RIPSAW Ported Stihl 261 Westcoast Saw Buildout & Full Review | This Saw Is A BEAST!!!

[@Ancient_Iron]

Absolute thing of beauty & power, and I mean the SAW...!😅🤣 Good video!👍🏻 Greetings from Finland.🇫🇮🌲🌲🌲

[@evergreenorganics]

Hello friend! Thank you for watching my video. Is it starting to warm up yet in Finland? It is still freezing cold here with more snow on the way today.

[@Ancient_Iron]

@@evergreenorganics The nights are still quite cold but it's getting warmer by the day.🌞 We had easy winter this year.😊 Keep up the good work and videos!👍🏻

[@westcoastsaw1368]

Thank you for using our parts on your video FYI we just came out with this the captive bar nuts on the 661 cover 👍

[@evergreenorganics]

Thank you for making great chainsaw parts and having stellar customer service. I can’t speak highly enough of WCS, you dudes rock.

[@user-pv9vd7pz4u]

I think that’s evergreenorganics should get a free captive nut clutch cover…..

[@user-pv9vd7pz4u]

Thanks to him I just bought a $166 kit from west coast saw….

[@TheRealEricRose]

Love ripsaw! There 500i is nasty!!!!! Especially if you make /buy the right aftermarket exhaust to go with it!🔥🔥🔥

[@noahmills2605]

I’ve had to watch this video 20plus times. I am patiently waiting for my 261c to come back from ripsaw. I’ve already got all the west coast saw goods to put on my saw when I get it back. I’m also going to run a 20inch bar with the .325 pitch and .05 gauge.

[@evergreenorganics]

I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my video so much. You are going to love that saw. The guys at RIPSAW do really great work and they have an awesome business model. They’re going to blow up in the next couple of years I think. I don’t really know of any other saw builders that can touch them.

[@cameronb76]

The .325 .050 woke my 261 up instantly👍 No clue why factory specs are .063🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️👀

[@videocardzrule354]

@@cameronb76 Yeah my brand new 261 is 0.63 thick. I’m really wanting to go 0.50 now, but now I have (3) 0.63 chains already. Darn.

[@SquareOneForge]

I’ve got an MS261C with the WCS muffler port mod and it runs super well. 261 and 500i are my go to saws. Thanks for sharing

[@evergreenorganics]

Right on! Thanks for watching.

[@mastojira6561]

I am currently on tank 5 of my 462 c Ripsaw. It's pretty nasty. I've been taking it easy too. I am loving this 261 video. That thing is pissed ! 🤘

[@evergreenorganics]

Man I’d love to try out a 462 RIPSAW. I’m a little jealous not gonna lie.

[@mastojira6561]

@@evergreenorganics if you can make it to Pennsylvania it's a date ! Lol

[@toddsoutsideagain]

I have a 261 and love the saw! I’m with you if I could only have one saw 261 would be it. Mine is stock and it it still an impressive saw! Nice video👍🏻👍🏻-TOA

[@evergreenorganics]

Right on thanks for watching! Happy cutting!

[@thim8009]

75 percent of my work is with a top handle saw. Owning a tree service I am looking into a modded 201. If I can get a saw that cuts 300 limbs twice as fast, that's making more money than my modded 661.

[@evergreenorganics]

Sounds like you climb. I just cut them down on the ground away from buildings. I leave the complicated stuff to you real tree guys.

[@leroykidd7457]

I recently purchased the 201t from Ripsaw. OMG….it’s amazing!!!!!😮😊

[@evergreenorganics]

A limb reaper! Very cool.

[@tomintexas817]

Damn you got a video

[@evergreenorganics]

@@tomintexas817 I do not have a video on the 201t by @RIPSAW unfortunately.

