Chainsaw disappointment

[pcmeiners]

Need a 16" chainsaw, so I started shopping. Every saw out there is made from thin breakable plastic supplied from China, even Stihl. Hard to imagine the next lower quality material they will use to manufacture tools... could it be reinforced paper mache ?
I refuse to pay a high premium price for an easily breakable saw such as a Stihl, so I figure I will get a cheap saw so I can throw it away when it causes a major issue/breaks. End of rant

 

[c.sal44]

what are you looking to do with it? i have a ms170 i use for the atv trails and it gets used and abused and havent had a single issue with it 5 years later!

 

[4xdog]

Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Yes, if you get a cheap junky saw you'll have problems and acheive your goal of throwing it away.

Buy a good saw and you won't. Modern engineering thermoplastics are really quite remarkable materials.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

Yeah i would be curious to know what model stihl we are talking about but yes most of the low cost home owner grade saws have a lot of plastic and are built to compete in the price range of similar big box store offerings. Step up to a pro series stihl and the build quality is definitely higher as is the price tag. But not many pro saws in the smaller sizes except for top handles.

Also curious as to what parts you are upset that they are plastic. As even my dads 028 Super from the 80's has a lot of plastic parts on it as thats the only way to make a saw light enough you can handle it...

 

[moab11]

The only Stihl's I don't like are the ones with the "quick" chain adjuster. Anything with nuts on the cover will work well, making sure you buy enough saw for your expected work load.

Other than that, just about any Stihl or Husqvarna would need to be really abused to be "easily breakable"

 

[drtyler]

With newer saws, the smaller Echos are a bit better and last longer than the smaller Stihls. Just my opinion with experience.

 

[ericm]

Stihl homeowner saws are plastic clamshells (the "frame" is plastic, the engine is of course aluminium and steel). They actually are pretty durable. Their pro saws use more traditional metal crankcases but have plastic handles, cylinder covers, etc. Which is fine. They use good plastic. Even when it's made in their China factory. Most manufacturers went away from all metal saws in the '80s. I used them back then. I'd rather have a modern saw as they are lighter and have anti-vibration features. Stihl's 50cc MS261-CM would be a good pro saw to run a 16" bar. The MS250 is the old standard homeowner saw (45cc) in that size. They're super reliable and are light and powerful for a homeowner saw. They cost about half what the 261 costs. I have an 025 which is the same as the MS250 except for the fuel and oil caps. It's 24 years old and still runs fine on the original piston.

There are other manufacturers of good saws of course.

Since you're looking for a saw by bar length rather than by displacement you'll probably be fine with the MS250. If you get a Stihl do yourself a favor and get it from a dealer instead of a box store. The price will be the same and you'll get better service, should you need it. You probably won't. I have a bunch of saws and none have ever been back to the dealer.

 

[Davefr]

Need a 16" chainsaw, so I started shopping. Every saw out there is made from thin breakable plastic supplied from China, even Stihl. Hard to imagine the next lower quality material they will use to manufacture tools... could it be reinforced paper mache ?
I refuse to pay a high premium price for an easily breakable saw such as a Stihl, so I figure I will get a cheap saw so I can throw it away when it causes a major issue/breaks. End of rant

In my experience the plastic they use in chainsaws is pretty tough stuff that does not break easily. (sometimes less prone to breakage then magnesium)

 

[brianh]

I don,t particularly care for Stihl's consumer grade line I wear them out pretty fast for average homeowner they would last for a long time. I really like Echo for the smaller size saws good price range lower enginecrankcase is all metal and they last and last. One of my favorite to go to saw is the echo 490 a 50cc saw it came stock with a 20 inch bar with 325 chain.

Put a rim drive clutch drum with a 3/8 pitch rim and 18 inch bar and it is perfect for a all around saw light powerful and no vibration.

 

[Copymutt]

Have you looked at vehicles lately, talk about plastic! No choice anymore really. I’m glad I’m not cutting w/ the 60# Remington of my youth.

