I am looking at both these saws for cutting firewood mostly; about 5 cords a year. The dealer tells me that the 260 is made to be rebuilt; the 290 is a throw away saw. I have noticed the 290's are cheaper and am thinking that over the long run may be a better buy - larger and almost as long lasting. I will probably buy a used one. Any advice to a greenhorn?
MS260 vs MS 290
- Thread starter dpt
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Justsaws
Addicted to ArboristSite
Dealer is not being truthful with you or is an idiot. If he tells you that it takes more than 15 minutes to tear a 290 down to the crank then he is a crook. Tear down and rebuild on a 290 should be an easily 1 1/2 hours, most of which is spent cleaning and inspecting parts.
If all you are doing is cutting 5 cords a year the 290 is a fine saw, not the best but far from the worst. It is a prov-en design. Spend the difference between the saws on chaps and a helmet.
If all you are doing is cutting 5 cords a year the 290 is a fine saw, not the best but far from the worst. It is a prov-en design. Spend the difference between the saws on chaps and a helmet.
spacemule
The Peanut Gallery
Dealer is right--paying to have a 290 completely torn down and rebuilt would be an exercise in stupidity--the cost would be nearly what new price is.
Let's take your time estimate--1 1/2 hours. If shop labor is $50 an hour (not out of line), that's $75. Add $200 for a piston/cylinder set, and you're durn near the $300 the saw costs new.
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kevlar
Addicted to ArboristSite
The 290 will last you a long time it is a great firewood saw! Dealer is trying to upsell you to a pro saw.
Justsaws
Addicted to ArboristSite
$50 an hour would make them a crook around here. We are cheap and happy around $20.00-30.00 a hour since the mechanics make $8.00-$15.00 on average.
Parts seem to average around $150.00. Lots of 290s get rebuilt.
New 290s are around $350.00+ after taxes. $150-250 for used ones. Rebuilds average around $200.00+.
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Justsaws
Addicted to ArboristSite
dpt- p A typical piston and cylinder rebuild on any saw, pro or consumer usually cost around 2/3s+ or - the saws original average retail price. If the saw has a bad crank and or bearings, cases or other expensive additional parts this is when it becomes to expensive to rebuild.
P/c rebuilds are typically in the same price range as buying the same model saw used. You have to choose which you would want, new P/C or unknown condition but running saw.
P/c rebuilds are typically in the same price range as buying the same model saw used. You have to choose which you would want, new P/C or unknown condition but running saw.
windthrown
361 Junkie
If you are pinched on money, and only cut 5 cords a year, get the 290. They are good saws, and they will last 10 years or more. If you have more money, want a lighter weight saw, and one that will last more like 20 years, and are easier to work on, then get a 260. But for the near $500 price, you may as well get the 361. The 361 is a far better saw for the money at about $600, and last a lifetime. But if you are not going to run the saw for very long periods of time, the 290 will do you just fine. No need to rebuild it unless you run straight gas in it, or plan to run it for thousands of hours.
Also I would try to find a different Stihl dealer if you can. This one is a borderline scheister, and full of :censored: . There are many honest Stihl dealers out there that will be happy to sell you a 290. 290s are used by a lot of pros as well, and I have used one for over 5 years myself. They can drive a 20 inch bar, and cut big wood. Not as fast as a larger saw, but speed is not that important in part time firewood cutting.
Also I would try to find a different Stihl dealer if you can. This one is a borderline scheister, and full of :censored: . There are many honest Stihl dealers out there that will be happy to sell you a 290. 290s are used by a lot of pros as well, and I have used one for over 5 years myself. They can drive a 20 inch bar, and cut big wood. Not as fast as a larger saw, but speed is not that important in part time firewood cutting.
SawTroll
Information Collector
nilzlofgren
Addicted to ArboristSite
Why always the emphasis on rebuild, rebuild, rebuild? At 5 cords a year, you'll probably never have to rebuild. You'll be dealing with lack of spark/lack of fuel/ lack of bar oiling issues, long before rebuild issues. Unless the saw puts food on your table, and/or keeps your family warm, don't let the "rebuild" word decide what saw you buy.
