Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hey there all, im looking to get a chainsaw just to do minor trimming around the house. I was looking at the Stihl Ms 170 are you able to tell me if this is good, or please just point me in the right direction of what to get.

Take a look at the small Echo saws. 

I own a CS346 which is no longer made.  They have a CS341 that is similar and a couple other great little saws that cut very well.   Avoid the smaller Husky 100 series saws.  They're made by Poulan but charge Husky prices. 

Echo and Stihl are both good.

With Stihl though, I'd go with minimum MS200 for power and durability. Once you start cutting, you will want to do more.

I have the Stihl MS250 -- very pleased with it. 

Echo, Stihl, Husqvarna, Jonsered, Efco, Dolmar are all good brands.

Incidentally I have used an MS-170 and found it to be a nice saw.  I did not buy one, however - I went with an echo.

For small saws I like / prefer Echo because you're getting the 300 hour rated professional grade engine in all the saws.  The CS-370 and CS-400 are great, proven saws.  The new CS-352 looks to be a further improvement.  The lower end Stihls and Huskys are oftentimes consumer-grade, being a stihl or husqvarna in name mostly.  At the high-end (pro level), Stihl and Husky are "it" (though echo is working hard to compete in the 60cc range with the CS-600P - an excellent saw)

Chainsaws will generally spark a massive debate as people are super passionate about them, but for general homeowner use, ANY of the above will be fine and WAY better than the cheapie saws.

I agree its almost a religious debate, but the one saw I like is my 14" echo, very easy to start after 15 years, and its so light that you would feel comfortable using it even if you were in a tree cutting branches. Have other echo equipment too; the hall mark of all of them is lightness for the function/power.

I am very partial to huskys I have a Husqvarna 40 it is over 20 years old and runs like a top works good.. I think husky or stihl myself

Santaclause wrote:
Small 100 series saws labeled as Husqvarna are built by Poulan.  Compared to Echo saws in the same size range, they are much heavier and offer nothing in return for the weight. 

I own a couple large 1980s Jonsereds (same as Husqvarna other than colour) and an Echo CS346.   The Jonsereds cut big wood all day long but they're the last thing I'd want for cutting brush or limbing.   That's why I bought the little Echo.  Very light, plenty strong, easy starting and good running.  Mine has a 16" bar which is a bit long for the 33.4 ccs.  However, even with that size bar, in a pinch, it will cut big wood.  Not the most inexpensive saw but certainly worth the money.