Picked up a used Stihl MS261

[Hay Dude]

I have the new style 261 C-M which is an M-tronic saw.

A few years in and its has been absolutely fantastic saw other than always needing 3 pulls to start. Never less and never more??.

with a 20" blade it seems to be the fastest through the round cutting I saw I own. A real racehorse.

This version is like 50% more hp than the stihl 250 but the same weight! makes it easy to use all day.

you got a good buy I think.

cheers

I’m looking for another newer 261C for my dump truck toolbox.

 

[xyz123]

@JeepHead one about 40mins south. 365 not 350 like I thought.

He has video of it with add running etc.

Etech so means got to gut that crap or get the better muffler.

 

[5030]

I will say, I've never bought or considered buying a used chain saw. They aren't that expensive (new) in the first place so I don't. I use them so it makes them used, by me. In my case, used but taken care of properly.

 

[JeepHead]

@JeepHead one about 40mins south. 365 not 350 like I thought.

He has video of it with add running etc.

Etech so means got to gut that crap or get the better muffler.


View attachment 1948598

I just picked up a like new 350 recently for $125 off of some lady surprisingly. I definitely wanna get another 359 when one pops up around me.

 

[JeepHead]

I will say, I've never bought or considered buying a used chain saw. They aren't that expensive (new) in the first place so I don't. I use them so it makes them used, by me. In my case, used but taken care of properly.

Used saws can be a great deal not to mention, lots of saws that guys like me are trying to add to their collection are no longer available on the shelf new.

And true pro saws are much more expensive than home owner series of saws like an Echo 590 Timberwolf.

 

[Hay Dude]

was thinking about taking a chance on this. Owner says starts & runs fine.
Wants $225

 

[xyz123]

I just picked up a like new 350 recently for $125 off of some lady surprisingly. I definitely wanna get another 359 when one pops up around me.

I quit flipping 350's. Like 026's and 55's etc quit flipping those too. Nothing left on the bone on those here local.

Wont flip 590's anymore either. Since they are so cheap to buy new, under 4 most times. Got 200 on a like new one. Have more in them fixing then they bring.

Last 2 I done and needed nothing ready to cut. Was asking 2 each. Ended up taking 350 for both.

You learn what sells and what folks go for and stay away from the non sellers.

 

[5030]

I've never 'collected' saws, least not intentionally. I use them, not collect them. In my case, I collect vintage British motorcycles as the have value investment wise. Chainsaws for the most part have no investment value or very little.

Granted, I own an 075 as well as an 090 but I bought them new when I bought my 028 and both are on a shelf not used at all (I still use the 28) so in that respect I guess I do, just not intentionally..

I certainly don't want to rebuild chainsaws, especially ones that were flogged by someone else. I much prefer a new saw and always will. Like I said, they are not that expensive new and I don't get any satisfaction in fixing or modifying a used, flogged saw. I have much more productive things to do like manage my machine shop for instance, grind chipper knives (for profit) or sharpen dull chain loops (for profit again). If you were to look at my saws (minus the 090 and the 075), you would find them all to be clean and free of crud, running properly and have well maintained bars and loops.

 

[JeepHead]

I've never 'collected' saws, least not intentionally. I use them, not collect them. In my case, I collect vintage British motorcycles as the have value investment wise. Chainsaws for the most part have no investment value or very little.

Granted, I own an 075 as well as an 090 but I bought them new when I bought my 028 and both are on a shelf not used at all (I still use the 28) so in that respect I guess I do, just not intentionally..

I certainly don't want to rebuild chainsaws, especially ones that were flogged by someone else. I much prefer a new saw and always will. Like I said, they are not that expensive new and I don't get any satisfaction in fixing or modifying a used, flogged saw. I have much more productive things to do like manage my machine shop for instance, grind chipper knives (for profit) or sharpen dull chain loops (for profit again). If you were to look at my saws (minus the 090 and the 075), you would find them all to be clean and free of crud, running properly and have well maintained bars and loops.

I think a lot of people collect things because they enjoy it and the search, not necessarily to make money off of it. While saws can be profitable, you certainly aren't gonna get a massive bank account off of it.

We all have things we enjoy, whether it be rebuilding a saw and selling it for a profit, or grinding loops of chains for a small profit. I collect tools of all sorts because I enjoy it.

I like both old and new saws. I do the brunt of my wood cutting with pro saws all of which are less than 3 years old. But I will bring the others out at times too just for the fun of it.

I have lots of irons in the fire at the moment with working full time and having two business I am starting up. Plus I have a decent size property to maintain, a GF and twin boys to take care of. I supply most of the area restaurants with their wood supply for smoking meats in addition to the wood I sell to others and use at home. I lost an extremely valuable business in my divorce 5 years ago that I had built from scratch before ever meeting her. So I am starting over but I am only 50 and cannot stand to watch TV or be inside the house except to sleep.

