Stihl MS 261 vs Echo 501SX vs AN Other

[Stubby]

13 minutes ago, coppicer said:

Just noticed that there's an MS 291 as well, but heavier by nearly 1kg and with more vibration. Is it worth it to save a hundred quid? Probably not...

Clamshell design , home owner type saw .

[coppicer]

3 hours ago, Stubby said:

Clamshell design , home owner type saw .

Ah, not great for servicing then. Forewarned is forearmed and all that.

[gary112]

7 minutes ago, coppicer said:

Ah, not great for servicing then. Forewarned is forearmed and all that.

Have a word with Shavey on here,he does Dolmar/Makita,just had a Makita 4300 off him,great little saw

[coppicer]

45 minutes ago, gary112 said:

Have a word with Shavey on here,he does Dolmar/Makita,just had a Makita 4300 off him,great little saw

Thanks, always nice to get a personal recommendation, but want to use my local dealer as he's been solidly supportive over the past few years.

[gary112]

1 minute ago, coppicer said:

Thanks, always nice to get a personal recommendation, but want to use my local dealer as he's been solidly supportive over the past few years.

?

[coppicer]

6 hours ago, Stubby said:

Are you taking down the rakers when you sharpen up ?

I've just been out to the shed to have another check and the rakers do seem to be okay. I gave one or two of them another few strokes using the gauge from the Stihl 5605 007 1027 filing kit for picco chains.

[lux]

Yes, think I saw that one, thanks for the link. To sum up:
 
a) If I could get a 501SX for £400 like the OP in that thread I'd certainly go for it; been quoted £550-600
b) Was interested to see that one poster claimed Stihl AV is much better than Echo
c) Lots of love for 550xp
 

I think it was £420 I paid on a 16” bar. ( the bars are tsumura too ! ). I love it. Echo make some great kit. Must of put 40 tanks of fuel through mine now and it’s way more pokey than when brand new. No complaints from me.
Price wise you can pick up the husky 550mk 2 for £470 anyway so you need to swap dealerships.

[carlos]

id go with a husky 550xp, feels nicer and less vibes than the echo 501 and a bit more poke too, the echos are good and reliable although the brake mechanisim seems a weak point on them.

we have ran the echos for a few years but now we always grab the new husky 550 1st.

we had a stihl 261 great, till the crank bearing went within a year, to costly to repair.

[Piston Skirt]

3 minutes ago, carlos said:

id go with a husky 550xp, feels nicer and less vibes than the echo 501 and a bit more poke too, the echos are good and reliable although the brake mechanisim seems a weak point on them.

we have ran the echos for a few years but now we always grab the new husky 550 1st.

we had a stihl 261 great, till the crank bearing went within a year, to costly to repair.

Of all the things 390/446/452/490/500/501 had/have, brake definitely is not a problem. AV cushions - yes, for guys that love to get the bar pinched and then pull out.

[coppicer]

28 minutes ago, Piston Skirt said:

AV cushions - yes, for guys that love to get the bar pinched and then pull out.

<cough> You've watched me using the saw then?

Edited October 12, 2020 by coppicer