Got a Stihl MS 180 C for Christmas

[Rusty99]

Back in Fall I was seriously shopping around for my first Chain saw. I had pretty much decided on gettting a MS 260 but the cost was too much ($600 CND). So I was going to hold off the big purchase till spring time.

So for Christmas my father in law bought me a Stihl MS 180. A great gift and I was totally blown away. However its about 20cc less than I had wanted.

Here's the Dilema:It was bought on Sale and came with a case and extra chain (Stihl Fall Promo that ended Nov 30)

If I return it to the shop they only have a MS 250 or MS 290 in stock and I can pay the difference and keep the case and extra chain...

If I really want the MS 260 I get the non sale price and lose the case and extra chain. I Don't mind paying the extra $$ for a better saw, but don't want to give up the case ($40) and extra chain and pay more again to get a case...

I'm a ocassional/homeowner user for cutting fire wood... What do I do???

Whats your opinion of the MS 250? compared to the MS 260 (professinal grade). The MS 290 seems too heavy but will consider it.

I welcome your comments :monkey:

 

[blsnelling]

I'd love to have a 180. However, it's way too small for an only saw IMHO. It is not a "firewood saw". The 250 would be a good compromise if you don't want to spend the dough on the 260.

 

[davefr]

Back in Fall I was seriously shopping around for my first Chain saw. I had pretty much decided on gettting a MS 260 but the cost was too much ($600 CND). So I was going to hold off the big purchase till spring time.

So for Christmas my father in law bought me a Stihl MS 180. A great gift and I was totally blown away. However its about 20cc less than I had wanted.

Here's the Dilema:It was bought on Sale and came with a case and extra chain (Stihl Fall Promo that ended Nov 30)

If I return it to the shop they only have a MS 250 or MS 290 in stock and I can pay the difference and keep the case and extra chain...

If I really want the MS 260 I get the non sale price and lose the case and extra chain. I Don't mind paying the extra $$ for a better saw, but don't want to give up the case ($40) and extra chain and pay more again to get a case...

I'm a ocassional/homeowner user for cutting fire wood... What do I do???

Whats your opinion of the MS 250? compared to the MS 260 (professinal grade). The MS 290 seems too heavy but will consider it.

I welcome your comments :monkey:

IMHO it's a no brainer. Get the MS260 and forget about the chain and case. I've never understood the purpose of a case other then to keep the saw clean during storage. Just use a garbage bag. A loop of chain is about $10 at Bailey's.

However the MS260 is a great saw that will last you a long time if properly cared for. Get what you really want and you won't regret it.

 

[Rusty99]

So if your choice was between the MS 250 and MS 290 what would you pick? What are the pros and cons of these saws?

Rusty

 

[davefr]

So if your choice was between the MS 250 and MS 290 what would you pick? What are the pros and cons of these saws?

Rusty

They're two different classes of saw. (2.2 vs 2.8 KW output, 10lb vs 13lb weight). Both are consumer grade.

If you're wood is small and soft, I'd lean towards MS250. If your cutting is larger size and/or hardwood then the MS290.

 

[KMB]

So if your choice was between the MS 250 and MS 290 what would you pick? What are the pros and cons of these saws?

Rusty

For your use:

I'm a ocassional/homeowner user for cutting fire wood...

I would go with the 290 with 18" bar and .325 pitch, .063 chain.

Kevin

 

[blsnelling]

What's the price on the 250, 290, and 260? It's hard to argue with a poll of >150 people. LINK. The 290 is 29* heavier than the 250, so buy what you need. The 290 can be pushed to use a 20" bar if need, although more at home with something a little shorter. I don't think you'll want more than 16", or at the most 18" with a 250.

 

[Rusty99]

Here's the prices in Canadian Dollars

MS 250 $430 CND
MS 290 $450 CND
MS 260 $600 CND

Small Difference in Price btwn the MS 250 and 290 only $20 for 11 more cc but the MS 290 weights 3 Pounds more.:monkey:

 

[DarylB]

Here's the prices in Canadian Dollars

MS 250 $430 CND
MS 290 $450 CND
MS 260 $600 CND

Small Difference in Price btwn the MS 250 and 290 only $20 for 11 more cc but the MS 290 weights 3 Pounds more.:monkey:

Buy a used 038 (Daryl has one for sale!). ~15lbs, 61cc, and can pull a 20" Bar with ease

 

[Rusty99]

Well it looks like I'm going to be getting the MS 260 once the dealer can confirm that it has a decompression valve.

He doesn't have a 260 in stock so he's not 100% sure, although he's 99% sure it does, contrary to what the stihl website says.

I'm looking at doing a 16" B&C set for .325 pitch. But was considering a 18" B&C.

Any thoughts

 

[blsnelling]

If it's a Pro it'll have the deco, otherwise it will not. If not, all you have to do is pull the plug from the plastic, remove the threaded plug from the cylinder and thread in a new deco. There's really no need for one on a little 50cc saw, seriously.

