$160 - MS170 or JRed 2240

[JW51]

Been looking for a cheap, lightweight, backup saw to my MS362CM. Really intending to find a used saw, but used prices of anything decent keep forcing me back to the sale Stihl has right now on the 170 @ $159.

Now I see someone is selling on the auction site, new 2240 for $160. Apparently they are marked R so they can’t have a warranty, but are actually brand new. (Who knows if that’s true).

My thoughts:

MS170 - Tons of dealer support in my area. Not that it’s the most awesomest saw ever, but I’ve seen some decent results with the muffler mod and adjustable carb. Would really like to find a used for less than $100 but have to jump quick when those come around and I haven’t been there yet. $160 for a saw sounds pretty nice.

Jonsered - 2240 - more displacement for same $ seems like a no brainer, but I’ve also read these have a cheesy clutch. Dealer support for Husqvarna is extremely limited in my area and will be zero for an eBay saw, but I’m not overly concerned about that. More interested in real world experience from folks that own one. Not super excited about the tool-less chain adjuster setup. As with the 170, I’d probably do whatever muffler mod and carb adjust as need and suggested by others.

Intended uses for this purchase:

2nd saw to cut me out of a jam. Thinning about 4 million <6” maples from my wooded property. Occasional cleanup for down limbs and other small jobs. But if I’m honest with myself, I will probably end up using it beyond the design limits of a 30-40cc saw. Just my nature to push things a bit.

Anyone have a strong feeling which way you’d go in the same situation? Particularly those of you who aren’t especially brand-loyal?

 

[clemsonfor]

Whatever you want I guess. I jumped
On the Earthquake band wagon when they were hot. I have two a 32 and 45cc. I love them for what they are. A good Piston on cylinder design. Cuts good, tunes well. And I think I have like $35 in the 30cc shipped to my house. Those deals dried up years ago. But my point is that some of the China stuff is decent these days. These are redmax copies so parts are available.

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[dougand3]

That ebay seller with the R saws....There was a whole lotta wailing and gnashing of teeth because some got obviously used saws, as in bought from store, used and then returned. So, be aware. There is a long thread on them - can't remember title but someone will know.

 

[Deleted member 149229]

If you check the feedback there were a bunch of negatives on the 2255, mostly about used saws with broken parts.

 

[champion221elite]

No experience with the Jred 2240, but I do have a MS170. Its a lightweight, handy little saw. Its perfect for light duty limbing, clearing shooting lanes and cutting Christmas trees. I work Nights in a rural area and often carry it with me when its windy. Having it along has saved me many miles of back tracking when there is a tree across the road. I got mine used for $100 back in 2018. My MS170 is a 2017 model and looked like it only had a few tanks of fuel through it. I have zero complaints, and its a solid value. Some folks will advise on upgrading the bar and chain to an .050" gauge instead of the .043" due to breakage. I've never had an issue with the stock .043" chain, but I'm also mindful that its a small, low powered saw and use it for small tasks.

 

[JW51]

I figured the eBay thing might be a little fishy. Seems like that would be tough for them to get away with given eBays rules and such....

I was working alongside a guy with an Ms180 this weekend. I was surprised how well it was cutting. It threw the chain and he had a devil of a time getting it put back together with the silly tool-less chain gadget, but it was a stronger saw than I expected it to be.

 

[clemsonfor]

I figured the eBay thing might be a little fishy. Seems like that would be tough for them to get away with given eBays rules and such....

I was working alongside a guy with an Ms180 this weekend. I was surprised how well it was cutting. It threw the chain and he had a devil of a time getting it put back together with the silly tool-less chain gadget, but it was a stronger saw than I expected it to be.

I had a 270 that was tooless. It's not that bad really. Not sure what his problem was? If you understand it, it's faster than two bar nuts, that said it didn't hold the chain as tight as nuts and I would rather have bar nuts than tooless. But on a baby saw its nice not to have to carry a scrench with you. After all your not doing much serious cutting with a subdivision saw.

