MS290 Performance

[begleytree]

The best things for a 290 is a muffler mod and if you are still wearing that 20" bar, throw a full skip chain on it. mine wears a 20" 3/8 .050 with 7 pin rim and drum. running full skip it cuts good, and keeps the rpms up where they need to be.
the 290/390 are capable saws that perform well in the hands of a decent operator. the most telling part of these saw bashers is the fact that they don't even own a 290/390, yet they know everything about them
I wonder how that is? maybe the spec sheets on the 290/390 are heavier than the spec sheets on other saws?
-Ralph

 

[SawTroll]

Isn't this thread, and many other,all about how you value your time?

If saw A saves you 2days/year over saw B, how much extra are you willing to spend?
Or, if you cut4fun, how much less ?

/Nisse

...or to put it another way - it is about user expectations.....

I wonder if the firewood that I cut with my "consumer" 029 would burn better/hotter/longer/etc. if I had cut it with a "pro" saw? Whatcha think?

Nope, but it will save you time, and you will have a better time when cutting.....

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

The 290 is not a good saw, for its weight, and a 20" bar is far too much on a 024AV - try a 13" one.....

Sorry, just had to say it streight out,,,,,,,

But what about for the price?

Since no one will address this question, I'll ask it again.

 

[bump_r]

In any hobby or profession you'll have those that go all-out and look snobbily down their noses at those "lesser into it" than are they.

I see it in 4x4 clubs, sports car clubs, gun clubs, about any profession (ask any MD about any DO or an RN about an LPN, paramedic about an EMT, heck our own beloved military is rife with "we are better than them" attitudes.)

This chainsaw world here - hobby for some, profession for others - is no different. Some of those with the need (perceived, real, or compensatory) of top-of-the-line equipment have no acceptance for the concept of "good enough" that others are forced to live within. For those with a budget or actual need for a pro-grade saw, the purchse price of same is an acceptable reality. For others, just stepping up to a Stihl or Husky - any grade - is a step up and a wise purchase. Perhaps another step up is on the horizon, but FOR NOW the saw in hand is the saw for the job. Enough of this elitism, already. The saw everyone loves to bash IS a very cost effective way to get into a serious saw. It is relaiable, durable, and presents a tremendous bang for the buck. It's not for everone - it's not intended to be. If it hits the target market, makes sales and produces loyal Stihl customers on top of being a rock-solid machine, I'd have to call it a production success story. I'd like to have a nickel for every cord of wood this "POS" machine has put in the woodshed over the years...

The saws detractors are correct in that the saw is less than stellar "on paper" but when did bench racing ever win any trophies, anyway?

 

[joatmon]

Nope, but it will save you time, and you will have a better time when cutting.....

Well, I'm impressed that you can determine that about me from a post on the internet. But, your IPLs probably don't tell you that:

- I enjoy my time cutting, splitting and hauling wood.

- I try to do the best I can with what I have. It would be easy to buy a 7900, 372, or 460. Heck, should get all three. But, I keep 3 sharp chains, fresh fuel and a clean air filter and the old 029 does the job.

- I imagine that technique and experience trump just having a high HP pro saw. I'd rather have my 029 and a fistfull of wedges than have a 372 and no wedges for most of the cutting I do.

Now Mr. Troll, you have many saws and I wouldn't try to tell you that they are too heavy or too low on power or too _______. If you're happy, then I'm happy for you.

Peace,

Jack

 

[WRW]

Fordman99,
How long have you owned the 290? Have you given it time to break in? If so, I'd suspect that it is set up improperly. It should outcut the 024 easily.

 

[sredlin]

I cut 5+ cords with a MS290 last year--didn't seem to have any problems--it could use a compression release and might get a little heavy if you used it all day--- other than that I get along great with it --- paid $289 plus tax on sale--run a 20" bar and seems to have plenty of power

 

[RiverRat2]

Ditto Ralph

The best things for a 290 is a muffler mod and if you are still wearing that 20" bar, throw a full skip chain on it. mine wears a 20" 3/8 .050 with 7 pin rim and drum. running full skip it cuts good, and keeps the rpms up where they need to be.
the 290/390 are capable saws that perform well in the hands of a decent operator. the most telling part of these saw bashers is the fact that they don't even own a 290/390, yet they know everything about them
I wonder how that is? maybe the spec sheets on the 290/390 are heavier than the spec sheets on other saws?
-Ralph

Could not have said it better myself got two 290's and an 029super set up identical to yours 20"bars running full skip with moderate very simple muff mods.... They do cut really well,,, I did get them very cheap,,and put a little money in them for the clutch drum /rim sprocket kits but with the 20" bar they are great limbing/light firewood saws.....:notrolls2:

 

[NYH1]

Since no one will address this question, I'll ask it again.