[@tomintexas817]

@@evergreenorganics I found a few thanks

[@jeremyfortune7274]

The only people that comment on how expensive something is don’t understand what Rip Saw does and wasn’t sending anything to them anyway. I had rather have my top hand modified rather than the larger CC saws so 100% mod the piss out of that lil Top Hand

[@evergreenorganics]

Yeah. They’ve never run a Ripsaw.

[@karhlhenselien2260]

That cuts quick,lil weapon 👍👍

[@groundpounder24365]

My 261 is my favorite saw..I find myself using it for everything. I have a video of my saw lineup. Nice video SUBSCRIBED

[@evergreenorganics]

Thanks for checking out my little channel! Yeah 261 is light enough and powerful for just about any job. I’m glad you enjoyed the video! That ported saw is a ripper.

[@briansanders6950]

I love my 261C with a 20" bar. It rips. I enjoy running it over my bigger saws for most things.

[@evergreenorganics]

@@briansanders6950 same here, thanks for checking out my channel.

[@ronsilva516]

Impressive little saw act like a beast 👍👍👍👍😎

[@evergreenorganics]

Thank you!

[@matthewknight5641]

It looks like it spins fast but might be a little low on torque??? I run a 550xp mark 2 and it's kinda the same way. I guess I shouldn't expect 90cc torque tho. Maybe the rakers are a little short?? Seems to bog kinda easy but I'd have to have it in my hands to know more. Thanks for the videos tho for sure and I'd love to have a saw some by ripsaw

[@jonhalverson86]

Just bought this saw from ripsaw ported,personally I would say well worth the money with the line of work I do. When it comes to working in the woods money is no option when it comes to dependable and great performance and that's what you get from ripsaws ported saws they sell. Plus all that extra money that you guys were whining about spending go towards the warranty they back if you have any problems. The last time I bought a brand new stock stihl from a mom and pop saw shop I had a problem the following day after buying it with the bars tip fell apart from what I can assume a crummy rivet jobs along with horrible quality control. But when I went back there have them just put on a new tip I would figure would have been covered since it happened within 48 hours after buying it that I was supposed to pay for that out-of-pocket. All I can say is at least ripsaw stands by what they are selling and you can trust that it's been gone through the fine tooth comb. With that said Thank You ripsaw for all the upgrades,the saw works great. I haven't had any issues yet and I see none ever happening in the long run.

[@evergreenorganics]

Hell yeah man. I just had a great phone call with the CEO of Ripsaw and he’s really a passionate saw builder. I have nothing but good things to say about that company. I will keep making more videos on their stuff coming up. Maybe even a tour of their shop…coming soon.

[@HanaBasara]

I have stihl ms 261, love it 🙋🇷🇴

[@evergreenorganics]

thanks for your comment friend, it sure is a versatile saw.

[@juliewallace6673]

I'm so glad to know the peach smell mystery got solved! Lol

[@evergreenorganics]

Haha yes. It was quite the mystery.

[@SmithFarmTilton]

I wonder how the WCS clutch cover would look after being polished to the hilt.....

[@Earth_Care_Cowboy]

I’d say it’s doing good. Just got a MS261 I’m going to start packing for wildland fire. The 500i can stay in the truck.

[@evergreenorganics]

For the work you do where every ounce you carry makes a big difference I’d be using a 261 as well.

[@jimhofoss9982]

cuts pretty good for a 50cc class saw!

[@evergreenorganics]

I’d say it’s got about as much juice as my stock 462.

[@jimhofoss9982]

@@evergreenorganics ya, on par with my 555 autotune, I think

[@valqueenofValhalla]

My go to saw combo is 261 c and my 500i

[@evergreenorganics]

That’s a great combo.

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@evergreenorganics why a great combo if the 261 will cut up against a 500i?

[@evergreenorganics]

@@iffykidmn8170 because a ported 261 can't touch a ported 500i

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@evergreenorganics next video you need to put up the Ripsaw 261 against a stock 500i.🤨

[@BDfoxmore]

Does the build shorten the life spawn of the saw ? Is the ripsaw build suitable for a work saw? How much HP/kw do you get from that build ?

