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For anyone wanting a light saw, Stihl MS170

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Backwoods Savage, Apr 14, 2020.

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  1. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    The 170 is on sale now so for those wanting a good light saw, now is the time.

    upload_2020-4-14_10-16-16.png
     
    Backwoods Savage, Apr 14, 2020
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  2. Ralphie Boy

    Ralphie Boy

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    My neighbor just took advantage of that deal.
     
    Ralphie Boy, Apr 14, 2020
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  3. whitey

    whitey

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    I had one and it did most every job I needed.
     
    whitey, Apr 14, 2020
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  4. billb3

    billb3

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    Must be a regional deal as it's not on sale here. Still $179.
    Not that I need one as I have a 180.
     
    billb3, Apr 14, 2020
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  5. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    I always shake my head when I see guys asking $150 and more for used 170's.
    I used my brothers 170 (he got it on the $159 sale) for a while, didn't expect much, but was really impressed!
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 14, 2020
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  6. Woodsnwoods

    Woodsnwoods

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    I have mine setup for carving, runs great fir a little guy
     
    Woodsnwoods, Apr 14, 2020
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  7. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

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    That's a good deal!
     
    ReelFaster, Apr 14, 2020
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  8. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    I see that too on CL & FBM around here. I always laugh! What did you cut with it? Just skinnies/limbs or did you buck bigger wood?
     
    buZZsaw BRAD, Apr 14, 2020
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  9. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Been wanting a small saw for limbing, cutting skinnies etc. Gonna call my Stihl dealer shortly. Maybe self Bday gift. Ill be 52 Saturday! Good "excuse" for my CAD!!! I was thinking more of a 180 based on your recommendation Backwoods Savage
     
    buZZsaw BRAD, Apr 14, 2020
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  10. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    We had dropped a huge oak and I was cutting limbs, but some of them were pretty large!
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 14, 2020
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  11. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    was it stock or had it been modified? Can they be modified? How is the weight compared to a 290/261 etc? Nice and light?
     
    buZZsaw BRAD, Apr 14, 2020
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  12. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Bone stock...way lighter than a 290!
    I'm sure you could mod it, but I personally don't think it would be worth the trouble...
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 14, 2020
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  13. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Congrats on the new saw! :handshake: ;)
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 14, 2020
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  14. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    just called my Stihl dealer and they are honoring the sale. The dealer thought i was nuts when a asked if they carry a 28" bar for it!!! (kidding) Comes with a 16" but i asked for 14".
    brenndatomu what did you like about the saw? Ive gotten into the "pro" saw only mentality with this CAD!
     
    buZZsaw BRAD, Apr 14, 2020
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  15. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Super light and still has enough power to cut like a light saber!
    Chain is very narrow...that has to be the key...
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 14, 2020
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  16. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Chuck a log in the truck, see if your dealer will let you test drive one...
     
    brenndatomu, Apr 14, 2020
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  17. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    20" diameter dead black locust! :saw: Heck ill try and destroy the dang thing!

    I think they have a "test drive" log out front. I mean its not something ill be using all that much compared to my other saws....and i have a tree job coming up where i want/need a lighter saw. I have my little Husky but would prefer a "two handed" saw instead.
     
    buZZsaw BRAD, Apr 14, 2020
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  18. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    I think you'd be happy with either one. I fought getting that saw for a long time but after getting it, it became my go-to saw for all small stuff. Shoot, I even bucked up a 22" red oak with the 180.

    As for weight, you will be amazed how light they are and that is why I use ours so often. It is easier on my back.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Apr 14, 2020
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  19. Horkn

    Horkn

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    I haven't used an MS 170, but I have used a newer ms211cbe. I wouldn't recommend the "easy adjust chain tensioner" whatever that letter equates to, but if the price of a regular ms211 ( the easy start is kinda nice though) isn't much more than the ms170, I'd go with the 211. It's super light, has a 16" pico chain and cuts red oak very well. Granted I wasn't using it on 16" diameter rounds, but it really wailed through the 8-10" red pine rounds, as well as the red oak up to 6-8" in diameter.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2020
    Horkn, Apr 14, 2020
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  20. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Ok, the ms170 is a 30 cc engine, 9 lbs for powerhead only. The ms211 is 35cc and 9.5 lbs powerhead only. But it's more than $100 more than the ms170 if it's $159.

    Around here, it's $179 for the ms170.
     
    Horkn, Apr 14, 2020
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