And they won't either...............price must not be a spec!

 

[Lakeside53]

The best things for a 290 is a muffler mod and if you are still wearing that 20" bar, throw a full skip chain on it. mine wears a 20" 3/8 .050 with 7 pin rim and drum. running full skip it cuts good, and keeps the rpms up where they need to be.
the 290/390 are capable saws that perform well in the hands of a decent operator. the most telling part of these saw bashers is the fact that they don't even own a 290/390, yet they know everything about them
I wonder how that is? maybe the spec sheets on the 290/390 are heavier than the spec sheets on other saws?
-Ralph

+1

 

[Lakeside53]

Fordman99,
How long have you owned the 290? Have you given it time to break in? If so, I'd suspect that it is set up improperly. It should outcut the 024 easily.

Not even "should"; it WILL runs rings around an 024... broken in or not.

 

[WRW]

Not even "should"; it WILL runs rings around an 024... broken in or not.

Yeah, the original post says it is not...makes me wonder what is going on. The whole bashing bit is just a distraction from the original question.

 

[1953greg]

+2

"also is there some carb or exhaust work I could do to get a little more juice out of it?"

+1

"The best things for a 290 is a muffler mod and if you are still wearing that 20" bar, throw a full skip chain on it. mine wears a 20" 3/8 .050 with 7 pin rim and drum. running full skip it cuts good, and keeps the rpms up where they need to be.
the 290/390 are capable saws that perform well in the hands of a decent operator. the most telling part of these saw bashers is the fact that they don't even own a 290/390, yet they know everything about them"

the 039, 20" b&c, i use is a pretty tough saw and bout 10 yrs old. it gets all the nasty jobs that i dont want the higher end saws into and keeps on ticking. it has its second piston in it and has been the best bang for the buck after many many hrs of use. with that said, the pro saws (24" b&c) are the get-er-done saws when it gets down to nut cuttin time.

 

[Ray Bennett]

Well, I'm impressed that you can determine that about me from a post on the internet. But, your IPLs probably don't tell you that:

- I enjoy my time cutting, splitting and hauling wood.

- I try to do the best I can with what I have. It would be easy to buy a 7900, 372, or 460. Heck, should get all three. But, I keep 3 sharp chains, fresh fuel and a clean air filter and the old 029 does the job.

- I imagine that technique and experience trump just having a high HP pro saw. I'd rather have my 029 and a fistfull of wedges than have a 372 and no wedges for most of the cutting I do.

Now Mr. Troll, you have many saws and I wouldn't try to tell you that they are too heavy or too low on power or too _______. If you're happy, then I'm happy for you.

Peace,

Jack

Good attitude and Great post +1

 

[mini kahuna]

I'll take the 372.

 

[joatmon]

I'll take the 372.

Great choice! You see, we're all different. Don't you just love freedom.

Jack

 

[stonykill]

its all in the owner

personally I am ot a fan of the 029. My old man has one and thinks its great. To me, its not all that. But he loves it. Someday I'll own it and toy with mods to it. Its so quiet you know the muffler needs to be modded. I am in no hurry to own it tho...rather have my old man around>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[peter399]

personally I am ot a fan of the 029. My old man has one and thinks its great. To me, its not all that. But he loves it. Someday I'll own it and toy with mods to it. Its so quiet you know the muffler needs to be modded. I am in no hurry to own it tho...rather have my old man around>>>>>>>>>>>>

I wouldn't be in a hurry to own it either with a 346xp already in the collection. But of course ... then you will know how fabulous your 346 really is

 

[stonykill]

I wouldn't be in a hurry to own it either with a 346xp already in the collection. But of course ... then you will know how fabulous your 346 really is

true it is a great saw, but being the sick twisted freak I am my favorite firewood saw is my 10-10 auto, but like I said its all in the owner.

 

[blackoak]

true it is a great saw, but being the sick twisted freak I am my favorite firewood saw is my 10-10 auto, but like I said its all in the owner.

Sick, twisted freak. I think not, just a dedicated Mac man that uses a well built older saw that you probably don't have an arm and a leg invested into that gets the job done. How dare you? Stick around, I'm sure one of the saw therapest here will try and give you a cure for your Mac 10-10 sickness that you have. Good luck!