[@evergreenorganics]

Ripsaw only builds work saws. Ported saws run cooler typically, so they work harder but cooler if that makes any sense. The life of a saw has a lot of variables.

[@evergreenorganics]

I would say a well ported saw produces 20-30% more power. It’s substantial.

[@Hodderville]

I’ve talked to Ripsaw on the phone a couple times and waiting for them to do my 500i. They don’t claim to make the fastest race saw out there. They seem more interested in sending saws out that will last a long time. Personally I don’t want the fastest saw out there if it only lasts half as long. They reassured me it should still last a very long time after they do their thing. They seem to aim for the guys running these things day in and day out and make a living from their saws. Downtime/premature failure is costly. So I have yet to experience the gains to be had but am hoping they will pull through with a good job that wakes the saw up but doesn’t make it burn out. A saw ported like this should run cooler because it breathes better.

[@outfitr9703]

I want a ripsaw 261. I'm not getting any younger and almost all of our firewood now is smaller lodgepole. I've got bigger Stihls but they're gettin a bit heavy.

[@evergreenorganics]

You could cut down just about anything shy of redwoods with that 261. I can’t believe how powerful it is.

[@outfitr9703]

@evergreenorganics I like a longer bar just because of my back. Do you think it would handle a 24" bar?

[@evergreenorganics]

@@outfitr9703it could handle a 28” if you put a full skip chain on.

[@brianwilliams1094]

@@outfitr9703 i run 24" 3/8" bar on a ported 261. does great with skip or semi-skip chain, i don't bother with full complement anyways.

[@edgarmonterlpz8787]

So i need a manufactured stihl ripsaw to add the filter and the bark exost?

[@evergreenorganics]

You can put any of these after market parts on a stock saw if you want to.

[@cameronb76]

Damn...

[@julianlaustsen1991]

what's done to the exhaust?`couldn't see any extra holes in it?

[@evergreenorganics]

No extra holes. The exhaust has just been opened up. WCS makes that side exhaust port for the 261 but according to RIPSAW it doesn’t really add extra power beyond the muffler mod they already do.

[@madman432000]

so for $300 porting work or just fork over for a 462 at the start? or a 400.

[@evergreenorganics]

I’ve got a 462 and it’s quite a bit heavier. The point of porting a 261 I suppose is for having that power in a smaller saw for climbing.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I have very little interest in owning a ported saw at this point in my life, doing small repairs to old classics and more of a home owners perspective is what I have now. I do like to see them perform however and get the appeal of having a bragging rights saw like this. If someone wants one and has the money then why not?? I am not a logger and rarely use my saws these days but I still want an Echo 7310 for no practical reason or an original Stihl 044 like my dad used to run (which is right now a box of parts with a badly scored top end). At the end of the day am I winning any competitions with my Pioneer P26, McCulloch Titan 57, Proyama PCS68 or Poulan 2150 (my current running saws)? Nope. But I sure do love running them!

[@evergreenorganics]

You can buy a Hyway top end for a 044 for a really affordable price. I really hope you get your dad’s saw up and running someday. Those 044’s are some of the best saws ever made.

[@evergreenorganics]

sawagain.com/products/hyway-stihl-044-ms-440-52mm-big-bore-advanced-top-end-rebuild-kit-cylinder-piston-ring-assembly-12mm-pin

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@evergreenorganics yes I know! However, my abilities are not on par with what I know that saw deserves so I definitely need to find a builder that can pass muster for me.

[@madman432000]

Can the 260 be retrofitted with the air filter kit? Would it require a carb change?

[@evergreenorganics]

I honestly don’t know, that would be really cool though. The 261 uses a paper filter that’s a completely different shape. I’ve got a ported 260 that I have had for years and absolutely love that thing. Probably my favorite saw of all time.