Rookie1
Addicted to ArboristSite
You guys missread post. Dealer said 290 is throwaway. I would look at 290 if I was on a tight budget. For some reason too Stihl seems to push them,always having sales or free case with them. For just firewood I would do it. Then if next year you want different saw you could ebay it,they seem to sell like crazy there.
2000ssm6
Stihl User
As the smart others have mentioned(non husky heads), on a budget, the 290. Got the extra $$$, the 260. That 290 will last you a long time for 5 cords a year. If you plan on modding the saw, the 260 responds better and makes a mean little saw.
excess650
Addicted to ArboristSite
Are ya dreamin'? Sure the 290 is a little heavy, but is noticeably more powerful than the Husqvarna 350. BTW, MS290s are the plastic clamshell with shortblock inside. The 350s have a plastic lower crankcase, seem to loose muffler bolts due to stripping, and then the :censored: lower case melts....junk saw, poor design! The 353 is a fine saw, but a bit more $.
I have a MS290 and don't have any complaints. I had the saw going on 3 years now. I only cut 5-7 cords last year. So far this year I am up to 18 cords, havn't had any problems and I am still cutting.
Sure, I would have liked to get the 361 to start off with but at the time just couldn't swing the extra dough! Eventually maybe I can talk the wife into letting me splurge a little. lol.
Here in central PA the 290 runs $379 and the 361 is $579.
I would say the 290 would be fine but if you have the extra money I would go for the 361 over the 260 like some others have said.
Good Luck!
Sure, I would have liked to get the 361 to start off with but at the time just couldn't swing the extra dough! Eventually maybe I can talk the wife into letting me splurge a little. lol.
Here in central PA the 290 runs $379 and the 361 is $579.
I would say the 290 would be fine but if you have the extra money I would go for the 361 over the 260 like some others have said.
Good Luck!
oneoldbanjo
Addicted to ArboristSite
I do believe that in most cases.....for people that don't do their own mechanic work......the cost of repairing a 290 may not be worthwhile if the saw had a catostrophic failure. The cost of the labor and a new factory piston and cylinder kit probably don't justify the expense of the repair and it will cost almost as much to repair as it does to buy a new one. For the guys on this site, most of which do their own work and will scrounge around for a deal on parts, rebuilding a 290 is probably no big deal. I don't necessarily like the term "throw away saw" - but you aren't going to get most saws repaired for less than $ 300 when you have a cylinder sieze - and you are getting pretty close to the purchase price of the 290 at this cost.
I have absolutely no problem in people buying or owning a 290. It is a good saw for the money, will last the average homeowner/farmer/firewood cutter a lifetime, and is not a bad saw overall. There are better, lighter, faster saws - but they will probably cost more money. I owned an 029 for 12 years and cut a lot of wood with it and I sold it for $ 275 with a new chain and a used spare - it only cost me about $10 a year to own the saw. Most people will never wear out or blow up their 290 if they take proper care of it, use good oil, never forget to mix their fuel and always use fresh gas. I think this modern fuel will be a real problem for the occasional saw user that doesn't run the fuel out of their saws prior to storage or lets their saw and fuel sit for more than 3 months without being used.
I currently have a 192T, 260, 361 and a 660 as I have been cutting a lot of wood lately. If I was to downsize to a single saw......it would be tough to decide between the 260 and the 361. The 260 with a 16" bar is plenty of saw for most firewood cutting around here and is a great saw for anything up to about 10" diameter - and the 361 is a bit heavier with a 20" bar and can really cut a lot of wood in a hurry. I like both these saws better than the 029 that I used to have and it would be very hard to go back - but I loved my 029 when I had it and I didn't know I was running an "inferior" saw. It ran great, started easily, and cut wood for 12 years while I owned it - and 2 years later the new owner is still cutting wood with it.
