Let's See Your Chainsaws

[AngryBeaver]

That’s a cool 390 conversion Floyd. I can see how hot rodding and tweaking saws could be fun and addicting. I’ve fixed a bunch along the way but all stock saws. No mods. Maybe we can have some of that stuff in this thread? So far I’ve resisted doing any mods to my MS461......

Besides this saw, which was a matter of just swapping piston and cylinder, the most I typically do is remove the spark arrestor screen and maybe mod the muffler. But I usually dont do that to my good saws. I've never messed with advancing timing, or porting a saw. I would like to give it a try someday though. I would love to get my MS461 ported.

once you run a ported saw, you'll never run a stock one again.

the 461 is a quad transfer port just like the 372xp. tightening up the squish band (raising compression) and widening the ports makes a heck of a difference. then once you get into actual porting and timing.... yikes... good stuff.

a modded saw will never replace a sharp chain. a dull chain is the enemy to any saw, and more so important on a modded saw as they spin higher rpm usually.

Randy at mastermind work saws is located in Tennessee and would be the closest guy to you to work your saw over, or let you run a few.

 

[sld961]

Here's my 026, Mastermind Ported 034S and MS460. Also an 046 I just bought for $175.

 

[freudianfloyd]

once you run a ported saw, you'll never run a stock one again.

the 461 is a quad transfer port just like the 372xp. tightening up the squish band (raising compression) and widening the ports makes a heck of a difference. then once you get into actual porting and timing.... yikes... good stuff.

a modded saw will never replace a sharp chain. a dull chain is the enemy to any saw, and more so important on a modded saw as they spin higher rpm usually.

Randy at mastermind work saws is located in Tennessee and would be the closest guy to you to work your saw over, or let you run a few.

I have read alot about Mastermind saws. I am also on a different forum and there is a respected porter that isnt actually that far from me. I believe his screen name is bsnelling. Someday I would love to get a saw ported, but I just dont cut enough to justify the cost.

 

[bob15]

Here are a few old pictures of my saw and bar collection from The Yellow Chainsaw Company.

The ones under the bench are what I would consider my "runners". The blue chop saw is a McCulloch powered Target Quickie Chop Saw (100cc). All the saws on the shelf I consider as parts saws, though 2/3's of them run or would run with a carb kit.

The 3 saws in the single picture are: PM6 w/12" bar, PM800 (80cc) w/28" bar and SP125 (123cc) w/42" bar.

 

[redwrench60]

once you run a ported saw, you'll never run a stock one again.

the 461 is a quad transfer port just like the 372xp. tightening up the squish band (raising compression) and widening the ports makes a heck of a difference. then once you get into actual porting and timing.... yikes... good stuff.

a modded saw will never replace a sharp chain. a dull chain is the enemy to any saw, and more so important on a modded saw as they spin higher rpm usually.

Randy at mastermind work saws is located in Tennessee and would be the closest guy to you to work your saw over, or let you run a few.

That’s a nice family of saws there AngryBeaver. Looks like a well rounded collection plus some! You’re correct on every point about sharp chains. You can make a crappy saw a hero with a sharp and correctly tuned chain. I stay after my chains and keep several RS chains on hand for both saws in my two saw plan. I’d love to take a ported and poked saw in the woods for the day though just to see what I’m missing.

 

[redwrench60]

Some of you guys with Stihl MS362’s what do you think of them? I’ve thought about one on and off for a while as a general purpose one saw to grab and do most things kind of saw. Thoughts from users?

 

[CR888]

Some of you guys with Stihl MS362’s what do you think of them? I’ve thought about one on and off for a while as a general purpose one saw to grab and do most things kind of saw. Thoughts from users?

Nothing wrong with them but with the new 70cc Ms462 weighing about the same or less, I'd get one of them instead. If you I insist on a 60cc pro saw the 6100 Dolmar is a good choice.

 

[redwrench60]

Nothing wrong with them but with the new 70cc Ms462 weighing about the same or less, I'd get one of them instead. If you I insist on a 60cc pro saw the 6100 Dolmar is a good choice.