[@madman432000]

@@evergreenorganics I have one too and it's been good till this year. Dies after idling for a short time or off I pick it back up to cut again it dies when I just touch the throttle. Starts back up though, cuts good. Took it to shop and they said fouled plug and adjusted the carb. I get it back and it started and ran well. Took out to get wood today and it started up and idle, them when I started to cut with it it choked out and died. Got it to fire a couple times but wouldn't run. Went back to town to get a plug and after putting that in it guess right up. Went out and cut my load of wood but saw started acting the same as before.

[@evergreenorganics]

I would check for an air leak.@@madman432000

[@rottiejakeluke]

I’ve not used a skid plate on any of my saws in the past. Can you tell me your opinion of whether or not it really adds value? Thank you.

[@evergreenorganics]

Sure a skid plate costs around $29 on eBay. A new OEM rear handle and gas tank on a saw costs around $178. If you ever drop your saw or you have to throw it quick it helps protect the bottom. They also weigh close to nothing so you don’t notice them. Thanks for your question, hope that answer was sufficient.

[@rottiejakeluke]

@@evergreenorganics it sounds like a good investment. Thank you.

[@tomintexas817]

Love to port my 009L stihl

[@evergreenorganics]

I don’t know much about those saws but I’m sure they can be ported.

[@mitchk.9049]

subbed

[@DeliveryBryan]

I just bought a Ms 261c her name is beaver Jr lol

[@evergreenorganics]

Best all around saw ever made.

[@DeliveryBryan]

@@evergreenorganics I have the Sthil Ms 462c and now I have the Sthil Ms 261c . They will be good for my firewood cutting here in the Pacific Northwest .

[@bryanmeier272xp8]

great video i have 2 ms260s but i picked up a husky 550 and my ms260 is no comparison to my 550 couldn't believe the weight and power of the 550 50cc saw i think its stronger then my ms290 but imma see how long the husky last

[@mastojira6561]

I've heard those 550's ported are absolutely stupid and downright dumb stock ! 👍

[@evergreenorganics]

Heck yeah man, husqvarna makes an excellent saw.

[@mastojira6561]

@@evergreenorganics subbed👍

[@claysmith6636]

Did I miss what size bar your running?

[@evergreenorganics]

I think I had a 20” bar on the saw for that video. You could run a 32” with it if you had a full skip chain though easily.

[@claysmith6636]

@@evergreenorganics that makes it even more impressive! These saws feel amazing for there size without the mods so this would be really fun to run!

[@lennywallace540]

@@evergreenorganics LOVE this! I have two 261's and getting a third my my kid. I want to run a 20" es light bar 3/8 chain. I'm thinking that if I get it Ripsaw'd it should handle the 3/8 20" no problem especially being that I'm losing a bit of bar length from the West Coast dogs.. I just don't want to strain it though.... if the bar is never buried in wood, mostly used for smaller trees and limbing, do you think I'd be more than ok?

[@evergreenorganics]

@@lennywallace540 you could easily run a 20” bar on a stock or ported 261. I believe Stihl recommends no longer than a 24”

[@douglasdonegan9372]

I ordered a echo 2511 online from ripsaw and it's still not here.. it's been months

[@evergreenorganics]

I would call those guys. I’m sure they’re swamped with orders but they should be able to give you a timeline of where your order is at.

[@mastojira6561]

They are currently shipping orders in 6 months now. I am going into week 19 waiting on my 500i . They are very busy right now. I think the wait will be worth it for us.🍻

[@rottiejakeluke]

Why didn’t you remove the metal chain catcher? Thanks.

[@evergreenorganics]

Wow you have an eye for detail. I guess I didn’t even think about it. I suppose it’s redundant if the new clutch cover has one.

[@rottiejakeluke]

@@evergreenorganics thank you.

[@stn7172]

Do you know how much HP they add?

[@evergreenorganics]

A well ported saw can see 20-30% gains in power. Check out Dyno Joe’s KZbin channel if you want to see numbers.

