stihl ms 170 chainsaw

[redneck logger]

i have a chance to buy a ms170 from our local dealer wicth is also my cousin for only $230  i just want to kow how good they work ???

[ladylake]

Good   light wieght
Bad     low power ,built cheap
Around here they cost $180, are you sure your cousin likes you.. I'd be looking at a small Echo or Dolmar rather than a homeowner Stilh, quite a bit more quality in thier smaller saws.   Steve

[timberfaller390]

If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw

[ksu_chainsaw]

I replaced an OLD echo top handle saw with an MS170 about a year ago.  I got the shorter 12" bar instead of the 14" bar- just because I already had a lot of 12" chains and didn't need to buy a whole bunch more.  I got the saw and 2 chains for about $180.  I think that it is a good saw for the money, I find myself picking it up more than any other saw I have, even when I have to cut from both sides- the weight difference between it and my 044MAG is HUGE.  If I had to do it again, I would still get that saw, just a different chain on it- that PMN chain breaks too easy-RR Ties are not the most chain friendly wood.

Charles

[rebocardo]

Price seems a bit high, I think the MS-180c cost me that much. Anyways, I really liked my MS-180 and would buy it again, MS-170 is just a bit smaller. The chain Baileys sells really wakes the saw up vs. the Stihl chain.

[sawguy21]

Your cousin is charging you the the same as everybody else for that MS170. It is O.K. for light work but is limited to the mini picco chain because of lack of power. As ksu has discovered, the chain breaks easily under hard use, it does not like framing nails either.

[liketocut]

Looks as if Redneck logger is from Nova Scotia.
Thier prices may be higher than U.S.

I have an MS180 for small stuff that I like very much, even
like the tooless chain adjuster. I did switch it to Picco PM chain.


LTC

[Old_Hickory]

Yes it sounds abit high to me also,but then again not exactly sure how Canadian currency rate is vs Dollar.Never used a 170  but have used 3   180's and they all cut well.

[jokers]

If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw

Are you aware of the ms260 timberfaller? I don`t think there is an Echo made that has the reputation of that saw or the ms200. The ms270 and 280 are also built stronger than the clamshell model Echoes. From what I`ve seen of the small Echoes they are on par with the 170/180 Stihl.

I ended up buying a 180 for my son when he was 6 going on seven because I liked the toolless chain adjusting and the balance and feel better than the Echo counterpart, which was the only other choice IMO, wasn`t interested in a Husky/Poulan. That saw works flawlessly and cuts surprisingly fast with the PMN chain which is perfectly suited to the low power of those saws, infact I have tried a few other versions of 3/8LP on an .050 gauge bar that I have for that saw and the PMN cut appreciably faster. It should be needless to say that any saw this small isn`t meant for serious production so chain durability isn`t an issue to me. For the record, my son has never broken one either and he`s been in a few nasty bar pinches, lol.

[ladylake]

Yes it sounds abit high to me also,but then again not exactly sure how Canadian currency rate is vs Dollar.Never used a 170  but have used 3   180's and they all cut well.

I think canada's dollar is worth a little more than the US dollar now, but prices higher due to built in taxes.   Steve

[ladylake]

If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw

Are you aware of the ms260 timberfaller? I don`t think there is an Echo made that has the reputation of that saw or the ms200. The ms270 and 280 are also built stronger than the clamshell model Echoes. From what I`ve seen of the small Echoes they are on par with the 170/180 Stihl.

I ended up buying a 180 for my son when he was 6 going on seven because I liked the toolless chain adjusting and the balance and feel better than the Echo counterpart, which was the only other choice IMO, wasn`t interested in a Husky/Poulan. That saw works flawlessly and cuts surprisingly fast with the PMN chain which is perfectly suited to the low power of those saws, infact I have tried a few other versions of 3/8LP on an .050 gauge bar that I have for that saw and the PMN cut appreciably faster. It should be needless to say that any saw this small isn`t meant for serious production so chain durability isn`t an issue to me. For the record, my son has never broken one either and he`s been in a few nasty bar pinches, lol.

I think I'm detecting orange and white glasses.   Steve

[jokers]

If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw

Are you aware of the ms260 timberfaller? I don`t think there is an Echo made that has the reputation of that saw or the ms200. The ms270 and 280 are also built stronger than the clamshell model Echoes. From what I`ve seen of the small Echoes they are on par with the 170/180 Stihl.

