Let's See Your Chainsaws

[DeeDubz]

I finally got around to it, here's the 3 I own. I lied its not a home slice its a poland. The husky and poland I need to go through. They've been sitting for quite some time. I also have a pole saw, its electric though. I figured that didnt count. That thing needs a new chain. I need to get off my **** I have some little saw work to do in my yard

 

[jonshonda]

When we moved into our house 2.5 years ago the 3/4 acre city lot was overgrown with oak trees. Each year we have had a few taken out (8-10 so far) in an effort to get some grass growing (mostly moss and dirt) as well as remove trees that are dangerous.

I have the pros drop them, and then I process them. The MS250 paid for itself in the first use. I was convinced I needed a pro saw or something larger based on what GJ members suggested, but after talking with a few friends who have been using saws for years, I backed off and got the smaller MS250.

Yes, the chain is a little loose. Pic was taken after the first use. It is tighter now.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/154822526@N03/49144450757/in/dateposted-public/" title="20191128_161148"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49144450757_b9dcb332b8_c.jpg" width="800" height="374" alt="20191128_161148"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[redwrench60]

Here’s my Stihl MS461 wearing a 25” bar and RS chain. It and an old Stihl 025 fill out my two saw plan perfectly.

 

[freudianfloyd]

When we moved into our house 2.5 years ago the 3/4 acre city lot was overgrown with oak trees. Each year we have had a few taken out (8-10 so far) in an effort to get some grass growing (mostly moss and dirt) as well as remove trees that are dangerous.

I have the pros drop them, and then I process them. The MS250 paid for itself in the first use. I was convinced I needed a pro saw or something larger based on what GJ members suggested, but after talking with a few friends who have been using saws for years, I backed off and got the smaller MS250.

Yes, the chain is a little loose. Pic was taken after the first use. It is tighter now.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/154822526@N03/49144450757/in/dateposted-public/" title="20191128_161148"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49144450757_b9dcb332b8_c.jpg" width="800" height="374" alt="20191128_161148"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 025 and 250 are my grandpas favorite saws. They have a good power to weight ratio. I used his just the other day to give it a workout since it hadn't been run in a long time.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Here’s my Stihl MS461 wearing a 25” bar and RS chain. It and an old Stihl 025 fill out my two saw plan perfectly.

The 461 is about a perfect saw. With a ton of power. I love mine.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I finally got around to it, here's the 3 I own. I lied its not a home slice its a poland. The husky and poland I need to go through. They've been sitting for quite some time. I also have a pole saw, its electric though. I figured that didnt count. That thing needs a new chain. I need to get off my **** I have some little saw work to do in my yard

Very cool I never see old Huqvarnas around these parts.

 

[CJM8515]

You dont need a pro level saw to cut, just a real brand that isnt junk. Stihl, Husky, Echo, etc. Poulon who makes 90% of your consumer grade **** is GARBAGE. They make crapsman, homeslice, and many others. Even the consumer grade real saws will walk circles around them,.

 

[redwrench60]

The 461 is about a perfect saw. With a ton of power. I love mine.

MS461 is a great saw. Hits that power/weight sweet spot for a big saw. Pulls a 25” bar like a boss. I’ll have to get a pic of my well used little 025.

 

[jar944]

A couple dolmar 7900s, a 6400, a stihl 028, and a alpina pro45 not pictured.

View media item 98695
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[Monte]

 

[jonshonda]

The 025 and 250 are my grandpas favorite saws. They have a good power to weight ratio. I used his just the other day to give it a workout since it hadn't been run in a long time.

What really peaked my interest about the MS250 is that the MS251 was supposed to replace it many years ago, but customers like the MS250 so much Stihl keeps producing them. That really says a lot about a product. The GJ'er in me really wanted to get the MS261 as I know that is a much nicer saw, but I am really glad I didn't spend the $$ on it as I doubt I will ever cut enough wood to justify it's additional cost.

 

[Ton ton]

I run a Stihl 261 and I don't like it. It's kinda gutless. I did buy a new air filter for it somewhat recently. Very expensive.

 

[freudianfloyd]

All very nice saws. Dolmars like pro Huskys seem to elude me in my area. They just never go up for sale.

