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Let's See Your Chainsaws

Davefr

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Jan 7, 2010
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OR
These are my two favorites. The 346XP was probably the finest 40-50CC class saw ever made. With a simple muffler mod I bet it would out cut most 60cc class saws and it's so nimble. My second favorite is the 550XP Mark I. The early production runs had some issues but were corrected when I picked up this one. Shortly after that they introduced the 550XP Mark II which was kind of a "porker".P1110509.jpgP1110510.jpg
 
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Rinspeed

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Apr 26, 2020
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NY
I picked up this Stihl 066 back in April/24 for $130. It had a burned up piston and was really sticky trying to spin it. I ordered a bunch of parts from Wolf Creek Saw shop, but after pulling the cylinder I realized that the crank/bearings were fine just covered in fuel that had varnished. I cleaned it up really well, put a Meteor cylinder/piston in it, rebuilt the original carb with a walboro kit, then thinking that it'd kick off but I'm currently waiting on ignition coil as I had no spark.







Nice save, I had an 056 and what a beast. OMG the weight though, think it was something like 22 pounds. :p
 

rd65

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Sep 29, 2017
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2,700
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Granite Falls, WA
Craftsman 2.0 14", 025 18" (not sure where they measure 18" from but it is NOT useable length), 032 20". Not a single one runs very well either. I think the Craftsman and 025 both need new carbs. They have both been cleaned multiple time in the sonic tank at work. The 032 leaks fuel along the case seam I'm pretty sure. I tell myself these are winter projects. hahaha.20240210_134009.jpg
 

rd65

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Sep 29, 2017
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2,700
Location
Granite Falls, WA
Got a MS 290 for $50 from a co-worker. It had been sitting for years (bad gas). Cleaned it up and have been dropping 2-3 trees per weekend ever since.
Sometime it is hard to start if I have been running it, turn it off, drag branches for awhile and try and re-start. Is this common?
Also, the oiler doesn't seam to work too well - took it all apart, cleaned, turned it up to max but still only uses about 1/2 tank bar oil to 1 tank gas.

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Might be a worn out oil pump. Is there an adjustment screw on the bottom of the saw? Manual shows there is one, check that first. Check the carb throat for fuel after letting it sit for a minute after running, may need a new fuel inlet needle.
 

F-22

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Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Messages
1,830
IMG_0097.jpeg

Also got a 90's 039. Both practically faultless, the 039 needed a new fuel hose every ~12-15 years and that's about it. Considering getting something in the ms26X class, but am worried about the most recent ones with semi-electric carbs and emission exhausts. My saws aren't used daily on the farm - but when I pull them out I like them to just work.

Here's also the even more reliable alternatives:

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Can't deny a well worn tool with a gleaming edge just turns me on :sneaky:
 

bulletpruf

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Messages
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San Antonio
Also got a 90's 039. Both practically faultless, the 039 needed a new fuel hose every ~12-15 years and that's about it. Considering getting something in the ms26X class, but am worried about the most recent ones with semi-electric carbs and emission exhausts. My saws aren't used daily on the farm - but when I pull them out I like them to just work.

I've never run an 039 before, but sure seems similar to your 361. I'd be inclined to ditch the 039 and get an 026 or MS260. 50cc class saw is the the first one most folks should buy, at least in my opinion.

My user saw lineup consists of an 026, an 036 Pro, an 044, and usually an 076, 070, or 090. All are generally lightly modified with muffler mods, maybe some light porting, and base gasket delete. Anyway, once you ditch the 039 and pick up a lightly used 026, it's time to start shopping for that 044 or 046...
 

F-22

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Jan 23, 2022
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Don't see a point in ditching it, I had it since new and it still works great. A bit more torquey than the MS361. Couldn't ask for more around the farm. I got the 361 for about 600€ so it was a good deal, otherwise I don't think I'd buy it. Previously we had a Stihl Contra on the farm - the 039 was a featherweight in comparison. The Contra was of course way more torquey though, so we never went for smaller saws.
 