I ended up buying a 180 for my son when he was 6 going on seven because I liked the toolless chain adjusting and the balance and feel better than the Echo counterpart, which was the only other choice IMO, wasn`t interested in a Husky/Poulan. That saw works flawlessly and cuts surprisingly fast with the PMN chain which is perfectly suited to the low power of those saws, infact I have tried a few other versions of 3/8LP on an .050 gauge bar that I have for that saw and the PMN cut appreciably faster. It should be needless to say that any saw this small isn`t meant for serious production so chain durability isn`t an issue to me. For the record, my son has never broken one either and he`s been in a few nasty bar pinches, lol.

I think I'm detecting orange and white glasses.   Steve

hmmm.......So Steve, are you saying that you think my opinion is invalid because you think I have a Stihl bias? First you might want to work on your reading comprehension because I stated in that post that the Echo was the only other saw I was interested in for my son.

Second, if you had any long term knowledge of the saws I`ve owned you would know that I`ve owned several Echo saws, all the way back to the CS750EVLs and CS500VLs that I ran for a few years in the early 80`s and that IMO the only power pruner to own is the Echo because it`s the most durable and this is infact the pruner that I own.

Or how would you explain that I`ve owned a couple of 5100s Dolmars and still have a 7900, almost bought another 5100 the other day but decided to hold off because I knew that another 346xp would be here waiting for me when I got home, and that I`ve owned or still do own a small freighter full of Huskies and a couple of Jonsereds in addition to the Stihl`s that I`ve owned or do still own. Your chicken skat allusion is the type of unsupported attempts of undermining a persons credibility that I`ve grown accustomed to seeing at AS and the Tool Shed rather than openly discussing alternate viewpoints and considering the basis for why a person may feel a certain way.

At any rate Steve, the bottom line is that the majority of people in the world do in fact think that Stihl produces a better product than Echo or Echo would be selling alot more saws, not the other way around. Can you verifiably refute my opinion that the clamshell Echoes are no more durable than the small clamshell Stihls like the MS170/180? Take one of each apart and take a good look, then tell me how I`m wrong. My statement about the legendary status of certain Stihls smaller than the 390 is in response to timberfaller`s statement "If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw" which makes it clear that he is either unaware of the durability record of two iconic Stihls smaller than his 390 or he is prone to making blanket statements regardless of the accuracy. I think that I see this in you, quite frankly.

[ladylake]

If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw

Are you aware of the ms260 timberfaller? I don`t think there is an Echo made that has the reputation of that saw or the ms200. The ms270 and 280 are also built stronger than the clamshell model Echoes. From what I`ve seen of the small Echoes they are on par with the 170/180 Stihl.

I ended up buying a 180 for my son when he was 6 going on seven because I liked the toolless chain adjusting and the balance and feel better than the Echo counterpart, which was the only other choice IMO, wasn`t interested in a Husky/Poulan. That saw works flawlessly and cuts surprisingly fast with the PMN chain which is perfectly suited to the low power of those saws, infact I have tried a few other versions of 3/8LP on an .050 gauge bar that I have for that saw and the PMN cut appreciably faster. It should be needless to say that any saw this small isn`t meant for serious production so chain durability isn`t an issue to me. For the record, my son has never broken one either and he`s been in a few nasty bar pinches, lol.

I think I'm detecting orange and white glasses.   Steve

hmmm.......So Steve, are you saying that you think my opinion is invalid because you think I have a Stihl bias? First you might want to work on your reading comprehension because I stated in that post that the Echo was the only other saw I was interested in for my son.

Second, if you had any long term knowledge of the saws I`ve owned you would know that I`ve owned several Echo saws, all the way back to the CS750EVLs and CS500VLs that I ran for a few years in the early 80`s and that IMO the only power pruner to own is the Echo because it`s the most durable and this is infact the pruner that I own.

