Next Saw?

[snoko]

I've currently got a MS181 and it's perfect for what I intended ( feeding the stove and general garden work) but recently I've been helping friends and neighbour out and it's just not up to the job, So, I was thinking a new saw is required -- MS 261 or 346xp.

 

Need some help / advice deciding.

[morten]

MS 261 or 346xp.

 

Both are great saws. Get the one that you can get serviced locally.

[tree monkey]

dont forget that if helping others ppe is required.Realy should have them anyway when using a saw.

Ms250 is a good saw for occasional use imo.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Ha ha, there's millions of threads on here about those two saws and they are mostly made up of WoodEd saying the 346 is "an awesome saw, the best saw in the world blah blah bah" and the "stihl having all sorts of problems plus another 212 of them falling apart yesterday, today and tommorow"!!! Sorry, couldn't stop myself

 

I've got both and marginally prefer the Stihl ms261.

[snoko]

Cheers Guys,

I have both Stihl and Husky delears close by and yes I have all the PPE, wouldn't think of using a saw without it.

I may stick with Stihl as I've had no probs with the wee MS181.

[rxe]

Why is it not up to the job? I'm guessing you're running a 12" bar on it, and a 260 with an 15" bar isn't a radical difference. I have an 009 (very old Stihl, tiny saw) and it isn't a whole load less capable than my 260. If the 009 couldn't do a job, then I wouldn't be selecting the 260.

 

Is it taking you too long to cut stuff, or is the stuff too big for you to cut? If you're slicing up big rounds, then you need a proper big saw. If you're looking for huge speed up for limbing jobs, the 260 won't deliver it.

[rxe]

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a 260 - it's a damn good saw, I have one.

 

But for a guy helping out the neighbours, I don't think that a 260 is going to do the job materially faster than a 181. Yes, it will make the cut 25% faster, but cutting time is not the big part of the job. Of course, OP may live in a forest and helping out the neighbours may involve clear felling a few acres.

[Rob D]

I dunno... there is a fair step from the MS181 to an MS260 or Husky 346.... I had an MS181 and it's fine for very small stuff while the 346 (which I have) and MS260 (which I had!) are a lot quicker and would be a good choice for someone looking to 'go up a saw'.

 

Also both accept the Oregon 95vpx bar and chain system which I've found to be superb.

[josharb87]

Ha ha, there's millions of threads on here about those two saws and they are mostly made up of WoodEd saying the 346 is "an awesome saw, the best saw in the world blah blah bah" and the "stihl having all sorts of problems plus another 212 of them falling apart yesterday, today and tommorow"!!! Sorry, couldn't stop myself

 

I've got both and marginally prefer the Stihl ms261.

 

:lol:

[rxe]

I had an MS181 and it's fine for very small stuff while the 346 (which I have) and MS260 (which I had!) are a lot quicker and would be a good choice for someone looking to 'go up a saw'.

 

Still depends on what you want to do with it.

 

Last weekend I took the 009 out to clear up the dead elms that had blown down across the footpath - I think technically it is the farmer's job, but we help each other. Total job time was about 2 hours - mostly piling brash and loading 6 foot lengths of timber into the dump truck. The biggest diameter was about 14 inches, and I had to make about 4 cuts (out of about 100) from both sides. Having the 260 would have saved me about one minute in total.

 

That same farmer phoned me last year and said there was a big oak down, could I help. Did I take the 009 or the 260? Hell no, a 460 for limbing, and two 090s for milling. Used about 20 litres of mix and got some great boards + a big trailer of firewood.

 

Same task (helping the neighbours)...totally different requirement in terms of kit!