Which Stihl ?

[KindredSpiritzz]

I been saving my pennies to buy a Stihl and the time has about come. Just not sure what one to get. I just want a good reliable saw, one that could handle an 18 inch bar would be nice and starts when i want it to.
I have looked at them at my dealer and have narrowed the field to the following....
MS 211c for $350
MS 251 or the MS 251c for $400
MS 250 for $319
or the MS 170 for $180.
Kind of leaning towards the last one since its most like my Wildthing and that has served me well when it starts and its the cheapest. But i wonder if maybe i should kick in the extra $$ and get a 251.
One of them has an easy start feature on it, is that worth having?
I really don't know much about any of these saws so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[claydogg84]

What are you using the saw for? The 211 and 170 are both really small saws and are suitable for limbing trees - small ones at that. 18" bar on either one of those saws is going to be sluggish cutting. The 250/251 is your best choice in this lot but it's also a smaller saw. Have you considered purchasing used? I'm not going to list other saws as your looking at these 4, unless you ask. I don't know much about the easy start feature either, sorry.

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

Need it for basic wood cutting, nothing real big tree wise. I burn about 5 cords a year and my poulan has served me well up to this point so im looking to upgrade a step or two above that. The 170 reminds me of the poulan size wise so i figure it'd work. Just want a general all purpose saw for an average weekend wood cutter. So many models it gets confusing.

 

[claydogg84]

I suggest you get the biggest CC model in your budget.

 

[Clyde S. Dale]

If you are willing to spend $400 you can get a decent used pro saw in the 50-60cc range. Do you have any local dealers that sell used saws? 5 cords a year is a decent amount of cutting so if you are set on the models you have listed I would say get the 250 or 251.

 

[Jon_E]

5 cords a year seems like a lot for any of those saws.

Do you have to have a Stihl? If not, I'd recommend a Dolmar PS-421. I cannot speak highly enough about mine, and Dolmars in general. I cut 10-12 cords a year and 80% of it is with the little Dolmar.

 

[DougA]

As someone who has gone through 3 cheap Poulon Pro saws, I would follow my lead and buy a better used one. I agree that 5 cords is lots of wood and an 18" is a good size but you'll need 50cc unless it's all softwood. You will have no idea how poorly your Wild thing cuts wood until you get a decent saw. Excerpt from the Wild Thing description on Amazon: "Perfect for light cutting and most jobs around the yard" Just a few days ago I posted that the same model will be on sale at TSC in Canada for $99. as a refurb. A better pro saw will cut almost twice as fast.
Most in the industry agree that older models that are taken care of are better than new models. I bought two 50cc Stihl 026 for $150 ea and they are world's better than a Poulon.
I would find a good local dealer and tell him you want a good used pro 50cc with an 18" bar. Have him refurb it and you will be happier and save $$.

 

[CountryBoy19]

5 cords a year seems like a lot for any of those saws.

Do you have to have a Stihl? If not, I'd recommend a Dolmar PS-421. I cannot speak highly enough about mine, and Dolmars in general. I cut 10-12 cords a year and 80% of it is with the little Dolmar.

When I started burning wood the only saw I had was a very lightly used MS170 from craigslist. I scored it for $75 and it even came with 6 new chains (safety chains that I ultimately traded at my dealer for some other goodies).

I cut over 20 cords of wood that first year to build my stock-pile of wood up; all of it with the 170. Some of it was up to 26" DBH hardwood (I had to go at it from both sides). The MS170 didn't complain one bit. I have since acquired a Dolkita 6401 but the MS170 remains my go-to saw. Why? It's super lightweight; I can cut all day without major shoulder/back fatigue. It's more than capable of cutting any wood that the bar will cut, you just can't push it past it's limits. It's a small saw, yes it will take a bit longer, but it's not THAT big of a difference. As a matter of fact, I once raced a guy, a supposed firewood cutter that sells wood for a profit. He was running a 460, I had my MS170*, my chain was probably a bit sharper than his. Did I win? What kind of question is that? No way a MS170 could beat a MS460, but I was right there behind him. We each had roughly equal size ash trees that we were limbing & bucking. I smoked him on the limbing part because the small saws are so light and nimble, it was only when it came to bucking the trunks up that he was able to pull back ahead of me.

IMHO, the only reason for a large saw is to quickly buck up large wood. For limbing/trimming etc the small, nimble saws are a hands-down winner in my book. Most of my firewood is acquired from cutting tree tops etc; the instances where a large saw is necessary are few and far between. IMHO, if I were the OP I would buy the MS170 (even better if he can score a used one real cheap like I did) and use that for now. It will most certainly get him by. And in the mean-time he can be watching for a deal on a good used larger saw to diversify his collection.


*Disclaimer: I did open my MS170 muffler up a bit and add a 026 carb so I could get full L/H adjustability.

 

[Jon1270]

I think the easy-start feature is kind of pointless. These are all small saws, not difficult to start in the first place.

The MS250 is quite respectable. I've only used one for a few cuts, but I was impressed. For an 18" bar, I don't think I'd go any smaller.

 

[Pennstater]

If you are limited to one all purpose wood cutting saw and aren't looking at a pro grade saw, I would seriously consider a 271. More power and options for bars than a 251 for not a whole lot more. I mean like 30 bucks difference.

 

[claydogg84]

These types of threads can get out of hand with suggestions, which is why I avoided giving you other models to look at. I'm not trying to discount any advice given, but it can become a bit confusing. It also tends to lead to people spending more money then they initially wanted to. If your budget is $400, stick with it. The 250 or 251 will surely be an upgrade over the "Wild Thing".

