Which Saw ??

If you want a small homeowner / farm type saw the Stihl 170 and 180 are spoken highly about. I'm surprised to hear of the 170 having running issues but Stihl like all the other brands can have quality issues too.

If you want a small saw with a pro build meaning cylinder bolted directly to magnesium cases then I would look at the Dolmar ps421. 42cc saw with a 16 inch 3/8 low pro chain and commercial grade construction. Probably one of the best small light saws out there for the money. I'm guessing it's roughly $300. It compares to a Stihl ms241 which is roughly $500. So good deal in terms of value and about equal performance and just as good build quality.

I have run one before and was impressed by the build quality. I also know someone who has one and likes it.

I'm not familiar with echo but someone will hopefully respond with a good recommendation from echo. They seem to be a value filled brand.

Nothing wrong with the Stihl 180 or 170 either but those particular Stihls are not in the same category as the Dolmar 421 and are of lesser quality and performance. However they are probably $100 less in cost too.

If you want a small saw with a pro build meaning cylinder bolted directly to magnesium cases then I would look at the Dolmar ps421. 42cc saw with a 16 inch 3/8 low pro chain and commercial grade construction.

I second that. I have a Dolmar P421 for about 6+ months now and love it. Great saw. Very powerful, not too big, professional grade. Light and very versatile. Bought it online with case and tool kit for about $350.

I have had a 170 for a few years, cut a crapload of wood with it and never had an issue. If it died today I'd buy another one for $179 no question. If you get the Dolmar I'd like to hear how you like it. But I have probably 6 chains for the 170, 2 are brand new so I'd probably stay with that. No Dolmar dealers nearby me

D8Chumley said:

But I have probably 6 chains for the 170, 2 are brand new so I'd probably stay with that. No Dolmar dealers nearby me

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Depending on the bar length on your 170 it's probably the same chain. While you can run .325 on the little Dolmar it's got enough power for it, most are sold with the 3/8 low pro which is what Stihl calls pico That is probably what's on your 170. But I'm not 100 percent sure just a guess.

But for $179 bucks the 170 is a great little saw. Nice and light and nimble.

It's a picco chain, 14" bar

I picked up a ms 193 as a small saw last year, and I love it. I can only run my Husky 55 for a few hours before my back starts to act up, but I can run this little guy all day. I have the picco chain on it and a 14 inch bar. Yes, i know it's a top handle saw, and some places won't sell one to a non commercial user, due to liability concerns, and it is a little more expensive, but to me it was worth it.

Interestingly enough, my grandfather had a 170 when it first came out, and he had nothing but trouble with it. Junked it after a year and bought a husky.

Guy i do maple with keeps 2 180s in the truck, and trades one in every year. With the trade in, he pays $100 a year for a new saw. He still has his big saws for the heavy work, but most of the time the small saws are easier to use.

I have had a dolman ps421 for a while now. Very powerful for such a little saw. It will cut with my dad's still 029super. The first day I used my dad and I was bucking up a 12-14 white oak log. I was on the bigger too. We started cutting and the little dolman would cut block for block with the stihl. That impressed me. Excellent saw for the money. Actually all dolman are for that matter.

george2c said:

Ok guys got it narrowed down (I think ) to the ms 170 or 180.. PLEASE help me decide.. Thanks a ton..

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If only those 2 saws, I'd say MS170 because it's only 2cc smaller and ~$50 cheaper. The build quality will be the same as MS180.

dougand3 said:

If only those 2 saws, I'd say MS170 because it's only 2cc smaller and ~$50 cheaper. The build quality will be the same as MS180.

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What he said!

Ms 180

When your dealing with very little power output even small increases matter. Based on Stihls specs the 180 puts out 15% more power. 1.7hp vs 2.0 doesn't sound like a big deal but in a tiny 2 stroke that little extra power is magnified. In a truck or tractor with 15 % difference in power the difference in pulling power is not even worth discussing. In a tiny saw it makes a good argument for putting down the extra $ 50 bucks. That's peanuts in a bigger engine but in small engines it's big.

Put it another way. Lots of people ( myself included ) pay $150 bucks or more to port and polish bigger saws to get anywhere from a 10 % to 20% gain.

$50 for 15% more power and less than a pound of weight. My money would be on the 180 if I was buying one of those 2 saws.

Absolutely. Is that just your dealer, or are they on sale everywhere? If the latter I might have to go grab a spare at that price

D8Chumley said:

I have had a 170 for a few years, cut a crapload of wood with it and never had an issue. If it died today I'd buy another one for $179 no question. If you get the Dolmar I'd like to hear how you like it. But I have probably 6 chains for the 170, 2 are brand new so I'd probably stay with that. No Dolmar dealers nearby me

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If you got a Dolmar 421 or a Echo CS400 muff modded and tuned you would never use your 170 as both will cut twice as fast as a 170.

mountainlake said:

If you got a Dolmar 421 or a Echo CS400 muff modded and tuned you would never use your 170 as both will cut twice as fast as a 170.

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If I wanted to cut 2x as fast I'd use my MS261, or my CS590, or my MS460. I have a saw for every occasion

A CS400 will cut twice as fast without the extra weight. Yes it weighs more than a 170 but not much. I own at least 30 saws all brands and the CS400 is my favorite around the mill, a MS170 is just to slow

I have 5 chainsaws, I'm pretty sure one of them will work without purchasing a CS400. My 261 only weighs a little more than 1lb more. At 5'11" and 230 lbs I don't think I'll notice it

Easy choice for me. Stihl 026 or ms 260. Either in the pro or non pro version used in good shape around $250 or less