Saw builders chime in.

[ZERO]

When a builder knows what they are doing. @Stump Shot

We have yet to have a bad day in 6 years of hard use ownership.

20" of pure fun.

 

[tree monkey]

chiming in

 

[sawmikaze]

I think we're lucky these days to have the selection we have available to choose from - I've had several good running 026s through the years, and a great ported 545 MK I that I gave to an arborist buddy. I've not run the 550 MK I or II but I think I would go for one of those if I were after a good 50cc unit with the best anti-vibe.

Is unit the new slang for a chainthaw ?

 

[Sloughfoot]

I would think parts are starting to dry up for the 026/260 too? I have heard this is the case for the Stihl 044/440.

044 parts are getting scarce for sure. Plenty of 026 parts.

 

[Fabulous]

I need to know about these forgotten flow tricks. Psyko SS, Insan-o, or Torque Tweaked? Give me that zip kit baby.

 

[Ketchup]

Because the new stuff is better in every way. The ms260 was a turd in its day and a bit of a project saw. Most needed the carb replaced with a WT194 and a muffler mod to even run right. The air filter is garbage and leaks around the choke shaft along with being very restrictive. The AV is typical rubber crap of Stihls of that era. Parts will be drying up soon, if not already.
I just cant see porting one at this point.

I never liked how the domed piston affected the porting either.

There tons of 026 and 260 out there though. Builder saws are cheap and resale value is good because they say Stihl. It’s not a saw I want for myself, but not a bad one to flip. I’m kind of fond of the look of the square tops.

55 is in a similar category, with fewer design flaws. The closed port cylinders are hard to find, but all the other parts are abundant. Unfortunately they don’t bring much money outside of Husky country

Both will get work done, but I run a saw enough that I want the easiest to operate with more modern design.

 

[Sloughfoot]

The dome on oem 026 pistons is relatively slight. On Meteors it's significant. Both come off easy enough.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

So, Echo 501P/4910's were mentioned at the start of this hear thread. It has to be said that they need ported to even be considered. When they come out of the box, they are weak. The transformation after port work is eye popping. Sniff around on youtube and you will see. Tree service guy brought his work saws to Randy's and kicked some serious ass in the cants. Pretty impressive...

 

[Fabulous]

So, Echo 501P/4910's were mentioned at the start of this hear thread. It has to be said that they need ported to even be considered. When they come out of the box, they are weak. The transformation after port work is eye popping. Sniff around on youtube and you will see. Tree service guy brought his work saws to Randy's and kicked some serious ass in the cants. Pretty impressive...

There is a fellow on utube that does wonders with them , tho if they would last long in the woods cutting at 14000 rpm in the cut ! Chuck Crisco iirc

 

[Duane(Pa)]

There is a fellow on utube that does wonders with them , tho if they would last long in the woods cutting at 14000 rpm in the cut ! Chuck Crisco iirc

Yep, he's from Michigan. Builds them from mild to wild and some very wild! Echo left a lot on the table (jug). They are pretty light and nimble two...

 

[Sloughfoot]

Don't know if all 4910s are the same or not.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[EFSM]

Don't know if all 4910s are the same or not.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Yes they are.

 

[EFSM]

Yep, he's from Michigan. Builds them from mild to wild and some very wild! Echo left a lot on the table (jug). They are pretty light and nimble two...

They are down on power compared to 261/550 but considerably lighter.

 

[redline4]

4 pages and nobody has considered the ramifications of the available graphics on the bars that fit each particular model.
OPE be slippin..

 

[jacktheripper]

 

[sawmikaze]

View attachment 474346

Sweet Unit.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

As much as I like Stihl if you want king of the 50cc it definitely is the 346xp husky, they are excellent saws and fast/nimble when ported. I’ve only ran stock 261’s so far but like them very much for what it is and still own a 1991 model 026 red lever that I will never get rid of because it was bought for me by my dad to cut firewood at 14. First new saw and will never leave, rock solid reliable but not fast compared to others. Have only ran stock 550xp also but also seems like a nice saw and I’m sure it and the 261 are both great ported.

 

[Hinerman]

What sucks about a unit running in it's optimum state all the time ?

Fixt...

 

[sawmikaze]

They are down on power compared to 261/550 but considerably lighter.

All echo units are pathetic out of the box.

 

[sawmikaze]

Fixt...

This is why we're friends...