It’s worth noting I have a Stihl 025 and an MS461 I use but it’s time to start teaching my son to use a saw and figured I’d have him run the 025 as a first saw. That would leave me wanting a smaller companion saw to my 461 that serves big saw duty. I don’t have anything against Dolmar or Husky, they’re just not as common in my area so I stick to Stihl since I’m familiar with them.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I have read alot about Mastermind saws. I am also on a different forum and there is a respected porter that isnt actually that far from me. I believe his screen name is bsnelling. Someday I would love to get a saw ported, but I just dont cut enough to justify the cost.

Brad Snelling is a member here. He no longer ports saws. I used to live about a half an hour from him. Good dude.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Brad Snelling is a member here. He no longer ports saws. I used to live about a half an hour from him. Good dude.

Well that's disappointing. Only reason I knew he was not far from me was he made a comment on the E0 gas website about the closest gas station to me.

 

[seanb02]

Some of you guys with Stihl MS362’s what do you think of them? I’ve thought about one on and off for a while as a general purpose one saw to grab and do most things kind of saw. Thoughts from users?

Can't say enough good about mine to do it justice. Perfect all around size as an only saw. Being that I don't have or really need multiple saws, it does everything from dropping trees to limbing small branches. Bucks the logs like a big saw, and handles well enough to use as a small saw.

Something of note, is that mine is not the CM version, it is the regular carburetor. Also I'm only running a 20" bar on it.

 

[redwrench60]

Can't say enough good about mine to do it justice. Perfect all around size as an only saw. Being that I don't have or really need multiple saws, it does everything from dropping trees to limbing small branches. Bucks the logs like a big saw, and handles well enough to use as a small saw.

Something of note, is that mine is not the CM version, it is the regular carburetor. Also I'm only running a 20" bar on it.

M-tronic is something else I’ll have to get my heart right on. Everyone says they run like a son of a ***** and don’t have problems but I get a little twitchy in the eye when you put a scan tool diagnostic port on my chainsaw.....

 

[bulletpruf]

I had over 100 for a bit; collected vast majority during a recent 3 year tour in Italy. Now I'm down to 70 or so, and slowly selling off the collectible saws to fund my musclecar hobby.

Currently have these -
Jonsereds XB, XD(3), XF(7), XG, XH(2), 601(2), 62, 621(3), 80, 90, 110/111/111S(4)
Stihl BL, BLK58, 07, S10, 020(2), 028, 036 Pro, 038 Mag, 041 Super, 041G, 044, 045, 046, 048, 056 Mag, 066, 075/076(6), 084, Contra(8), 090 (3), 090G

Already sold a lot of my really neat stuff like Dolmar 166, Dolmar KMS-4 rotary, had a few Solo twin cylinder saws, had about half a dozen Echo twins, sold four or five diesel (really a hot bulb engine) saws - Comet and Jonsereds, sold a few Stihl Contra sand cast and a few big gear drive Stihls (Contra/Lightning and o9o) also sold my big McCullochs - SP125.

Jonsereds -



Mixed bag of big saws -



That's me in Sweden on a chainsaw collecting/sightseeing trip. Some of you may have heard of Magnus Mattison; that's him in the black. The gentleman in the red shirt is Ingvar, a good friend in Sweden that I met on GJ.


I also started and moderate a Stihl 1106 (Contra, Lightning, 070, 090) group on Facebook.

 

[CR888]

It’s worth noting I have a Stihl 025 and an MS461 I use but it’s time to start teaching my son to use a saw and figured I’d have him run the 025 as a first saw. That would leave me wanting a smaller companion saw to my 461 that serves big saw duty. I don’t have anything against Dolmar or Husky, they’re just not as common in my area so I stick to Stihl since I’m familiar with them.

