billbillw
ArboristSite Lurker
After years of saying I needed a chainsaw and then really getting an interest over the last month, I finally jumped on a used Stihl today. My focus has mostly been on other more affordable brands since it seems that used Stihls usually carry a hefty premium price around here. Even though I am just a homeowner who will probably never use the saw more than a dozen times a year, I really wanted a saw that had a split metal case. If the price is similar, I'd rather have an older pro model than a new homeowner model. I'm not afraid to wrench.
I had pretty much ruled out being able to buy a Stihl for under $300 with a split case so I was leaning towards several other models like the Dolmar 420, some of the Zenorah/Redmax saws, and a few others. I was trying my luck on eBay for a week or two with no luck.
Then today, I randomly checked Craigslist. There was a newly listed 026 that was literally right around the corner from my house. In the Atlanta metro area, that almost never happens. You usually have to drive 30-60 minutes to get something on CL, and face the possibility that it will be broken, trashed, missing parts, etc. This was less than 1 mile away! The price was almost too good to be true! An 026, with Stihl case, a couple bottles of mix oil, some files and tools for almost half what everyone else is asking for used 026. I called without hesitation and arranged to stop by after work.
The saw was a bit dirty, but it fired up on the 3rd pull and seems to be lively and in good working order. I checked to make sure this was a version that had a high speed adjustment screw on the carb and it did. That was all I needed to seal the deal.
It seems to be a later model, made in Va Beach with plastic handle assembly. I asked him how old he thought it was. He said he bought it from his brother in 2007 and he thought his brother had bought it just a few years before that. I'm not sure how late they made the 026, but somehow, I think that is probably off a bit. I'll probably send Stihl an email and ask them.
Anyway, I'm glad to be a Stihl owner. My dad had one for years and cut down dozens of white oak at our old house in Michigan. Most of my friends in Georgia who have saws have Stihl also. There is a nice little Stihl shop about 10 minutes away also.
I did some quick cleaning tonight and snapped some quick pics. I will be going through it more thoroughly when the weekend gets here and making sure everything is adjusted, cleaned, etc.
Not bad for a first saw IMO.
I had pretty much ruled out being able to buy a Stihl for under $300 with a split case so I was leaning towards several other models like the Dolmar 420, some of the Zenorah/Redmax saws, and a few others. I was trying my luck on eBay for a week or two with no luck.
Then today, I randomly checked Craigslist. There was a newly listed 026 that was literally right around the corner from my house. In the Atlanta metro area, that almost never happens. You usually have to drive 30-60 minutes to get something on CL, and face the possibility that it will be broken, trashed, missing parts, etc. This was less than 1 mile away! The price was almost too good to be true! An 026, with Stihl case, a couple bottles of mix oil, some files and tools for almost half what everyone else is asking for used 026. I called without hesitation and arranged to stop by after work.
The saw was a bit dirty, but it fired up on the 3rd pull and seems to be lively and in good working order. I checked to make sure this was a version that had a high speed adjustment screw on the carb and it did. That was all I needed to seal the deal.
It seems to be a later model, made in Va Beach with plastic handle assembly. I asked him how old he thought it was. He said he bought it from his brother in 2007 and he thought his brother had bought it just a few years before that. I'm not sure how late they made the 026, but somehow, I think that is probably off a bit. I'll probably send Stihl an email and ask them.
Anyway, I'm glad to be a Stihl owner. My dad had one for years and cut down dozens of white oak at our old house in Michigan. Most of my friends in Georgia who have saws have Stihl also. There is a nice little Stihl shop about 10 minutes away also.
I did some quick cleaning tonight and snapped some quick pics. I will be going through it more thoroughly when the weekend gets here and making sure everything is adjusted, cleaned, etc.
Not bad for a first saw IMO.
