Now All I Need is Some Wood

Vaughn McMillan

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
36,054
Location
ABQ NM
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. :D

The obligatory evidence, about the last time it'll ever be seen this clean:

Stihl MS 390 1 - 800.jpg Stihl MS 390 2 - 800.jpg
 
Whoa, now that is some saw you got there :thumb:

You have the chaps, mitts and other safety gear, right?

I happen to totally agree with your decision, that saw should last you a VERY good long time. :wave:

Cheers!
 
I hadn't really studied chaps (or the technology behind them) until recently. Ill be getting some soon. When I was a kid, the older teenager who lived across the road from us laid a chainsaw across his thigh. Not a pretty sight. Travis has proven that even experienced guys get into the chain when they least expect it. (And I have nowhere near his experience.) ;) The rest of the safety gear I've got pretty well covered.

What I do need is a better way of holding chunks of wood while I'm cutting them. Setting them on a stump just doesn't cut it [no pun intended], especially with a stronger saw. Got any suggestions for a compact sawbuck or other similar rack suitable for holding short log sections? I do most of my cutting on a concrete driveway, so I have lots of incentive to keep the chain out of the ground. :rolleyes:
 
Well, I do most of my cutting in the Dungeon with an electric saw, and I just use a junk piece of plywood on top of my worktable, but for outside, you want to make one of these things...............

log1.jpg
log4.jpg


Sawing Platform from Laymar Crafts


I've not built or used one, but from looking at it, and seeing as it featured in the in an article in the Winter 2006, Volume 21 of the American Woodturner Magazine, I figure it has some uses.

The threaded rod is covered by plastic pipe, so you would really have to get into it to damage the chain.

Take a look at the page on the link, well worth the read, I think.

This fellow's "Hints and Tips" page is worth a good read as well.

Cheers!
 
Your never gonna wear out that 390 Vaughn. I got an ms290 last fall. Next one this summer is going to be the MS460. Going to retire the .075 That beast is just to much to lug through the woods anymore
 
another point of veiw!

first, glad you got new saw.. but as for the bar on your saw, seems light powered for a 25" bar.. i have the ms440 magnum and its rated for up to a 32 but was told from my dealer friend that it handles a 24 much better.. in my area the loggers run 24-32 depending on what there job is.. the 440 has aprox 71 cc..
 
Nice choice Vaughn...

If I had to buy a new saw I think I would go with the MS360. I have the older version of a MS460...and while I like the power, it's a touch heavy. I think the MS360 would be the right combination between power and weight...at least for what I do.

As for the brand, you could not have picked a better one in my opinion. There really are only two professional brands, Stihl and Husquvarna. The Husky turns up faster with more rpms, so it tends to take a smaller bite, but more of them per minute so the cutting speed is the same. The Stihl turns slower, but can take more of a bite because of the increase in torque it has. Which one is better depends on your style of cutting.

Myself I like to file my chain so it takes out noodles (long strands of wood) rather then smaller chips. I like torque to do that so the Stihl works better for me. I also like the saw to really churn through the wood, with the HuskyI have pictured in my Avatar, I was constantly cutting, then backing off, being careful to feed the saw at the right rate to keep it from bogging down in the cut, or stopping the chain altogether.

So by now Stihl and Husky end up being a preference thing. The reason Stihl are better then the Husky's are because of the piston rings. Stihl has two,while Husky has one. Since Stihl are retaining more of the explosions via the better seal, they turn slower,but have more torque. They also run, much, much cooler and this is where the longevity comes in. The double seal keeps a lot of the gases out of the lower crankcase area. This is where you seize chainsaw motors up. I have had my Stihl for 15 years and done some hard logging with it. My 272 Husky...in the same environment, seized up in 9 months. Both saws are about the same cc size and professional class, but there is a reason Husky's are a lot cheaper then Stihl.

One thing EVERYONE can do...no matter the make, size or brand...is to keep the saw sharp. A dull saw makes YOU work and being tired and chainsaws don't mix. Another reason is heat. A dull saw heats the chain up. You can see this when the chain slackens up a lot...heat is expanding the links on the sawchain and making it "loosen up". This heat also goes into the saw bar which is bolted onto the chassis of the saw. This transfers heat right where you don't want it. Right in the lower crankcase area of the saw. Again heat here causes crankshaft seizures.

