Used ms290

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hosocat

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I bought this ms290 off of Craigslist. It was absolutely filthy, covered in grease, dirt, and sawdust. But it started and seemed to have decent compression. I paid the guy what he was asking, $100. This pic doesn't show the condition when I bought, i spent about an hour cleaning off the major gunk. I cut with it for about half an hour and seems to run ok. Then I pulled off the muffler and was surprised to see how clean it was inside. I figure I'll just use it and if the top end wears out I'll change it to a 390. I'm tickled with my purchase. First large stihl I've owned. But man, it is heavy!
 

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Congrats. They are a bit heavy, but a well built solid saw. A simple muffler mod and retune helps um out some.
 
They are not as bad as others on here claim they are, most non PRO operators don`t care as long as the saw starts and cuts for them. Heavy for their HP they may be but very durable if treated a fairly.
 
You got a good buy. Stay away from the China top end junk... They are a little heavy, but a good saw as what you might could do is get a good MS250 to go along with it for the smaller jobs.
 
My first saw was a 290, and it was a very good saw for me. I used it for about 6 years, and then sold it to a buddy when I upgraded. He's still merrily cutting away with it. The 290 is a good, dependable saw - enjoy!
 
Mine is 8yo, cuts 5 to 10 a year, and still a great little saw. It is heavy, but it is lighter then my ms461, so it gets used first. I plan to rebuild it when it dies, but it won't die.

Something you will learn, lots and lots and lots of inexpensive After-Market parts out there for the saw.
 
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