f121

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Dec 8, 2018
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2,069
Location
UK
Considering getting something in the ms26X class, but am worried about the most recent ones with semi-electric carbs and emission exhausts. My saws aren't used daily on the farm - but when I pull them out I like them to just work.
I was also nervous about the 261 electronic carb, but after ~6 years in and a few hundred hours, I have no complaints. It always starts, always runs well, is zero drama. It’s been run on premix for about 95% of its life, only gets pump gas if I’m using someone else’s fuel, so maybe that’s why it always plays nice. I used it for the first time since February earlier this month. It still had half a tank of gas left in it, started 6th pull from cold, this weekend it started 4th pull from cold with fresh fuel, warm it starts on the drop everytime. It always just works.
 

bulletpruf

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San Antonio
Don't see a point in ditching it, I had it since new and it still works great. A bit more torquey than the MS361. Couldn't ask for more around the farm. I got the 361 for about 600€ so it was a good deal, otherwise I don't think I'd buy it. Previously we had a Stihl Contra on the farm - the 039 was a featherweight in comparison. The Contra was of course way more torquey though, so we never went for smaller saws.

I'm a big fan of the Contra. I bought a bunch when we were living in Italy and still have about 5 or 6 to restore. A few years ago I also started a Facebook group for the 1106/1109 series saws - Contra/Lightning, 070, 090, and the gear drive variants. https://www.facebook.com/groups/555947141452381

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bulletpruf

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San Antonio
Or perhaps a 044/046 hybrid 🤤

I missed out on one on OPE by a few hours but did recently pickup an early 044. Pretty excited to get it onto some wood once harvest is wrapped up.

My 044 is an early 10mm saw. Pretty sure it came from David Major in Hungary via AS or OPE. Spent way too much on NOS bits, but it's minty now, and wears a 24" or 28" Tsumura bar.

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jblnut

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Jan 17, 2015
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6,959
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In the Middle of MN
My 044 is an early 10mm saw. Pretty sure it came from David Major in Hungary via AS or OPE. Spent way too much on NOS bits, but it's minty now, and wears a 24" or 28" Tsumura bar.

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Both my 044 and 066 came from David. The 066 has been a blast and I’m hoping the 044 is everything everyone says they are.
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bassJAM

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Jun 10, 2020
Messages
855
Location
Cincinnati, OH
These are my two favorites. The 346XP was probably the finest 40-50CC class saw ever made. With a simple muffler mod I bet it would out cut most 60cc class saws and it's so nimble. My second favorite is the 550XP Mark I. The early production runs had some issues but were corrected when I picked up this one. Shortly after that they introduced the 550XP Mark II which was kind of a "porker".

When I bought my 550xp there was still a handful of 346xp's at the dealerships and I planned to go that route but then I found a 550xp online at a price I couldn't refuse. It's muffler mod-ed and is a delight for limbing; it's like using a laser. I've been heating my home with for 12 years with it and am fortunate that mine hasn't had any issues because I don't know what I'd replace it with, I don't like the weight specs of the second gen Husky nor the MS261.

The Makita 6421 is my home depot rental purchase, bumped up to 79cc's with a factory top end and also has a muffler mod. Then I ran over the damned thing and cracked the tank and found a Dolmar tank/handle on ebay.

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bulletpruf

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Nov 28, 2013
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San Antonio
Both my 044 and 066 came from David. The 066 has been a blast and I’m hoping the 044 is everything everyone says they are.

I often have an 064 or 066 in the lineup, but they're the same as the 075/076 and 070/090 - once they're done I typically sell them and look for a deal on another one. Love the power to weight on these.

044 is an awesome saw; also has a great power to weight ratio.
 

Dankotaru

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Jan 31, 2020
Messages
151
Location
7000' ASL
Curious how noticeable the difference is.
I run a 3/8 full chisel, typically on a 16" bar, cutting mostly Ponderosa and Lodgepole, occasionally Aspen, around 7-8k feet. So in the softwood at altitude it noticeably pulls a little stronger, but I think any engine works better at this elevation if it can breathe easier. It's most definitely louder.
 