Anyone can take this advice and toss it out the window if they will. When I became a Certified Logger I thought a full day spent on chainsaws was a bit excessive. 20 minutes into the class I was taking notes. Oh I had so much to learn, and still do, but chainsaws are simple machines with very complicated saw teeth. Simple little things make a huge difference in performance and longevity.
 
Good choice, Vaughn. Unless it gets stolen, this will be the last chainsaw you will ever buy. A 20" bar is pretty heavy duty, a 24" gets into the hard and dangerous to handle territory. Stihl will be my replacement choice. I don't disagree that the Husq. is top quality also. But, at least around me, the Husky cost 2X to 3X more than the Stihl.
 
Cool Vaughn, Sure looks like a great saw. I'm thinking about upgrading as well. Having a good dealer nearby is a plus for sure. I've been eyeing the German-made Makitas on Amazon and other places. The Makitas get great reviews over on theforrestryforum. Trouble is there are very few Dolmar/Makita dealers around. Anywho, Congrats! Barry
 
Congrats Vaughn! 24" is quite a large saw....do you have access to wood that size?:eek: If you do we should be seeing some very BIG projects from you soon. My dad got a smaller Stihl this summer and it is the best saw I've ever used. Starting it is so easy! As to how to hold you wood....my dad made the first pic and the second is one that I saw on a website somewhere. Easy to build and cheap too.
 

Attachments

  • dads sawbuck.jpg
    dads sawbuck.jpg
    88.7 KB · Views: 27
  • Sawbuck-2[1].JPG
    Sawbuck-2[1].JPG
    100.4 KB · Views: 31
Congrats, Vaughn... Great saw.:thumb:

I have the MS250, and it works well for my cutting. I would definitely recommend a pair of chaps, ear protection and some sort of face screen.

Clearing some trees in the back yard a few years ago...



A load of logs from the neighbor...storm brought trees down.



Check out the different chains available for your saw, as well as the bars. I use a couple of different ones, depending on what I'm cutting.
 
Thanks for the comments and suggestions, guys. I'll try to get the responses in the right order...

Stu, that's the little cutting stand I'd seen before and liked. Thanks for the pics and the link. I like the one Jeff posted, too. Both are now bookmarked.

Larry, the bar is the biggest one Stihl recommends for that saw, so yeah, I'll be at the upper limit when Im using the big bar. If I was planning to sling wood all day every day, it'd make sense to go into something bigger, but this one should cover my needs. I suspect I'll use the 20" bar most of the time, just because it'll be easier to handle.

Barry, you're very right about good dealer support. I know several guys who are very happy with their Husqvarnas, but the Stihl (and Echo) support at my local guy seemed better. I asked my dealer about the Huskys -- which he also sells -- and he said he stocks machines based on what his customers want. (Been in business for 37 years in this location.) He pointed out that he had 8 to 10 Echos on display, about the same number of Stihls, and two Huskys. He said they are real good machines, but the others sell better for him.

Jeff, I don't have consistent access to BIG wood, but when you figure my lathe will swing 20", I figured the long bar will come in handy when I do get some big stuff. And thanks for the sawbuck pics. The box idea is a good one.

Greg, I've been studying the various chains available. I had the dealer set it up with a "green" (reduced kickback) chain for now, and I'll experiment as I go along.

Thanks again for all the input, fellas.
 
Vaughn!

Did you win some lotto I did not hear about! Every time I come to this site you have a new tool! It looks like a great saw. I bought the used Stihl and regret it.
 
Ewwww it looks too new you need to get it dirty now. :rofl::rofl: Have fun. It looks like you made a good choice. I have been looking at upgrading my old saws soon but they just won't die. One of the huskies that I have is being held together with a bungi cord. Don't laugh it actually runs better than the newer one that I have.
 
Vaughn,

Cool gloat. I looked at those last summer, but they were just too rich for my blood, given how often I need a chain saw (although a big walnut came down in the neighborhood during this week's ice storm, I just don't have time to go chasing it).

On the chaps issue, after reading the 'death and disaster' section of that forum you linked to, I'm not sure I want to pick up my saw again before I get some chaps. Those stories are downright scary. Yikes!

Thanks,

Bill
 
Top