Talk Me In/Out of the Stihl MS261

[WinterDeere]

I usually carry three saws:

30cc top handle for limbing
63cc with 19" bar, for most bucking, and felling smaller stuff
85cc with 28" bar for most felling and bucking larger stuff

Throw them all into the carry-all basket or my loader bucket, along with the toolbox of spare chains and saw tools, when driving into the woods. I'm not carrying any of them!

 

[sea2summit]

This is so true. My 261 feels so feather light but with yellow chain cuts like a beast.

It IS a pro saw. Mugh more than a homeowner needs.

What if I consider myself a professional homeowner?

 

[newbury]

I usually carry three saws:

30cc top handle for limbing
63cc with 19" bar, for most bucking, and felling smaller stuff
85cc with 28" bar for most felling and bucking larger stuff

Throw them all into the carry-all basket or my loader bucket, along with the toolbox of spare chains and saw tools, when driving into the woods. I'm not carrying any of them!

And with the three saws you should be able to get a stuck saw out quickly!

 

[WinterDeere]

And with the three saws you should be able to get a stuck saw out quickly!

It's been a long time since I've managed to get a saw stuck, but yeah... used to count on that!

Over decades of cutting what must add up to hundreds of cords, I've gotten to where I really don't get saws stuck very often. A combination of reading the tree and feeling when things are starting to pinch, can usually keep you out of that particular trouble.

Of course, now that I've said that, you can count on me getting one stuck next week.

 

[BnRidge]

However, in order to say it has "no issues" with that sort of use, you need one more thing: patience.

Ms260 (2009) and Ms462cm here - good combination. I used the 260 for everything until two yrs ago. It's nice to no longer be required to show : patience anymore. Actually it has all worked out well over the years. The 260 is/was a good saw. Big wood, take your time, let hp be your friend. Everything else, it's so light and easy to work, easy to clean and maintain, makes for an enjoyable time in the woods. The first time I used the 462, I actually pulled the saw and checked to make sure the wood wasn't rotten - nope, rock solid. It mowed through solid white oak so fast. After a year, I made the mistake of using a 2:1 file on it though vs hand file. It took the rakers down to the point where I set the chain aside and bought a new one. I won't use the raker file on a 2:1 now, seems to work a whole lot better that way, at east on the larger 3/8 chains.

 

[Snobdds]

A 261 is a solid saw. You won't be disappointed. My dad uses ours a lot because it's light and powerful.

As someone mentioned, if you do a 2 saw plan, make the difference between the two enough it's noticeable. A ms400 is a solid choice.

I have a 10 saw plan, maybe it's 12 now. I have pro saws from 25 to 137cc. I don't sharpen in the field, I just grab another saw.

 

[Hay Dude]

My 261 with 20” is in the truck-permanently.

 

[John_Mc]

After a year, I made the mistake of using a 2:1 file on it though vs hand file. It took the rakers down to the point where I set the chain aside and bought a new one. I won't use the raker file on a 2:1 now, seems to work a whole lot better that way, at east on the larger 3/8 chains.

That's strange. I don't use the Stihl 2-in-1 myself. I generally use the Husqvarna roller guides or one of the Oregon guides that clips on to the file. I've tried one a few times and found it OK, and have a couple of friends who use the 2-in-1. They are happy with it I prefer a progressive depth gauge tool to set the rakers, so that matching the length of all off the cutter teeth is not all that critical - it just seems like a waste of chain life to me (the 2-in-1 is not progressive).

I've been sneered a a few times by those who think using any sort of guide is the mark of an inexperienced user. I just let them sneer. I have no use for the macho BS. I do what workls for me, and let them do what they want. I generally get the last laugh when my 60cc saw outcuts their 70cc - either right from the get-go, or after half a dozen cuts in hardwood when their poorly formed, fragile hook which cut so well at first dulls too quickly.)

I tried hand filing with a bare round file, but my eyesight is not good enough anymore to really see how things are going. I can get by with it if I have to, but I generally always have my ammo can full of tools and spare chains near by if I'm doing any serious cutting.

 

[Skeans1]

$150 more than 462 but you get .8 more HP and same weight

Here’s the biggest thing what length of bars are you running? What chain? And what sprocket?

 

[sea2summit]

After a year, I made the mistake of using a 2:1 file on it though vs hand file. It took the rakers down to the point where I set the chain aside and bought a new one. I won't use the raker file on a 2:1 now, seems to work a whole lot better that way, at east on the larger 3/8 chains.

Did you use it on a full skip chain? 2 in 1 isn't compatible with full skip chains because it has to guide height off the second tooth.