On the Market for New Chainsaw

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Hydestone

ArboristSite Operative
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
105
Reaction score
29
Location
Lancaster, MA
I have a Stihl MS-290 that I've used over the years for dropping trees and processing firewood. It's been great and I really like it for that purpose.

I recently picked up a small Granberg sawmill and milled up some large eastern white pine. The saw didn't perform as I hoped it would, but I got the job done.

I've got some more tree work to do and am thinking of selling my Farmboss and upgrading to a more powerful saw, one that will work for cutting trees, firewood, and milling.

The Stihl saw selector is trying to put me into a MS391 or MS261 C-M, max bar size for both of those options is 20".

Thoughts on an MS362?
 
It's not just the size of the saw but the grade of the saw. I wouldn't use anything other than a pro level (HD) saw for milling. Of the two saws you suggest even though the 261 is a pro level saw 50 cc is a bit on the small side so the 391 would be a better choice as the 14cc difference will be significant. But even for small (20" bar) milling I would be starting at 70cc.
 
I have a Stihl MS-290 that I've used over the years for dropping trees and processing firewood. It's been great and I really like it for that purpose.

I recently picked up a small Granberg sawmill and milled up some large eastern white pine. The saw didn't perform as I hoped it would, but I got the job done.

I've got some more tree work to do and am thinking of selling my Farmboss and upgrading to a more powerful saw, one that will work for cutting trees, firewood, and milling.

The Stihl saw selector is trying to put me into a MS391 or MS261 C-M, max bar size for both of those options is 20".

Thoughts on an MS362?

Nope.

Milling requires HP & clutches the smaller saws just don’t have.

70cc minimum.

Find a MS461.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Keep the little saw for firewood and don't destroy it trying to mill with it.

Years ago I brought a logosol mill. I only use bars big enough to handle what is on the mill, usually 16 and 24".

The mill was a package deal on sale that came with an 066 stihl. I would not consider a smaller saw even with short saw blades for milling. The other saw I use is a 056M

Try to find a good 90cc+ saw for milling, still 066/660, husky 390/395. Check the trading post here. I don't like new saws as they are a PITA to tune right for milling

A 70-80cc saw will work but it will strain the saw and be slower. Plus side it's more handy for cross cutting/felling/bucking.
 
MS461s cost some serious dough.

Any good markets for saws in the MA area?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
20190506_125814.jpg This 046 was picked up from trading post. That's a 42" bar running semi-skip chisel that is very sharp & set up for the maple it just sliced. Minimum cc IMHO. Muff nodded to release the heat, max-flo air cleaner 4 strokes at idle 2 strokes under correct load.:yes: Closer to the middle of trunk needed 60" bar powered by 661c. When I bought the Ms-460 in my avatar thought it wood be more than enough.:laughing:
A friend a hundred miles away needs me to show up with the big guns for a 5-6 foot diameter by 20 tall stump ( top blown off) to drop & I hope for some milling. A" just in case" purchase a couple years ago is a Forester 72" bar. :innocent:Have three or four loops made up for it now.:rock:
Mill safe
 
None of the shops in my area carry the 461 or 462, they need to order them. They do have 661 and 441s. 661 seems like more saw than I need. Hope about the 441? Decent for hobby milling?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
None of the shops in my area carry the 461 or 462, they need to order them. They do have 661 and 441s. 661 seems like more saw than I need. Hope about the 441? Decent for hobby milling?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
At this site I've spent $500 on an 046 that was rebuilt w/170# compression. 70cc class saw. It is not the only one which will appear in the tradin post. Half price is always good, less than half is better for a saw as sweet as this one runs. The 661c was a grand, almost unused beyond the cylinder porting with a match of the exhaust port to the gasket. Then the gasket was used to match the openings into the muffler that everything was removed to free up the flow. Check the price on a 661 powerhead only (stock), there are better deals available than retail.
Break in is better before milling use IMHO I'm sharing my opinion based on my experience. A few years ago I knew that 70cc saw with a 36" bar was all needed ever! Now there's $2700 in saws, over $2000 in bars, and a grand in a grinder to sharpen square chisel chain because it is habit forming, and the larger diameters are part of this obsession for me.
Mill safely
 
For stuff like this I prefer new saws. But, a while back I was at a farm and equipment auction and picked up a Homelite Super 1050, 100CC's, with a 24" bar, for $150. It's a screaming runner, now I have a 45" bar for it. I collect saws and have 3 Super 1050's, and I might be less likely to pick up a dud, working with saws for over 50 years. But, used good ones are out there.

If you go the new route, cash can make a difference. Just before the 661's came out, I bought a new 660. I went to the Southern States a mile from my house and he would not budge a penny off list, and had to order a 660 or 880. I went to an Ace Hardware 20 miles down the road, asked if he would do me a deal for cash. The 660 with a 36" bar was on sale, he threw in the 25" bar for half price, the 25" chain for free, a 6 pack of quart bottles of Stihl synthetic mix, and a gallon of Stihl Bar oil. I just found that receipt on my desk and it was a few dollars over $1000. I tell folks it cost me over $1200, because I think that's what every thing added up to list. I was kind of surprised when I found the receipt and it was less than I thought. Definitely less than the Southern States would have charged. Plus the Ace dealer had 2-3 880's and 6, 660's on the shelf, so I was milling that day.
 
Always check CL. Never know when you can find a deal. Found my 361 on there about a year ago, and recently just picked up another 361 just to have and may sell one. God a good deal on both of them. Never know!
 
Back
Top