stihl chainsaw

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shakey jake

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hi guys, im after opinions on two chainsaws ms 211 or ms 231, dont want to risk second hand unless i really trust people, had a husky and had a few issue, ive got a couple of trees to fell then it will be for logging.
should i spend more or not worry? cheers guys
 
Stalker1962 said:
I have three Stihl chainsaws.
MS 390, 391 and 880 (I know - what was I thinking!).

Great kit.
If you can afford to then I would invest in a new saw - the other tip I was given was never lend yours to anyone...
Click to expand...
You are well-placed to deal with England's surfeit of Sequoiadendron giganteum...
 
Avoid, if you can, the awful "easy start" system and the tooless adjustments that some of the Stihl "DIY level" saws come with.
Better to buy a cheap new saw than an unknown second hand one. I've found some of those little Stihls really do punch above their weight. In fact I've just bought myself an MS170 (the littlest of little).
 
Why not buy a used saw ? We buy used guns and vehicles all the time .
I have two used sthil’s a av 38 super ex felling saw bought without an oil pump or bar, cost £50 and another £50 for parts lovely saw.
And another ex-surgeon saw ms-201 top handed saw. Was scruffy but with a few plastic parts looking like new total cost inc parts £200
Both run sweetly and have no problems ! But I expect even though worked hard are pro saws used by pro surgeons using good oil and sharp chains
 
We’ve got an MS211 (without the easy start thing) and it’s perfect for felling and logging around what is effectively a small holding. Hasn’t turned its nose up at anything yet. No experience of the 231 but the farmer in the village runs a couple of 211s too and they’re fine for what he needs them for (general farm clearing, felling, logging, ride clearing etc)
 
I ended up with a wee 231 and a cracking little saw, for fairly small tree jobs and light brashing I pick it over my other saws
And got a cupboard full off them.

Dunno wot size of bar u need to run but runs a 14" on 3/8s Pico chain nae bother, put a lot of gallons throu it and felled a lot of hardwoods

When it comes to 2nd hand u can get decent saws u can also end up with pigs.
I got that 231 with a 260 it's was a bit off a pig, althou got it going now.
Just bought 2 huskys 2nd hand, but know the fella the saws had done bugger all and money was right.
They need to be a good bit cheaper and u need to know the person.
Was offered a 572xp off another again just over warranty and done bugger all but wanting too much money, for another 150 could buy new with 2 year warranty
With a modern saw it just takes 1 or 2 bad batches of 2 stroke mix and saw could be well damaged inside.
Or hobby users scrimping on decent quality 2 stroke and leaving saw full of petrol carb could be all gummed up
 
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CarlW said:
You are well-placed to deal with England's surfeit of Sequoiadendron giganteum...
Click to expand...

In my defence (who the fcuk am I kidding) I picked it out of the catalogue and had no idea how fcuking big it was.
There were a couple of wee clues.

When I went to collect it from the depot, two things happened:-

1) It was so big and so heavy I could barely lift it off the counter.
2) The bloke behind the jump saying:- "Do you get many redwoods in Hertfordshire?".
 
Stalker1962 said:
In my defence (who the fcuk am I kidding) I picked it out of the catalogue and had no idea how fcuking big it was.
There were a couple of wee clues.

When I went to collect it from the depot, two things happened:-

1) It was so big and so heavy I could barely lift it off the counter.
2) The bloke behind the jump saying:- "Do you get many redwoods in Hertfordshire?".
Click to expand...

I borrowed an 880 once for logging up some big old chunks of firewood. Hateful heavy, noisy, vibrate-y thing, it had a sproketless nose as well so you could choose between two chain settings of "too tight" and "too loose".
But the worst part by far was the age it took to sharpen 40 inches worth of chain!
I wasn't keen 😂
 
splash said:
Why not buy a used saw ? We buy used guns and vehicles all the time .
I have two used sthil’s a av 38 super ex felling saw bought without an oil pump or bar, cost £50 and another £50 for parts lovely saw.
And another ex-surgeon saw ms-201 top handed saw. Was scruffy but with a few plastic parts looking like new total cost inc parts £200
Both run sweetly and have no problems ! But I expect even though worked hard are pro saws used by pro surgeons using good oil and sharp chains
Click to expand...

I have considered second hand saws before and never managed to convince myself.

They go on ebay for quite a lot of money vs new, and you risk getting:

An ex-forestry saw that has been looked after but inevitably used very hard already. Which is OK unless you want to put it into similar use.

An ex-arb saw that's potentially not seen huge use but constantly cold started, revved hard and then put down before it's warm.

An ex DIY saw that's never seen any proper maintenance and sat about with stale fuel, cheap 2-stroke, etc.

That said I'm sure there are good used saws to be had, but I reckon there are more bad ones. Not to mention nicked ones!
 
I currently have a 181 and a 261 Stihl plus a 20" Parker.
Hope this might give you a few thoughts and ideas?
Comparing the three;
181, light and with a fast sharp chain is excellent for firewood. Easy and tireless to work with.
261, good for felling and ringing up but you sense a bit more weight than above but also more power.
Parker, cheap saw ex FIL which I repaired and so was given it. Noisy, harsh vibration and in a very much lower league to the others. I have a 20" bar on for larger stuff or when sacrificing a chain for stumps etc.

I had a 251 and didn't rate it as it was neither diy or industrial and ended up px against the 261.
 
SimpleSimon said:
I borrowed an 880 once for logging up some big old chunks of firewood. Hateful heavy, noisy, vibrate-y thing, it had a sproketless nose as well so you could choose between two chain settings of "too tight" and "too loose".
But the worst part by far was the age it took to sharpen 40 inches worth of chain!
I wasn't keen 😂
Click to expand...
My mate has an 880 (he’s a tree surgeon) blooming thing is bigger than him.
It certainly takes some wrestling and you want to make sure that the chain is sharp and properly setup. Kickback is not something you want from one of these.
 
Best option is to buy new and if you’re going to be an occasional user just run it on Aspen. It’s awesome stuff

Aspen Fuel

Discover Aspen Fuel's premium alkylate petrol and engine oils for cleaner performance, reduced emissions, and optimal engine protection.
aspenfuel.co.uk aspenfuel.co.uk

Regards

BP
 
Seems to me a pretty simple trade off....do you want to save £100 and lose 15% of the power, or is it really important to make the cutting that little bit quicker. Nobody else knows your financial situation, so it's simply that choice. There's nothing else practucal to choose between the two saws.
I'd get the smaller one personally.....as someone who has previously been inclined to get a 390 instead of a small one.
 
Apthorpe said:
Seems to me a pretty simple trade off....do you want to save £100 and lose 15% of the power, or is it really important to make the cutting that little bit quicker. Nobody else knows your financial situation, so it's simply that choice. There's nothing else practucal to choose between the two saws.
I'd get the smaller one personally.....as someone who has previously been inclined to get a 390 instead of a small one.
Click to expand...
It amazed me as a teenager watching a local tree surgeon cut down and dismantle some decent size trees at our house. He made it look easy with a small barred (12” or so) small ish saw.
I agree with you on a smaller saw as I used to use a large saw for logging and it does make the job harder than it needs to be.
 
I’m not sure what it’s like now but getting parts for Stihl’s products was a pain due to the no mail order policy, also some stihls are clamshell design which is not a good thing, for that reason I’ve always gone Husqy.

And it’s served me well.

Regards,
Gixer
 
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