Have had my MS170 for many years and zero issues. I have done a few mods. Muffler, tensioner and dogs. I haven’t been the kindest to it and the thing is a little beast. It goes everywhere with me love it!!
I have about 6 or 7 pro saws from Stihl to Dolmar and Partner to Husqvarna. The first saw I ever bought was a ms180 and I still use it for smaller work today. Great little saws! I put a walbro wt215 carburetor on mine, now it's adjustable!
What a great little chainsaw! I’ve owned my MS170 for 8 years now and cut nothing but hardwood here in Australia with it, it just keeps on going on. Thanks for your review. Cheers from Down Under 🍻
I just Purchased another one, after giving my dad my older used one. Great little saw. ordered the 14” 50 gauge Oregon Bar and Chain kit from amazon for $25.
I really enjoy this saw as well and would buy another in a heartbeat. I have about another year of warranty left then I’m going to try a different bar/chain on it just to see if there is a difference.
shrunken skull outdoors I just installed the 14” Oregon bar and .50 gauge chain, along with some bigger spikes, and oh man, this saw runs so much better. It’s worth the $25 for just the bar and chain alone. www.amazon.com/Oregon-105667-14-Inch-Replacement-Chainsaw/dp/B000CFLFQ6
Nice little video I did all that upgraded the bar and put a side tensioner adjuster on it instead of the front that was worth 20 bucks right there the video brother
I have a still ms 170 and I have had it for almost a year I have cut down lots of trees with it and it is really great and I have cut trees that are a lot Thicker than the Bar it’s self I have also made lots of benches and wooden boards with the stock chain and bar on it and I put the Aluminum dogs on it and it works great
Had my 170 3 years great saw…when it starts….had it back to the dealer 3 times they get it running and its ok for a couple of times then it wont start again. I know about the choke….all so tough to pull the start cord
I do have that saw. It's very handy. I would like a little more power, but the dealer won't let me trade up. He has too many ms 170's. It's nice when your cleaning up and your ms 462 c is out of gas.
Oregon and Stihl both make the larger size bars and chain for them. I’m going to look into the stihl bar and chain combo soon. Just about out of warranty on my saw.
@@w.anderson8806 from all the videos I have seen it handles it just as well as the stock bar just the larger tooth on the chain. They say it stays sharper longer so the life span is better for the chain. I just want the heavier bar and chain because I feel the stock one could be easy to bend. We do a fair amount of sawing between my dad burning wood and the wood for the maple syrup cooking and campfire wood. Any help in time between sharpening is helpful in my book.
Did you mix the gas to the recommended amount of oil to gas? It may have some extra oil also from assembling it that may be coming out and should clear up. My MS660 I built did that but I never payed attention to it on any I have bought. Run a few tanks and if it dosent clear up I would take it back to the dealer and ask about it.
@@shrunkenskulloutdoors yes right mixture. This is first new saw I ever had. Used lots in the past , never paid attention. They are dandy little saws. Thanks for replying
Wanted to ask how is the air filter sealing? Is dust going into the engine? I have noticed that happening on my 170. Not as good air filter set up as the bigger saws!
I haven’t noticed that with mine yet. You may want to get a new element since it is just using the top cover to keep the dust from getting past. It does build up in the intake port under the element but I just clean it after every couple uses.
You get like one of those little kids socks put your oil filter oil on your sock put it over your air cleaner I do that on all my saws I don't have a problem have you put a little bit of oil underneath your air filter that seal up so saw dust fine dust doesn't get sucked in also
Those #s on those parts may not be parts #s. Those #s used to be tracking #s used @ the factory. I've been retired for 10 years after 50+ years of working on this stuff.
Get the chain tensioner off the ms 260 (i think it is) and it replaces the factory one but puts the screw on the side instead of the front. Then ya aint gotta fight the screwdriver between the bar and dog. I aint had my new saw 3 days and have already swapped it all out. Somebody gave me a clapped out one last year so I had already done all the mods before I finally killed it.
