MS180c jump on it or pass?

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shmodaddy

shmodaddy

Burning Hunk
Sep 12, 2011
232
So IL
Been looking for a smaller lighter saw. Only planning on using this saw for limbing and maybe light bucking but mainly limbing.

$100 fot the power head only. Guy says like new.



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I paid $125 for mine, excellent shape and a 14" bar. Couple of chains came with it.
See if he'll come down enough to off-set the cost of a bar.
It's a nice saw for what you plan on using it for.
 
He wanted 140 with a poulan bar and chain. I offered him 100 and he countered 100 for power head only. Told him id think about it. Called the local dealer and they want 230 new with 14" bar.

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Not the best small saw out there in the Stihl lineup. High vibration and not a lot of power. Also if there is a Poulan B&C on it, who knows what else the guy has done with/to that saw. I would look for a 1123 saw body for that money (021/023/025/210/230/250). Far more 1123 parts out there to rebuild with, more power and better built. I recently picked up a newer 211 for $175... great saw for what you wanna do with it.
 
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I am quite happy with mine, and its my main saw until a larger one comes up with the right price tag. Keep those chains sharp and it will go through anything. Yes, slight vibes, but not under powered and I have the 16"bar. I'd also shoot for a lower price. I say good choice for limbing/smaller stuff IMHO. Be well
 
I bought mine last year for $136.on sale (November 2011). I like it because it is light, easy to start (as long as you remember the choke "combination"). Personally, I would not pay $100 for used, and no stihl bar or chain, but you must judge for yourself. Of course you know you have to buy Trufuel or aviation or some such gas without additives? These tend to give you a hard time with regular gas. Some folks no problem, but for the little bit of cutting I do, I buy the quart cans.
 
WellSeasoned: You talking about a 180 or a 181 in your list? 181 is a different and way better saw (same body & A/V as the 211).
 
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StihlHead said:
WellSeasoned: You talking about a 180 or a 181 in your list? 181 is a different and way better saw (same body & A/V as the 211).
Click to expand...

Stihlhead, you are absolutely correct, my mistake. I was under the impression, it was the same saw, but according to stihl there are differences.
 
How does this look to ya all? Been thinking about this one also. Saws are freaking high around here I hope I can get a steal the deal like you all

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3350165269.html


Sent from my rooted and eclipse running X2--thanks nitro-- if im posting on here I'm probably supposed to be working! I can't help im addicted to HEARTH.COM!
 
That looks good to me, I would wait for stihlhead to come along in a minute, I'll bet he knows more about the model. Then go check it out. If it hasn't been abused, I would go for it
 
WellSeasoned said:
Stihlhead, you are absolutely correct, my mistake. I was under the impression, it was the same saw, but according to stihl there are differences.
Click to expand...

Yah, night and day difference between the old and new baby Stihl saws. 211 is one of the few saws with the new engine that is both lighter and more power than the 210 was.
 
Of the two saws there in St Lou the 250 is the better saw.

It also looks better, though I do not like the dial chain tensioners (I prefer the old style bar nuts). I have owned and rebuilt many 210/021, 230 and 025/250 saws. In my view, the 021/210 was too underpowered. I sold my 025/250s when I moved up to the 026/260s. If you do get the 250, I would put a 3/8 picco B&C and sprocket on it, as that will rip through wood a lot faster than the .325 B&C that it looks like it has on it now. With the 250, you can ALWAYS sell it for that on CL if you do not like it. I have sold many used 250s for $175-200. I have also torn them down and sold the parts on Ebay for a lot more.
 
Hey stihlhead thanks alot man! I think ill go for that 250 can I put a regular tensioner om it? YOU GUYS AND GALS SAVED ME A $100 on a saw that wasn't a very good deal. Ill buy the first round at the next hearth.com meet up!

Sent from my rooted and eclipse running X2--thanks nitro-- if im posting on here I'm probably supposed to be working! I can't help im addicted to HEARTH.COM!
 
MS 200 T & never look back. Actually, I'm with Stihlhead on this one, 250 def the better saw/deal here. A C
 
Well, I am not a huge fan of the 250, its just better than the 180 and the 210. I owned many of the 1123 saws and they beat the snot out of all the other small Echo and Poulan and other small saws out there that people had. I used them for limbing mostly. For falling I used 361/440/460 saws. But limbing with those larger saws is rather tiring and climbing around fallen firs and boughs with the smaller/lighter saws made life easier. I later swapped out the 250s with 260s, as they have a lot more power and less vibration, and they can be ported and they are easier and fun to work on. Recently I got a 211 and that is my favorite light limbing saw now. Stihl got that saw right in the new lineup.

I would stick with the dial tensioner until it breaks or the side cover gets trashed by a thrown chain. Some people like them a lot, and you do not need a scrench with them.
 
StihlHead where would you buy the 3/8 picco bar,chain and sprocket to replace the .325 that the 250 comes with
 
I think the 180 is a great limbing and trail saw. For its weight and for what you pay for a new 180 I think its a pretty good deal. I still wouldn't mind having a 260 to fit between my 180 and 460. The 180 is also easy to pack on hunting trips as an emergency saw in case a storm passes through and drops trees on the roads home which happened to a friend of mine a couple of years ago and luckily he had his 250 w/ him.
 
So waiting on the dude to call me back to go check that 250 out. Is it possible to put a smaller bar and chain on it? This is primarily going to be used as a limbing saw. I would like around a 14" or so? Would I be goofy to do that? My "main" saw is a 290 with an 18" bar and I want a lighter more maneuverable saw, to me that 290 gets tiresome working though the top and what not. Eventually id like to move up to the 440-460 range but that wont be until I get my daughter outta day care ....that is killing me right now...

Sent from my rooted and eclipse running X2--thanks nitro-- if im posting on here I'm probably supposed to be working! I can't help im addicted to HEARTH.COM!
 
Jeff S said:
StihlHead where would you buy the 3/8 picco bar,chain and sprocket to replace the .325 that the 250 comes with
Click to expand...

Right from your friendly local Stihl dealer. They should be able to look up the number for a sprocket that will work. I'd have 'em order up a rim sprocket kit for it. The swapping chain pitches would be cake and the rims last longer too. ;)

shmodaddy said:
So waiting on the dude to call me back to go check that 250 out. Is it possible to put a smaller bar and chain on it? This is primarily going to be used as a limbing saw. I would like around a 14" or so? Would I be goofy to do that? My "main" saw is a 290 with an 18" bar and I want a lighter more maneuverable saw, to me that 290 gets tiresome working though the top and what not. Eventually id like to move up to the 440-460 range but that wont be until I get my daughter outta day care ....that is killing me right now...

Sent from my rooted and eclipse running X2--thanks nitro-- if im posting on here I'm probably supposed to be working! I can't help im addicted to HEARTH.COM!
Click to expand...

Here's something that should help you guys looking for "alternative" business ends for the MS250.

MS250B&CInfo.jpg
 
I got that saved somewhere as a pdf. I forgot all about having that. I could have checked that. Thankyou for posting that and reminding me!!

Sent from my rooted and eclipse running X2--thanks nitro-- if im posting on here I'm probably supposed to be working! I can't help im addicted to HEARTH.COM!
 
GRRRR I hate when people don't delete their ads................

Sent from my rooted and eclipse running X2--thanks nitro-- if im posting on here I'm probably supposed to be working! I can't help im addicted to HEARTH.COM!
 
I bought my MS180 for $80 a few years ago. I am happy with it for a nice light saw.
 
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