026 came home with me today

It's in good running shape, really dirty, but the price was very right. I'll have a solid amount of quality time cleaning it this weekend.

 

Muffler looks Rusty but the saw doesn't look too bad to me. Good find.

 

Yeah, saw is rusty, but runs strong.

 

Nice find sir. My 83 year old friend, cuts about 15 cord a year with his 026. Faithful. His nickname is "speed". No kiddin

 

I think it is a pretty good looking saw. It may have been kept in a building with a leaking roof for the muffler to be rusted like that. None of the other fasteners or the dog look rusty.

 

Nice looking 026, looks clean to me !
One of my favorite saes, right there with my 260, 441, 460,461, and 660

 

Not right now. I've got a ported MS261C already and no free cash.

It was kept "in a barn." Around here, summer is very humid and if there were animals stored in there the urine/poop fumes can get very corrosive.

It was wiped clean on the outside. Under the plastic it's got a pretty solid coating of oil and sawdust. No big deal.

 

Can't go wrong with a Stihl,nice saw enjoy it.

 

Hi 54bogger, Welcome to FHC you'll like it here I think.
Nice saw Mike, I love mine. Run it steady for many years, & it just keeps going.

 

Welcome to the club , 54bogger !
Glad you found us!

 

Great find Mike !

 

That oil and saw dust preserve the finish! The 026 is one of my favorite saws! I think there are 7 1121 series saws here either running or being built!

 

Any thoughts on 0.325 vs. 3/8 bar/chain/sprocket? The current 0.325 bar is in decent shape, but I will be replacing the sprocket and chain. I currently run 3/8th on my 261, 361 and 461 so I like that all the cutting gear is interchangeable, but I'm not entirely wedded that. PA Dan TurboDiesel Dakota Hoarder Camber@amateur cutter

 

I like .325 on the 026! I will try 3/8 on my ported 261cm but the 026's will wear the .325.

 

Thanks for the real world feedback. FWIW, 3/8th is fine in my MMWS 261CM. "Theoretically" 0.325 would be "smoother," but I doubt there would be any significant difference on a ported saw in real life firewoodin' work.

 

I agree with Dan. .325 is more forgiving and won't bog as easily when the bar is buried. But higher rakers on the 3/8 026 chain can help compensate for that

 

I run 3/8 .050 ga on my 026 right up to the 660. Keep the rakers "up" a bit & it pulls it well. 16" bar is what it likes best. Any longer & I'd think .325 would run better. YMMV

 

I've been around a few 026's. They pretty much all have rusty mufflers. I think they look almost like they have blueing instead of paint. Whatever it is, it doesn't hold up. You will be surprised to see how choked up the outlet is on the front cover. I open them up as much as possible with a Dremel tool. An extra hole with a deflector is pretty easy to do on the flywheel side.
I wouldn't be afraid to run 3/8. Although, as others have said, .325 seems to be the sweet spot.

 

I say go with 3/8 also. That saw will handle them fine. Just don't file them agressive, and as was already stated...dont drop the rakers too low. .325 is smoother, but being able to interchange every saw is handy for people like me. Around here now that logging is gone, the 261 is the best selling stihl now. Lots and lots of beetle kill lodgepole gets put up with the 026.