Joined the Stihl saw owner's club! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cscmc1 · #1 06-10-2009, 12:43 PM

My old Craftsman 14" saw has been giving me fits (carb related), and rebuild kits are proving impossible to find, so I have been watching Craigslist for a few weeks now. This weekend I struck pay dirt. A fellow was selling a pair of Stihls -- a saw I have always admired -- for a reasonable sum. I sent him a lowball offer via text, as we were out of town, and he accepted. Met, took a look at them, and agreed to buy; they need the chains sharpened, but start easily and look to be in good shape. I got an MS 170 and an MS 390... can't wait to cut up the fallen tree in the backyard now!

Anyone want to teach me the Stihl club "secret handshake?"

It was a good weekend -- I also found a massive Craftsman bench vice, a nice Trek pannier bag, and a nifty old tenor banjo at garage sales. Gotta love bargain hunting!

E150GT · #2 06-10-2009, 12:45 PM

My dad has a stihl that is older than me. That thing is heavy as can be.

The Clk Man · #3 06-10-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

My old Craftsman 14" saw has been giving me fits (carb related), and rebuild kits are proving impossible to find, so I have been watching Craigslist for a few weeks now. This weekend I struck pay dirt. A fellow was selling a pair of Stihls -- a saw I have always admired -- for a reasonable sum. I sent him a lowball offer via text, as we were out of town, and he accepted. Met, took a look at them, and agreed to buy; they need the chains sharpened, but start easily and look to be in good shape. I got an MS 170 and an MS 390... can't wait to cut up the fallen tree in the backyard now!

Anyone want to teach me the Stihl club "secret handshake?"

It was a good weekend -- I also found a massive Craftsman bench vice, a nice Trek pannier bag, and a nifty old tenor banjo at garage sales. Gotta love bargain hunting!

The wife and I are garage sale and flea market freaks. There is a thread here called man caves and most of the stuuf you see in my man cave came from garage sales and flea markets. We also buy stuff to resell, one of the best things we bought was a coca cola tray for $10 and sold it for $700.

cscmc1 · #4 06-10-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

The wife and I are garage sale and flea market freaks. There is a thread here called man caves and most of the stuuf you see in my man cave came from garage sales and flea markets. We also buy stuff to resell, one of the best things we bought was a coca cola tray for $10 and sold it for $700.

My wife's a saint, but she has little patience for me and my scrounging. I, too, resell things. Been trying to cut back on that, but when I see a real bargain, I have to jump on it. Bought a couple old theater amps once for $150 and sold them for $4900. Picked up a couple Beatles Y&T "Butcher Covers" at a sale for a buck apiece and sold them for $790 and $290 respectively. You never know what you might find at garage sales and junk stores!

Medmech · #5 06-10-2009, 12:59 PM

Congrats, the secret handshake is you left hand -2 fingers in any assortment.

Enjoy, both of the saws you bought are great, the 390 is a hemon-demon but the smaller saw is the one that will get you into trouble so make sure you invest in a pair of chaps.

The Clk Man · #6 06-10-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

My wife's a saint, but she has little patience for me and my scrounging. I, too, resell things. Been trying to cut back on that, but when I see a real bargain, I have to jump on it. Bought a couple old theater amps once for $150 and sold them for $4900. Picked up a couple Beatles Y&T "Butcher Covers" at a sale for a buck apiece and sold them for $790 and $290 respectively. You never know what you might find at garage sales and junk stores!

Oh Man!!! we are going to have to meet up and go to some Garage sales, Flea markets. I don't know where you live but there is a 400 mile long yard sale that starts in Kentucky maybe I will see ya there. Also the latest thing the wife found was a special limited edition gold coca cola card, she paid $75 for it and saw it on ebay for $2500, I hope she sells it. I could use the beer money.

TMAllison · #7 06-10-2009, 02:25 PM

Gpa has an 014, 032, 064 and a newer Mxxx Stihl saws. All good machines; never fail to start. The 032 cuts enough to wear most people out and the 014 is perfect for prep work before pulling out the bigger saws. The 064 with a 20" bar we call "The Jungle Tamer". It howls through downed oak with its larger, more aggressive chain. Two tanks of mix through it and it takes the rest of the day to pick up and stack what you've chunked up.

SwampYankee · #8 06-10-2009, 03:07 PM

Those Stihls are playthings.

I've got an older 025 and an 029 Farm Boss, the 025 gets far more use.

cscmc1 · #9 06-10-2009, 03:13 PM

I'm getting psyched for an afternoon of cutting up stumps and fallen trunks. Maybe Saturday... meantime, I'll round up some decent bar & chain oil and mix up some fuel. I'm giddy!

TOPGUN · #10 06-10-2009, 11:19 PM

I have always considered Stihl the Mercedes Benz of chain saws. 041 Farm Boss, and 020AV top handle, very old and very reliable. Have fun, and be careful.

Pete Geither · #11 06-11-2009, 05:46 AM

Get yourself some files and keep the chain sharp,,,, it's not that hard, and you will get great satifaction using those chains forever.

cscmc1 · #12 06-11-2009, 08:37 AM

I need to Google chain sharpening and see how it's done. I did find a couple of places who will sharpen chains locally, but I would indeed like to learn to do it myself. As for safety, I DO need to round up some chaps and do it right.

TMAllison · #13 06-11-2009, 11:51 AM

We cut Oak thats typically been down a year so its dry and very hard. I burned 2-1/2 cords last winter and my Dad probably 5 more. He has ~8 cords split and stacked at any given time.

With a sharp chain, we always stop and touch it up with a file after every tank of fuel; keeps the saws cutting well and gives the operator a chance to rest for 10 minutes.

865sp300e · #14 06-11-2009, 04:22 PM

Stihl makes decent stuff, I have a saw and leaf blower. Check if there is a Stihl parts distributor in your area. Stihl parts are sold through authorized dealers only and are becoming harder to find.

cscmc1 · #15 06-11-2009, 04:28 PM

Yessir, we've got two dealer/service shops right here in town. It's nice to have them so close!