Unless you are mechanically inclined and can recognize problems when buying the saw - I probably would not take a chance on a used saw. If you buy new you will have a 1 year warranty on the saw and most manufacturer defects will show up in that period. Problems from running a saw without oil or with bad fuel will not be covered - so always be careful with your fuel mix.
I have absolutely no problem in people buying or owning a 290. It is a good saw for the money, will last the average homeowner/farmer/firewood cutter a lifetime, and is not a bad saw overall. There are better, lighter, faster saws - but they will probably cost more money. I owned an 029 for 12 years and cut a lot of wood with it and I sold it for $ 275 with a new chain and a used spare - it only cost me about $10 a year to own the saw. Most people will never wear out or blow up their 290 if they take proper care of it, use good oil, never forget to mix their fuel and always use fresh gas. I think this modern fuel will be a real problem for the occasional saw user that doesn't run the fuel out of their saws prior to storage or lets their saw and fuel sit for more than 3 months without being used.
I currently have a 192T, 260, 361 and a 660 as I have been cutting a lot of wood lately. If I was to downsize to a single saw......it would be tough to decide between the 260 and the 361. The 260 with a 16" bar is plenty of saw for most firewood cutting around here and is a great saw for anything up to about 10" diameter - and the 361 is a bit heavier with a 20" bar and can really cut a lot of wood in a hurry. I like both these saws better than the 029 that I used to have and it would be very hard to go back - but I loved my 029 when I had it and I didn't know I was running an "inferior" saw. It ran great, started easily, and cut wood for 12 years while I owned it - and 2 years later the new owner is still cutting wood with it.
Unless you are mechanically inclined and can recognize problems when buying the saw - I probably would not take a chance on a used saw. If you buy new you will have a 1 year warranty on the saw and most manufacturer defects will show up in that period. Problems from running a saw without oil or with bad fuel will not be covered - so always be careful with your fuel mix.
joatmon
Addicted to ArboristSite
DPT,
Welcome aboard!
Now, cutting 5 cords a year, the 290 will serve you well. Here's the ABCs of the 290.
All 290 owners that aren't on this excessive, compulsive, over the top site use them and are very happy with them.
But, the Husky fan boys on this site can't stand the fact that the 290 is the world's number one selling chainsaw and every weekend cuts enough wood that if laid end to end would stretch from Niko's mouth to Peter's behind.
Compared to the Husky 350, the Stihl 290 is a much better saw.
Now, the 260 and 361 are fine saws, but the 290 will meet your needs,
Joat
Welcome aboard!
Now, cutting 5 cords a year, the 290 will serve you well. Here's the ABCs of the 290.
All 290 owners that aren't on this excessive, compulsive, over the top site use them and are very happy with them.
But, the Husky fan boys on this site can't stand the fact that the 290 is the world's number one selling chainsaw and every weekend cuts enough wood that if laid end to end would stretch from Niko's mouth to Peter's behind.
Compared to the Husky 350, the Stihl 290 is a much better saw.
Now, the 260 and 361 are fine saws, but the 290 will meet your needs,
Joat
nikocker
Addicted to ArboristSite
spacemule
The Peanut Gallery
Wow, find a Stihl guy that actually tells the customer the truth and the fanboys are read to hang him.
2000ssm6
Stihl User
Especially by the pound - - - MS290 13lbs, vs. the Husky 350 10.6lbs
Al
Weight is a big difference but the power and build quality go towards the Stihl. The 455 rancher is more in line with the 290 type saws.
joatmon
Addicted to ArboristSite
Especially by the pound - - - MS290 13lbs, vs. the Husky 350 10.6lbs
Al
Nik,
Well, the 290 has 3.8 HP at 13 lbs, or 3.4 lbs/HP.
The 350 has 3.2 HP at 10.6 lbs, or 3.3 lbs/HP.
Big difference. If a pre-teen girl is running the saw, the 10.6 lb. Husky may be best. If a man is cutting 5 cords of firewood a year, the 290 is the ticket.
As always, buy what works best for you,
Joat
