Fordriver6
ArboristSite Lurker
Long time lurker, first time poster.
Short version: picked up a Stihl MS 391 for $100. Almost brand new saw that can't have been run more than once or twice. Problem is that the adjustable oiler was turned all the way down instead of all the way up for a 25" bar. The result of that is some melted plastic on the crankcase and the clutch cover.
Long version: I was in my local Ace Hardware/Stihl dealer looking for something completely unrelated to chainsaws (windup key to a old US Navy 24 hour clock). Walked over to the Stihl section because they have a MS 880 on display and it never ceases to amaze me just how beefy it is. One of the salespeople walks over and starts talking to me. The conversation moves to the point where I tell him I very rarely buy new stuff because I am able to buy things that need work for cheap and fix them myself.
About this point, the salesman gets this look in his eye and says "come here". We walk behind the parts counter and he sets a new looking MS 391 up on the bench. No bar or chain just the power head. He proceeded to take the clutch cover off and show me some melted plastic. Tells me he hasn't attempted to find out why it happened. Says it belongs to another of the employees in the store and is asking $125.
After calling the other employee over, they show me the 25" bar that came with the saw. The replaceable roller tip feels like it has a bare little bit of grit in it. They had thought about selling the bar separate. I offered $100 for the saw and the bar and the offer was accepted.
After picking up a chain from a friend and heading home, I started to diagnose the saw. Fired it up and saw a little bit of oil come out of the oil hole. After forcing some grease in the roller tip, I put the bar and chain on, fired it back up and pointed it at a box I had laying around. Some oil was splattering on the box but not a nice line like usual. Flipped it upside down and discovered the oiler was turned all the way down instead of all the way up. After correcting that flaw it sprays a nice line of oil off the tip.
Did a small amount of cutting with it just to see how it handles and it does very well. Haven't done anything serious with it yet, so not sure if the melted plastic will pose any serious issues or not.
Sticker on the handle says that it's original price was $609. So I'm into it for a sixth of its original cost. I realize it's not a pro saw like a 362, but I figure for $100 it wasn't a terrible deal.
Short version: picked up a Stihl MS 391 for $100. Almost brand new saw that can't have been run more than once or twice. Problem is that the adjustable oiler was turned all the way down instead of all the way up for a 25" bar. The result of that is some melted plastic on the crankcase and the clutch cover.
Long version: I was in my local Ace Hardware/Stihl dealer looking for something completely unrelated to chainsaws (windup key to a old US Navy 24 hour clock). Walked over to the Stihl section because they have a MS 880 on display and it never ceases to amaze me just how beefy it is. One of the salespeople walks over and starts talking to me. The conversation moves to the point where I tell him I very rarely buy new stuff because I am able to buy things that need work for cheap and fix them myself.
About this point, the salesman gets this look in his eye and says "come here". We walk behind the parts counter and he sets a new looking MS 391 up on the bench. No bar or chain just the power head. He proceeded to take the clutch cover off and show me some melted plastic. Tells me he hasn't attempted to find out why it happened. Says it belongs to another of the employees in the store and is asking $125.
After calling the other employee over, they show me the 25" bar that came with the saw. The replaceable roller tip feels like it has a bare little bit of grit in it. They had thought about selling the bar separate. I offered $100 for the saw and the bar and the offer was accepted.
After picking up a chain from a friend and heading home, I started to diagnose the saw. Fired it up and saw a little bit of oil come out of the oil hole. After forcing some grease in the roller tip, I put the bar and chain on, fired it back up and pointed it at a box I had laying around. Some oil was splattering on the box but not a nice line like usual. Flipped it upside down and discovered the oiler was turned all the way down instead of all the way up. After correcting that flaw it sprays a nice line of oil off the tip.
Did a small amount of cutting with it just to see how it handles and it does very well. Haven't done anything serious with it yet, so not sure if the melted plastic will pose any serious issues or not.
Sticker on the handle says that it's original price was $609. So I'm into it for a sixth of its original cost. I realize it's not a pro saw like a 362, but I figure for $100 it wasn't a terrible deal.
