Just when you think you have narrowed your saw purchase down!!!

[blis]

I really don't understand what some folks here have against the MS250! Mine has been a damn good saw and I have no complaints with it at all. It starts easily, runs good and has plenty of power for my needs. Mine has a 16" bar running RS chain, and it rips right thru elm up to length of the bar with no trouble at all. Have not had a moment's grief with it. I'd have no problem recommending it to a friend!

The problem with ms250 is that its HEAVY got tons of vibes and generally is old design with many flaws and for the same money you could get alot better husky...

The stihls just dont compare to huskies in 50cc class...

 

[Indiana John]

The problem with ms250 is that its HEAVY got tons of vibes and generally is old design with many flaws and for the same money you could get alot better husky...

The stihls just dont compare to huskies in 50cc class...

Heavy?!?! Compared to what? Doesn't seem heavy to me, but then I'm used to swinging around an old 041. :hmm3grin2orange: And as far as vibration? Hasn't been an issue to me, (and I've got carpal tunnel!) Maybe on some of the earlier saws (mine is 11 months old), but I sure haven't seen it.

 

[Erick]

Most of the stuff is split and about 24" to 30" long. I use mainly 10" to 13" pieces of wood that burn good. I hope this gives you a better idea of what I am looking for.

Most split wood is around 8" I'm sure some might be 10" but then again some might be 6" maybe even 4". Eight seemed like a nice round number to get my point across, apparently it went over.

 

[Erick]

His original post;

I am new to the forum. I am looking at buying a new saw. I cut mostly truck loads of firewood that comes by the truck load and has to be cut to our certain sizes. Some also has to be split. I am lookign to replace my 14" saw I have now. (It is a Poulan). I wondered if anyone has these saws and if you like them or not. The Echo seems lighter to me. The cost is $199.99 and for $45.00 you get a case, quart of Echo bar oil, and a spare chain. The Stihl Ms180CBE seems a little heavier (about a pound or two), and is $229.00. For $30.00 you get the case and all itmes chains, files, etc is 50% off when you buy with the saw. I wondered about the starting of these saws. The Echo has the bulb primer, the Stihl has the quick adjust and the E-Z start. I wondered also about the fuel cap and the oil cap if they leaked at all or not. The Echo has good gripping caps with rubber seals on them. The Stihl seems like regular round type caps. Please let me know what you know about these saws and if there are anythings I should look out for. I am staying with Stihl and Echo as they both would be from Servicing dealers close to me. A Husky dealer is a lot further away from me. I am also looking for this saw to sometimes be used by my wife if need be and that is another reason for me picking these two. Also the consumer reports gave these good ratings. Thank You for your help. Cord Cutter.

 

[Erick]

And some more backround info.

I am looking at homeowner because I do not need a bigger more durable saw. I cut up our firewood at home so I really do not need a pro saw. Years ago we used to heat strickly by wood when we lived in Pa, but now we just use to to suplement our heat. Thbaks for the reply though. I really am just looking at the lower end saws. Cord Cutter.

 

[maccall]

The problem with ms250 is that its HEAVY got tons of vibes and generally is old design with many flaws and for the same money you could get alot better husky...

The stihls just dont compare to huskies in 50cc class...

You're right, only it's the other way around: The MS250 has the same power as the 350, but is lighter (4.6kg) than the 340/345/350 (4.7/4.8kg). And vibe's not bad, not compared to my 020...

Don't know about your other arguments though, they might be valid.

And all of us (me 2), aren't we getting really close to hijacking this tread now..? General brand/model war instead of some good advice for the OP..?

 

[maccall]

The MS250 has the same power as the 350

Oh darn, my mistake, not in the states, it seems to loose 0.1 HP on the long sea journey, wich makes it not as powerful as the 350.

I like mine anyway.

 

[Just Mow]

I know people that run the Echo's and like them, my only complaint is they feel like toys to me. I was looking at the top handle saws and was afraid I would break the brake handle just engaging it?
Andy

If you could get it to engage, also the oiler runs constantly, yes, constantly so oil is getting on you even at idle. They look like toys made to be sold in a toy store (HD).