Fair enough, i guess you figure the 60cc 362 fits right in the middle of the 025/461. I had a 362 for a while, not the recent version-II & I sold it. Already had other 60cc class saws & 2 MS261's. If & that's a big 'if' I was in your shoes, I'd even consider the 261 over the 362. For a little less HP you have a very light fast limbing saw that will run 16" or 18" B/C. A 261/461 is a good combo. I just never 'wanted' too grab the 362, I'd always pick up the ms261 or 555 husky. But I think you'll buy the ms362.

 

[930dreamer]

Pile of Homelites in the loft.

 

[Jeffh40]

Only one I have currently. MS291 with a 20" bar. Works great and has processed a bunch of trees so far this year on the 1 acre overgrown lot we just bought.

 

[redwrench60]

Fair enough, i guess you figure the 60cc 362 fits right in the middle of the 025/461. I had a 362 for a while, not the recent version-II & I sold it. Already had other 60cc class saws & 2 MS261's. If & that's a big 'if' I was in your shoes, I'd even consider the 261 over the 362. For a little less HP you have a very light fast limbing saw that will run 16" or 18" B/C. A 261/461 is a good combo. I just never 'wanted' too grab the 362, I'd always pick up the ms261 or 555 husky. But I think you'll buy the ms362.

Funny you mention the MS261 because I was actually researching a little at the outdoor power equipment store yesterday while buying parts. The 362 is too big to fill my “small saw” niche so I was looking at an M tronic MS261.

 

[JohnM45]

Fair enough, i guess you figure the 60cc 362 fits right in the middle of the 025/461. I had a 362 for a while, not the recent version-II & I sold it. Already had other 60cc class saws & 2 MS261's. If & that's a big 'if' I was in your shoes, I'd even consider the 261 over the 362. For a little less HP you have a very light fast limbing saw that will run 16" or 18" B/C. A 261/461 is a good combo. I just never 'wanted' too grab the 362, I'd always pick up the ms261 or 555 husky. But I think you'll buy the ms362.

I think that's great advice. I inherited my wife's grandfather's Dolmar 7300 (70cc) about a year after buying a Husqv 562XP (60cc). I'd like to replace my Echo top-handle trim saw, which is great for small limbing chores, with a Stihl 261 or Husqv 550XP.

The point I'm getting around to, is that the 50cc pro saw size is such a great combination with a 70cc saw. If I had one, I'm sure I'd be grabbing it instead of my 562XP.

But, like many have mentioned, you just can't have enough chainsaws. Might as well have one in each engine size class. I'm still on the hunt for a Stihl 261 or Husqv 550XP...someday...

 

[freudianfloyd]

Man, there are some awesome saws in this thread. I am currently scouring the classifieds looking for my next project saw as I got the latest one running. I just haven't had much luck lately. Maybe after the fire wood season ends.

I guess I can start fixing the weedeaters that are in my way.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Man, there are some awesome saws in this thread. I am currently scouring the classifieds looking for my next project saw as I got the latest one running. I just haven't had much luck lately. Maybe after the fire wood season ends.

I guess I can start fixing the weedeaters that are in my way.

I'm not that far from you... I have QUITE A FEW saws that are project saws, or need put back together. not sure what all you are looking for, but.........

off the top of my head...

365 special ( old style, ran great, took it apart to make a 372xp out of it....)

346xp old style

390xp. rough, but ran. was a logger saw.

046

044 part saw (good piston and cylinder)

361 top end. crank case was cracked when it fell out of a truck... lol

340 or 345 husky

064. was a complete running saw that I took apart to fit a 066 topped on, and drop the cylinder and cracked it.

these are just off the top of my head. I have more...

 

[Sterff]

I have a few Echo chainsaws. (3) Echo CS-280E, 500VL, (3) Echo CS-510, CS-520, CS-8000, QV-8000, CS-620PW, CS-450. The 510/520 are my favorite saws for firewood.

 

[freudianfloyd]

I'm not that far from you... I have QUITE A FEW saws that are project saws, or need put back together. not sure what all you are looking for, but.........

off the top of my head...

365 special ( old style, ran great, took it apart to make a 372xp out of it....)

346xp old style

390xp. rough, but ran. was a logger saw.