JLD Enterprises Small Engine Repair they are great saws. I would be lost without it because I have a MS270 that is the most problematic saw I have ever owned. Just rebuilt the engine and now the coil has gone out for the third time. If I didn’t have the 170 I would never get any wood cut.
The dogs that were added are more a safety thing than anything. The bar and chain upgrade I still haven’t done but that is a life of chain issue. These micro chains don’t last as long or stay sharp as long as the bigger chain does. As for needing a larger saw I have a ms270, ms271, Stihl 044 and a Stihl 660 clone that I built. This saw was more for the average homeowner and some of the things you can do to make it a little better for someone who doesn’t want to spend the money on a bigger saw when they maybe use it once or so a year. Thanks for watching the video and for a great comment. 😃
@@REDLINERUNNER I don’t feel that way. All saws have a place depending what you are doing with them. I have a 170, 270, 271, 044, and a 660. All have different uses.
The dogs on MS170 are plastic for a reason. They don't dig in wood they just protect the saw from hitting the tree when cutting, because dogs on chainsaws make ALOT of strain on the engine and that poor little thing is just 30cc..
I love this little saw. It is a nice little saw that any homeowner can afford and is easy enough to handle. I would recommend this as a good saw for anyone.
I have had a few people say that but I don’t have an issue with mine so maybe they have different ones by the years built. I will have to look into it.
Don't waste your money, bought one rips through chains. Not bad power for small trees and SOME firewood, but my overall recommendation is to put your money into something bigger. You will bet more mileage/versatility out a bigger saw and not have to sharpen/buy as many chains. STHL chains can only be bought from a STHL dealer. STHL makes a great product, just getting too pricy for what you get today.
Have had my MS170 for many years and zero issues. I have done a few mods. Muffler, tensioner and dogs. I haven’t been the kindest to it and the thing is a little beast. It goes everywhere with me love it!!
I have about 6 or 7 pro saws from Stihl to Dolmar and Partner to Husqvarna. The first saw I ever bought was a ms180 and I still use it for smaller work today. Great little saws! I put a walbro wt215 carburetor on mine, now it's adjustable!
Going to a .50 16 inch does help alot. These are fantasic little saws,great utility saws. These are awesome beginers saw. Great review.
First day I bought an MS170, I put the dogs and side tensioner on it. Good saws, I use it for limbing. I have 2 MS250's for felling and bucking.
Just picked one up ms 170 today, will look into that upgrade. Thanks for info
I had no idea that you could get metal teeth, fantastic idea
What a great little chainsaw! I’ve owned my MS170 for 8 years now and cut nothing but hardwood here in Australia with it, it just keeps on going on. Thanks for your review.
Cheers from Down Under 🍻
Just bought this chainsaw and did this upgrade. part numbers are spot on. Thanks for the video!!!
Glad it was a help.
Put steel dogs on my 2 MS170 saws and converted then to side chain tension adjustment. Much better!
Great upgrade info, thanks!
I just Purchased another one, after giving my dad my older used one. Great little saw. ordered the 14” 50 gauge Oregon Bar and Chain kit from amazon for $25.
I really enjoy this saw as well and would buy another in a heartbeat. I have about another year of warranty left then I’m going to try a different bar/chain on it just to see if there is a difference.
shrunken skull outdoors
I just installed the 14” Oregon bar and .50 gauge chain, along with some bigger spikes, and oh man, this saw runs so much better.
It’s worth the $25 for just the bar and chain alone.
www.amazon.com/Oregon-105667-14-Inch-Replacement-Chainsaw/dp/B000CFLFQ6
chain upgrade definitely worth it. night and day.
@Michael Fresh I agree oiling is light on these saws.
Nice little video I did all that upgraded the bar and put a side tensioner adjuster on it instead of the front that was worth 20 bucks right there the video brother
I have been looking at doing the side tensioner as well on mine.