 

[Just Mow]

The problem with ms250 is that its HEAVY got tons of vibes and generally is old design with many flaws and for the same money you could get alot better husky...

The stihls just dont compare to huskies in 50cc class...

No they are actually better

 

[computeruser]

Cord Cutter, where in IN are you? Before you commit to buying something, you ought to come to Eric's get-together on January 27th and try out some of these saws in actual cutting duty before you buy one. The Info Is HERE.

Unless we get some sort of blizzard and I decide against the five-hour trip from MI, I'll bring a 34cc Echo with me and can probably bum a 30cc Echo to bring along if you'd like. I'm also planning on bringing an 026Pro (MS260 Pro), so you could get a sense of what a 50cc saw will do. Bump_R might also be coming, and he suggested he might bring an MS170 and Husqvarna 350, too.

Some actual hands-on experience beats a hundred questions and answers on a discussion board any day.

 

[zemmo]

Don't have a bad word to say about the 250, never run one, I have run a 280, and an 026, I'll take a 350 over either one!!! Can't wait to run the 5100!!
I had a 390 for a while, nice saw, I just needed more and ran a pro Husky of the same size, it was over after that for me!!
Andy

I cut with a buddy who has an MS 250 (which he's not very happy with), and we both agree that my 350 grunts thru 17" oak much better. And, like Andy says, the 350 has a decomp button, and is really easy to start, my 5100 is a lot harder to pull when cold.

 

[SawTroll]

No they are actually better

.......Far from true, the Husky 350 is a lot better saw than the MS250,

.......but weight is not one of the weak points of the 250, Blis - maybe you are thinking of the 029/290???????

You are right about the other ones though.......

The problem with ms250 is that its HEAVY got tons of vibes and generally is old design with many flaws and for the same money you could get alot better husky...

The stihls just dont compare to huskies in 50cc class...

The MS250 have lots of wibes, and a bad air filter system - and an overwhelming feel of cheap plastic..........

 

[Lakeside53]

..but remember... they've been made for 12 years (including the 025) and just keep running and running and running... I guess that "cheap feel" is subjective...

 

[SawTroll]

..but remember... they've been made for 12 years (including the 025) and just keep running and running and running... I guess that "cheap feel" is subjective...

That may be true, but I just don't like them.....

..and it is not news, as i think I have said so since I joined here.......:biggrinbounce2:

 

[Erick]

Me thinks this thread has been hijacked.

 

[blis]

Me thinks this thread has been hijacked.

 

[zemmo]

Me thinks this thread has been hijacked.

Yeah, sorry about my part. It might have been better if he'd continued on with the old thread, since a lot of us didn't follow/remember it. Oh well.

 

[bytehoven]

I must say I appreciate the way some of the AS saw question threads evolve.

When I 1st visited AS, such escalating discussions helped me understand I might be best served by (2) saws... a nice light 30cc and a wood devouring 59cc.

IMHO, if Cordcutter gets the 170/180 now and something bigger down the road, he will have a wonderful combo to handle almost anything that would not require professional assistance.

 

[PA Plumber]

Cord Cutter, where in IN are you? Before you commit to buying something, you ought to come to Eric's get-together on January 27th and try out some of these saws in actual cutting duty before you buy one. The Info Is HERE.

Unless we get some sort of blizzard and I decide against the five-hour trip from MI, I'll bring a 34cc Echo with me and can probably bum a 30cc Echo to bring along if you'd like. I'm also planning on bringing an 026Pro (MS260 Pro), so you could get a sense of what a 50cc saw will do. Bump_R might also be coming, and he suggested he might bring an MS170 and Husqvarna 350, too.

Some actual hands-on experience beats a hundred questions and answers on a discussion board any day.

Nice offer computeruser.

I'm sorry to see the Echo CS-346 get kicked to the side so quickly. I have one that is not yet modded and it does fine. Been using it for thinning jobs and lately on the tops of a couple of white oaks. It does fairly well up to about 10" branches. Not a screamer, but gets the job done.

 

[SawTroll]

ever run one, or is this just a feeling?
I realize they aren't the greatest thing out there, but they do cut very well for their size.
-Ralph

Yes 2x250c......runnng and serviceing
- not good at all.........:biggrinbounce2: