THEFT - ALL 4 of my saws

[MikoDel]

-- CA$H reward for information leading to return of ANY of these saws in good working condition --

Just wanted to put this out there - some slimy $#|T for brains broke into my trailer in SE PA and grabbed four Stihl chainsaws. I believe it happened Jan. 31 or Feb 1.

Two tree saws:
Vintage Stihl MS200T purchased circa 2008
(don't have ser# but I have close-up pictures of recent pull cord replacement)

MS194T purchased 2021
Ser# 526285975

Two Stihl MS391's:
MS391 Purch Nov. 2020
Ser# 188745117

MS391 Purch. 2021
Ser# 190657669

Also taken was a Fiskars X27 splitting axe and a new multi-pack of 2-stroke oil, 2gal RedArmor mix

I don't know why I posted this. I severely doubt anyone who reads/contributes to this forum has info that will help me. I am angry enough to kill. I am def WHINING here.

This kind of violation changes you, lemme tell you.

All I can offer is, if you have a trailer or anything w/a lock, make sure you put the BEEFIEST FUCKING LOCK you can find on that mother. They prolly cut thru that old shackle in 10 secs. It makes me even more furious cause I made it 'easy' for them. What I've got on there now would have caused them much more grief and frustration, trying to get in. But that's always the way, right?

And I had my best friend do wonderful custom work to that one MS391, helicoils into the cylinder, re-facing the port, and saving the saw, after Stihl said they wouldn't warranty it, and that IDIOT Stihl dealer doing a shit job installing the 1st replacement muffler and ruining the threads. They not only got my equipment, they got years of love and maintenance. Then a few days later 6abc.com had doorbell cam footage of some stupid fools running around the city and cutting down ornamental trees, with a Stihl tree saw.

I could SCREAM. My friend said, "don't you fantasize about catching them?"

Yes. Yes I do.

 

[Chris Schultz]

Sorry man, that’s a gut wrenching loss. Stealing another man’s way to earn a living is lowest of lows.

 

[evo]

Crap, sorry to hear about this.. I got one of my favorite saws stolen a few years ago, while I was lucky not to have more taken I know what it feels like to be victim of what seems like a targeted theft. It does make me giggle to hear of a ms200T being called "vintage" as I run a ms 020T

 

[Stumpsprouts]

A company I worked for had 6 saws stolen out of a truck.. their insurance paid to replace them all.

 

[oldoakman]

I know how you feel mike. I have had stuff stolen twice. Once out of my shed in PA and once out of my truck here in AL.

 

[Jonny]

I consider myself a pacifist usually, but theft really makes me want to return that feeling of violation tenfold. Daydreams about removing thumbs with the old Felco #2s.

 

[flushcut]

In the chipper feet first with the feed wheels on slow.

 

[Jehinten]

I had someone break into my truck before, they went through everything on the street side and ended up stealing the monitor for my backup cameras and a 200' 3/4 rope. Everything else they left, luckily all of my saws were in the box on the other side of the truck that they didn't even try to break into.


Sorry to hear your gear was taken, did you have insurance on your equipment?

 

[RogerM]

It changes you, well put.. My car was stolen out of my driveway 2 weeks ago. I'm just now sleeping soundly. Insured, but the emotion is real. Having tools or anything that contributes to leading an honest livelihood is horrible. I feel a little lucky that, with a few laps around the track of life, my perspective gets me through things like this. I'm just now getting to the acceptance phase of this ordeal and hope you do as well. Some people just suck. I hope your tools show up.

 

[Bucknut]

Anyone who doesn’t think thieves deserve vicious street justice (or worse) hasn’t had enough of their shit stolen.

You’re right. It’s not just the tools they steal, but also the time, work, stress and skill it took to acquire and maintain them. Possessions are, after all, just physical manifestations of our labor. Knowing this adds to the sting and the rage. Here’s hoping the subhumans who stole your saws get a hot dose of fentanyl in the batch they sell them for.

 

[Dan Cobb]

Did you buy replacement MS391s or decide to try something else? I remember you had problems with the first one.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Be aware of the returning thief

they wait unitl the goods are replaced and do it again. Easier since they know what locks or security they may find.

Might be a good time to up your security

 

[flushcut]

Dogs, lots of dogs.

 

[MikoDel]

I am grateful to you all, weighing in. My sympathy to those of you who have had their own run-ins w/the cancer of humanity. You really get how I feel. I didn't even feel like returning to this forum. It's one of my favorite things, that I checked often and looked forward to. I used to be so stoked about my livelihood. Now it's different. But ya can't whine forever. I mean holy God look what's happening to the Ukranians. This ain't shit.