Or how would you explain that I`ve owned a couple of 5100s Dolmars and still have a 7900, almost bought another 5100 the other day but decided to hold off because I knew that another 346xp would be here waiting for me when I got home, and that I`ve owned or still do own a small freighter full of Huskies and a couple of Jonsereds in addition to the Stihl`s that I`ve owned or do still own. Your chicken skat allusion is the type of unsupported attempts of undermining a persons credibility that I`ve grown accustomed to seeing at AS and the Tool Shed rather than openly discussing alternate viewpoints and considering the basis for why a person may feel a certain way.

At any rate Steve, the bottom line is that the majority of people in the world do in fact think that Stihl produces a better product than Echo or Echo would be selling alot more saws, not the other way around. Can you verifiably refute my opinion that the clamshell Echoes are no more durable than the small clamshell Stihls like the MS170/180? Take one of each apart and take a good look, then tell me how I`m wrong. My statement about the legendary status of certain Stihls smaller than the 390 is in response to timberfaller`s statement "If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw" which makes it clear that he is either unaware of the durability record of two iconic Stihls smaller than his 390 or he is prone to making blanket statements regardless of the accu

racy. I think that I see this in you, quite frankly.

Follow the leader if you want, I never thought much about Echo either untill I got a CS510 off Ebay brand new for $200,(vs$450 for a MS260) thats when my opinon changed I ran it againt my brother MS260 and they are dead even in cutting times with my 510 having a broader powerband, wieght is the same and build quality is just as good. I've had a MS170  ALL apart and even I can tell there isn't any quality there. The smallest Echo I own is a CS440 which is not the clamshell design and has a lot more metal than any homeowner Stihl and cuts real good for 45cc. Don't sit there and lump all the Stihls into one catagory when there is night and day difference between to top and bottom. I don't know where the MS270 and MS280 fit in or how well they are built. I've never had a clamshell Echo apart, have you, but I sure hear good reports from people that own and abuse them how tough they are.   All different color glasses here.   Steve

[SawTroll]

There is a reason that Echo don't list power in their specs......

[ladylake]

There is a reason that Echo don't list power in their specs......

Go look on the austrialan echo site, they are listed there not that they mean anything. It's how fast they cut and how they handle and run.   Steve

[SawTroll]

There is a reason that Echo don't list power in their specs......

Go look on the austrialan echo site, they are listed there not that they mean anything. It's how fast they cut and how they handle and run.   Steve

Those power specs are messed up bad - lots of misprints and mistakes there.......

[jokers]

If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw

Are you aware of the ms260 timberfaller? I don`t think there is an Echo made that has the reputation of that saw or the ms200. The ms270 and 280 are also built stronger than the clamshell model Echoes. From what I`ve seen of the small Echoes they are on par with the 170/180 Stihl.

I ended up buying a 180 for my son when he was 6 going on seven because I liked the toolless chain adjusting and the balance and feel better than the Echo counterpart, which was the only other choice IMO, wasn`t interested in a Husky/Poulan. That saw works flawlessly and cuts surprisingly fast with the PMN chain which is perfectly suited to the low power of those saws, infact I have tried a few other versions of 3/8LP on an .050 gauge bar that I have for that saw and the PMN cut appreciably faster. It should be needless to say that any saw this small isn`t meant for serious production so chain durability isn`t an issue to me. For the record, my son has never broken one either and he`s been in a few nasty bar pinches, lol.

I think I'm detecting orange and white glasses.   Steve

hmmm.......So Steve, are you saying that you think my opinion is invalid because you think I have a Stihl bias? First you might want to work on your reading comprehension because I stated in that post that the Echo was the only other saw I was interested in for my son.

Second, if you had any long term knowledge of the saws I`ve owned you would know that I`ve owned several Echo saws, all the way back to the CS750EVLs and CS500VLs that I ran for a few years in the early 80`s and that IMO the only power pruner to own is the Echo because it`s the most durable and this is infact the pruner that I own.

Or how would you explain that I`ve owned a couple of 5100s Dolmars and still have a 7900, almost bought another 5100 the other day but decided to hold off because I knew that another 346xp would be here waiting for me when I got home, and that I`ve owned or still do own a small freighter full of Huskies and a couple of Jonsereds in addition to the Stihl`s that I`ve owned or do still own. Your chicken skat allusion is the type of unsupported attempts of undermining a persons credibility that I`ve grown accustomed to seeing at AS and the Tool Shed rather than openly discussing alternate viewpoints and considering the basis for why a person may feel a certain way.

