro saw while the 291 is a clamshell boat anchor. And there is nothing weird about "knowing" that my 359 would STOMP a 291. Look at the builder's name in my SIG. Get familiar with the name- you will see it alot on AS.
The 290 class saw is for the homeowner who doesn't know any better. Same with the 435,445,455,460 Husq.
The 290 class saw is for the homeowner who doesn't know any better. Same with the 435,445,455,460 Husq.
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TreeTangler
ArboristSite Guru
I'm guessing that you've not actually run a properly functioning 359?
missedbass
ArboristSite Operative
It's starting to get ugly, the tension is so thick that you need a chain saw to cut it. Either saw will do it as long as the chain is sharp!I don't give a flip how long you've been cutting your lack of "saw" knowledge shows. 359 is a semi-pro saw while the 291 is a clamshell boat anchor. And there is nothing weird about "knowing" that my 359 would STOMP a 291. Look at the builder's name in my SIG. Get familiar with the name- you will see it alot on AS.
The 290 class saw is for the homeowner who doesn't know any better. Same with the 435,445,455,460 Husq.
jdhacker
ArboristSite Operative
34
Don't cry don't be mad, once again apples to hickory nuts, you are trying to compare a mod saw to a stock saw. A stock 359 and a stock 291 is very close.
I don't give a flip how long you've been cutting your lack of "saw" knowledge shows. 359 is a semi-pro saw while the 291 is a clamshell boat anchor. And there is nothing weird about "knowing" that my 359 would STOMP a 291. Look at the builder's name in my SIG. Get familiar with the name- you will see it alot on AS.
The 290 class saw is for the homeowner who doesn't know any better. Same with the 435,445,455,460 Husq.
Don't cry don't be mad, once again apples to hickory nuts, you are trying to compare a mod saw to a stock saw. A stock 359 and a stock 291 is very close.
bryanr2
Addicted to ArboristSite
The
You are the one who compared MY wonder 359 with a 291. At this point, there is no need to discuss any further. Those that "know" saws realize theres more difference than what it says on paper. Paper statistics mean nothing in the woods or on the woodlot.
You are the one who compared MY wonder 359 with a 291. At this point, there is no need to discuss any further. Those that "know" saws realize theres more difference than what it says on paper. Paper statistics mean nothing in the woods or on the woodlot.And good 50cc saw will cut a LOT faster than the over rated 56cc 290 and most are rated at less HP. You bet a 359 will cut more than a lot faster. Steve
indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
We still have a few 290's left, what is on the shelf is all that there is left in the U.S. as they are discontinued due to not meeting EPA emissions requirements. Shelf price should be 389.99 with a 18" bar and 399.99 for a 20" bar. People on here bash the 290 because it isn't a pro saw, but the truth is prolly closer to the fact that majority of the members could easily cut their yearly wood with the 290 and not miss a beat. Just remember this is an enthusiast site, folks get rabid about their lastest greatest modded pro saw. Yes, I have several of those, but for the average guy who cuts 15-20 cord a year for their own firewood needs it is all they need. The old pro saw is cheaper to rebuild argument is no longer valid, it is just as cheap to rebuild a clamshell anymore. Anyone who hasn't run a new broke in 291/271/251 would be pleasantly surprised with the improvement over their predecessors. Stihl continues to improve their platforms to meet the EPA challenge, same with Husky they just don't cut compression ratio's and castrate their saws to meet the regs as some companies have.
Seldom see any issues with a properly cared for 290, about the only issues you ever see is fuel lines that develop cracks or pinholes. It was the best selling model of saw for almost 15 years, not a bad record for a "boat anchor". Few people really need a modded pro saw for their own use, they own them because they are enthusiast and want to have the latest greatest hot saw on A.S. or like us own them to get every advantage on speed and production output.
Seldom see any issues with a properly cared for 290, about the only issues you ever see is fuel lines that develop cracks or pinholes. It was the best selling model of saw for almost 15 years, not a bad record for a "boat anchor". Few people really need a modded pro saw for their own use, they own them because they are enthusiast and want to have the latest greatest hot saw on A.S. or like us own them to get every advantage on speed and production output.
jdhacker
ArboristSite Operative
I know you think so, but it's not going to happen any more.
missedbass
ArboristSite Operative
+1 , Thanks
phillipmc
ArboristSite Operative
In my opinion a Stihl 290 is a fine home/farm saw, Its not a speed daemon and was never ment to be 1 but they do the job very well as long as they are cared for. 1 of the main factors with having a good cutting saw is keeping the chain sharp. If the chain is dull then a wild thing will out cut it (if you can get it running ). I bought my 290 2 years ago new for about $400 with a 6 pack of ultra gallon of bar/chain lube and an extra chain. It cranks and runs fine every time. It doesn't cut like a pro saw but I didn't buy a pro saw either. Keep a sharp chain, run good fuel/oil keep the air filter clean and it will last the average person for years.
bryanr2
Addicted to ArboristSite
Im gonna fold here. But I've bookmarked the thread and I will be interested to see if opinions change over the next year or so as ones are exposed to "other" saws. I don't see spending $400 on a homeowner saw when there are used pro saws for the same money. Not long ago someone offered me another really clean ported Husq 288 for $425. I should of grabbed it but had to put one of my trucks in the shop.
OP I hope you don't get sucked into the "290 trance" and spend $400 on a saw that isn't worth half that at the time of purchase. Look for a good used Poulan Pro 330 or NOS one if you can find it. It is superior in every way. There was a NOS one here on AS not long ago for around $250 if I recall correctly.
OP I hope you don't get sucked into the "290 trance" and spend $400 on a saw that isn't worth half that at the time of purchase. Look for a good used Poulan Pro 330 or NOS one if you can find it. It is superior in every way. There was a NOS one here on AS not long ago for around $250 if I recall correctly.
The fact is for the last 15 or 20 years anyone walking onto a Stihl dealer will get pushed right towards a 029, 290, or 291 with their over rated HP for what ever reason. Oh boy it's a Stihl and it has 3.8 paper hp it's the saw fo me, time to take the Stihl shorts off and get real. Steve
I KNOW any good 50cc saw will cut way faster than a over rated 290 as I've tested them , unless the 291 made a huge improvement in actual power the results will be the same. Just the thruth, no Stihl hype here. Steve
