joecool85
Addicted to ArboristSite
New poulans a bargain ! :jawdrop:
Unfortunately no, NOS (New Old Stock) Poulans are a bargain, at least this 330 is. They haven't actually made these saws in a few years.
New poulans a bargain ! :jawdrop:
I got this saw last week and finally got a chance to really use it yesterday. Around here we have a lot of dead ash trees and I was cutting up a couple that had fallen. Nice saw! I am not a daily saw user but this saw is going to be great for me- even stock. I like the feel of it and the simplicity of the controls, plus the fact that it cuts nicely out of the box.
Thanks for this thread, I was going to get a MS290 but I think I like this saw better- and I have used MS290's many times along with the "big box" Huskies. I also like the fact that I still have $200 still in my pocket.
I do not care what other people think- I want to process firewood.
I grabbed one up this morning, although it was difficult to carry it by the Husqvarna display on the way to the check-out!
Seriously......overall it's a well built saw, oils fine, not very well adjusted right out of the box, but a drywall screw and quick yank with a pair of pliers and the limiter caps were removed for custom settings.
The saw runs well in the cut, aside from the idle changing constantly from one cut to the next. It will occassionally stumble, and load up and die out here and there, with no consistant pattern to the nonesense.
We've had it out on the wood pile all morning, cutting up twisted and oversize peices for the splitter. I set it slightly rich on the "H" screw for break-in, taking it pretty easy on it for the first couple of tanks.
I'm hoping the carb issue settles out soon, PITA having it changing speeds and stalling out once in a while.
It has the crappy Oregon chain with the goofy rakers, otherwise no other negatives to mention.
I'll reserve specific comments on power production and comparisons to some of our other 50-55cc saws until I get plenty of time on it and it's well seated. It seems to have decent power, and the anti-vibe is excellent, but I can tell you for certain, unless it finds about 30 percent more power someplace, it's not going to be well suited for this 22" bar.......Cliff
PS: our local TSC has a BIG stack of them on display, at least 10 units as of this morning. I'd gladly grab a few and ship them via our commercial UPS account, if any members just have to have one and can't find one locally.
CliffR or anyone with TSC that has the poulan 330 in stock if you could give store location. I am in South Dakota and my store manager looked at me like I was from another country when I asked him about the 330. He even got more wide eyed when I explained how I knew about it.
The store manager stated if I could locate a saw in one of there stores he would be able to get the store to ship it to his store in Watertown, SD. If anyone could help I would really appreciate it.
I hope to try one soon. The one I have now needs case seals and etc, never have time to get it done.
Banks and credit unions can cash it also, atleast mine does.No worries, I'm on it. Just need to get to the bank to cash that money order, tiny post offices around here don't carry that kinda money apparently.
Will a D176 mount bar work on this saw with minor or no modification?
Ran two tanks thru it today, and it's was continuing to get better with each tank. One of the most difficult saws to set I've ever owned for the "L" speed screw. It just wants to "bog" once in a while no matter where you set it at, then on occassion will change speed and slow down or completely stall out at idle for no apparent reason.
That was earlier today, fast forward to late this afternoon.
After the second tank I removed the muffler and modified it slightly, removing the pipe that runs across the top and opened up the exit hole right before the deflector.
That was what it needed, as it immediately quite wanting to "bog" down and responded more favorably to carburetor setting(s).
It's starting to show it's colors a bit, I'm going to have to set it up with an 18" bar and 3/8" set-up instead of the 22" stock deal. For now it's OK, but doesn't run the 22" bar with any authority in larger material. It's problably better overall than I'm making it out to be, as it's quick to want to compare it with a 262XP or 268XP, which have more power at every rpm than 54cc Poulan 330.
I'll do some timed cutting on our next outing against the Echo CS-510 and Husqvarna 55, although I probably woln't be running .325" chain on the Poulan by then.
Overall, decent saw for $200, muffler mod only took seconds, as did removing the limiter caps, which is about all the saw really needs.....Cliff
Got to admit I'm surprised you picked one up, and glad it sounds like your giving it a fair shake.
Remember we all said that a 22" bar is too much for it.
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