Stihl disease, best treatment option/solution?

Scooterbum

[QUOTE=superfire;106338]3) Repair 041 and install the 18" ( From the MS 310) bar on it and add a New Non Safety Semi Skip Chisel Chain
QUOTE]

Your kidding ...............right?

newguy18

No sweat, in the next year or 2 all my gear and saws will be going up do to me making a career change, I'm sick of all the pussy, prima donna tree climbers and wiping their ass.

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old schooler

superfire

[QUOTE=Scooterbum;106360]What is wrong with full chisel chain? The 18" bar suits the 041 to a t. In my neck of the woods semi chisel is only sold as safety chain.

krf1

Update:

I am stoked! Picked up a used Makita 6401 (2 new chains (20"), manual, tools) this morning for two bills! This thing is a monster! Runs circles around my 310 (and my FIL's 038 AV). Cut a 75 foot oak today - everyone kept trying it out. I can see how this could run a 24" bar all day; 20 is plenty for me for now.

Now just have to get the 041 running and I will be a happy camper!

thanks for all the helpful hints!

superfire

Make sure to wear the PPE you only have one life, and if your maimed or dead you are no good to any one. Saws can bite so wear chaps and a brain bucket keeps the brains from being scrambled. We all want to be around for a long time

gooddog

My neighbor was cutting a tree down last week and a 3 foot long by 3 inch round dead piece dropped on top of his head. After 4 inside and 24 outside stiches he is back at it. He was wearing just a hat, no helmet. He told me all the details and it seems head injuries bleed a lot! He bought a helmet now and used it today. I have been super lucky for almost 40 years but am thinking of using PPE now. I'm not as quick and strong as I used to be.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

superfire

I will tell yaz a brain bucket can save your life. I have had several brain buck saves. We all should try to work safe for our loved ones. Chainsaw are the most deadly item sold to people who have no clue as to the dangers involed.

PPE = 4 Items

Brain Bucket
Chaps
Ear & Eye Protection
Trianing from some one knowledgeble on saws

krf1

I totally agree! To clarify on the tree cutting, we had a guy in a 55 foot boom truck sectioning the top; I just had to cut the last 20 feet of trunk. I totally agree that it doesn't take much to get in a big mess with a saw. Regarding your PPE - I have ear & eye, got training from a family member who has been cutting for 40 years. Chaps, maybe some day. Helmet - this is something I will definitely buy before I go into the woods again.

I try to, to mangle the carpenter saying, "think twice and cut once". I always have an escape route, even when just cutting downed logs. I never cut firewood alone, even if it is just someone with a cell phone. I never cut above about shoulder height. etc.

So, I'm sure I am not perfect, but I try my best. That is one reason I enjoy this site so much - I can learn from the experts!

superfire

We like to have you around so please be safe. I am oneof those who is maimed for life so I speak from the skool of hard nockin. I was doing a routine favor for neighbor an forgot to think about safety first. First mistake not checking the tree for hazards, second and most irresponsible on my part forgot my brain bucket. Woke up an hour later under a big ugly limb. Now my neck is stiff and arthrtic as heck. I want to hear moe about the new toy. You gotz me droooooooollin now.

krf1

Ha! Kind of a sad story. Saw the CL ad the night before I was to head to my FIL's house. Called the guy that morning and went to see him. Turns out he was with Home Depot for 11 yrs - got it from their rental fleet (mechanic gave him the one with lowest hours on it). Was selling it because he lost his job in a big layoff they had here in ATL a couple of months ago.

When I talked to him on the phone the night before he said he bought the saw in September 2009 and never even fired it up. I asked if it had gas in it. He said yeah. I asked how old the gas was. He said "I guess when I bought it" I told him politely to dump out the gas. I brought some good 91 octane Stihl mix to put in; pulled choke out and it started in 4 pulls! Ran like a champ, no smoke or anything.

One of the guys cutting Tuesday is pretty healthy - about 6'2", I would guess 300+. He grabbed the saw and lit into about a 24" section of felled white oak. I looked at the saw and the wraparound grip was flexing! He finished up and I told him it looked like he was bearing down pretty good. He said "I was seeing if I could make it bog - it just ate it up!" He also said that he was a Stihl guy but he may have to change his color!

I still like the 310 - it may not be the stoutest saw but it has never even hiccuped in 5 years, and is a very smooth running saw. I still see it being my main "mess around" saw. I will probably either keep the 18 on it or put the 18 on my 041 and have the 310 run a 16. I will keep the 20 on the Makita and maybe get a 24 just in case; ebay seems to have some decent bar action.

I did notice the Makita manual suggests 40:1 fuel/oil. I have been running my 310 at 50:1, but reading some forum posts it sounds like a lot of you guys rich it up just a bit to 40:1, so I may change over to that mix for everything.

All in all, very satisfied! Our church has a firewood ministry for the homeless; we deliver wood to guys living under the interstate bridges downtown (we also supply burn barrels). We do wood runs pretty regularly; one of the guys has a Husky 575 that runs pretty stout. I think the Makita may give him a run for his money! Thanks to the posters who woke me up to the 6401!

superfire

What is it with you right coast guys and short bars They sell 310-311 all day long in my neck of the woods with 24" bars and full skip The 6401 with a 24" bar and full skip will make a lot less bending over. Me every thing I own starts out at 28" and goes up from there. Now I have my tree saws with short bars for tree use only.

gooddog

It's not the length of the bar that matters, it's what you do with it that matters.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

krf1

Sorry to restart this thread but I guess I still have the disease! I mentioned how happy I am with the 6401 I just got. Well, I have a chance to get a 3 yr old MS460 for about twice what I have in the Makita (five bills for the Stihl). My question to you big saw guys - would I get twice the performance out of the Stihl than the Makita? And how would the 6401 with the big bore upgrade compare to a 460? As a homeowner I would never be in a position to cut wood larger than about 30", so I don't need the ability to run a huge bar. I do like big power on small chains, however

As always, thanks!

superfire

The 460 with a 28" bar is a beast, and it is easier mto have a running saw with no work. The time and effort needed to upgrade the Dolmar is one thing to consider, the 460 is ready to go and you do not risk the performance of the Dolmar . The more saws the more run time

gooddog

If your biggest wood is 30", I would have to say, you don't NEED a 460. If you have cash collecting dust and WANT a big saw, go for it. Your 6401 is plenty for 30" and less though. Now, if you have lots of 25" to 30", go for it. I had a nice and straight 40" oak that its first branch was at 35', and my 460 was the perfect size saw for.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

superfire

Saws are like hammers the bigger the hammer the faster the job goes

NevC

Eric, why do you not like the 029?
I bought 1 on advise from Dealer who turned out not to back his words up with action. Was I dudded? I feel that it performs well, only criticism is weight for power. It is no better than Husky I traded, but definitely heavier.

Nev

Rob Chace

029 - not a pro saw?

i like the 260(as smaller saw)... 200T, 260, 660 is all u need, although on some big gums i wish i had my mate with his 880 to rip up some of the biggggg stuff.

Eric Frei

It's like comparing a Hyundai to BMW, cant compare ... they're a budget plastic saw.

Some pretend pro's also buy them.

You can always tell a pro from a wannabe by the saws they buy.

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