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Trying to Help a Friend

Dustin4185

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I have a friend that....well....doesn't own a chainsaw!! We were working at church today and got to talking about some trees he needed cut and needed to buy a saw. Of course the first thing out of my mouth was, "You need a ported 461 from Mastermind!"

That may be a little overkill for a homeowner, but they did just buy a small farm/woodlot they eventually plan on building on. He said he was looking at a Stihl 250 or 251. Are these saws any good?

Are there better options out there in that 45-50cc class for around the $350-400 price? I told him about some of the Echo saws and I think he would be better served by one of those than a small homeowner Stihl.

I have a 026 that needs a cylinder and piston (probably bearings, seals, etc. also) that I may try to rebuild for him. I have never done a rebuild and am a little hesitant to do it, but I would rather him get a good saw then buy a piece of crap.
 

Ryan Browne

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People run the snot out of those 025/250s. I don't know how the 251s compare. I know that there's lots of chainsaw carvers and tree services that use 250s a lot, and they seem to hold up. Of course an 026/260 is a better saw, and they seem to be reasonably priced. There's an incredibly clean 026 in the classifieds here for $225 I think. Personally, I'd buy that over a new 250, but other people might feel differently. Then there's the 261, which is in a whole different league than the 250/251, but at almost double the price.

In the price range you're talking about, a used 026/260 or Husky 346/351/353 would be a great saw. Of course, having a good local dealer for one brand or the other would help make the decision. I just got a ported 350/346 from a member here, which is now one of my favorite saws to run. However, if I only had one saw, that wouldn't be it because I don't have anywhere local to buy simple stuff. My neighbor needs a new fuel line on his Jonsered 2152, and there's nowhere within 25 miles that has one.
 

Dustin4185

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People run the snot out of those 025/250s. I don't know how the 251s compare. I know that there's lots of chainsaw carvers and tree services that use 250s a lot, and they seem to hold up. Of course an 026/260 is a better saw, and they seem to be reasonably priced. There's an incredibly clean 026 in the classifieds here for $225 I think. Personally, I'd buy that over a new 250, but other people might feel differently. Then there's the 261, which is in a whole different league than the 250/251, but at almost double the price.

In the price range you're talking about, a used 026/260 or Husky 346/351/353 would be a great saw. Of course, having a good local dealer for one brand or the other would help make the decision. I just got a ported 350/346 from a member here, which is now one of my favorite saws to run. However, if I only had one saw, that wouldn't be it because I don't have anywhere local to buy simple stuff. My neighbor needs a new fuel line on his Jonsered 2152, and there's nowhere within 25 miles that has one.
There is a Stihl dealer 5 minutes from his house. I forwarded the 026 for sale on here to him. I would rather have a 026 as well. Maybe after he runs a few of mine when we take down those ash trees, he will understand why he may need a bigger saw. My dad has a 250, but doesn't use it much. I may borrow it and have him compare it to my 026.
 

Ryan Browne

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If he's gonna be working with big wood much he'll realize himself why a 70cc saw is a great thing to have around. If he's on a budget, though, and not in a hurry, I think a guy could tackle almost any firewood needs he'd have with an 026 with an 18" .325 setup.
 

Dub11

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I have a friend that....well....doesn't own a chainsaw!! We were working at church today and got to talking about some trees he needed cut and needed to buy a saw. Of course the first thing out of my mouth was, "You need a ported 461 from Mastermind!"

That may be a little overkill for a homeowner, but they did just buy a small farm/woodlot they eventually plan on building on. He said he was looking at a Stihl 250 or 251. Are these saws any good?

Are there better options out there in that 45-50cc class for around the $350-400 price? I told him about some of the Echo saws and I think he would be better served by one of those than a small homeowner Stihl.

I have a 026 that needs a cylinder and piston (probably bearings, seals, etc. also) that I may try to rebuild for him. I have never done a rebuild and am a little hesitant to do it, but I would rather him get a good saw then buy a piece of crap.


A brandy new Echo 590 FTW! And on a side note my closest good Stihlership just started selling Echo this year too.
 

Homemade

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What about a 291? They are reasonably priced and take a beating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Dub11

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I have no idea your friends level of fixing or working on stuff but I'd go new just so you know what you have and man can't beat those Echo warranties!
 

Czed

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If buying new +1 Echo 590 i actually bought two to see if they were any good lol
I've never used the second one for almost 5 year's with mainly a 24 inch bar was my primary falling/firewood saw just muff mod and retune.
chain adjust stripped echo mailed me a new one for free.
Many many loads of firewood and i loaned it out many times to friends countless gallons of mix through it.
i recently ported it and it's even better.
Also bought a 490 two year's ago it's been excellent as well i run an 18 on it.
If he has one saw for the ability to run longer bars comfortably if needed the 590 takes it.
All mine were under 300.00 with a warranty ebay. 20170804_152646.jpg
 

Nitehawk55

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Depending on type and size of wood he's cutting I would have to go with 60cc just in case of larger stuff .
590 Echo is a great choice , I know a fellow that does full time firewood to sell and he has tons of use on his with no issues except the bar tensoner which seems to be a weakness altho my understanding is Echo changed it from cast to steel to fix the problem .

His is bone stock too , I offered to do a MM for him but he says he's happy the way it is .
 
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