Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Equipment => Topic started by: coolidge on January 27, 2014, 12:22:55 PM
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Anyone using one of these saws? How do you like it?
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I'm running the MS290 which is the old model from the MS291. The 291 looks just like the 271 only has 5 more cc and weighs less. Have you looked at the price difference between the 271 and the 291? If the difference isn't that much, I'd go with the 291. I'm told the 290 is the number 1 selling saw. I'm running 55cc on my 290 and I'd hate to go any less. I use mine on everything. I've limbed with it before, but I prefer to use my FIL 14" Stihl for anything less than 6". But, I felled and bucked a 24" diameter Ash with my 290 and it got the job done no problem. It's perfect for what I do. I'm almost halfway through my second season with it. 10 cords last year, 4.5 so far this year. I've had no problems with it so far. Take it with a grain of salt. This is the first saw I've ever owned.
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I have the 290 also, just looking for a limbing, backup saw. Going to pick the 271 up this afternoon.
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how much are you looking to spend?
Not to bash on Stihl but there are better saws out there. I'm in a saws shop that doesn't run any dealer licences...
The absolute best bang for your buck is actually a redmax 3800/4000/4500. Their engines are bullet proof (made in Japan).
Way better power to weight ratio than the ms271 by far.
Stihl 271 - $440+ tax
50cc
12.3 lbs
Redmax 4500 - $250-$300 off ebay
44cc
9.6lbs
If you want interchangeable bars, I'd look for a Stihl 026/260 thats been rebuilt or low hour. $275-$325 (ish)
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I have had a 271 for the last 2 years, and love it. I have the 20" bar on it. Running the more aggressive chain Stihl puts out it cute through anything I have thrown at it. No problems thus far with the mechanics either. My last saw was a cheapo from Lowe's that I got at a yard sale, so the weight comparison makes it feel heavy, but that's what you get with some balls behind it.