STIHL The Official Stihl Chainsaws Thread

[Partner]

No changes for now still skinny

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I'll probably get a 250 carb for it at some point. This is the fourth chainsaw I can remember Dad owning. Previous ones included an ancient blue Homie XL-12 (caught fire, I think), circa 1983 Homie Super 2 (toughest saw I've ever seen, finally died when somebody backed a tractor over it in the 2000's), and cheapo Poulan 1950 (lost in house fire courtesy of wack job stepmom).

 

[Partner]

modified, the 170/180 can run with a stock 250

And what are these modifications?

 

[lehman live edge slab]

And what are these modifications?

Seems most people do a muffler mod and timing advance with the little bigger 025 carb just. I had one not sure if it would run with a 025/250 but maybe. Guess if pulling down completely you could work the intake and exhaust port some.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

And what are these modifications?

Covered above…but a basic muffler mod does most of it.

 

[Sloughfoot]

Swapping to a carb with screws is easy as a slight bend on the throttle linkage and poking 2holes. One for H and L in the cover and one for LA/idle in the handle.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Thanks. I'll probably get a 250 carb for it at some point. This is the fourth chainsaw I can remember Dad owning. Previous ones included an ancient blue Homie XL-12 (caught fire, I think), circa 1983 Homie Super 2 (toughest saw I've ever seen, finally died when somebody backed a tractor over it in the 2000's), and cheapo Poulan 1950 (lost in house fire courtesy of wack job stepmom).

I got a free ms180 a few years ago . I had an Ace down the street and asked what a rebuild kit for the Stihl carb was ;$23.00 then the tech told me a new carb was 25.00 ! Haha through a new carb on it.

 

[heimannm]

I got my new 500i today, somehow I thought it would be bigger.



Mark

 

[FergusonTO35]

I got my new 500i today, somehow I thought it would be bigger.

View attachment 488692

Mark

Yeah, but look at how much you'll save on fuel. I cut hundreds of trees with my Poulan Micro as a kid without using a single gallon. Just had to keep pulling the recoil string out for about 5 seconds of chain movement!

On a semi-related note, today I used the free MS-170 to cut up some limbs that fell into the yard. Mostly just kindling size, the biggest was about six inches diameter. With a sharp chain, the 170 actually cuts really well. Certainly as good as any other 30cc saw I have tried, including my MS-192 and Echo CS-303T. The oiler is surprisingly effective and keeps the 16" bar and chain sticky no problem. In fact, it seems to put out about as much as my MS-250 with high output oil pump. Even though the saw has a fixed carb, if anything it sounds rich to my ears.

I'm actually kind of impressed with the 170, or at least my particular example. For a saw that was usually under 2 bills new it seems to be decent quality and performs well. Also made in the USA, albeit with alot of inevitable Chicom parts. I also noticed that it feels pretty lightweight even compared to other little saws and the anti-vibration system works acceptably well. Considering that most of my saw use is with smaller saws anyway I think I'll keep it.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Yeah, but look at how much you'll save on fuel. I cut hundreds of trees with my Poulan Micro as a kid without using a single gallon. Just had to keep pulling the recoil string out for about 5 seconds of chain movement!

On a semi-related note, today I used the free MS-170 to cut up some limbs that fell into the yard. Mostly just kindling size, the biggest was about six inches diameter. With a sharp chain, the 170 actually cuts really well. Certainly as good as any other 30cc saw I have tried, including my MS-192 and Echo CS-303T. The oiler is surprisingly effective and keeps the 16" bar and chain sticky no problem. In fact, it seems to put out about as much as my MS-250 with high output oil pump. Even though the saw has a fixed carb, if anything it sounds rich to my ears.

I'm actually kind of impressed with the 170, or at least my particular example. For a saw that was usually under 2 bills new it seems to be decent quality and performs well. Also made in the USA, albeit with alot of inevitable Chicom parts. I also noticed that it feels pretty lightweight even compared to other little saws and the anti-vibration system works acceptably well. Considering that most of my saw use is with smaller saws anyway I think I'll keep it.

Open up the muffler and it will really impress you.

 

[Sloughfoot]

Yeah, but look at how much you'll save on fuel. I cut hundreds of trees with my Poulan Micro as a kid without using a single gallon. Just had to keep pulling the recoil string out for about 5 seconds of chain movement!

On a semi-related note, today I used the free MS-170 to cut up some limbs that fell into the yard. Mostly just kindling size, the biggest was about six inches diameter. With a sharp chain, the 170 actually cuts really well. Certainly as good as any other 30cc saw I have tried, including my MS-192 and Echo CS-303T. The oiler is surprisingly effective and keeps the 16" bar and chain sticky no problem. In fact, it seems to put out about as much as my MS-250 with high output oil pump. Even though the saw has a fixed carb, if anything it sounds rich to my ears.

I'm actually kind of impressed with the 170, or at least my particular example. For a saw that was usually under 2 bills new it seems to be decent quality and performs well. Also made in the USA, albeit with alot of inevitable Chicom parts. I also noticed that it feels pretty lightweight even compared to other little saws and the anti-vibration system works acceptably well. Considering that most of my saw use is with smaller saws anyway I think I'll keep it.

I've got a ms180 that I bought new 20 years ago. Pretty much the same thing as a 170. Recently picked up a cheap ms210 locally on CL and got it running. The 210 does have more zip with 5 more CCs but is noticeably heavier. I'll sell it and keep the 180.

 

[Partner]

I got my new 500i today, somehow I thought it would be bigger.

View attachment 488692

Mark

You will need a longer chain guide

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Yeah, but look at how much you'll save on fuel. I cut hundreds of trees with my Poulan Micro as a kid without using a single gallon. Just had to keep pulling the recoil string out for about 5 seconds of chain movement!

On a semi-related note, today I used the free MS-170 to cut up some limbs that fell into the yard. Mostly just kindling size, the biggest was about six inches diameter. With a sharp chain, the 170 actually cuts really well. Certainly as good as any other 30cc saw I have tried, including my MS-192 and Echo CS-303T. The oiler is surprisingly effective and keeps the 16" bar and chain sticky no problem. In fact, it seems to put out about as much as my MS-250 with high output oil pump. Even though the saw has a fixed carb, if anything it sounds rich to my ears.

I'm actually kind of impressed with the 170, or at least my particular example. For a saw that was usually under 2 bills new it seems to be decent quality and performs well. Also made in the USA, albeit with alot of inevitable Chicom parts. I also noticed that it feels pretty lightweight even compared to other little saws and the anti-vibration system works acceptably well. Considering that most of my saw use is with smaller saws anyway I think I'll keep it.

They’re a very nice little saw and are very durable for a clamshell, I know several people that cut 5-6 chords of burn pit/shack firewood each year and have been doing that to a 170 for 10 years or more. You’d actually be surprised how small the amount of Chinese parts are in one especially major components like cranks and cylinders ect.