At any rate Steve, the bottom line is that the majority of people in the world do in fact think that Stihl produces a better product than Echo or Echo would be selling alot more saws, not the other way around. Can you verifiably refute my opinion that the clamshell Echoes are no more durable than the small clamshell Stihls like the MS170/180? Take one of each apart and take a good look, then tell me how I`m wrong. My statement about the legendary status of certain Stihls smaller than the 390 is in response to timberfaller`s statement "If I was going to buy a new saw the smallest stihl I would buy is the MS 390 if I wanted a smaller saw I would buy a echo because like ladylake stated they make a better small saw" which makes it clear that he is either unaware of the durability record of two iconic Stihls smaller than his 390 or he is prone to making blanket statements regardless of the accu

racy. I think that I see this in you, quite frankly.

Follow the leader if you want, I never thought much about Echo either untill I got a CS510 off Ebay brand new for $200,(vs$450 for a MS260) thats when my opinon changed I ran it againt my brother MS260 and they are dead even in cutting times with my 510 having a broader powerband, wieght is the same and build quality is just as good. I've had a MS170  ALL apart and even I can tell there isn't any quality there. The smallest Echo I own is a CS440 which is not the clamshell design and has a lot more metal than any homeowner Stihl and cuts real good for 45cc. Don't sit there and lump all the Stihls into one catagory when there is night and day difference between to top and bottom. I don't know where the MS270 and MS280 fit in or how well they are built. I've never had a clamshell Echo apart, have you, but I sure hear good reports from people that own and abuse them how tough they are.   All different color glasses here.   Steve

Steve, your reading comprehension still leaves something to be desired, go back and have another go at it because never have I lumped all Stihls together as having one level of quality. EVER! In fact there are five levels of quality. On the lower end you have the 170/180, then the ms250 chassis saws, 3rd is the ms290 - 390, then the ms270/280 and finally the Pro saws which include the ms200 and ms260 on the smaller side.

I don`t need to disassemble any small Echoes personally, I`ve seen piles of them in various states of disassembly after catastrophic failure. I can see that they`re not built any better than anyone else`s small saw and the 5 year consumer warranty is a marketing ploy based on hedging their bet that anyone serious about using a saw either A) won`t buy a small Echo, or B) won`t expect the warranty to be honored when they kill it.

Unfortunately too many people who buy Stihl don`t recognize(Stihl marketing) that not all Stihls are created equal and many will buy the cheapest Stihl they can get and expect it to last and perform like the pro saws, well you can have one of these two features when you go cheap but you can`t have `em both so IMO Stihl chooses to give better performance, hedging their bet that the average person using an ms170 isn`t going to use it that much, and offering a more realistic EPA compliant engine life estimate than Echo does. I know how you guys wearing the rose colored glasses like to cite the EPA compliance warranty as defacto proof that Echo builds a better engine across the board but I`ll counter that not all Echoes are built to the same level of quality, furthermore, who outside of the EPA or the factory has the means to test whether or not the engine does indeed maintain compliance?..........too many "thinking" guys are putting way too much emphasis on those warranties and if they are to be a real benchmark then even the best saws will only last for a few hundred hours, right?

I`ll also offer that all of those guys who brag up the small Echoes after they abuse them probably are pick up truck "tree surgeons" who wouldn`t know a good saw if it bit them in the butt and more than likely don`t use a saw half as much as they think they do. It`s a rare case to see a pro outfit whose owner is on the job on a daily basis using an Echo saw. Maybe you`ll see them on a Davey or Bartlett truck but that`s because a corporate bean counter is deciding how much they can spend on saws, not which is best. I don`t count landscapers as being pro users of saws because they are not.

BTW, those cheap prices that you cite for Echo aren`t available at a dealer, not even close, so who is supposed to support you and your gypsy Echo when it needs warranty work?

You say that I`m following the leader, I say that you`re following a pig in the poke. I think my view is better.  :D

[ladylake]

   Joke  I have no trouble comprehending your little digs at Echo saws and thats why were doing this, every one I've worked on has been WAY better quality than homeowner Stihls and just a hair below thier pro models. I don't care about a warrenty, haven't taken a saw to a dealer in 30 years, but i guess for the average guy 5 years is nice. Never saw a Stihl in the scrap heap?    Steve

[jokers]

Steve,

I`m just letting you know that I`ve read your reply and consider it to be no more founded in fact than any of your others so I`m just going to stop replying now.