 

[zendriver]

Magnesium and aluminum is breakable too Sometimes more so than plastic

Seems it’s like a troll thread to **** on stihl


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[Kenskip1]

Sir, your attitude has me perplexed. Plastic is lighter, and more cost effective than some sort of cast. If you really want a solid saw go to eBay and search for a Homelite XL12. This saw should make you happy. It is loud, vibrates, and the exhaust is directly below you and weighs around 20+ pounds Honestly, quit your bellyackin and go visit say a Echo dealer. Even todays professional saw have plastic parts. ? Wake up and smell the coffee....

 

[superduty1]

I have both Stihl and Husqvarna saws. Both have plastic parts on them. Neither has suffered any breaks in plastic.

If you break the plastic it's bc you abused it.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[rlitman]

I have both Stihl and Husqvarna saws. Both have plastic parts on them. Neither has suffered any breaks in plastic.

If you break the plastic it's bc you abused it.

I wouldn't go that far. Plastic has it's use case. On saws, it's the best part for guards, and perhaps even handles. It takes impact better than anything else. But for a frame, no way. We're talking about a place where the plastic will be exposed to oils and heat, and long term stresses. Sure, you can engineer something that may look good on paper, but after a few years, will it really stand up as well as the magnesium you find in the pro saws?

 

[zendriver]

I wouldn't go that far. Plastic has it's use case. On saws, it's the best part for guards, and perhaps even handles. It takes impact better than anything else. But for a frame, no way. We're talking about a place where the plastic will be exposed to oils and heat, and long term stresses. Sure, you can engineer something that may look good on paper, but after a few years, will it really stand up as well as the magnesium you find in the pro saws?

I’ve seen plastic used automotive radiators and clutch hydraulic systems for over 20 years.


Wondering if plastic is the failure point of these chainsaws

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mcj115]

Stihl saws are at least "Built in the USA" per the website however that does not address from where the parts are manufactured.

With that being said Stihl does us a lot of plastics but not all plastics are created equal. The plastics I see in Stihl product are good quality materials which are glass reinforced where needed. Just watch some AvE too teardowns so learn a little about the plastics and the use cases for specific versions.

Personally I have not been let down on any Stihl product I have acquired.....and that does back for a set of hedge chippers made in West Germany that I still regularly use

 

[Jswain]

They've had plastic on dirtbikes & ATVs for a very long time and it seems to be ok. I'm confused with what you are complaining about...
Is it the fact that Stihl makes a cheap chainsaw with a 16" bar that works perfectly fine for the average joe to throw on a quad or limb the odd tree in their backyard?
Or that you expect the 16" homeowner saw to be as robust as the pro grade saw at a fraction of the price?

Regardless if you've ever worked on a chainsaw 10:1 you will be servicing/replacing metal parts before plastics lol

 

[ericm]

The plastic framed Stihls hold up well to normal homeowner use. The 24 year old 025 I have was my only saw for a lot of years. I have 20 acres with a lot of trees and brush, so I use saws more than the typical homeowner.

The pro models are nicer to run though and are usually a bit lighter and more powerful than the same displacement homeowner models. (the 025/MS250 being an exception there). Just depends on if you feel you use it enough to justify the added cost.

 

[jhendric]

Man, I have a Stihl MS 361 and an MS290 back when the 290 was called the "Farm Boss"...yes the 290 has lots of plastic but it has never failed me, ever, in 14 years. A piece of the plastic housing cracked off when I dropped a heavy limb on it but it keeps on ticking. I'm not a pro but I would call myself a heavy non-pro user. I live on 14 wooded acres and had 2 acres with a beaver infestation. I use the 290 significantly more than the 361 as I have keep a smaller bar on it.

Regardless, If you go cheap it won't be the plastic that will make you throw it away, it will be the oiling mechanism. I started out buying cheap and get tired very quickly of overheating and dulling chains!

 

[finn]

I probably have around fifteen chain saws in my shed. The only two that don’t have plastic are the Jonsered 049SP and the Stihl 042, both from around 1985.

