Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Stihl 180

Anyone have any input on this saw? Looking for something small and light. Have a farm boss for the big stuff. The 180 seems to review well and I spent a little time using one and liked it. Thanks for any input

Ive got one its a great little saw. But honestly it collects dust since I bought a Milwaukee chainsaw. Any light cutting up to 14 inches I grab that. Pull the trigger instant power. But I think you would be happy with the stihl

I have about 10 stihl saws. They are hard to start. Some developed carb problems. I bought a small Echo tree climbers pro saw about 4 years ago. It has the prime feature . Starts on the 3rd pull when cold. My next small saw will not be a Stihl. I have about 5 -O17 Stihls, none run and have low hours. When a Stihl runs, it’s the best saw for power and quality. Good luck !!

I had one and got rid of it. I cut about 30 face cord per year and it just didn’t have enough power for topping trees quickly. I upgraded to a Stihl MS241 with a 16” bar and it is heaven for a small saw. I use the 241 and a 460. It’s been a good combo for me. My backup “little saw” is an MS280 but the 241 has much better vibration control.

I believe the 241 has been discontinued because it cut into 261 sales and the 261 is their pro-grade small saw. You might look at that one but now you’re talking 2-3X the money of a 180. I’d honestly look for a really well-cared for 250 or 280 and put a 16” bar on it before I’d ever own a 180.

I have a Stihl 039, and Oldie but a Goodie, it starts easier than my Husqvarna. What a great saw!

You might also consider the echo CS-3510, it's about the same size as the stihl 180. I have one and put a oregon VXL chain on it (non-safety chain), it's a cutting little machine, light, starts easy and runs great. I'm really happy with it.

My big saw is a stihl MS-462, but the echo is so handy it gets used about 80% of the time.

You cut ten cord a year, with 16" bar, how's your back?

I think I have a 170

I've got 2 STIHL saws, and the GF went and bought a Milwaukee for herself because she hates starting the saws.
Now I use that Milwaukee 90% of the time too. If you want or need a "small saw" I'd highly recommend it over a gas saw.

If you want a small saw for little stuff, get an arborist model (top-handle)

They are the bomb and will cut most stuff with the exception of middle-sized and bigger trees. Love mine and grab it first almost always.

Am planning on getting a battery chainsaw but the dang batteries are just a touch spendy.

I've got an MS180
Been very happy with it

I have 3 of the 170 saws

Have a 180 still new in the box.

The 170 sawz surely cannot be that much different positive or negative.

I have made the 170 do shît other mere mortals only dream about. 👏🏻🤜🫠

Good little saws. I still like the screw on/off fuel and oil caps. Hate that flip clamp horseshît

Ho hum, I really like my 220 stihl and 2 batts, can fill up a truck bed with stems in the range of 8” to 10”

Same chain on the 180, 220, 170. You can decide to stay or go with 14-16” chain and bar.

You can zip thru 16” logs with that little 170 no probs, just keep that chain SHARP

Ive had good luck with my echo weed eater and leaf blower. Both start every time with ease. So does my farm boss. Ill have to take a look at the echos as well

Interesting to hear some guys talk good about the battery powered saws. Ive never used one and just havent though about going that route. Always wondered how much work you could do before needing to charge the battery

Sold my Stihl, hard starter but decent cutter. Considered a battery saw until the saw shop told me I might cut too much remote wood to be practical.
Bought another echo and am happy. Sure starts good.

Just about every tool mfg makes a battery saw. I have a bunch of Dewalt tools, so I got the Dewalt 20V bare saw tool.

My Stihl 220 was about $500
The charger was about $200
The batteries are about $200 each

I got two batteries.

Deep in the boondocks, take a small 400 watt inverter and can let my farm jeep idle for 1/2 hour and get one charged back to 2 bars. If youre some stuff and just need to finish it up.

These saws are great for framing pole barns or interior demolition jobs where ya dont want to set the smoke alarms off. Deck framing
No climbing a ladder and yanking on a saw while straddling a couple of ceiling joists. Just hit the Go-Button.

If you need more than 2 batts though, bring a gas powered saw.

That girls a keeper

Cant beat the 170...I'm on my second one. Sis borrowed my first when she bought 20 acres. Would not give it back but bought me a new one. That little saw works harder than I can keep up with. Her 20" Stihl just collects dust now.