Ultimate "Firewood" Saw

[kingOFgEEEks]

OK this really has my attention. What the heck is a pop up piston? Is this little 290 going to implode if I nearly double the HP? What I mean is will all the peripheral components hold up? Like crank bearings, clutch shoes, etc.

The 290 chassis shared 90%+ components with the 310 and 390 (55 / 60 / 65 cc ) The only real differences were a larger bore piston and cylinder, and I believe the 390 had a higher output oiler.

HL Supply makes a 390 top end kit, and a 390 piston with a pop-up (raised/domed area on the crown of the piston to increase compression), that will bolt right on. If you're not up to it yourself, I'm sure one of the competent builders here could do it for you, and replace the bearings and seals while they are at it, as cheap insurance.

This would definitely increase the power of your 290 substantially, and might be a good way to bridge the gap on the smaller end of saws.


Personally, I would look into a Dolmar/Makita 6400 / 7300 / 7900 series saw, though. Any of those 3 models would outshine your 290, and have excellent anti-vibe. That is my primary firewood saw (I have a 7900), and then I fill in with lighter saw when you can afford. There are plenty of good small saw options out there, so pick one that makes you happy.

 

[Nutball]

Just make sure you go with a higher quality 390 cylinder if you go that way. The popup piston might not fit the cheaper cylinders. Same with the bearings. It would be a more expensive modification in a way if you had someone else do it simply from the cost if parts (basically replacing the engine instead of modifying alone).

 

[Al Smith]

When you say hot rod 60cc saw, do you mean getting one of those models ported as well? Do guys port the smaller saws too?

You can add a can of soup to any sized saw from Mini Macs to 090 Stihls .Some do some don't .Some will some won't .Some can and some can't ,simple as that .

 

[homeheater]

When you say hot rod 60cc saw, do you mean getting one of those models ported as well? Do guys port the smaller saws too?

Small yess. Seems like someone posted a vid here not too long ago of a ported little Echo top handle saw that seemed pretty nasty with a crazy long bar.

 

[Fruecrue]

A pop up piston is one with a dome on it to increase compression.
@Fruecrue has an 039 on a pipe.
I also vote to sell the 029 and if staying stihl, pick up an 036. Get that ported. For what the 029's seem to bring, shouldnt have to kick in much cash to do it.
@drf256 did an 036 for me and it's a cuttin mutha.

Pop up-

Pipe-

 

[FordTruckMan]

Wowzers. OK I am definitely going to research the 290/390 thing more. I can't see videos at work but will check them out tonight. Thanks again everyone for all of the information so far. It's really great to hear everyone's different perspectives on this.

 

[USMC615]

If y’all don’t stop, this poor fella gonna have John Force and his crew building him some crazy ass, geeked up, funny car kinda chainsaw *s-wordt...!

 

[FordTruckMan]

If y’all don’t stop, this poor fella gonna have John Force and his crew building him some crazy ass, geeked up, funny car kinda chainsaw *s-wordt...!

I mean hey, if that's what's best...

FWIW my trail rig is about 1600lbs and over 200HP, and it's not even turned up yet lol. I enjoy high performance things

 

[FordTruckMan]

Welp, the 661 is on the books to get ported. Now to decide what to do for the little saw...

 

[Wood Chopper]

Welp, the 661 is on the books to get ported. Now to decide what to do for the little saw...

You'll be smililng

 

[huskihl]

Thanks for the nods, fellas. The 661 will be headed here in a couple months

 

[Czed]

If your near @Definitive Dave perhaps you can run a variety of saws some day.

You'll have to get them started of course.

 

[Mastermind]

Thanks for the nods, fellas. The 661 will be headed here in a couple months

He made a good choice.

 

[huskihl]

He made a good choice.

Hey, that means a lot coming from you.

Thanks

 

[pwheel]

@ FordTruckMan: Most would agree that a stock ms661 is more than enough saw for firewood. If I were you, I'd get a full skip chain for the 36" bar for the occasional big wood, buy a 25-28" bar, and run that on the 661 if you're relatively young, strong, and like running a big saw. If vibration is an issue, the ms290 is not a good solution for limbing, etc., especially refitted with a 390 piston & cylinder; I'd be looking at a 50cc saw at the most reliable dealer near you.
I run Stihl saws from 50-76.5cc's, but if I were to start from scratch and had a good Husky dealer in my area, I'd be looking at the 572 for a do-it-all saw. Right now, I've got 16-18 oak snags on our property (gypsy moths) that are worthless at the sawmill and are only good for firewood. Wish me luck figuring out how to process them all.

 

[Bigmac]

For the cost of upgrading the 290 to a 390 and pop up he could probably sell and get a nice pro 60cc saw, around here 036/360 are only $100 more than a 290 on Craig’s list, and 361’s depends on the deal, I got mine for $140, but you can find them for $300-450 range, 290 sell for $300 all day, I just wouldn’t put money into that platform

 

[Onan18]

562 XP for a firewood saw. The early ones had growing pains and truthfully it took Husqvarna too long to get them hammered out. But all the new ones since May 2018 seem to be flawless out of the box.

 

[Czed]

I skipped the 60cc classes
I'm in the 70cc class nearly the same weight.
15 of them for some reason.

 

[Grjfer]

I'm just a firewood cutter. I scrounge all my wood so I never know what I'm getting into. My firewood saws started with a MS250, added a 018. Tried a MS271 for a month. Replaced it with a MS261C. Sold the 018 and added a 562xp. The 562xp was a early version, but it served me well except for the occasional hot start. I added a MS441C for about month before sending it down the road. It just didn't seem to have much more than my 562xp. The ported saw bug hit last year and a bought a new 562xp and had it AWOLed. Just got my MS261C back from Michigan with some extra sausage.

So with 2 saw plan I have been cutting all my firewood for the past 7 years. My stock 562xp wore a 20" bar with an occasional 24" bar. I cut some pretty big stuff with it. My ported 562xp is set up the same. The 261 wears a 16 or 18" bar and is a pleasure to run. Especially with extra sausage XS.

 

[Locust Cutter]

After a bit of reflection:
The ultimate firewood saw? roughly 11.5-12.5 lbs, 70-100 cc's, at least 6 hp, amazing anti-vibe, telepathic throttle response, Frenching-good air filtration, and a bit of a wider spacing between the front and rear handles to allow for a range of bars being comfortably used. Also, a HIGH flow muffler that's quiet; it can be done, I have some...