best small saw now!

[robdog]

I cannot choose.Give me a clue and make it best saw with a 14" bar for climbing. Also best for the price. Best value also.

[sotc]

046 with 14" :D

[MasterBlaster]

My saw guy has a couple of rear handled 200's and I'm all hot for one. It WILL be my next 200! :rockon:

[Skwerl]

The Stihl 200T is by far the best climbing saw ever made. Anything else is second rate in comparison. And since it will pay for itself with one job, the purchase price is irrelevent. I'd buy them if they cost $2000 each and they would STILL make me a ton of money.

[Tom_Scheller]

There is a rear handled 192 now as well. I too prefer the 200, but that sucker sure was Light. $340ish

TS

[hugashe]

yes 200t is the one to have. but you may wont the 16 in bar. somtimes two more inchs counts

[MasterBlaster]

I'm a 16 man, myself.

[Mr. Sir]

200T!!! I was a skeptic for the longest time because of the price. But now I won't buy anything else.

[gf beranek]

The 200T is the classic example of "You get what you pay for"

Did I hear right that it's going to be discontinued?

[Mr. Sir]

The 200T is the classic example of "You get what you pay for"

Did I hear right that it's going to be discontinued?

I think that was a marketing ploy.

[BostonBull]

200T

Is there another climbing saw?

[squisher]

Marketing ploy or not I got 3 of them and if they were actually disappearing I'd probably buy a couple more .:D

[stehansen]

I'll pile on with the 200T.

[Al Smith]

The MS 200 T is a fine top handle saw.

[No_Bivy]

My saw guy has a couple of rear handled 200's and I'm all hot for one. It WILL be my next 200! :rockon:

HECK yeah!! We love ours......first saw we grab, super light and strong. 200t is the next. Best little saw is...
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[Wagnaw]

Damn... so that's Rotax Robert's saw? Who's the competition? Glad it's not me.

[Old Monkey]

I want to see him cut a face cut with that, then I'll be really impressed.*

[Koa Man]

I just took 3 of my 5 200T's to the Stihl dealer to have them fixed up. They all needed various parts like handle bushings, some fuel lines needed to be replaced, etc. We have a 2nd Stihl dealer that has Elite dealer status, is friendly and helpful. The one I had complained about is still around, but he does not have the "Elite" status and I know why.

The dealer I go to has MS200T's w/16 inch bar and MS361's with 20 inch bar on sale for $539 each. They had 6 of each left as of today. I got enough of the 200s. I would like to get a 650 or 660 next.

[vharrison]

I'd buy them if they cost $2000 each and they would STILL make me a ton of money.

SHHHHHHHH :lol:

[Al Smith]

Speaking of 020 or Ms 200 's.I have one comming from a member on another site .

I'm going to turn this little rascal into a killer bee .Much talk has been done on a souped up climbing saw.I'm going to do one .I'll post it once it's done on here and Racesaws .:D

[Skwerl]

Speaking of 020 or Ms 200 's.I have one comming from a member on another site .

I'm going to turn this little rascal into a killer bee .Much talk has been done on a souped up climbing saw.I'm going to do one .I'll post it once it's done on here and Racesaws .:D

Al, they a tuned pretty hot right out of the box. Some very minor muffler work can help a little, but 90% of that can be accomplished by simply removing the screen/ baffle. I suggest you get some definitive output numbers on that saw with just a muffler mod before you spend a bunch of time on it.
8)

[Al Smith]

Oh I know they are little screamers just the way they are without doing much of anything to them .

This is just another one of my experiments in chainsawdom .;) For some reason or another I some times feel the urge to soup a few of them up if for no other reason than the fact I can .

[Ax-Man]

The ms 200 is the king of the climbing saw kingdom of small tophandle saws.

Al, are you getting a ms 200 or one of the square bodied older model 020 saws. There is room for some mods on the 020 saws. I have several of those in my collection and ported one of them. It is a screamer compared to the stock ones I have.

Keep us informed no matter which saw it is. This might be inteteresting.

[Jamin Mayer]

The 200T is the classic example of "You get what you pay for"

Did I hear right that it's going to be discontinued?

:what: They better not!

[MasterBlaster]

Where in the EFF did you hear that, Jerry?

[cuttenwolf]

the 200t is hands down the best saw. I have used the huskys and while the were better than ok I still love the200t. I have also used the poulan pro 25av, that saw sucked. And who could forget the homelite ezee. pull on the cord about 50 times and then turn off the choke, then another 50 pulls

[MasterBlaster]

Welcome, Wolf.

[cuttenwolf]

Thanks MB Can u relate to those darn ezees?