Never had a plastic part fail on a Stihl, Husquvarna, Echo, Homelite, Poulan, Makita, or any other brand.

Plastic is quite suitable for chainsaws, actually. Inexpensive raw material and it can produce finished parts with little additional machining. It’s relatively light and takes impact without cracking, unlike magnesium and aluminum.

 

[Sumboodie]

The 500i is a nice unit.

If you pay $200 for a saw, don't expect it to be of same quality of a $1600 one.

 

[PugetDude]

If all you're seeing is plastic chain saws, you're in the toy department at Walmart.

Go to an authorized Stihl dealer.

 

[David0858]

I probably have around fifteen chain saws in my shed. The only two that don’t have plastic are the Jonsered 049SP and the Stihl 042, both from around 1985.

Never had a plastic part fail on a Stihl, Husquvarna, Echo, Homelite, Poulan, Makita, or any other brand.

Plastic is quite suitable for chainsaws, actually. Inexpensive raw material and it can produce finished parts with little additional machining. It’s relatively light and takes impact without cracking, unlike magnesium and aluminum.

A couple months ago I watched my next door neighbor drop a Stihl 181 from WAY up in a tree. It didn't hurt the saw at all and in fact it stayed running while he climbed down out of the tree and got the big limb from top of the saw (it falling is what knocked the saw out of his hands) to be able to get to the saw. I'm more of an Echo fan boy but I was impressed.

 

[dogdog]

Need a 16" chainsaw, so I started shopping. Every saw out there is made from thin breakable plastic supplied from China, even Stihl. Hard to imagine the next lower quality material they will use to manufacture tools... could it be reinforced paper mache ?
I refuse to pay a high premium price for an easily breakable saw such as a Stihl, so I figure I will get a cheap saw so I can throw it away when it causes a major issue/breaks. End of rant

???? I failed to see how this is a COO issue ???
you do know plastic raw materials are in pellets of sort right?

I don't think you like to own a VW then...

 

[rlitman]

I’ve seen plastic used automotive radiators and clutch hydraulic systems for over 20 years.

Wondering if plastic is the failure point of these chainsaws

Stihl saws are at least "Built in the USA" per the website however that does not address from where the parts are manufactured.

With that being said Stihl does us a lot of plastics but not all plastics are created equal. The plastics I see in Stihl product are good quality materials which are glass reinforced where needed. Just watch some AvE too teardowns so learn a little about the plastics and the use cases for specific versions.

Personally I have not been let down on any Stihl product I have acquired.....and that does back for a set of hedge chippers made in West Germany that I still regularly use

Ok, personal experience here. In 2006, I bought a Stihl Kombi tool and backpack blower (and a third tool that I've since sold). They each had nifty new quick turn gas caps that were supposed to be easier to install and less likely to come off in vibration than screw on caps.

Well, within the first year of use, the caps started to get tight, and were hard to install. Eventually, I had a situation on the blower, where I turned the cap, but it was so tight that the locking lugs failed to engage, so it was loose, when it appeared installed. When it popped off the tank, I ended up having my back doused with gasoline. That's very un-cool when you've got an engine strapped to you.

Shortly after that, I got a recall notice for the gas caps. It turns out that ethanol in the gas caused a part to swell, making them tight. I had to use pliers to get two of the caps off at the dealer when I had them replaced. The caps have been working great ever since.

I do still feel that Stihl engineering is quite good, and they're pretty smart about their use of plastics, but even they have run into unexpected issues over time.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I have run over "plastic" stihl saws with a four wheeler twice, both times resulting in no damage. I've had to cut pinched bars loose with another saw and watch them fall to the ground, never with any adverse effects. I use saws hard, and regularly, in terrible conditions and the only time I've broken any housing component was when I ran over a magnesium saw with the truck. I don't think I can blame the saw for that. Stihl makes an incredible machine at a commodity price point in my mind. I guess they look a little shiny and cheap in the showroom, but in every experience I have had, they deliver.