 

[xyz123]

To me a saw is just a tool to be used as needed. I like having a saw for any type of job I run into.

Hence saws even set up with stihl carbide chains that are worth more then saws they are on basically.

I went ahead and ordered me a stihl USG carbide grinding wheel too. Wife was so kind to get that for me for Christmas.

I've had so many in one model before. I would take one apart to get guys in need the crankcase etc etc.

Lot of saws worth more in NLA parts.

How you end up with shelves full of parts saws torn down.

 

[xyz123]

I actually enjoy finding and rebuilding saws for the collector types though. I have a list of saws that folks want and get them and ship to them when needed.

Heck this local had me build 4 2100 2101 from boxes of parts.

All easy money for me. Being on a pension already and not worried about where $ coming from, it is just play money to me to buy more play things for myself.

One I just hooked him up from another friend. Quick tune and sent him home with another.

Learned more about 21's then I ever wanted to know.

 

[JeepHead]

I’m looking for another newer 261C for my dump truck toolbox.

Home Depot still has a few of the Echo 4910 saws available before they are gone forever. Best under $400 saw money can buy and pretty much a pro saw. They will run right with the 261. Might check them out!

 

[xyz123]

New echo 4910 $280 and tax here. 5 left at dealer.

Just need that muffler mod and cut with 346 NE.

Tune as they come lame. Mine was in 11's. Max is 14K


Toss inside tube, cut slit and grind open and open front of deflector.

 

[JeepHead]

New echo 4910 $280 and tax here. 5 left at dealer.

Just need that muffler mod and cut with 346 NE


Toss inside tube, cut slit and grind open and open front of deflector.

View attachment 1952645View attachment 1952646

$280 is a steal of a deal! I ported the muffler and reduced the squish down some. It will cut as well as my 261CM. Love that Echo!

 

[Hay Dude]

Might have to check that out !

 

[frogpond]

My 261CM is the exact same way, 3 pulls no matter how warm or cold. But if you think the 261 is fast, grab a Husqvarna 550 XP, it absolutely smokes my 261. I like to run 16" bars on my 50cc saws though and 20's on my 60cc saws.

Okay, so how come my 261cm needs 9 or ten pulls to start cold? I use alcohol-free gas. Even new plug, new air filter, new fuel filter, new fuel solenoid don't help. Warm start is generally better. I try to go through the recalibration (gen 3) but it won't drop down, just keeps roaring.

 

[JeepHead]

Okay, so how come my 261cm needs 9 or ten pulls to start cold? I use alcohol-free gas. Even new plug, new air filter, new fuel filter, new fuel solenoid don't help. Warm start is generally better. I try to go through the recalibration (gen 3) but it won't drop down, just keeps roaring.

Have you checked to see if it needs a firmware update?

 

[Hay Dude]

I actually enjoy finding and rebuilding saws for the collector types though. I have a list of saws that folks want and get them and ship to them when needed.

Heck this local had me build 4 2100 2101 from boxes of parts.

All easy money for me. Being on a pension already and not worried about where $ coming from, it is just play money to me to buy more play things for myself.

One I just hooked him up from another friend. Quick tune and sent him home with another.

Learned more about 21's then I ever wanted to know.

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Based on what you’ve worked on and all your experience, with $1,000 as a max budget, what’s the best saw you could own with a 20-24” bar? Like one that is light, powerful and fast, and could be used all day. Not a show piece, but a working saw.

1. Off the shelf (stock/factory) currently available.
2. Built up on a work bench with mods.

 

[dodge man]

Okay, so how come my 261cm needs 9 or ten pulls to start cold? I use alcohol-free gas. Even new plug, new air filter, new fuel filter, new fuel solenoid don't help. Warm start is generally better. I try to go through the recalibration (gen 3) but it won't drop down, just keeps roaring.

How often do you use your saw. I used mine recently but it hadn’t been used for several months and it took several pulls. Next time I used it 3 pulls got it. I usually do full choke and on the second pull it starts to run then dies. Then half choke and it starts. The key is to drop it to half choke if you hear it start to run a little or pop. Or there may be something wrong with your saw.

 

[xyz123]

Based on what you’ve worked on and all your experience, with $1,000 as a max budget, what’s the best saw you could own with a 20-24” bar? Like one that is light, powerful and fast, and could be used all day. Not a show piece, but a working saw.

1. Off the shelf (stock/factory) currently available.
2. Built up on a work bench with mods.

New in US

Wish the 462 fell in that price range.

Light and fast but giving up torque of 462.

But since only 1000 and 20-24. 400.

Stihl 400 on sale around here for 950 with 20"

Used US and or New shipped in.

OE 372 440 044 046 460

OE 372 can still be bought new by a dealer from overseas in my group. Like 900-950 shipped.

Porting now days adds 300-400 more cost and use a trusted porter. Not some of these boobtube hacks trying to take your money.
So best learn that yourself. For that cost or used saw to do it on once fixed right.