[MasterBlaster]

No Homelite here, Homesprout.

[cuttenwolf]

In the 80's we only had the ezee, xl12, 925 and the wiz. first stihl was the 38 then the 020 and 28. From there it was off to the races,

[MasterBlaster]

I was more in the 70's.

[cuttenwolf]

just a spectator then

[cuttenwolf]

86 was the first tree I climed for money... I do not remember when it actually turned into profit

[TC3]

And who could forget the homelite ezee. pull on the cord about 50 times and then turn off the choke, then another 50 pulls

That is funny ! Makes my shoulder ache just reading that... reminds me of the Stihl hedgers I had once. Garbage. Shindaiwa all the way for hedgers.

[Canuck]

200T, 200T and the 200T. Oh did I mention the 200T.

[Al Smith]

Al, are you getting a ms 200 or one of the square bodied older model 020 saws. There is room for some mods on the 020 saws. I have several of those in my collection and ported one of them. It is a screamer compared to the stock ones I have.

Keep us informed no matter which saw it is. This might be inteteresting. As far as I know it's an 020 T . It's a donor for me to tinker with .

For some reason I just get a kick out of little bumble bee saws that run like little race horses .

The whole thing came about because I had forgotten to retune my pipe after I did some port work on my Mini Mac and got out gunned by an MS 200 .This somewhat annoyed me . The 200 won't do it know since I tweeked in the pipe .

Anyway I mentioned this other places on the net and a gent offered one[020 T ] to see what I can do with it . Might have another killer bee,might not .Time will tell .

[rbtree]

Al, Ed ported one or two 200T's for Craig, an Alberta arborist who no longer visits our forums. They ran like raped apes. Only concern was the heat buildup, due to so much power pushing through a small engine turning high rpm's. Ed said to be careful not to lean them out too much....which applies to stock 200's as well, of course..as any saw, but more so.

[Al Smith]

It's just going to be a baby cookie cutter RB not a work saw . I had thought about a little Huskie 335 but this Stihl I think might be better .

Just some of the silly stuff I do .;)

[RIVERRAT]

I would like to get a 650 or 660 next. Just curious man. But why would you even consider the 650 over 660.Or put another way,why would you want a detuned 660.

Must be a market for them. I am just trying to understand why some one would want less verses more.

[MasterBlaster]

Hey Jeff!

[RIVERRAT]

Hey Butch.
I broke down & got hooked up to the interweb today. My place is a ways outside of town. Nothing to do at times.
No TV. Just sick of spending money.

[squisher]

No TV awesome! Hell I don't even pay for internet :/:. And I'm seriously considering solar power with a gen back-up, already have wood heat and bye bye grid/utilities.

[RIVERRAT]

Dude I have found a new high. Saving my money!!!
I would love to live completly off grid.
To me that is sticking it to the man

[squisher]

Nothng better than a pocket/bank/safe full of unencumbered cash to help a guy sleep at night.:)

Sounds like things are going well for you, glad to hear it.

[Stumper]

Jeff, My Firewood guy-who is a skilled saw operator, bought a 650 because no 660s were avalable at the time he purchased it. He says that it is a good saw-the Powerband is broader than the 660 and he says it has good torque for big cuts. he still prefers his 660s but says the 650 is better for the guy who isn't adept at feathering the saw in a cut to keep it working in the optimum sector of the PB.

[Koa Man]

Just curious man. But why would you even consider the 650 over 660.Or put another way,why would you want a detuned 660.

Must be a market for them. I am just trying to understand why some one would want less verses more.

Price?? The dealer here has no 660's right now and has a special on the 650. He also has specials on MS200T 16 inch bar and MS361 20 inch bar. Your choice, $539.00

I don't have need for a big saw all that often, and if needed, I can borrow my son-in-law's 084.

[will]

The 200t is the best climbing saw hands down. I tried the 16 inch bar and found the saw too slow in hard wood. with the 14 inch its a weapon!

[OTGBOSTON]

The 200t is the best climbing saw hands down. with the 14 inch its a weapon!

get the 14in "lite" bar8)

[MasterBlaster]

Or slap the bar from a power pruner on it! :/:

[lumberjack]

I've done that!

[Frans]

I like, and use the light 14" bar. But I have noticed that it flexes alot and can make a crooked cut if I am not carefull. Also flipping chunks out and away does not work as well as a stiffer bar.
But the light bar is still my favorite.

[lumberjack]

How much weight does it save?

[stehansen]

Are you talking about the narrow kerf bar?