 

[jotul8e2]

The MS250 is a nice saw that offers a lot utility for the money - I have an older version with an 18" bar and have cut maybe 50 - 60 cords over the years with it. However, as soon as I consume the chains on hand I am going to go with a 16" bar. As others have noted, 18" is just a bit much for this saw.

If you are like most of us, you would need the 18" bar length only very occasionally. Buying a MS250 with a 16" bar for general use and an 18" bar for the occasions where needed would not be an unreasonable approach. You might be able to get a package deal for pretty close to your $400.

 

[Ashful]

What took me a while to realize, in switching from older lower chain speed saws to newer high speed saws a few years back, is that it really does take more CC's to sling that chain faster on a larger sprocket. No surprise, basic physics, speed is a component in power (ie torque/time).

If looking to churn full chisel in hardwood with the nose buried on an 18" bar, you really want more than 50cc. A lightly used 62cc MS 361 would be fantastic, and can be had in the price range you list above. I would not go under 50 cc's on a modern saw pulling an 18" bar.

 

[Osagebndr]

The 251 c would be a good choice with a 16" bar . Have your dealer go over the tooless chain tensioner they can be a little hard to get used to.
If you do decide to go used your Stihl dealer Should have some used saws
In hand. Mine gives a 90
Day warranty on all his

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

I never thought of going the used route. You guys have given me much to think about. My dealer has about 10 saws on the wall to choose from so i just went thru them looking to see what was in my price range that looked like it would work. I'll have to see if he has any used one or any new models not on display.

 

[Mike Fromme]

Echo cs590

 

[DougA]

If looking to churn full chisel in hardwood with the nose buried on an 18" bar, you really want more than 50cc.

I would not have agreed with that until yesterday. I was cutting a hard maple that had blown down 2 yrs ago but still 35%+ moisture. My 50cc Stihl with a very sharp 18" chain was definitely having a hard time. I've cut a wide range of wood but never had anything so tough. The edges were easy with noodles flying out but the center honestly felt like using a grinder through an I beam.

 

[aansorge]

(broken link removed to https://appleton.craigslist.org/grd/5001823241.html)

 

[Osagebndr]

All but 2 of my saws have been used. I haven't been sorry yet. The echo CS-590 would certainly fit your budget tho and is a great saw . If you buy from an individual take caution and go over the saw with a fine tooth comb. Most get a little angry but if you have cash they usually will lay off and let you have a good look.

 

[maple1]

I have a 170 & 250.

Out of the four saws you listed, and from what it sounds like you want it for, I would likely go with the 250.

I also have a 360. Even having it I will usually use the 250 unless I'm just bucking bigger stuff - then I pick up the 360. It is quite a bit heavier than the 250, relatively speaking. If I'm limbing & bucking bigger stuff, I usually limb with the 250 then buck with the 360 - depending on the tree. If real big I'll do it all with the 360.

The only one I bought new was the 170. I usually only use it when doing small stuff. Find myself picking up the 250 more than the others most often - seems to the my go-to for most situations. So it depends on your situation.

But if you are also considering something besides Stihl, I would also definitely check out the Echo 590. Lots of bang for the buck with that one.

 

[DodgyNomad]

Avoid the 211. I have a MS250, it's a decent saw. For me, I consider it my little limbing and trimming saw. I'd say if you're going to pull an 18" I'd do a muffler mod at a minimum. I don't like the ez start personally. I've worked on them, more headache than they're worth.

For doing 5 cords a year, I'd go up just a bit in size. I'd shoot for a 50cc saw or bigger if it's for bucking up hardwood. I just used my 250 over the weekend, it's fine up to 7", after that, it's a little slow for bucking, imo.

 

[maple1]

I threw my 170 on the running board of my sled in a hurry back in January on the first time through my connector trails, in case I came across a windfall that needed moving. Well, I found one - and it was a lot bigger than I was expecting. About 18", knotty limby spruce. It was a rather painfully slow exercise cutting it up & getting it moved with the 170 - it might have needed a bit of a sharpening, but I was really wishing I brought the 250 instead. Or the 360, but it would have been a lot harder to just throw that on the running board & have it stay there.

 

[iamlucky13]

I have an MS250. I'm satisfied with it, but if I were cutting 5 cords a year, I'd want something with more power.

Not because the MS250 can't handle it, but just because at some point the higher cost becomes worth the time savings.

 

[DodgyNomad]

I have an MS250. I'm satisfied with it, but if I were cutting 5 cords a year, I'd want something with more power.

Not because the MS250 can't handle it, but just because at some point the higher cost becomes worth the time savings.

Agree with this fully. If the saw will mostly be for firewood bucking, and you're physically able, at the 5 cord level, I would go a bit bigger. I bucked up just under 4 cord over the weekend of ash. Another guy was there for a couple of hours doing some limbing and bucking a 16" ash with a 250-C. When we hit opposite ends of the same log, I was bucking at more than a 3-1 pace with my 64cc Dolmar vs. the MS250. I'm sure sharpening had a lot to do with it, but he was really working hard on what was a pretty small tree. Right after I buzzed up more than 3/4 of the log that he started first, he decided to put his saw away, and just did cleanup and debris removal. I'm not bragging, I had my MS250 out there as well, but used it for limbing, then fired up the Dolmar and my later my MS361, as they all needed to be run with fresh fuel after sitting most of the winter.

Again, I'd go 50cc and up for bucking 5 cords a year. Bigger the better.

 

[Osagebndr]

Your getting some very good advice here . I can't say enough about 60 cc saws and I've always had 35-50 cc saws IMO a 60cc is the way to go . Echo CS-590 or used pro saw , you won't regret it