046

044 part saw (good piston and cylinder)

361 top end. crank case was cracked when it fell out of a truck... lol

340 or 345 husky

064. was a complete running saw that I took apart to fit a 066 topped on, and drop the cylinder and cracked it.

these are just off the top of my head. I have more...

I'm not looking for any saws In particular, I have been looking for a pro Husky saw, but usually I am just looking for dirt cheap broken saws that I can give a new lease on life to. I would be interested in knowing some of the prices you would want for some of your pro saws though if you want to PM me.

I am intrigued with your 390 and 365 though.

 

[Farmall450]

Just snagged a Stihl MS-211C (picked up for a coworker of a family members). I'll have to get some pictures, but my main saw is a Homelite CS-40 and I also have a Super XL, XL-12, and one other 3xx (the name escapes me) as well as an older blue homelite.

All run except the 3xx. I'd like to snag a MS-180 or so for a light saw.

And, of course, I have a DeWalt 12" 20v XR saw.

EDIT: Wow, a year of operating a STIHL dealer (+ Echo, Husky...) has really opened my eyes. Note, over half a year from making this post, I ended up with 2 Echos as my "main" saws: a CS-500P, and a new CS-352 which replaced the aforementioned "light saw."

YMMV, but a CS-352/3510 isn't even a comparison to a MS-170/180/211.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Just snagged a Stihl MS-211C. I'll have to get some pictures, but my main saw is a Homelite CS-40 and I also have a Super XL, XL-12, and one other 3xx (the name escapes me) as well as an older blue homelite.

All run except the 3xx. I'd like to snag a MS-180 or so for a light saw.

And, of course, I have a DeWalt 12" 20v XR saw.

I have an MS211C. It's a great saw now, but I bought it for $20 from a yardsale and I swear it almost made me give up on fixing saws. I replaced almost everything but could not figure out what it was. Turns out the piston skirt tapered down to paper thin on the exhaust side, but the saw still showed compression. I was about to give up and just dropped the piston into the cylinder and noticed it rocked back and forth, but it wasnt really worn like usual straight gassing does. It was really strange, but I popped in a new Golf piston, and that saw starts on the first pull every time.

View media item 95872

 

[freudianfloyd]

I picked this Stihl display stand at a yardsale this past summer. It's pretty old.
Here is what it looked like when I bought it.
John Deere green and black
View media item 96528
Here is what it is supposed to look like.
View media item 97186
And here is what I decided to do with it.
View media item 97185

 

[Farmall450]

Stand looks nice. Most of mine live in their cases on the shelf.

 

[mxdev]

Since everyone here is talking about chainsaws, I figure I'll ask a question that I have been thinking about.

I currently have a MS261 with a 20" bar which was for cutting up a large ash tree we had dropped. Doing lighter work and pruning the tree, it feels too long for a do everything saw.

For smaller work and tree's, should I get a 16" bar and swap between the bars depending on my need, or get a smaller pruning saw for light work? Or is both a better option?

Any recommendations for a small cleanup chainsaw? New or used works.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Since everyone here is talking about chainsaws, I figure I'll ask a question that I have been thinking about.

I currently have a MS261 with a 20" bar which was for cutting up a large ash tree we had dropped. Doing lighter work and pruning the tree, it feels too long for a do everything saw.

For smaller work and tree's, should I get a 16" bar and swap between the bars depending on my need, or get a smaller pruning saw for light work? Or is both a better option?

Any recommendations for a small cleanup chainsaw? New or used works.

Thats not enough saw to run a 20"bar in hardwoods imo. thats a 50cc saw.

I run a 16" bar on my 50cc saws. 60-65cc get a 20 and 75+ get a 24-26" bar.


I would most certainly put a 16" or 13-15" bar on it. shortest stihl brand bar would be a 15 or 16" but you can find 13-15" aftermarket. I ran a Dolmar 5100 (50,8cc) with a 13" bar as a climbing saw for years. there is really no sense in getting a "smaller" saw for lighter stuff. short of a top handle climbing saw, you won't find much smaller saws that are lighter than what you already have. the 30-40cc homeowner saws are heavier than your pro model...

a 50cc saw and 70cc saw is the best combination for a 2 saw plan to cover most things.