[@kennethsliger9702]

Very nice! Are you going to mod the muffler?

[@evergreenorganics]

RIPSAW actually modified the muffler. I asked them about the WCS side port for the 261 and they didn’t think it would add power beyond what their modifications were.

[@censorshipisreal8805]

​@evergreenorganics what did ripsaw do to it?

[@vincentnail2881]

I'm not understanding how your tip is berried into the log and the saw is not fighting back. What chain was on the saw!

[@evergreenorganics]

Round ground hand file full house chain. The trick is to start the bore cut at an angle starting with the bottom of the tip of the bar. Once it starts to sink into the wood then you turn your bar perpendicular to the wood.

[@jeremylyons6252]

Dropping your rakers too low is a no no when bore cutting. It will fight you and bounce back terribly if they are low. For bucking lower rakers are fine but not felling when bore cutting

[@evergreenorganics]

@@jeremylyons6252 yes for sure

[@vincentnail2881]

Thanks for the tips Jeremy. So what I experience when I have the tip of my saw buried into a big log , the saw normally let's me know it's time to do something different. Thanks for the pointers, and the feed back. I think I'm going to do a chain swapping on my next 24 inch log scenario.

[@jeremylyons6252]

@@vincentnail2881 yes, I usually use a saw for felling and a saw for bucking so I can keep my chains the way I want them. If my rakers are a little low and I don't have another saw handy I just sharpen my chain some and it fixes it but I don't really like to do that unless I have to. I cut oak and walnut mostly so I bore cut a lot and don't want my chain fighting me plus it gets dangerous when it jumps around. If you have any questions or anything, I'll help you what I can.

[@logicalguy488]

No porting was done in the making of this video.

[@evergreenorganics]

Please read the video title.

[@fatefarmspa]

New subscriber here. Cool video. I also have a 661. I did a few shorts with check it out.👍

[@evergreenorganics]

Right on man!

[@valqueenofValhalla]

Pro job is 500 bucks threw ripsaw I mean if you got it and want that sure

[@evergreenorganics]

Full engine overhaul is $399. Woods port only is $249 these prices are current as of today on their website.

[@kennethsliger9702]

@@evergreenorganics FYI those prices are only for 25cc. Saws 26-80cc run $499 for the full engine overhaul.

[@benhudson7285]

@@kennethsliger9702 exactly. still a 'fair' price i supposed but more than stated in comments/video

[@jerseyjoshua4818]

Ripsaws are SOOO EXPENSIVE because they contract the work out to other porters and just pit their name on it.

[@evergreenorganics]

That’s 100% not true. Whoever told you that is full of shit.

[@ChippyOutdoors]

Also being caught selling other big name porters saws with their decals on it. These guys didn't jump into this business with knowledge of their own and fluked out on building or porting a saw just remember that

[@jerseyjoshua4818]

@@ChippyOutdoors thus guy has no clue. It's been documented that they 1st started out contract porting.

[@Inconvenientruther]

Doesn’t own one also doesn’t own a ripsaw yet we are to take this seriously. Amateur hour here

[@evergreenorganics]

That’s cute. You’ve obviously not seen much of my channel. I would encourage you to watch every single one of my videos at least 10 times. Then of course, subscribe. Once you’ve done that go back through and like and comment on each one of my videos telling me what an amateur I am. It helps me pay for my next Lamborghini.

[@crossan008]

261 and 661 is my go to combo 🦾

[@evergreenorganics]

Yep exactly! Hey thanks for checking out my little channel.

[@HipaParts]

Awesome review video. Are you up for a brand collaboration? Maybe we would work together to help more small engine DIY repairers?

[@evergreenorganics]

That’s a really wonderful offer but I’m a full time plumber and farmer and now have a newborn. Let’s have this conversation again in a few months when I’m finally able to get more than 2 hours of sleep at a time lol. Seriously though that sounds like fun it’s just my plate is really full at the moment.