 

[jonshonda]

I run a Stihl 261 and I don't like it. It's kinda gutless. I did buy a new air filter for it somewhat recently. Very expensive.

Send it my way and I'll do a comparison to my MS250!

Maybe a new more aggressive chain is in order?

 

[Ton ton]

Jonshonda, I think I will keep the saw for now.

 

[freudianfloyd]

You dont need a pro level saw to cut, just a real brand that isnt junk. Stihl, Husky, Echo, etc. Poulon who makes 90% of your consumer grade **** is GARBAGE. They make crapsman, homeslice, and many others. Even the consumer grade real saws will walk circles around them,.

I agree that most dont "need" a pro saw, but the same could be said about Snap on tools. Most could get by with Tekton or Craftsman, but many people on here want a professional grade wrench or ratchet like Wright or Snap on.

And I understand most people dont have trees to cut daily, but most of those same people dont have engines to rebuild daily either.

 

[CJM8515]

I agree that most dont "need" a pro saw, but the same could be said about Snap on tools. Most could get by with Tekton or Craftsman, but many people on here want a professional grade wrench or ratchet like Wright or Snap on.

And I understand most people dont have trees to cut daily, but most of those same people dont have engines to rebuild daily either.

What I meant was that poulon=cheap junk dont even bother.I only believe in buying higher end consumer saws or pro stuff. My Echo CS450P is just on the edge of pro at 45cc, but it comes with a full chisel chain and muffler modding and tuning it, 45cc is plenty.

 

[freudianfloyd]

A few more of mine.

An old Jonsereds "semi" pro saw. I dont know why, but I really like this saw.
View media item 95879
My first saw. It's not the best, but she runs great.
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[DeeDubz]

You dont need a pro level saw to cut, just a real brand that isnt junk. Stihl, Husky, Echo, etc. Poulon who makes 90% of your consumer grade **** is GARBAGE. They make crapsman, homeslice, and many others. Even the consumer grade real saws will walk circles around them,.

i see what you did there lol

 

[freudianfloyd]

My sentimental favorite, wife bought for me a few years ago. Although this saw isnt a pro saw, and isnt the most powerful, it runs great and has put some of my bigger saws to shame.
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[redwrench60]

I run a Stihl 261 and I don't like it. It's kinda gutless. I did buy a new air filter for it somewhat recently. Very expensive.

MS261 should be a pretty solid midrange pro saw. I’ve personally never ran one but glancing at the specs in my catalog it’s lighter and more powerful than the old 029/MS290 Farm Boss series Stihl sold like crazy. Maybe time for a new yellow label RS chain and a tune? I mean you’re not trying to use it on a sawmill are you?

 

[freudianfloyd]

And this bad boy is by far the loudest saw I have ever heard.

Same saw made famous by Leatherface in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Poulan 306A
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[Ton ton]

I'm trying to cut cured locust 15 years old.

 

[lilredex]

Got this one from a neighbour's estate. Always thought those electric ones were junk, but this one is a performer. Another neighbour's is in the rear.

Anyone looking for scabbards, they are here for $2-3.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233046960391

 

[freudianfloyd]

I'm trying to cut cured locust 15 years old.

Better get a saw!

 

[freudianfloyd]

Got this one from a neighbour's estate. Always thought those electric ones were junk, but this one is a performer. Another neighbour's is in the rear.

Anyone looking for scabbards, they are here for $2-3.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233046960391

I've never used an electric saw, but they have their place.

 

[redwrench60]

Here’s my old Stihl 025. This little saw regularly fights way above its weight class. We’ve cleared lots of brush and small trees, cleaned up storm damage, helped countless neighbors and friends as well as helped to process tons of firewood.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Here’s my old Stihl 025. This little saw regularly fights way above its weight class. We’ve cleared lots of brush and small trees, cleaned up storm damage, helped countless neighbors and friends as well as helped to process tons of firewood.

I can tell you take care of it judging by how great of shape it is still in with all that experience under its belt.

 

[redwrench60]

I can tell you take care of it judging by how great of shape it is still in with all that experience under its belt.