I believe it was 'a friend' (now in jail) who was caught stealing jewelry and tools from other neighbors. I actually hired him a month or two before this happened, to help me clean up; paid him $15/hr cash. I tried to help him out. We had a conversation right here in my living room about 'security'. Little did I know... Pardon me for saying so but I hope his cancer returns with a vengeance and he dies screaming.

No I did not have insurance.

Yes, of course, I need a cam(s). I'm still choosing the right one that doesn't require cloud services and still offers local DVR. But maybe in the meantime I should just get SOMETHING. I did put a cage on my catalytic converter. Whatev. Oh ALSO, I don't keep them outside anymore. They're inside now.

I have no desire to own an animal. My friends all have beautiful animals and I get 'that lovin' feeling' from their dogs and cats when I stay over. But a lot of my friends' lives are nearly RULED by their dogs. I wanna be able to pick up and jet, with only watering my plants to think about.

I ended up w/a MS462. I waited and waited for a 391 to come off backorder, but I couldn't wait any longer. (This is all credit cards, mind you. Technically Chase, BankAm and Citi own this shit) It's twice the price of a 391 but it's spec'd for a 28" bar and that sold me on it. The moment I pulled into my drive/lot w/the 28" saw a guy flagged me down with this job (attached). Funny how the universe works. Really shitty job though, in terms of choking on 2-stroke exhaust and sawdust. Also that 28" bar slipped off, coming off one a those vertical buttress cuts, and my legs were splayed out right there. Fucking hell that was a little close.

The reaction of my family and closest friends was extremely heartwarming. I put up a GoFundMe page on Facebook, but I took it down after only about a week cause I felt like a douche asking for money. A lot of people didn't even notice or acknowledge my situation. I don't even bother w/FB anymore. But those closest to me, once they found out, kept offering and offering, insisting... cash, and advice. And I found, I just told them no, to their money. When I felt their absolut, genuine commitment to help me out... that was more healing to my busted up spirit than cash could ever be. But on the practical side, while my fundaiser was up, some cousins and friends did contribute, and that helped very much.

I'm so sad about Ukraine. Then I write about this shit. I could f___ing burst into tears.

 

[Jonny]

The empathy you’re displaying is, in my opinion, the strongest indicator there is of a decent human being. The horrors we’re seeing in Eastern Europe are a cold reminder of what kind of monsters populate our world, and it should remind us to count our blessings and our luck of the draw. At the same time, it doesn’t negate or diminish the fact that you were violated in a way that really hurts a person that counts on their tools in order to provide for their families and themselves. Many folks here are one burglary away from earning zero dollars tomorrow, myself included. It goes beyond the initial loss, it forces a willing and motivated hardworking person to be idle, and that’s a really shitty feeling, that can roll downhill and negatively affect the business and employees and their families. Psychology damaging, but hopefully not permanently. If a person gets knocked down enough times, eventually they won’t get back up. I hope none of us ever have to visit that rock bottom feeling.

Congrats on the MS462, I hear it’s an amazing and versatile saw. All uphill from here. Shortly you’ll be at the same or better place than before the theft.

 

[MikoDel]

Did you buy replacement MS391s or decide to try something else? I remember you had problems with the first one.

Dan, I want to talk a little more about my new MS462. So it's a fantastic saw, 100%, no taking that away. But I found a few nit-pick items, ha. The captive bar nuts... it's just more s__t U gotta keep clean. I noticed when replacing the cover, the rear nut wasn't twisting on easily finger tight. And ya know, I'm not working w/a foreman screaming at me, FASTER FASTER, so maybe I overthink s__t, but I wanted to know why. I knew I wasn't cross threading it. Turns out, the little shoulders, and collars, inner threads (WHATEV!!!!!) get fulla muck, and in order to keep the nuts turning freely and sitting perfectly flush against the surfaces, you gotta get in there and clean. It's not a big deal, I used a pipe cleaner. (which I do carry - they're versatile little suckers) But it's ANOTHER thing, ya know? I'd a been fine w/the regular old nuts. I've never lost a bar nut. SEARCHED inna grass a few times, ha, but never LOST.

And of course, just like ALL the others except fudda vintage 460 Magnum I was loaned by my SWEETHEART of a landlord, it's got the bayonet-mount fuel caps. I'm not gonna say anything bad about them. All's I'm gonna say is... WHEN THE USER MANUAL HAS TO DEVOTE 4 PAGES (and it's fine print) TO THE OPERATION OF THE FILLER CAPS... WTF yo! I'd say that's the very definition of OVER-engineered.

I LOVE the press and turn 90º cover screws. Although they take a lotta force to seat, and turn! I'm worried I'm gonna fk it up.

On a warm day the MS462 saw will start cold with no choke. And MY MY MY (Det. Kenda, LOL) does that thing ever go thru fuel.