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[NSEric]

I went with a Chinese saw to save money, it works fine and would be a good back up. You can get a 50cc Chinese saw cheaper than the 30cc stihl.
The Joncutters from huztl are some of the best Chinese saws going at this point. The 4500 with a short bar would be great for your intended use.

My bud has a ms170 he won in a raffle, its been left at the camp for months and abused, it works great but its a small saw, don't try to use the whole length of the bar often.

 

[s sidewall]

I'm Not a Stihl fan but I'd jump on the 170 if I was you. I wouldn't think about those store bring backs, never know which one got straight gassed then the headaches of getting your money back.

Steve

 

[steved]

I'm Not a Stihl fan but I'd jump on the 170 if I was you. I wouldn't think about those store bring backs, never know which one got straight gassed then the headaches of getting your money back.

Steve

Most of those returns are purposely damaged to get their money back after one use...

The Homelite I have had a couple nuts put in through the spark plug hole and ran to destroy it...I bought it rebuilt from a guy who buys those returns from the big box stores and fixes the damage. It was all but new short the nuts in the cylinder...it has served me well, but I only paid $50; couldn't go too wrong.

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[clemsonfor]

Most of those returns are purposely damaged to get their money back after one use...

The Homelite I have had a couple nuts put in through the spark plug hole and ran to destroy it...I bought it rebuilt from a guy who buys those returns from the big box stores and fixes the damage. It was all but new short the nuts in the cylinder...it has served me well, but I only paid $50; couldn't go too wrong.

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Did that guy make any money!! I mean even paying a few dollars a saw, and making one out of two, you still have the time to do it!!

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[steved]

Did that guy make any money!! I mean even paying a few dollars a saw, and making one out of two, you still have the time to do it!!

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He must have, he sold quite a few of them. He sold quite a few OPE from the box stores just as cheap.

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[s sidewall]

We call those stores free tool rental stores, buy it, use it and return for a full refund. When storm season rolls threw, generator and saws get bought used and returned. Seen too much of that crap. Sometimes find some good bargains that way.

Steve

 

[John Lyngdal]

Personally I'd shop locally for a used saw on CL as compared to eBay. Just a few months ago I picked up a clean MS180 for $50. I would also suggest picking up a compression gauge, just to make sure the piston and cylinder are in good condition. Another option is to look for used rental saws at Home Depot.

 

[cuinrearview]

The teal Makita version of the PS-421 usually sells for around $175 at the tool rental at HD. I also see Husky 350s go between $150 and $200 used. Either one of those is night and day compared to the two throwaway saws you're looking at.

 

[Huskybill]

We call those stores free tool rental stores, buy it, use it and return for a full refund. When storm season rolls threw, generator and saws get bought used and returned. Seen too much of that crap. Sometimes find some good bargains that way.

Steve

In the beginning I purchased two new Sears craftsman saws. I got 20 cords of firewood from the new highway they were logging. Both saws died a week apart. I took them back, sold the wood and purchased huskys. The craftsman saws didn’t make it. One no oil to the bar, the other wouldn’t start. I lost a lot of wood because of them.

You can buy a new Stihl ms170 for $159 at the ace hardware store there on sale for the holiday.

 

[John Lyngdal]

Who made the Sears saws? Right now we're talking about purchasing a used Husky, Stihl, or Dolmar/Makia products.

 

[clemsonfor]

Who made the Sears saws? Right now we're talking about purchasing a used Husky, Stihl, or Dolmar/Makia products.

Used to be poulans, but like all their stuff it changes.

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[s sidewall]

Some where Roper

Steve

 

[Huskybill]

My sears 3.7 was a roper self sharpening,

I just purchased a new looking ms170 doesn’t sound too bad, it won’t win any speed cutting events but for trimming it’s ok. I did change the sprocket to a rim.

I’ve collected a Stihl 170, 290, 041 so far. I have many huskys, but the partners in yellow are attracted me. That little pioneer partner 140 screams.