Go to www.arboristsite.com and scroll down to "chainsaws" and ask your question.

The guys and gals there really know their STIHL saws.

The 08S is a very fine unit, gear-drive, plenty of power.
I would say it's worth taking a chance on. It is also a very proven performer as these saws were used in the rental market.
You will, however, notice the difference in weight between a 12" Poulan saw and the 20" Stihl. I have the 038 Super with a 20" bar and I have become accustomed to the weight.

What type of project are you considering that needs this much saw?

The 08 is a tough, powerfull saw but it is heavy and with the top handle, not well balanced for the inexperienced user. Some parts are getting scarce, like the early FM rewind. If you are like me and love old saws, go for it but if you are looking for a regular user with minimum fuss, a newer lightweight might be the answer.

Just so you know, the 08 IS NOT gear drive, its direct driven.
Its a good saw, proven design that survived till recently as the TS350/360 cutoff saw, which was rather well built, but is no longer in production. still a well designed machine, and reliable as gravity, though heavy as lead. a definate improvment over the 07 that was before it.

It's like the 009 it's a too saw. Too bulky too heavy and toooo slow. I wouldn't carry it to the woods if you paid me. Horrible design who in the world would design a saw that uses the choke for a gov. so the thing would not over rev and fly apart. What a work of art. Later Butch

QUOTE: Horrible design who in the world would design a saw that uses the choke for a gov. so the thing would not over rev and fly apart.

ANSWER: Our beloved STIHL...........

Pretty funky design allright but Stihl sure sold enough of them. We had a breakin at the store recently and guess what walked. TS350's. Discerning thief? He missed the Husky 3120K16 LOL

Thieves aren't known for being the sharpest knives in the drawer. lol

Well Stihl is a top line maker, but it isn't new, so...
A new less quality unit at a much lower price may do you fine.
I've been using Homelite and other small saws, 14" and 16" and have been very happy. I do use them, I cut and spilt about a cord of wood a year and do some triming, the lower cost units, under $200, last me about 10 years, that's enough to justify buying a new one at the end, I do not take in for repairs.

I just picked up sn old 08 for peanuts. Barn fresh... it's seen little use. Put a new plug in it and it fired right up. It'll be a shop decoration, no way would I cut with this saw. If I'm not mistaken they sold string trimmer attachments and a few others with this saw and it's still in production in South America. Interesting piece of history but I'd pass on it if:

1) I needed a safe, dependable saw for production use
2) I didn't work at a Stihl dealer and could get parts at cost. (I do and can)

The 08 came stock set up for .404 chain. Running .404 chain with a 3.39 cube powerhead is well.....inefficient to say the least.

Info on the 08 (and just about any saw made) can be found at Mike Acres Chainsaw Collectors Corner site.

I might be interested in the old gal it's selling cheap

Here is a link that might be useful: Acresinternet

hey....
i have a sthil 07 very old my my dad got it of his dad than my dad gave it to me. ive just got a little problem with it. its missing some teeth were you pull start it? would that make it harder to start????

That 07 was built in the 60 s, the O8S was the successor. It likely has the Fairbanks-Morse rewind and the dogs and cup are probably very worn.The parts are NLA from Stihl but there are chainsaw collectors around that might have usable spares.

Anyone know where I could get piston rings for a Stihl 08 S with a 47mm bore? Thanks, Gary P. Hansen

Any one know where I can get a set of points for a Stihl 08s

Chris

EBay is your best bet other than a local dealer !