stihl ms 180?

[hisliptree3]

hi, I'm looking at buying my first chainsaw. Im kind of on a tighter budget but I'm interested in stihl. over all i don't need a pro saw or anything to big, just something for a stand of smaller trees and thinning jobs because I'm on a 6 acre plot with large and small trees. i recently got a look at the stihl ms 180 and my dealer sells it for 200$ does anyone have any comments about this saw and is it a good saw to purchase? ??? or should i go in the 200-350 range for more power?i also like a lighter saw for most jobs. thanks for any replies on the ms 180!

[lumberjack48]

I would go a little bigger, like the MS-250 for $300, the MS290 is about the best for all around use.

[LeeB]

I bought one a couple years ago and it sets on the shelf most of the time. A real waste of money for me. Never has been a good saw. I'm sure others have had better luck with them.

[Ianab]

I've used one that a buddy owns. It's a nice light little saw and we were limbing some cedar logs, worked fine for that.

But you have to remember it's only 30cc, so you don't have a lot of power to play with. OK for pruning and garden type work, but heavier stuff will be slow going.

A few more $$ and CCs like a MS251 or 281 (40 or 45cc) and also gets you into a somewhat better grade of saw.

But pretty much any saw will work as long as you keep oil in it and the chain sharp, so a good sharp MS180 will cut better than ANY saw with a blunt chain.  :D

Ian

[ladylake]

 
In the 30 to 45cc range Dolmar, Echo, Efco, Makita have better build quaity and power for the same money. If stuck on Stihl look at a MS 211.  The Ms290 is heavy.    Steve

[Holmes]

 I have a 180.It has been a great saw. I like it for limbing ,if you keep it sharp it will cut any thing. I also have a 025, and an 029. The 025 was my go to saw until I recently put a new oregon bar and chain on the 029 now it is my go to saw.

[sprucebunny]

I love my 180s and I've tortured them. They last pretty well. One problem I've had is with the bar oil system... it doesn't always work. I like the 210 better but that was changed to being a 211 not long after I bought it. The oil system is much more dependable.
I bought a Dolmar and couldn't get it to start (returned it) and that's my only wander away from Stihl.

[joe_indi]

Well this is a real coincidence!
Yesterday I uploaded a video on YouTube of my Stihl MS180 in action using the new Stihl full chisel PS3 saw chain. If you think a 12" bar length suitable for your need, maybe you should have a look at this video and a more serious look at the MS180
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGopVRElc0o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Joe

[thecfarm]

You should have chaps at the least. Hard hat,eye-hearing protection,steel toe boots. Chaps cost about as much as a co-pay for an emergency room visit.

[beenthere]

Good video. That must be some real tough wood, to leave a rough surface like that. Or is the chain real loose in the bar?

[Al_Smith]

It's just taking a more aggressive bite than the semi chisel .Fact I've got other chisel chain that leaves similar saw marks .

I can't comment about the saw in question because I've never seen one let alone run one .However to using chisel on a small saw there is nothing new to that .Fact 30-35  years ago before 3/8" micro or pico was ever thought of the size was 1/4" for little saws .

Oregon made 1/4" chisel chain in both full and skip configuration and it really made a difference in how little saws cut .Unfortunately a genious by the name of Ralph Nader was instrumental of getting it taken off the market among perhaps dozens of other items including convertable top automobiles to name one .

It's taken this many years for it to reappear once again .I speculate if it proves out that perhaps Oregon and perhaps others might in time follow suit with Stihl if the market warrents it .

Anybody who uses small saws will be pleasently surprised how much easier and faster they run with chisel chain .---but if you don't know how to file a chain either learn or just stay with the semi chisel .

[ALA2]

I BOUGHT A 170 years ago and it has ben a great saw. we cut alot of tops for firewood and it does a good job  . My dad tryed my saw  then  bought a 180 , we have  028,029,041,066,  also for our use
u can cut 12 inch red oak with a 180 and u can cut4 in oak with the 066  each saw  has a  place the more wood u cut the more u will learn wich saw u like to use.

                                         cut safe  al

[clusterbuster75]

Put alot of miles on a ms-180c. I'd recommend it. I have one and an 046. I use the ms-180c way more than my 046, but I have my 046 with 30" bar when required. IMHO, if its your first saw, and you have not done alot of "forestry" you probably shouldn't tackle anything bigger than a ms-180 can handle until you get experience.