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I figure this is mostly a turning tool, so I'll post it here...
After wrestling with it last weekend, I decided it was time to upgrade my little Poulan "Wild Thing" chainsaw to something a bit more capable. Did a bunch of reading and asked advice in several places (like www.arboristsite.com), and had a long debate with myself deciding between several new models and several used models. I decided I wanted a Stihl, based on their reputation, and the fact that I like the local Stihl dealer. I also knew I wanted a 24" bar. My choices boiled down to the mid-range MS 390 or the professional line MS 361. They both have essentially the same displacement and horsepower, but the MS 361 is a bit lighter, and more robustly built. I looked at new ones, used ones, and tried to figure out the benefits and disadvantages to each.
Even though I could get a used 361 for about the same price as a new 390, I ended up ruling out a used machine, since it's nearly impossible to really know the history of the saw and how it's been taken care of. Also, I didn't want to buy a project...I wanted something that was ready to run. (Never have been much of an engine mechanic.) Buying a new one from a dealer would give me a warranty, plus some local support for a tool that I'm not real familiar with the inner workings of.
Still undecided on which of the two saws to buy, I went and had a long talk with my local Stihl dealer this afternoon, and had a new MS 390 and a 25" bar follow me home. I got a case for it too (it was on sale for $10), but it will only fit up to a 20" bar. No problem...I'll add a 20" bar in the next week or two. He convinced me that my needs would be very well served with the 390 for many, many years, and the extra benefits offered by the 361 would not be very apparent to an occasional user like me. It's seldom you'll find a dealer who will talk you into downgrading. I like this guy. The 361 is built for pros who are cutting all day every day. The 390 is more than enough machine for a weekend warrior like me (according to him), as long as I maintain it properly. That part I can handle. Between the 25" and 20" bars on the 390, and the 18" bar on the Poulan, I should have things pretty well covered.
Now all I need to do is find another batch of wood to play with. Most of my current stock was already cut up months ago. One of the neighbors has a good-sized sycamore that's going to be removed, and I should be able to get some of it...I just don't know when yet. And I'm still trying to work a few tree service leads. I've still got one or two hunks of red eucalyptus in the back yard for a little playing this weekend, though. I'll get the new saw dirty then.
The obligatory evidence, about the last time it'll ever be seen this clean:
After wrestling with it last weekend, I decided it was time to upgrade my little Poulan "Wild Thing" chainsaw to something a bit more capable. Did a bunch of reading and asked advice in several places (like www.arboristsite.com), and had a long debate with myself deciding between several new models and several used models. I decided I wanted a Stihl, based on their reputation, and the fact that I like the local Stihl dealer. I also knew I wanted a 24" bar. My choices boiled down to the mid-range MS 390 or the professional line MS 361. They both have essentially the same displacement and horsepower, but the MS 361 is a bit lighter, and more robustly built. I looked at new ones, used ones, and tried to figure out the benefits and disadvantages to each.
Even though I could get a used 361 for about the same price as a new 390, I ended up ruling out a used machine, since it's nearly impossible to really know the history of the saw and how it's been taken care of. Also, I didn't want to buy a project...I wanted something that was ready to run. (Never have been much of an engine mechanic.) Buying a new one from a dealer would give me a warranty, plus some local support for a tool that I'm not real familiar with the inner workings of.
Still undecided on which of the two saws to buy, I went and had a long talk with my local Stihl dealer this afternoon, and had a new MS 390 and a 25" bar follow me home. I got a case for it too (it was on sale for $10), but it will only fit up to a 20" bar. No problem...I'll add a 20" bar in the next week or two. He convinced me that my needs would be very well served with the 390 for many, many years, and the extra benefits offered by the 361 would not be very apparent to an occasional user like me. It's seldom you'll find a dealer who will talk you into downgrading. I like this guy. The 361 is built for pros who are cutting all day every day. The 390 is more than enough machine for a weekend warrior like me (according to him), as long as I maintain it properly. That part I can handle. Between the 25" and 20" bars on the 390, and the 18" bar on the Poulan, I should have things pretty well covered.
Now all I need to do is find another batch of wood to play with. Most of my current stock was already cut up months ago. One of the neighbors has a good-sized sycamore that's going to be removed, and I should be able to get some of it...I just don't know when yet. And I'm still trying to work a few tree service leads. I've still got one or two hunks of red eucalyptus in the back yard for a little playing this weekend, though. I'll get the new saw dirty then.
The obligatory evidence, about the last time it'll ever be seen this clean: