Lets talk Chainsaws

[Sunshine40]

I ran a Stihl saw shop for a while and have always been partial to Stihl.

Pro saws are more $ up front but cheaper to repair.
homeowner saws are less $ up front but more $ to repair.

the ms250 and 391 are the only homeowner saws I can recommend based on repair frequency/longevity and those two models make good power for their class.

the 261 is the pro version of the 271.

the 360/361/362 and 400 are 65+cc pro saws and are excellent "homestead" saws.

The 400 with exhaust or a ported 362 are wicked little firewood saws.

Always, always run non ethanol fuel if you can get it.

It is expensive but the canned mix gas is no joke. it is different than pump gas. I've tested it extensively and saws run better and have fewer issues, especially if the saw sits for months between uses.

Where was your shop at? I was a rep for Stihl for a few years.

 

[Sunshine40]

The folks at West Coast are great. Everyone I've spoken with there has been super knowledgeable and helpful. I have a couple of their Bark boxes and universal exhaust ports installed. If they offer an air filter upgrade kit for your saw that can help add some power and performance as well.

Several companies will port the cylinders on your 500i as well, which, at normal elevations, turns it into a fire breathing dragon. I would go with Ripsaw to get that done. Quite a bit more expensive than a ported muffler though.

Mail Your Saw - Ripsaw Chainsaw Porting - Select a Saw

CNC Performance Port Work for your chainsaw. Mail your saw to Ripsaw to reliably increase your saws performance. All Mail In Chainsaw Porting now receives a Ripsaw Signature Series Exhaust (when available for your model saw).

ripsaw.shop

West coast saw parts are great, performance fit and finish are stellar. Im a huge fan of their after market clutch covers. I have a ms660 with pretty much everything they make on it along with a port and polish and smaller head gasket. The saw pretty much cuts as fast as gravity will pull it. Warning though, those bark boxes truly are loud!

Also up vote on the 271. Of all my saws that one gets the most use.

 

[longrangelead]

Where was your shop at? I was a rep for Stihl for a few years.

it was in Plains MT. Danny is the area rep.

 

[Steve300xcw]

The old man stole my 462 because his battery saws are just so awesome...

So drug up the ol echo from the shed, to use as a road saw. Not sure how many years old the gas is, nor the last time it was started. Yet 4 pulls an its ready to go.

 

[Geewhiz]

I have a ms 180 w/ a 12" bar for the little stuff and a 391 for the not so little stuff. They both are great saws. The 391 is a great saw but I expect that of it. The 180 really impressed me for what it is. That little bugger rips.

 

[Kodiak55]

I have used Stihl for over 40 years, have a MS261C now, great saw. I have also used Husqvarna in the past, prefer Stihl.

 

[wowzers]

Interesting. Never thought about it. Looked it up after you mentioned it. I think I’m going to call west coast saw and talk to them about it. They have a “bark box” for $80 but say it only adds 6-10% power. IDK, maybe at my elev I’d get more. That would be great. Thanks for the suggestion.

Jason Egan does some similar work. He ports saws too.

Egan Performance Saws

Buy the famous Egan Performance "straight shot" mufflers to unleash the potential in your Stihl chainsaws, improving their power/torque, decreasing the engine temperature and add the wow factor to your chainsaw.

eganperformancesaws.com

 

[longrangelead]

Interesting. Never thought about it. Looked it up after you mentioned it. I think I’m going to call west coast saw and talk to them about it. They have a “bark box” for $80 but say it only adds 6-10% power. IDK, maybe at my elev I’d get more. That would be great. Thanks for the suggestion.

a Max Air Air or West Coast Air filter help too. more air/fuel in, more exhaust out=more power.
more power means you can upsize the drive sprocket to increase chain speed.

more chain speed = faster wood removal out of the cut.

if you do exhaust and or air filter, go through the recalibration procedure. it makes a difference.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Who's messed with changing out sprockets? Seems that'd speed one up a bit as well?

 

[longrangelead]

Who's messed with changing out sprockets? Seems that'd speed one up a bit as well?

if you have the power, yes.
I have Bark Boxes on all my pro saws, 8 tooth sprockets(7 is stock) and full comp chain.
full comp at high speed is FAST cutting.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I have not really messed with the 462 yet. But more is better...

 

[longrangelead]

Bottom-Bone stock 400c in a green Fir, I think it had skip chisel at the time.
vs
Same saw with Bark Box, air filter, 8 tooth sprocket and full comp chisel chain in a 27 inch Larch.

exhaust and air filter are huge upgrades that let the saw actually run like it should.

 

[longrangelead]

I have not really messed with the 462 yet. But more is better...

462 responds well to exhaust/air filter/sprocket change.

if you're only cutting 24" and smaller mostly, 8 tooth will be a big improvement even without exhaust/air filter.

not everyone can tolerate a loud saw for the performance.

 

[Steve300xcw]

These days, I'm just screwing around. Mostly cutting open road.

I'll open an exhaust up. But a bark box is a bit much for my ear

 

[IDVortex]

Finally got to play with my CCP saw tonight. Damn. Im impressed with it. I can tell it needs to be fine tuned on the carb, but over all very surprised with it. Was a turd to get running, but once I got fuel to it. And it started, was a single pull start for the entire day.

 

[Swadet20]

I have a 660 with a bark box and a max flow air filter set up love that saw besides the weight used it today even for some red fir and cutting g road open. Two days ago I used a bone stock stihl 271 farm boss for a maple tree removal and that saw really made me miss my 660 but climbing in the tree limited the saw choice. Anyone have mods they male to a 271 for more power or should I look at a 261 for a pro model do their parts Interchange?

 

[longrangelead]

I have a 660 with a bark box and a max flow air filter set up love that saw besides the weight used it today even for some red fir and cutting g road open. Two days ago I used a bone stock stihl 271 farm boss for a maple tree removal and that saw really made me miss my 660 but climbing in the tree limited the saw choice. Anyone have mods they male to a 271 for more power or should I look at a 261 for a pro model do their parts Interchange?

I don't remember, but if the 271 has the round cartridge filter, the 261 West Coast filter will fit it.
homeowner saws are all one piece mufflers so no bark box.

they usually have a plate that holds a screen. pull the plate, drill the muffler hole(s) bigger and use a big screw driver to pry the ports open more in the plate that holds the screen.

the exhaust is by far the biggest restriction on new saws.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

MS 261 her also. I generally only use it a couple times a year for cutting firewood, but it starts the first few pulls every time and eats through 18-20" diameter oak trees without slowing down. Been a great saw.

 

[RME]

The old man stole my 462 because his battery saws are just so awesome...

So drug up the ol echo from the shed, to use as a road saw. Not sure how many years old the gas is, nor the last time it was started. Yet 4 pulls an its ready to go.

View attachment 1052863

That looks more like my saws, old equipment from my tree work days. I have an MS200T, Husky 266 and Husky 2101. Since I don’t hunt on a lease anymore only the trim saw sees any regular use.

 

[riversidejeep]

If anyone is interested I have perfected a tune for Stihl MS29 and MS290 saws, When you start cutting and need to set your saw down idling it will sit there and idle for hours at a time if you want then the magic happens! As soon as it comes off the ground it will DIE ! It keeps you from cutting yourself. I'll offer this tune on the cheap.