Have a nice day!  ;)

[ely]

i know a guy with a row clearing service. they buy stihl saws at a discount because they buy a pickup load at a time. when /if one fails they just drag out a new. by failing i mean something that can't be fixed with a saw wrench on the tailgate by the man running it day to day. i have seen "broke saws" setting in the mans shop that i have made them run again in 10 minutes that would last me 10 years around the house. but they just keep them for parts.

and not sure if age means anything with the echo brand, but years ago i worked for an electric contractor and they had echo everything, saws,  drills, press motors. and they all were work horses and we had no problems with tehm either.

[jokers]

and not sure if age means anything with the echo brand, but years ago i worked for an electric contractor and they had echo everything, saws,  drills, press motors. and they all were work horses and we had no problems with tehm either.

Age means alot in the smaller Echoes IMO. It used to be that when Echo(Kioritz) was originally all orange and made of metal, all of the saws were built to the same standard, not super performers but bullet proof. When they went gray the small saws became just like all the rest of the small saws out there, throw away.

[Ed]

IMHO, in years past Echo was an excellent good product. My Deere (Echo) served  me well (with no problems) for many years unti I used a 026 Stihl. The old Deere was put into semi-retirement rather quickly and traded in some time later. This was simply from the performance gains that technology brought, not any fault of the old saw or it's reliability. I actually wish I wouldn't have sold it.
My dad still runs an old 450g Deere trimmer, also made by Echo. The machine has been to heck and back and still runs /starts like new. It will be a sad day when it has to be retired and I'll wager it will be lack of parts that will seal it's fate.
Sadly Echo has chosen to put it's eggs in the homeowner basket. I wouldn't even consider one today.

Ed

[ely]

those were the old echos then, i remember they were all metal and orange in color, actually the looked like a very grease covered light red :D and like you say i never remember them failing to start or us working on them.

[jokers]

The smallest Echo I own is a CS440 which is not the clamshell design.........   

Steve

You really piqued my interest here Steve because I didn`t think that the smaller Echoes were anything but clamshell models so I went looking for the IPL, look at what I found.......


Are you really so sure that you know all that much about the smaller Echo saws that you`re pushing?

[beenthere]

Jokers
What's your point?

Some of your responses make me wonder what your objective is on the forum. 

[Cut4fun]

              

[ladylake]

Stihl, Husky, Poulan, Echo, Dolmar, clamshell designs are just that and do what was intended, be cheaper for the homeowners to buy.
I dont think one is any better then the other  IMO  and sometimes you just get lucky and get a good one or a POS ( I wouldnt buy any of the newer poulan stuff either).  I try and stay with magnesium cased saws myself even for my homeowner duties, be it  Poulan or other brand.
I have ran the 170 and 180 and they are gutless IMHO, but very very  light and would fit a young  kid nicely because of the light weight. My $50 like new 38cc Poulan 220 would eat the 180's lunch. Back to back timed cuts (but who care on such small saws) ( no not same bar and chains). I then broke out a 36cc clamshell poulan and it did the same thing and took the 180's drink.   But the poulans were heavier and you could feel it, I think they were closer to the old 346 weights 10.5 - 10.8lbs.
I am also talking poulans made 2001 or older before the epa mufflers and carbs.

My MS170 was absoluty gutless also, then I had the flywheel off and I noticed there was about 10 degrees of slop in the high quality flywheel and key so I set it with the timing advanced a little, now it's just gutless not absoluty gutless.  Steve

[Tom]

.......and I'm letting you all know that you are being admonished for taking this thread to a personal level which is neither appreciated nor will it be condoned.  Some have a PM coming your way.  Some who don't should take note.  Chainsaw operators haven't the right on this forum to disparage others whether you are educated, experienced or not.

Make this the last time that someone has to mention this to you.

[jokers]

Jokers
What's your point?

Some of your responses make me wonder what your objective is on the forum. 

Beenthere,

My only objective on this forum is to honestly and accurately discuss chainsaws and their use.