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jar944

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Jul 26, 2010
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5,893
Location
Northern VA
Since parts are getting scarce and lot are NLA, I decided to order some spares while NOS parts still exist. Oem 7910 cylinder. The am cylinders on these are garbage at the transfers
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I'm debating picking up a cs590 and building a hybrid on a 460 cylinder. Or just be lazy and pick up a 620 and port it.
 

jblnut

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Jan 17, 2015
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In the Middle of MN
Went to do some chainsaw’er’ing today and brought the smaller side of the saw arsenal. Pops was giving me **** because “goodness how many chainsaws do you have NOW ?” “Well gee the three on the left you purchased new over the years so I only have two here” 😂
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He’s either trying not to **** himself while farting or trying to hold back a smile. Either way we got the better part of a load of poplar cut off the edge of a field today.
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Rinspeed

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Apr 26, 2020
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NY
I had the 500i out today and what an amazing piece of equipment. Not even a hint of hesitation when you lay into a log. It was a lot of money but I have no regrets at all. I'm very curious if Stihl is working on FI for the MS400 or MS261, I would think they almost have to be.
 

bulletpruf

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Nov 28, 2013
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San Antonio
Picked up an 009 and a running MS660 this weekend for $240.

Details here:


and here:

 

rd65

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Sep 29, 2017
Messages
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Location
Granite Falls, WA
Got some saw work in today. The old Craftsman was running good and the 032 ran surprisingly good. Needs a new float needle I think. It was an auction unit from a local fire district. Wouldn't start. Spark arrestor screen was totally plugged and pulse line was torn. The 025 runs great for a few minutes then dies. Not sure what is going on with it, relplaced the ignition coil with no change.
 

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bulletpruf

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Nov 28, 2013
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San Antonio
Awesome! That's the first I've heard of a diesel chainsaw, and apparently there ain't a whole lot to be found about them. How exactly did they work?

It’s more of a hot bulb engine than a true diesel. You have to heat up a bulb in the top of the cylinder with a propane torch and then start it. I can’t recall the compression ratio off the top of my head but it’s not terribly high or you’d never be able to pull start it.
 

bulletpruf

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Nov 28, 2013
Messages
10,911
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San Antonio
Got some saw work in today. The old Craftsman was running good and the 032 ran surprisingly good. Needs a new float needle I think. It was an auction unit from a local fire district. Wouldn't start. Spark arrestor screen was totally plugged and pulse line was torn. The 025 runs great for a few minutes then dies. Not sure what is going on with it, relplaced the ignition coil with no change.

Fuel delivery issue?
 

rd65

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Sep 29, 2017
Messages
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Location
Granite Falls, WA
Fuel delivery issue?
I have been through the carb. I will check the pulse line and go through carb again along with a thorough inspection of the fuel lines. I was confident that the ignition coil was the culprit due to the way it was running. Would run great until it got warm, then would hit a wall just over half throttle.
The 032 has a bad float needle, it floods out, along with a case leak along fuel tank. I will need to split the cases and reseal.
 

Semi-hole mechanic

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Feb 2, 2017
Messages
1,017
Husqvarna 235, with 16” bar that I bought 15 or 16 years ago to cut up slabs and ends that we got from an old saw mill for firewood. Needs a new coil pack that I need to order, but not in a big hurry because I’ve only used it once since we moved from that house 12 years ago.
 

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rd65

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Sep 29, 2017
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Granite Falls, WA
The youngest boy's McCulloch Mac 10-10 Auto. He got it from his grandpa a few years back. We had it running, probably would need a carb clean to run again. 1000019841.jpg
 

tarmy

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May 28, 2014
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Location
Nor Cal
^^^ My first saw as a 16 yo working at a tree service…that pic brings backs some great memories. The small saw for me was a Powermac 6…long time ago.

Hope you get that thing purring OP…
 

bulletpruf

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San Antonio
The youngest boy's McCulloch Mac 10-10 Auto. He got it from his grandpa a few years back. We had it running, probably would need a carb clean to run again. 1000019841.jpg

I've heard good things about the 10-10, but I've only had two Macs - a 797 and an SP125C.

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PowerWagonBuilder

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Jan 21, 2025
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82
Location
NW of Richmond, Va
This wind lately took down a dead standing pine along one of my trails. It will make great easy start campfire wood for my spot where friends tend to camp when they visit.
This is the 500iR with a 25" bar, and the Egan muffler.
As mentioned by others, the throttle response and torque from these EFI saws is amazing.

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And of course have to throw in the "Brand New Toy" pic that was taken when I acquired the saw.

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No, she didn't run it dressed like that.
 
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