walshie 2,804 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Decided to get a chainsaw and after reading a bit about them, I'm going for a Stihl due to the reliability and easy to get parts. There's so many models though. I won't be using it every day, and the largest tree I'll have to cut down is only about a foot diameter. Would the base model (MS170) do or would I need a slightly bigger one like the MS181 or even bigger? Also there seems to be a range of bar lengths for the "domestic" models - 12/14/16". Any info much appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fellman Mark 607 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 I've got the ms170 it has plenty of power to deal with the sizes your on about really good saw for the money I use this over my stilh timber boss on % of my jobs hope this helps thanks 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unlacedgecko 1,466 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 MS170 with 13" guide bar will be fine. Most important thing is learning how to sharpen the chain and maintain the saw. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Chopping trees down.. Few weeks in the sticks and he's already worried about a zombie apocalypse.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxy 617 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Bigger is always better. Big engine. Short bar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
walshie 2,804 Posted April 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Chopping trees down.. Few weeks in the sticks and he's already worried about a zombie apocalypse.. No. I just don't want anywhere the panther can hide. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tillylamp 1,837 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 hi, I have done a lot of tree felling in my time, and logging but I always used Husqvarna's as they are really reliable and well balanced, in my opinion the best saw you can buy, but seeing as you have opted for the stihl I would go for the ms181 for more power than the other, with the 16" bar, better to have it longer when cutting, than shorter, also if you have to rip through a log long ways which has an ugly knot that you cant split with the axe it makes it easier with the longer bar, when I looked at the spec on the saw you are buying it was only 30cc engine, I don't know how much power that will have but the smallest one I had was 44cc engine which was ok with a 14" bar, the art of chainsaws is to keep the chain sharp, if you can keep the wood clean before cutting, avoid hitting the ground, I know this sounds obvious in what I have just said but the amount of times I have sharpened the chain for people because its not cutting well, only for them to dip the tip of the bar in ground on there first cut is believable, hope this helps tl. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dytkos 17,819 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Just buy the one you were gonna get and stop fannying around,you were the same with the socket set lol Cheers, D. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
walshie 2,804 Posted April 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 Just buy the one you were gonna get and stop fannying around,you were the same with the socket set lol Cheers, D. Buy right, buy once. I'm all of a dither now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad4it 695 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 i use the ms170 with 14 bar for almost every thing from felling to cutting logs inclubed cutting fence posts for thick trunks i use a farm boss i also have got a top handle with a 12 bar but you can only buy top handle with a certificeate buy the best you can afford, than learn how to sharpen the chain 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ftm 3,357 Posted April 12, 2015 Report Share Posted April 12, 2015 on the subject of huskys lads im sure the new ones will be like a new car "it has to be plugged in to computer to fault find" just a forest worker was talking about chainsaws other day -billy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hydropotesinermis 724 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 As moxy said, big engine, short bar. You can do most work with a 13 inch bar, when I did my test felling large trees was 2 1/2 times guidebar length, so with a 13 inch bar you can fell a 32.5 inch diameter tree... That's big. A longer bar would make that job easier but when balancing the advantages of the faster rpm of turning a shorter chain, quicker sharpening and better handling for things like snedding and cross cutting I would go shorter any day over longer. I am a Husqvarna man myself so cant comment on Stihl saws but with any saw if you value your muscles especially those in your back learn to sharpen evenly and properly, and do this often, maintain and lubricate fastidiously and a quality saw will last for millions of years. Another tip, the Huskies come with "dogs" fitted, they are like teeth poking out where the bar meets the saw. Not sure if Stihl saws come with them fitted. If the do the very first thing I recommend doing with them is removing and destroying them. f***ing useless cunting creations. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJones 7,975 Posted April 13, 2015 Report Share Posted April 13, 2015 Cut wood, not muslims! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
walshie 2,804 Posted April 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 Got a MS171 with 14" bar. Guy in the shop did a good price, checked it over, filled it with chain oil and petrol, and threw in a visor and gloves. Cuts like a knife through butter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DIDO.1 22,845 Posted April 14, 2015 Report Share Posted April 14, 2015 Iv got a husquvarna...one of the smaller ones....in 2 month the brake has gone and the off switch/lever has broke. I only use it for domestic logs and building hunt jumps. My friend bought a bigger version and it gave up in the first month...the bloke at the shop said he hadn't put oil in but he had...he's used one for forty years and I'd been using the same petrol can and watched him use mix it. If you pick up a husky and a similar model stilh you can see the difference in quality...I'd always buy the stilh. I'm talking from very limited experience with the smaller models. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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