[zackman1801]

for the money you could spend on these small saws you could possbly find a used saw? i found both of my saws in like new used condition for under $200. and they to this day run like champions. one is the husqvarna 365 sp and the other is a Stihl Ms290. both of those saws in the condition they are in would outcut a brand new ms170. if your going to be doing some chainsaw carving or light brush and firewood work get one, but if you have any real logging or pro work to do look at a bigger saw, you will be much happier.

[COLRJBrinkman]

There is a reason that Echo don't list power in their specs......

Ahhh, its because they're smart as listing HP tends to lead to lawsuits if a saw doesn't perform "per listed" HP. and HP alone doesn't mean anything as many saws with "less hp" will output a saw that has higher HP

[Air Lad]

i have a chance to buy a ms170 from our local dealer wicth is also my cousin for only $230  i just want to kow how good they work ???

Mine cost me $31 Aus for a replacement piston and ring. My mate was too hard on it and gave it to me . I love this little saw in the garden and around the grounds. It is what it is, but it isn't a toy...It's a tool to do a job 

[ladylake]

  Since this thread started in 2008 I know a lot of people who have switched over to Echo saws and they like them, Stihl quality is headed downhill.   Steve

[Phil_Oz]

i have a chance to buy a ms170 from our local dealer wicth is also my cousin for only $230  i just want to kow how good they work ???

Mine cost me $31 Aus for a replacement piston and ring. My mate was too hard on it and gave it to me . I love this little saw in the garden and around the grounds. It is what it is, but it isn't a toy...It's a tool to do a job

I have an MS170. Around 4 years now. I love that little saw. Cost now is AUD$249 ($299 when I bought mine, with sharpener kit).
I thought it would be a toy, only suited to the pruning that I got it for - but it is much better than that - I use it on small firewood 4 inch and even larger. As long as you work to the limitations of the saw (31cc I think and thin chain), it is a light, easy to use and surprisingly capable little saw.

[Inaotherlife]

Heck, I cut 8 or 10 inch logs with my 2511T if that's what I got in my hands. I'm sure it's every bit as good and most likely better than the more expensive MS150.

I like my 361P and sure don't think a 201 is worth 3 or 400 more.

I do think the Stihl 241 is probably worth the difference over a CS-400 if you pay the usual $300 price tag. But only if you're comfortable spending the 520 plus tax that the 241 commands. That's really the only new Stihl saw that I dream of having.

As far as the lesser rear handle saws. I don't really know because I haven't used them enough to know.
The 310 and 352 are plenty light, but a bit chunky.
Don't think I'd buy a 170 but might try a 180.
I'd love to find a minty old rear handle version in the 3450 or 346.
And if you can overlook the made in china thing, the little Makitas look like pretty good saws if a tad heavy.

They'll probably all cut some very large stuff if you've got the time.

[Air Lad]

Heck, I cut 8 or 10 inch logs with my 2511T if that's what I got in my hands. I'm sure it's every bit as good and most likely better than the more expensive MS150.

I like my 361P and sure don't think a 201 is worth 3 or 400 more.

I do think the Stihl 241 is probably worth the difference over a CS-400 if you pay the usual $300 price tag. But only if you're comfortable spending the 520 plus tax that the 241 commands. That's really the only new Stihl saw that I dream of having.

As far as the lesser rear handle saws. I don't really know because I haven't used them enough to know.
The 310 and 352 are plenty light, but a bit chunky.
Don't think I'd buy a 170 but might try a 180.
I'd love to find a minty old rear handle version in the 3450 or 346.
And if you can overlook the made in china thing, the little Makitas look like pretty good saws if a tad heavy.

They'll probably all cut some very large stuff if you've got the time.

Yep
The 170 was a gift. This little thing  goes great if not pushed too hard
If I would buy something for this application the 180/181 would probably be worth the little extra
Husky and Echo also impress me with their gear
Off topic but the battery gear I use for work is Makita and their battery chainsaws are starting to raise an eyebrow

Cheers

[realzed]

 Since this thread started in 2008 I know a lot of people who have switched over to Echo saws and they like them, Stihl quality is headed downhill.   Steve

Maybe I missed seeing it somewhere - but can I ask in all honesty, are you are an ECHO dealer or representative of the brand?

