Should I get a second saw?

I'm the other oddball, I still have one, a 50cc. My wife wants one though, so might get another, a smaller one.

Greg

 

Oh, you've cut back? Do you have a sponsor helping you work the steps?

Setting aside the fact that I wouldn't hold on to the 029 at all (no offense; I'm a machinery snob, but not proud of it), I'd consider which I wanted more often: a larger, more powerful saw, or a smaller and lighter one? A small saw is nice for limbing, cutting small trees, and for working in dense brush or on hillsides. A big one will make quick work of larger trees than the 029 can comfortably handle. I'm not sure which way I'd go in your position, because the 029 is such a middle-of-the-road size that any saw bigger or smaller enough to be a complement might not get used much. My preference would be one bigger and one smaller.

Another way to go would be to pick up an 036, which would inevitably become your go-to saw, and keep the 029 as a backup.

I have a silly number of saws, most of them bought broken and cheap. I'm especially attached to an 026 with a 16" Picco bar, an 044 that weighs what your 029 does but pulls a 28" bar nicely, a rear-handle MS200 that's economically silly for me to hang onto but a joy to use on smaller stuff, and a vintage Homelite 1050 for milling.

 

Everyone started out with just 1 saw, but you'll find a second one very complimentary! I ran a 35cc MS 211 for 2 years before I purchased a 60cc MS 590. It made a drastic difference in many ways. Both of my saws are stock and relatively small but they get the job done for me.
I was recently able to run a "professonal" grade saw and I wish I wouldn't have done it!! Whether it's in my head or not, everything about it seemed a little bit better. It was smoother, less vibration, on and on. Now I NEED one!
Sorry, I was rambling. Yes, IMHO, you should have another saw... or two!

 

Poulan 3400,McCulloch 610,Jonsered 2077 Turbo for medium stuff/general firewood duty,Echo top handle for small stuff/pruning/climbing.

Mac PM850,Husky 288,2100 for the big stuff & milling.For the real huge stuff/having fun its the Mac 125C or Mac 1-80/ Homie 1130 gear drives.

 

Get 2 more..
One smaller, one bigger..

I look at buying saws like buying good tools. They cost some up front, but if ya buy em right, you can always get most of your money back if you want to switch models or just downsize.
Till then, ya runnem like ya stole em.

 

If I had to limit myself to two saws...I'd keep the "lightweight" 026 and the MS441
The pair does about all the firewood cuttin' around here.

 

I wouldn't let the results of that pole question on this site make you feel odd...most of these guys are pretty sick with CAD.

 

What is your budget? When you run the 029 is there something you would like to change? Do you wish it were lighter? More power?

 

I can understand that feeling. I've never used anything other than my 029, so I'm sure once I do, there will be no going back.

Yep, I can see that happening. I'd probably need to force myself to run the 029 a bit just to keep it in working order.

No real budget; just don't want to go overboard. While the 029 works OK, always seemed a bit slow and under powered when cutting the bigger stuff.

Was just looking at the stihl pro series saws. Ugh, looks like they have processors in them now .

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

 

Ahhh the curse of the internet. Without it, you'd could use that 029 until it rolls over dead, and you'd think you have the best firewood saw ever made. Tons of people have "gotten by" with an 029/290 forever and never knew any different. Growing up, all my neighbors and friends would talk about the Farm Boss like it was the best thing since sliced bread. When I started heating with wood, my plan was to get one as well since everybody seemed happy with them.

Then I checked out a couple internet forums, where I learned that the 029/290 is a heavy, slow, under-powered pig that functions better as a boat anchor than a chainsaw!! So instead I dropped a lot of money for a pro 50cc saw, and I was more than happy with it. But then, those same internet forums told me that a 50cc is really only a light duty limbing saw, and it doesn't have the power to pull an 18-20" bar through oak. So I ended up with a 2nd saw, an 80cc beast.

I'm happy with a 2 saw plan, and it works very well for me. But honestly, had I never found internet forums, I'd probably be just as happy with a 290, as ignorance is bliss!! I think foreagefarmer's question is were you need to start. Do you want something that's lighter and more nimble? Or something that's got more power? Or, scrap the 029, drop some change and get 50cc and 70cc+ pro saws.

 

A good 7900 would really open your eyes..
Especially working over a log pile..

 

Before I discovered the forums I had a 2 saw plan in a Shindaiwa 450 later replaced with an ms250 and an ms390. So +/- 20 cc's between saws. I still think it is a good plan for what I was doing. But then you discover the forums and sanity can fly out the window.

 

An average 7900 would too

I might know where a fellow could buy one of those. In SE Michigan. Just sayin.

 

Good post; may just end up running the old gal until she won't go no more. I'll see what the "Stihl Gold Level Service Technician" says about my 029. It has been very dependable over the years and it has more than paid for itself (heck, I can't even remember the year I bought it).

I don't know what CAD stands for, but I'm pretty sure I don't want it. My family already thinks me slightly nuts with all the firewood stacks I have in the back yard.

 

Chainsaw Acquisition Disorder.

All the wood stacks in the backyard? Sounds like you've found the correct destination.

 

just a thought, give the wife the 50cc saw (you'll never regret getting a bigger saw) and go get yourself a 60cc or better yet, a 77cc Stihl FTW.....

 

Here's one, posted in your general area yesterday.

 

Fixed.

 

I really think that a serious should have 2 saws. As others have mentioned, it is always good to have a saw to cut a pinched one free. Also, when I get time to cut wood, I want to be able to work-although I am not wealthy, it seems I have a little more money than time. With 2 saws, it is a pretty chNce one will be able to work.

Although most that post here are "saw nuts", your second saw can be almost anything that runs-watch Craig's List and other places for a decent running saw.