Also, a word about the MS194T. Man DO I MISS my MS200T. And not for the reason you'd think. It's not always the power. The MS194 (and this is true of the one that was stolen too), sometimes decides it doesn't wanna throw oil, once it sits after heavy use. Like, the next day I mean. On my latest job, it wasn't throwing canola. I took it apart, cleaned the bar and cover... thoroughly. I even held it up tudda SUN, both sides, and saw light thru the oil ports. Put it back. STILL WOULD NOT THROW. Took the oil cap off and on, in case of "fluid lock"... canola lock. No oil. WTF? So I took it apart, AGAIN, & checked the pumpkin. (that's a Michael J. Fox reference) The oil pumpkin was definitely pumping oil into the groove. So what could I possibly do? I cleaned the bar, and cover, AGAIN. And LIKE THE FIRST TIME, I brushed the sawdust out of all the flush, mated grooves and surfaces in the cover, and made sure the bar was 100% clean where it mounts, and of course all along the inside. 2nd time was the charm.

But WTF bro?

Do we have time for this?? Do I have any knowledge as to why I had to repeat a process, and why it did not work the 1st time. I do not. I have not said knowledge.

Does it RE-ANGER me that my perfect tree saw was ripped from its crib while it slept?? Yeah, it kinda does

 

[Dan Cobb]

I'll count myself as lucky. Never had oiling problems with my 194T or any issues with my 462.

 

[MikoDel]

Just got my MS194T back from TW Reiss in Southampton, PA. They are a class act over there. They repaired the small tree saw under warranty. Turns out it was not the oil pumpkin, but an obstruction in the 'hose'. I don't have a svc manual so I don't kno what they're talking about, but somewhere, there is a hose... and it was obstructed. Ha! Anyway, should be fine now.

In my large Weaver nylon drawstring bag I carry a few tools, a mini-sledge, 3 wedges, gloves, safety glasses and earplugs. Among the tools are a chainsaw T-wrench, idle adj screwdriver, a few brushes to clean the saw, and a piece of motorcycle safety wire and a zip tie to clean the bar groove. The brushes come in handy for cleaning the caps and cover of the dusty saw before i open them to add gas and bar oil. So my point is, i do try to keep stuff out of the oil and fuel tanks. if there's sawdust inisde the cap grooves, or on the cap O-rings, i also try to get that out of there before I put the caps back on.

being as i'm so careful to try to keep s__t out of the system, i can't imagine how the tube got clogged inna first place.

 

[Vicente]

Just got my MS194T back from TW Reiss in Southampton, PA. They are a class act over there. They repaired the small tree saw under warranty. Turns out it was not the oil pumpkin, but an obstruction in the 'hose'. I don't have a svc manual so I don't kno what they're talking about, but somewhere, there is a hose... and it was obstructed. Ha! Anyway, should be fine now.

In my large Weaver nylon drawstring bag I carry a few tools, a mini-sledge, 3 wedges, gloves, safety glasses and earplugs. Among the tools are a chainsaw T-wrench, idle adj screwdriver, a few brushes to clean the saw, and a piece of motorcycle safety wire and a zip tie to clean the bar groove. The brushes come in handy for cleaning the caps and cover of the dusty saw before i open them to add gas and bar oil. So my point is, i do try to keep stuff out of the oil and fuel tanks. if there's sawdust inisde the cap grooves, or on the cap O-rings, i also try to get that out of there before I put the caps back on.

being as i'm so careful to try to keep s__t out of the system, i can't imagine how the tube got clogged inna first place.

I an not super careful about cleaning my caps etc and haven't ever clogged a line.

 

[MikoDel]

Turns out a big part of the problem w/the oil starvation was my lack of following the manual's instructions. Stihl says "always operate @ full RPM". well, a lot of the time, I wasn't. mostly to save fuel, i would cut small stuff @ 1/2, or a little more than 1/2 speed. or maybe if for some weird reason i didn't have ear protection in, to cut a little quieter

the problem with cutting like that is, i am not bringing the full pressure of the oil pumpkin to bear, and it's easier fudda works to get 'gunked up'. I am now cutting everything @ full RPM, with every saw, and i haven't had a problem since.

yeah that one time there was something stuck in the oil line, but it wasn't just that saw. i was waiting a long time, sometimes, for my various saws to throw oil once they were started. now that i cut according to Stihl's recommendation, it's a non-issue. and i try to remember to full throttle them under no load for a few secs when i'm done, befiore i let 'em idle and shut down, to blow out the sawdust.

and yeah i am using canola oil, not bar oil. i've been cautioned by the shop about cold weather storage and canola, and how it can get sticky and cakey. so maybe 'real' bar oil flows slightly better? i wouldn't doubt it. but i've been using canola for over 15 years and i've never had a problem before. perhaps stihl is making their oil channels a little less abundant than they used to?

my bars and chains last a LONG time so, for me canola works great