 

[bcorradi]

Yeah I would have thought that too, but I believe the models/options are different in canada. By looking at their website the only two models they offer is the regular MS260 and the MS260 Arctic
Stihl Canada's Pro Saw Lineup
I assume the arctic has both the decompression valve and the adj oiler. I'm not sure if your able to get those options on the non arctic. There isn't enough information on their website to give you the whole picture of what is std vs what is available as options on each of the models.

 

[peter399]

So if your choice was between the MS 250 and MS 290 what would you pick? What are the pros and cons of these saws?

Rusty

If you own a boat, I would get the 290. If not, go for the 250.

 

[blsnelling]

Didn't know that.

I still say the deco and adjstable oiler are not needed. So just get the MS260 and run it. If you want them, you can buy and install them on any 260. The cases are the same with the hole for the adjustable oiler. The plastic and cylinder are the same to add the deco.

 

[bcorradi]

I agree the oiler output on the non adj. oiler is plenty adequate and comparable to the adj. oiler turned all the way up. The only slight benefit of the adj oiler is its not releasing oil without the clutch being engaged.

 

[Rusty99]

If you own a boat, I would get the 290. If not, go for the 250.

what does "if you own a boat", mean maybe I'm not up on all the lingo?

Anyways I called Stihl Canada Suppliers and they seem to have contradictory info in there 2007 Catalogue vs webstite

Catologue says: 260 and 260 Artic has decompression valve

Website say: 260 Artic only has decompression valve,

So I called the customer service line and the guy was also thrown off by this, so he dble checked and says that the website is correct.

So then the local dealer gets back to me 5 min ago. Says that the guy at the warehouse looked at a regular 260 and it has a decompression valve. :monkey:

Wish I could get a straight answer on this.

So then I just called another different local stihl dealer that has a 260 in stock. He pulled it off the self and confirmed it has a decompression valve on it.

Strange:greenchainsaw:

 

[bcorradi]

what does "if you own a boat", mean maybe I'm not up on all the lingo?

Anyways I called Stihl Canada Suppliers and they seem to have contradictory info in there 2007 Catalogue vs webstite

Catologue says: 260 and 260 Artic has decompression valve

Website say: 260 Artic only has decompression valve,

So I called the customer service line and the guy was also thrown off by this, so he dble checked and says that the website is correct.

So then the local dealer gets back to me 5 min ago. Says that the guy at the warehouse looked at a regular 260 and it has a decompression valve. :monkey:

Wish I could get a straight answer on this.

So then I just called another different local stihl dealer that has a 260 in stock. He pulled it off the self and confirmed it has a decompression valve on it.

Strange:greenchainsaw:

Don't mind peter's 290 comment...he considers them to be boat anchors that have no practical use. He has never ever seen nor ran one so his comments can be taken with a grain of salt. This also contradicts what other practical people have said that have actually used the saw and it is the best selling stihl chainsaw.

Ok...once you get that figured out you still need to find the answer to the adj. oiler question if you care.

 

[joatmon]

Brad, thanks for the heads up!

If you own a boat, I would get the 290. If not, go for the 250.

Hi there folks, my name is Joat,
And I don’t even own a boat,

Now Peter, Peter you have no shame,
For your shortcoming, oh-twenty-nine to blame?

I have a Stihl, an oh-twenty-nine,
Starts and cuts each and every time,

I once has a Husky three seventy-two,
After the oh-twenty-nine, it wouldn’t do,

Then I bought a Husky three-nine-oh,
After the oh-twenty-nine, it felt so-so,

I moved to the King, the six-six-oh,
After the oh-twenty-nine, I said no-no,

I even tried a nice four-four-oh,
But the oh-twenty-nine stole the show,

Yep, I leave the others in the shed,
Take the oh-twenty-nine, enough said?

 

[Rusty99]

Don't mind peter's 290 comment...he considers them to be boat anchors that have no practical use. He has never ever seen nor ran one so his comments can be taken with a grain of salt. This also contradicts what other practical people have said that have actually used the saw and it is the best selling stihl chainsaw.

Ok...once you get that figured out you still need to find the answer to the adj. oiler question if you care.

Hey Bcorradi, thanks for the clarification on the 290 boat reference. I can see what he means, it is a heavy saw but really good bang for your buck with all that power.

Regarding the adjustable oiler: The regualar 260 has an automatic oiler and the 260 artic has an adjustable oiler. Having never owned a saw, I'm not sure what the pros and cons of an adjustable one are?

Anyone else care to chime in on this one?

Cheers Rusty

 

[redwing2]

This is just my 2 cents but I would keep the 180 as a lambing saw as your father in law gave it to you for Christmas. than I would save up for that 260 you want since you were going to buy in the spring anyway.That way you have 2 saws. ( unless your planing on getting a divorce than go ahead and dump the saw and get a 361)