Which saw? Advice needed.

[Alberta Farmboy]

Hi All,
I'm new to the forum and would like some advice from the experts here if you would be so kind.
I used to be in the forestry industry a long time ago so I have some experience on a saw but I'm far from any expert.
I just picked up some saws from a collector and I'm wondering what I should keep. My needs are hunting and camping trips and a bit of firewood here and there.
So what do I have to choose from you ask? Here it goes:
I have a great condition Stihl 260 that I bought new almost 20 years ago which I have meticulously maintained.
These are the new saws i just acquired :
1. Stihl 362 in really nice shape.

2. Stihl 038 AVS Farmboss in very good shape.

3. Husqvarna 288xp that is well used and needs a carb rebuild and maybe more, I haven't looked into it yet.

4. Makita DCS 400 that's basically new.

So my first thoughts were to keep one of the smaller saws like the 260 for the ATV and light use, either the 362 or 380 for an "all around" general purpose saw and probably the 288 to rebuild as I really like that saw. Mind you, I have no reason to keep the 288 other than to make a project for myself and just to have one big saw that I know will do anything I need.

Do I have too much overlap in saws with the 260, 362 and 380?
And which ones would you keep?

Thanks in advance
AB FB

 

[Czed]

I'm no expert and not a stihl guy.
But I'd sell the 038 and keep all the rest I have multiple 288s excellent saws I'll never sell
But they are for the largest timber we have here.
The 260 and 362 and 288 is a good selection you may have the occasional large tree the 260 can't handle.
And if course the 288 and 362 weighs more so you probably won't run them as often.

 

[Pincher]

They all look like keepers to me. Id look for a 395 or ms661 to fill the higher cube gap.

Sorry, im not being helpful.

 

[BangBang77]

I agree with @Czed 100%.

Keep the 260, 362, and 288. Send the 038 down the road.

 

[Czed]

If I only had one saw and it was a 038
I'd sell it

 

[Johnmn]

Keep the stihls and send that 288 to me! I had one I rebuilt, wish I still had it!

 

[Wood Doctor]

Why not keep them all? There is no guarantee that any one of them will always run. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was selling my 038. That saw would back up your 362 very nicely. Just MHO.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Sell the 260 or mod it some. I have a minty new one like yours. Many of us do.
Keep the 362. Toss the muffler screen and open up the exhaust can port. Advance the ignition timing. It runs a 16-24" bar with good AV options.
Park the 288 or send it here.
After you sell the 260 buy another saw or a small mill for the refreshed 288 on the shelf.
400 is very handy.

 

[Lightning Performance]

You should have already sold the 038

 

[Alberta Farmboy]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I'm kind of surprised there isn't more love for the 038, I read that lots of guys believe it to be very reliable. The 038 and 362 are very similar and create some redundancy.
I did basically pay fair market value for the 038 and 362 and the guy threw in the 288 and 400 for free. Maybe I should sell the 038 to pay for the 288 rebuild.
Assuming I don't have to do a top end on the 288, what is the price range in parts that this rebuild would likely cost?

 

[1.5hp]

the correct answer is to keep all the saws and buy more.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I'm kind of surprised there isn't more love for the 038, I read that lots of guys believe it to be very reliable. The 038 and 362 are very similar and create some redundancy.
I did basically pay fair market value for the 038 and 362 and the guy threw in the 288 and 400 for free. Maybe I should sell the 038 to pay for the 288 rebuild.
Assuming I don't have to do a top end on the 288, what is the price range in parts that this rebuild would likely cost?

In my experience it usually costs around $150 to $200 to refurbish a saw. All depends on how thorough you want to be. Personally I replace everything that can fail due to age, bearings, seals, fuel line, filter, clutch if worn, rebuild carb etc. There are usually other small parts that need replacing and they add up. If your 288 needs a top end they’re relatively cheap at $150 for an OEM kit.

Welcome to OPE.

 

[Czed]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
I'm kind of surprised there isn't more love for the 038, I read that lots of guys believe it to be very reliable. The 038 and 362 are very similar and create some redundancy.
I did basically pay fair market value for the 038 and 362 and the guy threw in the 288 and 400 for free. Maybe I should sell the 038 to pay for the 288 rebuild.
Assuming I don't have to do a top end on the 288, what is the price range in parts that this rebuild would likely cost?

Pull the muffler and take pics of the piston
The cylinders are very durable unless it was lean seized or a bearing let go and metal scored it etc.
If it's good get a meteor piston kit
30-40.00 or so oem pistons cost 100.00 plus
Seals and fuel line at least need replaced.
You can check the condition of the crank bearings when you have the cylinder off
So you can spin it freely and check for excessive play or grinding.
I leave them be if their good change when necessary I have 15 or 20 from the 80s/90s with original bearings I just
Changed seals.
Any problems just ask one of the easiest saws ever made to work on.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I like the 038’s too so my vote is keep them all. I know no help just like lots of people. The 038 farm boss is a very tough saw and it should be the 67cc cylinder on it. They came in 61cc standard, 67cc super/farm boss and 72cc mag versions. My buddy up here had one and he wished he still did but it was ripped off out of his truck. Muffler mod and timing advance it pulled a 32” full comp rather well. Definitely seems to have more than the 044’s but is heavier.

 

[bryanr2]

The only saw you picked up that I would keep is the 288. I would sell the 400, 362, and 038 to find purchase of a 70cc saw. I’ve had 3 362s- carb, moronic, and ported. They were all sold- didn’t do it for me. If you have a good 50cc saw (260) I would sell the 59-60cc saw and jump to a 70cc.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I have an MS361 that runs flawlessly, but the 038 that I sold five years ago had more grunt and was a pound heavier. The guy that bought it loves it and says it will run almost even with his 440. Never should have sold it, but that's water over the dam.

 

[Lightning Performance]

I have an MS361 that runs flawlessly, but the 038 that I sold five years ago had more grunt and was a pound heavier. The guy that bought it loves it and says it will run almost even with his 440. Never should have sold it, but that's water over the dam.

If you really want an 038 I'll build you up one. It just sits here with the jug off. Jugs good with no scars. Piston is so so.

 

[Wood Doctor]

If you really want an 038 I'll build you up one. It just sits here with the jug off. Jugs good with no scars. Piston is so so.

LP, I just contacted the guy who borrowed my 046 Mag. He says he might be able to return it next week. That saw only weighs about a pound more than the 038, so I'll pass on your offer, but his offer is not a done deal. If he backs out, I'll get back to you. Before I let him borrow it, that saw was a beast. Not sure what he may have done to it.

 

[Lightning Performance]

LP, I just contacted the guy who borrowed my 046 Mag. He says he might be able to return it next week. That saw only weighs about a pound more than the 038, so I'll pass on your offer, but his offer is not a done deal. If he backs out, I'll get back to you. Before I let him borrow it, that saw was a beast. Not sure what he may have done to it.

No problem.
You can build it back up, solid platform on this one.

 

[huskyboy]

Get the 288 and give it a rebuild... great saw. Keep the 260 and sell the 362/038. Get a 70cc saw to fill the gap. 50-70-90cc is a good plan.