 

[KnurledNut]

Stihl felling wedges are some of the best available. Go beat on one of those if you wanna test their plastic engineering. You wont be disappointed.

...and FWIW the last one i bought was coo USA.

 

[Legion Prime]

So to be clear you haven't actually BOUGHT let alone USED any of these saws?
I'm not seeing where anything has had the opportunity to disappoint you. How about you buy and try USING a saw, then get back to us about whether you're disappointed or not.

 

[CJM8515]

friend has the ms211 top handle saw (i think thats the model number). We dropped it out of a tree. the only part that broke-the spring the handle attaches to on the lower part of the case was slightly damaged.


Ive abused many saws, still prefer pro grade as they are indeed better built. but FWIW we logged most of a friends property with a pos 40cc ryobi and it somehow didnt die lol.

 

[pcmeiners]

OK guys I will go for a Stihl. Looking at the MS 271 with an 18" bar, likely more than I need, better to have more than not enough.

 

[Jswain]

#1 read the manual & follow the startup procedure
#2 if you don't use it much buy the cans of premixed fuel. Often they will extend your warranty if you buy Stihl chainsaw, Stihl fuel, and stihl bar oil all at the time of purchase. If you are using lots of fuel & want to mix your own use only non ethanol, good oil & empty the tank/run the saw out of fuel before storage

 

[Mr.N]

So to be clear you haven't actually BOUGHT let alone USED any of these saws?

Great point.

OK guys I will go for a Stihl. Looking at the MS 271 with an 18" bar, likely more than I need, better to have more than not enough.

You could always find a used 026 and get it refurbished by your local shop.
I just replaced my Steel oil pump with a Stihl plastic pump... was not happy until my local guy said he has replaced many steel ones but not replaced plastic one. (for the 026)

Chainsaw longevity will reflect the care and abuse it has in it's life. Still, mistake are made in manufacturing for all manufactures.

Good luck and report back.

 

[finn]

friend has the ms211 top handle saw (i think thats the model number). We dropped it out of a tree. the only part that broke-the spring the handle attaches to on the lower part of the case was slightly damaged.


Ive abused many saws, still prefer pro grade as they are indeed better built. but FWIW we logged most of a friends property with a pos 40cc ryobi and it somehow didnt die lol.

That POS Ryobi is probably the Redmax knock-off. They were sold under the Ryobi name maybe five years ago. Factory refurbs for ~$100. Arborist site guys went bonkers over them.

I still have mine, but it probably needs fuel lines by now.

 

[CJM8515]

That POS Ryobi is probably the Redmax knock-off. They were sold under the Ryobi name maybe five years ago. Factory refurbs for ~$100. Arborist site guys went bonkers over them.

I still have mine, but it probably needs fuel lines by now.

Possible. It’s about 2 years old.

 

[tarmy]

Sthil pro saw...problem solved.

 

[dwasifar]

They use plastic to make them lighter. If you don't think plastic can be tough, have a look at a Glock.

 

[Farmall450]

Buy an Echo CS-3510 and call it a day.

Leaps and bounds above an MS170/180. Perhaps a perfect 16" saw. $259

 

[gizardlizard]

I’ve been working in a plastic injection molding plant for 31 years as the head mechanic. We specialize in custom molding. No automotive stuff. Lots of medical grade stuff though. Lots of the plastic we run is what we call engineering grade plastic. Super expensive and very difficult to process. Some of this stuff is metal impregnated and melts at 750 plus degrees. I’ve seen it all. Some of this stuff is truly mind blowing. Tough doesn’t even describe it.

 

[seagravedriver]

Plastic on chain saws is common. Plastic is common in many things that take a lot of abuse, look at Glock pistols.

When I bought my last Stihl, I had a choice of a homeowner version, or a pro version. There were a few differences, and I went with the pro. Thats been 10 years. We have had the some 066s for our wildland firefighting team for 20 years. No issues. Plastic is here, and its going to stay.

 

[Jazz1]

Only plastic I managed to break on my 009 was the trigger lock. My 026 is still mint and both have had their share of incidents