SawNut
Well-Known OPE Member
- Local time
- 11:50 AM
- User ID
- 11585
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2020
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 36
- Location
- Michigan
I've been using my MS661c and a Granberg 36" mill for over 10 years now. I've milled hundreds of boards with it, and have saved thousands of dollars in lumber costs. I mostly mill hardwoods like oak, ash, hickory, walnut. I usually run an RM chain, filed at 15*. I have found that setup to work pretty well for me. I get a few cuts before having to resharpen, which I only use a grinder on, so that means pulling the chain, and grinding it. The saw will cut anything under 24", but as you get over that, it starts to slow down quite a bit. I now have access to a ~48" white oak, that is just too nice to turn into firewood, but it's too big for my 661 setup. I've been looking at 881s and 3120s for many years now. Of course, I wish I bought them when they were hundreds of dollars cheaper. I wish I had just started with an 880/3120 from the get go, but you live and learn. While I am a "Stihl guy", I don't dislike Husky...there just aren't many dealers around here these days, and saws and parts have to be mail ordered. I've read the pros and cons of the two saws, and I'm probably leaning towards the 881, unless there is some reason I'm missing. I wouldn't use a 3120 without a high speed needle installed, unless I can be certain that it won't ever run too lean. I can get a small discount on the 881 from a local dealer, but its still close to a grand more than the Husky. It comes with a .404 41" bar. I feel like I need a 48" bar at the minimum, and I was thinking of staying with 3/8 chain, and maybe running full skip, or at least half skip. I feel like the .404 will sap more power and waste more lumber. Anyone have anything to add there? Also would have to change my grinding wheel to grind .404. Anyone ever run carbide chain for milling? I've considered trying a loop, but then need a diamond wheel to sharpen it.
Also, what setups are most running with saws like this? .404, 3/8 (.050 or .063?), what brand, length, etc? 47" appears to be the max in a Stihl bar in 3/8. I've looked at some of the GB and Cannon double ended bars, that can be used with a helper handle, but they don't all appear to be readily available. I've also considered getting a second 661 to run on a double ended bar, instead of one large saw. Not sure how that would work out.
Also, what setups are most running with saws like this? .404, 3/8 (.050 or .063?), what brand, length, etc? 47" appears to be the max in a Stihl bar in 3/8. I've looked at some of the GB and Cannon double ended bars, that can be used with a helper handle, but they don't all appear to be readily available. I've also considered getting a second 661 to run on a double ended bar, instead of one large saw. Not sure how that would work out.