[Mean Dean]

I bid on a new Stihl 170 at a motorcycle charity auction several years ago and won it. I let it sit for a year never having been started until both of my old large saws died. It has been one excellent saw! I have dropped dozens of  20 inch hardwoods and cut them up. I do take my time so as not to over heat it. First small saw I ever owned and I'm loving the light weight.

[ladylake]

 Since this thread started in 2008 I know a lot of people who have switched over to Echo saws and they like them, Stihl quality is headed downhill.   Steve

Maybe I missed seeing it somewhere - but can I ask in all honesty, are you are an ECHO dealer or representative of the brand?



   Can you honestly say Stihl quality hasn't went downhill in the last 20 years, back then you couldn't buy a low quality  Stihl saw.  I work on saws and have run most .  Steve

[wild262]

          Its a gamble with all brands of homeowner saws.  There not meant to be used hard every day as a pro saw, but some do, and and hold up well.  Much has to do with the user sometimes more than anything else.  How there used, maintained, and stored.   There alittle less forgiving than pro saws in general.   You pay more for a pro saw and they tend to take more abuse than a homeowner before they fail. And are easier to rebuild as a rule.  I've always preferred the middle class or semi-pro models.  You seem to get the best of both classes with longevity, and features.   If I lived in town and needed a saw just once in awhile, it would be a battery saw.  A lot of problems with fuel and storage don't apply to those. 

[Inaotherlife]

I wonder how an Echo 3450, 345, 346 compares, power-wise, to a Stihl 170, 171, or even a 193c.
I was thinking on buying one as I thought it would make a decent carving saw, or at least something I could experiment with a 1/4 pitch bar and chain on. Some of the parts interchange with my 361P, which is a little bigger, heavier, and more powerful. I like the 361P for general cutting of logs and limbs with the tall short bar. 
But I figured the older, smaller, lighter rear handled saw would be nice for more detailed work. And didn't really want to spend four bills on a 193c.

I know it's more cc's, which is how most people would want to classify them. But I'd be more inclined to group it by size and weight.

[realzed]

Maybe I missed seeing it somewhere - but can I ask in all honesty, are you are an ECHO dealer or representative of the brand?



  Can you honestly say Stihl quality hasn't went downhill in the last 20 years, back then you couldn't buy a low quality  Stihl saw.  I work on saws and have run most .  Steve

Possibly - Stihl has models which by some could be considered lower quality than the rest of the most of their really good line saws and other equipment - I assume the thinking or reasoning on their part being, why should they just leave it up to Husqvarna to provide some cheap alternatives to brands like Echo to compete against, for the Big Box store and local corner hardware walk-in purchasers, you know.. those that demand and need 'bargain-basement' pricing above all else, for that obvious market that exists there..
But you never answered my question.. for all of the brand flogging, do you actually sell these things or are you just continually waving the flag so it gets you better pricing somewhere?  

[millwright]

I've had a 170 for about 5 years to use around the sawmill, it's a great little saw that gets used every day. When I bought it, it was less than 160 dollars and came with extra chain and 6 pack of sthil oil. Pretty good but I think

[ladylake]

.
Possibly - Stihl has models which by some could be considered lower quality than the rest of the most of their really good line saws and other equipment - I assume the thinking or reasoning on their part being, why should they just leave it up to Husqvarna to provide some cheap alternatives to brands like Echo to compete against, for the Big Box store and local corner hardware walk-in purchasers, you know.. those that demand and need 'bargain-basement' pricing above all else, for that obvious market that exists there..
But you never answered my question.. for all of the brand flogging, do you actually sell these things or are you just continually waving the flag so it gets you better pricing somewhere?  



No I don't sell Echo saws except for a few used one to some of my sawmill customers who use them and like them.  My gripe with Stihl is that they are using their name to sell low quality machines to make a lot of money right now.  That name is going down hill. Yes they do make good over priced pro saws.   Steve

[Magicman]

I've had a 170 for about 5 years to use around the sawmill, it's a great little saw that gets used every day. When I bought it, it was less than 160 dollars and came with extra chain and 6 pack of sthil oil. Pretty good but I think

I bought the same saw 3 years ago; saw, extra chain, oil, and taxes out the door for less than $200.  Three pulls cold and one pull for the rest of the day doing it's job as my "sawmill saw".  I have no idea what "low quality" would mean because I could not ask for anything lighter, handier, or more reliable.

