NEW STIHL MS461 CHAINSAW

Well, I am probably getting pretty predictable by now. Yes, I did it, I bought it, brand new. I had them credit me for the bar and chain, and I bought the powerhead only, since I already had two bars hanging on the wall that would fit. That saved me over a hundred dollars. I ended up out the door for just slightly over $900.00 including sales tax.

Anyway, this has got to be my last saw for quite some time. It's definitely gotten out of hand on the CAD.

 

It had a 25 inch Stihl bar on it, when I looked at it. I hefted it and it didn't seem that heavy at all, of course it didn't have gas or oil in it. But I have been sawing so much for the last few months, I am probably stronger then I was 6 months ago. I do love how simple this older style saw is. I will eventually, add some bigger dogs and a West Coast full wrap handle to it.

 

Omg all the new orange and white is making me anxious. Nice saw congrats!

 

Maybe just one more? Surely you could use one more. I mean you said you had more lonely bar/chains hanging on the wall.

 

That's true.

 

I had a feeling you would end up with it!!

 

Nice saw! Had i not bought the 500i i probably wouldve got a 461.

I wonder how it stacks up against your 462? 77cc vs 72cc

Im curious to know the difference in performace. Let us know Lastmohecken

 

Are you a little closer to that edge there Ron?

 

When you have CAD "quite some time" is 2-3 weeks! At least in my case. One new and two nice used saws this year.

 

With every new saw I see Brad

 

Yep, I will let you know. Getting the 461 is probably kind of redundant when you already own a 462 CM, I guess. But I kind of wanted it, after I saw it, knowing it was a sort of a more old school saw and would probably be a better candidate for porting if I decided to go there. I like the captured bar nuts on my other Stihl's, but was looking at the under side into the bottom of the clutch covers on both saws and noticed that there appears to be a lot more/better chip clearance under the 461 vs the 462, which makes me think it would not stop up nearly as easy when noodling. So, that might be something to compare.

I have not decided which bar length to start out with. I have a 25" (really 24") and a 28", both Stihl bars hanging on the wall, or of course I could mix and match and rob (swap out) a bar from one of my other saws. I know the only true comparison would be to try the same bar and same chain on both saws if I was really wanting to know if there is any real difference in performance. But the performance difference is really not the issue with me, I just wanted another saw in that size range to set up a little differently.

 

First saw this year for me, but I have bought as of now, 4 new Stihl saws in the last 6 months, not to mention bars and chains, and files, etc.

 

Yes, the 500i you bought should be one heck of a saw. In you case with all of the saws you already owned, the 500i would have been my choice if I had wanted another saw.

I am curious to see how that one works out for you.

 

Hey Lastmohecken are you gonna get a 661 also?

 

I doubt it, of course if I came across a good (really good deal) on a used one, and I am bored enough, I might, but I think it's really too big for my needs, or wants. CAD is a dangerous disease though, and unpredictable.

 

Very nice saw.
CAD strikes another member.

 

Tell me about it!

 

You ain't kidding. Looking into a very nice 661 now. Will probably thin the herd if that happens.

 

The only other saw i see in your future is a lightweight saw for limbing. Back in April i had bought a cheapo MS170 as it was on sale ($170 out the door). Took a while to get used to, but once i did i loved it. I had a couple issues with it in the Summer and sold it last month. I have a couple top handles (194, 201) and a 201 rear handle that fill the bill now. A lot of the cutting i do is roadside and/or in tangles so lumbering (no pun intended) with a clumsy bigger saw can be hazardous when limbing/cutting smalls. Top handle can be dangerous if you "one hand" it a lot so i have the rear handle to be safer.
Ive considered a 661 but cant really justify it as i rarely cut BIG wood.

 

Easy justification Brad. List it as a want not a need