[sotc]

i didnt like the narrow kerf, broke chains before id file one:dur:

[stehansen]

My 192 came with a narrow kerf bar and I had a bunch of trouble with it and changed to the same bar and chain as the 200T has. The 192 has a little trouble pulling the larger chain but at least it doesn't break all the time. I should have just bought another 200T when I got the 192T.

[Al Smith]

Speaking of chain size,a question .I'm asking cause I don't know .How does a person or is it possible to convert an 020 T to run .325 chain ???

That danged 3/8 " lo pro-pico whatever only comes in semi as far as I know and for what what I'm going to try to do I need to file a faster chain than is possible using that type .

[MasterBlaster]

I've done that!

No shit? I've never done it, just knew it could be done. I bet that sucker had some torque!!!

[OTGBOSTON]

Are you talking about the narrow kerf bar?


Nope,


http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/guidebars.html

[stehansen]

Is that where they mill out the middle of the bar and then put an aluminum piece in there? I'll get it here pretty quick.:?

[Skwerl]

Steve, the middle of the bar is a composite resin. I've been using the lite bars for years now, they are the only ones I've run on my 200T's. They are pricey at about $50 each but they last a long time and they weigh almost nothing. A lot less strain on your wrist if you run your saw one handed all the time (don't tell anybody).
;)

[MasterBlaster]

I never even knew there was such a critter. Do you buy it online?

[Skwerl]

Butch, you can order it from any Stihl dealer. I told you about them before but you dismissed them because they were only available in 14". The Stihl part number is 3005 000 7409 (I think, bad eyes).

Ooops, edited to add that I just clicked on BB's link and it appears that they are now available in 12" and 16". The part number for the 16" is 3005 000 7413

[MasterBlaster]

Dang! I just bought a bar. :(

[pete mctree]

The lite bar is a definate plus with a 020. However I deal with hardwoods 95% of the time and the speed of cutting and ability to chase the cut using a 12in bar is unrivaled, and the balance when cutting with one hand is a joy :)

[stehansen]

I'll have to give one a try, Thanks Brian.

[will]

saves 30% weight over a conventional 14 inch bar. worth the extra cash.

[OTGBOSTON]

I never even knew there was such a critter. Do you buy it online?

Boston Bull hooked me up.

[MasterBlaster]

Dang! I just bought a bar. :(

I just called my saw guy and he's ordering a composite bar for me and he'll take the other bar back. I'll be the first one in town with one.

Do they look any different?

[OTGBOSTON]

Do they look any different?

If you look close you can see where the inner part is cut out like a puzzle piece.

[MasterBlaster]

Are they any more delicate? Stronger? The same?

[OTGBOSTON]

I like, and use the light 14" bar. But I have noticed that it flexes alot and can make a crooked cut if I am not carefull. Also flipping chunks out and away does not work as well as a stiffer bar.
But the light bar is still my favorite.


I honestly haven't noticed any difference myself.

[Skwerl]

Butch, they have more flex but are tougher than you'd expect. You may need to quit using your guide bar as a pry bar but other than that they will last a long time.

[Burnham]

Are they any more delicate? Stronger? The same?


Butch, they have more flex but are tougher than you'd expect. You may need to quit using your guide bar as a pry bar but other than that they will last a long time.

In other words, yes they are more delicate :).

[Skwerl]

I think the actual guide rails are harder than the regular bars. I'll go 6 months of hard use before I have enough of a burr to file off.

[Burnham]

I may have to give one a try, Brian.

[Ax-Man]

Speaking of chain size,a question .I'm asking cause I don't know .How does a person or is it possible to convert an 020 T to run .325 chain ???

That danged 3/8 " lo pro-pico whatever only comes in semi as far as I know and for what what I'm going to try to do I need to file a faster chain than is possible using that type .


Can't run a .325 pitch on a 020 whatever. No sprockets available that I know of. That pitch would bog the saw down.

[Al Smith]

Can't run a .325 pitch on a 020 whatever. No sprockets available that I know of. That pitch would bog the saw down. It won't when I get though with it .;)

The only reason I asked was old Gypo had an 020 rear handle with .325 chisel on it . It zipped right along .

Oh I suppose I could find an older 1/4" set up so I could run carving chain .Too bad they don't make 3/8 lo pro in chisel,it would make things a lot more simple .:(

[Ed L]

It won't when I get though with it .;)

The only reason I asked was old Gypo had an 020 rear handle with .325 chisel on it . It zipped right along .

Oh I suppose I could find an older 1/4" set up so I could run carving chain .Too bad they don't make 3/8 lo pro in chisel,it would make things a lot more simple .:(

The 1/4" pitch sprocket and roller tip bars are off the shelf items at my Stihl dealer. :D

Ed