[lxskllr]

.
 Yes they do make good over priced pro saws.   Steve

I see people call Stihl overpriced fairly regularly. I'm not familiar with the entire lines of saws from the different companies, but for kicks, I compared the price of the 362cm I bought with the Husky 562xp. Both are $760 with a 20" bar, and with Stihl, it comes with a superior B&C. I suppose an argument can be made that both are high, but when you command the market, you command the price. The world's pretty much Stihl and Husky with a bunch of also-rans. The also-rans play with price to collect the crumbs from Stihl and Husky, and you may or may not have dealer support. If you travel or move, you may or may not find support fwhen you need it. Around here. Stihl is everywhere, with Husky following, but not terribly hard to find a shop. Echo has a pretty good presence, and my local hardware store is a full service shop, but I don't know how common that is.
Aside from a quick throwaway saw I needed in an emergency, echo is the only one I'd consider that aren't the big two. I have no idea where I'd get any other saw around here.
Oh, and the echo 620p is ~$550. Similar to the saws I mentioned, and a couple hundred less. Probably a good choice if there's a good shop close by. I'll let others argue on the quality of running them for professional use. I'm pretty happy with my cs400 as a non pro.

[ladylake]

 When you take a saw apart and work on it you can see the quality or lack of it.  Steve

[lil171]

While not am MS170, I do have a MS171. I just bought it this fall for cutting a few pieces of wood here and there. I have used it for about an hour overall so far and I must say that it is a nice little saw. I do not think I would have been any happier with anything else. The only reason for the MS171 over the MS170 was the easier chain adjusting, quick flip fill caps, better shock absorbtion. And also the fact that I knew nothing about chainsaws and my dad told me I was only buying one saw once so but the better one now. And no, he does not know much either. And also to note, I immediately upgraded the standard .043 bar and chain to a .050 bar and chain. 

[Bosco]

I got a like new non running ms180 off the craigslist, after a carb cleaning it is like new! my ol lady loved it and ran out and bought a ms170 thinking it was the same, After running both saws side by side there is NO comparison, the 180 cuts circles around a 170! I gave a Cnote for the 180 and she gave 150 and change for the 170.

[Ivan49]

I have a MS 170 and an MS 180 have had both for years and they are good saws. Mine got hard to start so I took one in with no change in the starting. I looked on line and tore into the 180 cleaned the exhaust screen new plug new gas line. I tried to start it today and after it primed itself by pulling. It now starts on the 3rd pull cold. I used both of these saws on my sawmill for years. I also have an MS 290 and that one was bought in the early 2000. It has never gave me any problems in all that time

[Air Lad]

I have a MS 170 and an MS 180 have had both for years and they are good saws. Mine got hard to start so I took one in with no change in the starting. I looked on line and tore into the 180 cleaned the exhaust screen new plug new gas line. I tried to start it today and after it primed itself by pulling. It now starts on the 3rd pull cold. I used both of these saws on my sawmill for years. I also have an MS 290 and that one was bought in the early 2000. It has never gave me any problems in all that time

The spark screen can get clogged on these. Will start/run but bog down on acceleration .Easy fix.
Mine had a choke that wasn't closing fully when needed .Took 12 pulls to start cold
Easy fix to make the lever push it fully over. Like new now
Google these problems and video solutions. Very common these two
Cheers

[Fulcrum156]

• Ematic™ Lubrication System
  The Ematic™ guide bar, when used with STIHL OILOMATIC® saw chain, will provide proper lubrication and less oil consumption than conventional methods. The system works because two ramps, strategically placed in the guide bar rail, help contain the flow of oil and direct all lubrication to the sliding faces of the bar and chain links as well as the rivets and driver holes, which in turn can reduce bar oil consumption up to 50%.

is this feature any good? Do all the MS 170 have this feature or only the, say more recent ones? This thread has been started in 2008, looks like the MS 170 has been around for plenty of time already.

[bluthum]

I got one about 1.5 years ago and the only complaint I have is it seems stingy with the oil. I don't know if it's ematic or not. I took it back to the dealer and the service guy said they were oil stingy and he thought mine normal. I've not noted any wear issues with bar or chain so I suppose everything is good. Tiny chain needs tiny oil perhaps.