Lightweight chain saw for older user

[LAndrim]

My dad won an MS-180 at a raffle what seems like 10 years ago, but it must have been much longer. He used it for light duty stuff occasionally for years. When he got it, he would have been in his 70's I would guess. That saw has seen no maintenance and still runs great today. It just sits up at our camp and it starts whenever I need it.

When my wife wanted a saw, we looked at Echo, Husky, and Stihl. She preferred the MS-180 so that is what we got, with a 14" bar. Just to needle the Husky fans.... she said the Husky felt too plasticy and called it a "Barbie" saw.

At the time all I had was my old blue and heavy Homelite from the early 70's with a 20" bar. I found myself grabbing her MS-180 a lot for smaller stuff and limbing.

The only problem she ever had with the MS-180 was starting it due to the compression. My dad's is the easy start version (MS-180 C) and she likes that better. Just last year we got her an MS-182 C, which has the recoil assist on it. The MS-182 replaced the MS-180. Now the MS-180 is mine.

I am not a Stihl fan in particular. I buy what makes the most sense. My new larger saw is an Echo. But, I sure do like the small Stihls I have used. They feel underpowered to me but if you keep the chain spinning and don't let it lug down, they cut just fine with a sharp chain.

Hey Mongo, You are in good company! I've gotten many recommendations for that particular Stihl model, and my Ace Hardware had a sale, so it's now my new go-to saw! Thanks much

 

[Montanalocal]

Yea, my 180 has become my main saw after I opened up the muffler and put a more aggressive set of dogs on it.

 

[Old Red]

Regarding the MS180. I bought a second 461* off a fella in August and he said you want a smaller saw? Showed me a 180 and said $125. I thought it'd make a nice saw for the wife and what the heck. I used to grab my old 024 for light work but not anymore.

*Possibly the finest chainsaw ever.

 

[zrock]

My experience with the MS170/172 is its not a saw for what you want to do.. I used to carry mine on my atv for cutting the odd blow down on the trails, The one time i used it at home to buck up some word maby a hour into the job it must of overheated and cooked the cylinder as i shut it down and never got it to start again and i noticed the performance was dropping just before i shut it down. Saw was only over a year old with not even a full tank run though it yet.. Its a great little saw for what i originally purchased it for but not for longer jobs. I have a cordless now and i get 1/2 or so out of a battery but now i do not take a saw with me on the trail as i don't want battery's bouncing around

 

[salecker]

Still have the dead 170?
sounds like a dull chain and or air leak may have killed it. Do you tune your saws when you use them?
I have used a 170 for hours at a time, light not bad power once you open up the exhaust and re-tune

 

[John Mc]

Everyone has been SO helpful! You all have given me great advice! I'm leaning toward the Stihl. My Ace Hardware has a few and I'll try picking them up for a weight check. You all have been so kind in taking the time to help. Virutal brownies ( yes, with walnuts) sent to you all!

What model did you end up getting, and how has it been working out for you?

 

[salecker]

My experience with the MS170/172 is its not a saw for what you want to do.. I used to carry mine on my atv for cutting the odd blow down on the trails, The one time i used it at home to buck up some word maby a hour into the job it must of overheated and cooked the cylinder as i shut it down and never got it to start again and i noticed the performance was dropping just before i shut it down. Saw was only over a year old with not even a full tank run though it yet.. Its a great little saw for what i originally purchased it for but not for longer jobs. I have a cordless now and i get 1/2 or so out of a battery but now i do not take a saw with me on the trail as i don't want battery's bouncing around

If the dead saw is around i would be interested in it for parts.