Well....in the spirit of full disclosure it did get treated to a new bar, sprocket and a fresh new RS chisel chain so it’s lookin’ pretty snazzy these days. But yes, I do take care of it and it has taken care of me. It stays cleaned, adjusted, fueled, oiled and ready to go. It’s always had Stihl 2-stroke oil and with just a couple exceptions, always had ethanol free 93 octane fuel.

 

[redwrench60]

Now that the weather has cooled off and all the biting, stinging and blood sucking critters are taking a break, it’s time to start processing firewood for next year. I’ll start with this red oak across the walking trail. Looks like the saws will get a workout again this year.

 

[CJM8515]

I'm trying to cut cured locust 15 years old.

thats your issue, incredibly hard wood.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Now that the weather has cooled off and all the biting, stinging and blood sucking critters are taking a break, it’s time to start processing firewood for next year. I’ll start with this red oak across the walking trail. Looks like the saws will get a workout again this year.

I've got several projects with chainsaws waiting, but it seems to rain here everyday I'm off from work.

 

[Robinson1]

MS261 should be a pretty solid midrange pro saw. I’ve personally never ran one but glancing at the specs in my catalog it’s lighter and more powerful than the old 029/MS290 Farm Boss series Stihl sold like crazy. Maybe time for a new yellow label RS chain and a tune? I mean you’re not trying to use it on a sawmill are you?

I feel the same way about most Stihl saws I've ever used.

I had a 250 that was so underpowered it was common to pull the bar out half way through the cut and rev the saw up.

The Farm Boss I had was a heavy underpowered pig. It struggled to cut 16 inch pine.

I'm not trying to start a fight but Husqvarna all the way!

 

[crasher98]

Hi guys! Can I play? I have a Ryobi 254:

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[redwrench60]

I feel the same way about most Stihl saws I've ever used.

I had a 250 that was so underpowered it was common to pull the bar out half way through the cut and rev the saw up.

The Farm Boss I had was a heavy underpowered pig. It struggled to cut 16 inch pine.

I'm not trying to start a fight but Husqvarna all the way!

Nah, no offense taken. Husky makes a fine saw, I’ve just become comfortable and familiar with Stihl saws. Bring your Husky over and help me cut wood anytime!

 

[Mooky]

Two of my oldest (1970s vintage). A bunch of other Stihl 011AV, AVTs, (several were freebies from a local Stihl dealer, on their way to their scrap pile). Poulan 2000,2300, all restored like new.

These Homelite were fully restored, new rings, bearings, seals, carbs overhauled, bead blasted and painted them with automotive paint, Sugar Creek decal sets, clear coated.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Two of my oldest (1970s vintage). A bunch of other Stihl 011AV, AVTs, (several were freebies from a local Stihl dealer, on their way to their scrap pile). Poulan 2000,2300, all restored like new.

These Homelite were fully restored, new rings, bearings, seals, carbs overhauled, bead blasted and painted them with automotive paint, Sugar Creek decal sets, clear coated.

I had a Craftsman labeled Poulan 2000 I pulled out of a dumpster. I never could get it running right. Now it sits in the corner of my barn after being banished from my garage.

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For some reason I really liked that saw, but even after a new piston and carb, new gaskets, new fuel lines, and plug, the damn thing still wouldn't run.

 

[Den69rs96]

Here is my ms250 with an 18 inch bar, ms361 with a 20 inch solid bar, and the old 046 I fixed up with a new solid 25 inch bar.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

My 1997 Husqvarna 41. It was one of the first purchases I did by internet. I shopped around on the net and found the lowest price at a dealer in Wisconsin. I've used it for home use, still has good compression. OEM parts are getting to be problematic. I can't get a good seal of the oiler tube, so I switched to Canola oil as the bar oil, any left over oil get poured onto the ground, and there's no mess in the garage. I rebuilt the carb a couple years ago, other than a new bar and crank sprocket, its original. 22 years old, starts easy and keeps running.

 

[Fatboy148]

I bought a couple of these little Hitachi's off Woot for $180 each with a $30.00 gas can. One still sets in the factory box. I seem to use this more than my Huskys, Johnny Reds or Echos:

https://tools.woot.com/offers/hitachi-20-chain-saw-and-type-i-gas-can


The thing I don't like about it is the run/stop switch, I seem to bump that on occasion when I don't mean to but I saw that it was a rocker stitch going in and still chose to jump.