On Stihls, there is a quality difference between the odd- and even-numbered saws (old numbering system). If you notice the pro tree-man above who listed all the saws they have, they are all even-numbered, which is pro-quality. With the new number system, some of them say "pro" after the model number (MS 260 PRO = old 026), but I believe the ones with the even MIDDLE number are now the pro quality.

So, I'm sorry to say, but the 025 you have is of "homeowner" (read: lesser) quality. But it sounds like you got a lemon and shaft from the dealer.

(I'm a woodworker, too, and this stuff gets covered weekly on the woodworking forums, with plenty of arborists chiming in).

Jason

 

My dad own's a tree service, we exclusively use Husky's. Got everything from a 51 (now about 7 years old and runs like a champ) up to their big one, the 3120. I thought that was a big saw...I LMAO when I watched that clip!
Every year we go to the TCI Expo (Tree Care Industry) and I always check out the other saws (Jonsered, Stihl, Husky). Grabbing the Husky limbing saw (045, I believe) and then grabbing the Stihl, there's a significant difference. The Husky's lighter, better balanced, and turns higher rpm's. Of course, now we're gonna start a war; Stihl vs. Husky...

 

I went with Husky after reading many threads on another forum how poor Stihl's quality has become, although for my farm and ranch needs either would surely suffice.

 

As part of a logging family and a 3rd generation logger (as well as part-time saw mechanic), I have run just about every brand of chainsaw at one time or another. Personally, I'd rather go without a saw than a own Husky. Sure, they turn a higher RPM than a comparably-sized older Stihl...they HAVE to, since they don't have the same grunt a Stihl does. And yes, they are also lighter than SOME of the old Stihls...but go to your local sawshop and compare a MS 460 Magnum and a comparable Husky saw. I swear, I can't tell the difference in weight.

Every professional timberfaller I know owns at least one Stihl saw, usually more, and not just because they are brand-blind. Hell, I own 6 (026, MS460 Mag, 050 Super, 066, 075, MS 880; different tools for different jobs...and loaners.)...also an ancient Homelite 5-20 geardrive and an old McCulloch 55-5 2-man saw that I just got running last weekend. That sucker is a kick to run.

But hey...this is all my opinion. If a Husky saw works for you, more power to ya.

 

Yep, that saw still kicks a$$. Dad was surprised when it was put back together with parts from another saw salvaged from the burnt ruins of my buddy's former garage. We were playing with it, just cutting up a log I had out back, and I knew that Dad wanted me to sell the saw back to him. I jokingly told him that the saw had "sentimental value" and was now priceless because parts of it had "been to hell and back" and he informed me that going to hell and back wasn't any comparison to what he had to go thru with Mom when he went out and bought the saw originally..... I just wish that my buddy who supplied the parts needed for the restoration had been with us at the time.... HIS garage burned down, His old chainsaw had been gutted for parts, and I mentioned "sentimental value"! Unfortunately my buddy died from a heart attack before the humorous exchange that Dad and I had that afternoon, but I know he would have laughed at my equation of a garage burning down to hell, and parts of a chainsaw surviving it would have "sentimental value" Some of the funniest things in life aren't funny until some time has passed and then you can see the humor. I still miss my buddy, but every time I look at that chainsaw, it reminds me of alot of other amusing situations my buddy and I had discussed--- lawnmower engines and electrical experiments come to mind hmmmmm...

 

OMG that thing's great.

I wonder if you could put a 390FE on one of those?