 

[Farmall450]

I think the MS-180 to 211 range is what you want.

 

[mxdev]

Thats not enough saw to run a 20"bar in hardwoods imo. thats a 50cc saw.

I run a 16" bar on my 50cc saws. 60-65cc get a 20 and 75+ get a 24-26" bar.


I would most certainly put a 16" or 13-15" bar on it. shortest stihl brand bar would be a 15 or 16" but you can find 13-15" aftermarket. I ran a Dolmar 5100 (50,8cc) with a 13" bar as a climbing saw for years. there is really no sense in getting a "smaller" saw for lighter stuff. short of a top handle climbing saw, you won't find much smaller saws that are lighter than what you already have. the 30-40cc homeowner saws are heavier than your pro model...

a 50cc saw and 70cc saw is the best combination for a 2 saw plan to cover most things.

Thanks, that will save me a bunch of research and probably money. Unless I start looking for a bigger saw.

I didn't find the 261 with a 20" bar had any issue cutting through the ash tree on full depth cuts, but I also have no reference of cutting with a bigger saw. Never really forced the saw into the wood, and just let it cut at it's own pace and it seemed to cut fine. Was also breaking in the saw, and not going wide open.

I just went with the 20" since it was an option, and the tree I was cutting was that big. But a bunch of the final logs needed two cuts to finish, so a smaller bar would of done just fine.

I'll give a 16" bar a try and see how I like it next year cleaning up the dead trees I have laying around.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Stand looks nice. Most of mine live in their cases on the shelf.

If they are in cases, how can you look at them everytime you go in the garage?

 

[Jesrf]

Lots of nice chainsaws here, any of you guys juggle?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[AngryBeaver]

Thanks, that will save me a bunch of research and probably money. Unless I start looking for a bigger saw.

I didn't find the 261 with a 20" bar had any issue cutting through the ash tree on full depth cuts, but I also have no reference of cutting with a bigger saw. Never really forced the saw into the wood, and just let it cut at it's own pace and it seemed to cut fine. Was also breaking in the saw, and not going wide open.

I just went with the 20" since it was an option, and the tree I was cutting was that big. But a bunch of the final logs needed two cuts to finish, so a smaller bar would of done just fine.

I'll give a 16" bar a try and see how I like it next year cleaning up the dead trees I have laying around.

Ash is a very soft hardwood. (when green). cutting with a ms261 and a full bar length 20" buried is like whittle a tree down with a machete compared to a 70+ cc saw in the same wood with the same 20". I have three 71cc huskys and run a 20" on one and 24" on the other. a 20" on that saw is like a light saber in wood. lol.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Picked these up yesterday.
View media item 99393It doesnt look like much, but there are two Husky 562XPs in that pile.
Here they are organized.
View media item 99394And here is one all cleaned up and ready to get assembled.
View media item 99395

 

[redwrench60]

Looks like somebody's been dumpster diving out behind the small engine repair shop.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Looks like somebody's been dumpster diving out behind the small engine repair shop.

That's simply ridiculous, you'd have to be pretty desperate to dumpster dive for parts, I paid for this.

 

[CD1]

www.arboristsite.com

 

[freudianfloyd]

www.arboristsite.com

I am on that forum also.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Picked these up yesterday.

good deal. look into buying a complete short block. they are 100-150 bucks and come as a complete case, crank and p/c installed. you cannot rebuilt your existing lower end for that much.

the 562 is a phenomenal machine.

 

[freudianfloyd]

good deal. look into buying a complete short block. they are 100-150 bucks and come as a complete case, crank and p/c installed. you cannot rebuilt your existing lower end for that much.

the 562 is a phenomenal machine.

Already have one on order. It should be here monday. I am going to build up the second one with existing parts, and new bearings and piston ring. The second saw will be a cheap build, basically free.