It is a working pony for sure love mine
I have a still ms 170 and I have had it for almost a year I have cut down lots of trees with it and it is really great and I have cut trees that are a lot Thicker than the Bar it’s self I have also made lots of benches and wooden boards with the stock chain and bar on it and I put the Aluminum dogs on it and it works great
Had my 170 3 years great saw…when it starts….had it back to the dealer 3 times they get it running and its ok for a couple of times then it wont start again. I know about the choke….all so tough to pull the start cord
I have heard that from others. These saws must have a hit and miss with them. I have had mine almost 4 years now and runs flawlessly.
I do have that saw. It's very handy. I would like a little more power, but the dealer won't let me trade up. He has too many ms 170's. It's nice when your cleaning up and your ms 462 c is out of gas.
I love mine. My 270 went down cleaning up a large maple and I ended up cutting the entire tree up with it. I was shocked at how well it did.
Good tips!
Thanks
What are those spikes for anyways?
They grip the wood as you are sawing through the piece to help prevent kickback.
Must be nice to cut clean wood. My old Farm Boss cuts dead Cedar trees with a lot of bark filled with sand, great cutting chain.
I'll keep this in mind. I'll Probably put some locktite on there though. Thanks!
You mentioned the upgrade on the bar and chain.
Who supplies these items?
Oregon and Stihl both make the larger size bars and chain for them. I’m going to look into the stihl bar and chain combo soon. Just about out of warranty on my saw.
@@shrunkenskulloutdoors
A more aggressive chain on the 170 would increase torque required. The 170 have enough power to notice the difference?
@@w.anderson8806 from all the videos I have seen it handles it just as well as the stock bar just the larger tooth on the chain. They say it stays sharper longer so the life span is better for the chain. I just want the heavier bar and chain because I feel the stock one could be easy to bend. We do a fair amount of sawing between my dad burning wood and the wood for the maple syrup cooking and campfire wood. Any help in time between sharpening is helpful in my book.
Is it normal for oil residue from muffler on a brand new 170 with not even 1 tank of gas burned yet ?
Did you mix the gas to the recommended amount of oil to gas? It may have some extra oil also from assembling it that may be coming out and should clear up. My MS660 I built did that but I never payed attention to it on any I have bought. Run a few tanks and if it dosent clear up I would take it back to the dealer and ask about it.
@@shrunkenskulloutdoors yes right mixture. This is first new saw I ever had. Used lots in the past , never paid attention. They are dandy little saws. Thanks for replying
How have the spikes worked out? Any issues with them being mounted into the plastic the way they are?
They seem to be holding up well so far. Haven’t had any issues yet with them.
Maybe put some channel lock or gorilla glue or something for the screws on the spikes
Great tip. Plastic dogs bother me.
Wanted to ask how is the air filter sealing? Is dust going into the engine? I have noticed that happening on my 170. Not as good air filter set up as the bigger saws!
I haven’t noticed that with mine yet. You may want to get a new element since it is just using the top cover to keep the dust from getting past. It does build up in the intake port under the element but I just clean it after every couple uses.
@@shrunkenskulloutdoors ok well then dust is going inside into engine. Mine dose the same. Mmm not that good then hey.
Did you mean dust builds up on the dirty side of filter or clean side?
You get like one of those little kids socks put your oil filter oil on your sock put it over your air cleaner I do that on all my saws I don't have a problem have you put a little bit of oil underneath your air filter that seal up so saw dust fine dust doesn't get sucked in also
18inci bar??
Nope just a 16” bar
Those #s on those parts may not be parts #s. Those #s used to be tracking #s used @ the factory. I've been retired for 10 years after 50+ years of working on this stuff.
Get the chain tensioner off the ms 260 (i think it is) and it replaces the factory one but puts the screw on the side instead of the front. Then ya aint gotta fight the screwdriver between the bar and dog.
I aint had my new saw 3 days and have already swapped it all out. Somebody gave me a clapped out one last year so I had already done all the mods before I finally killed it.
That is one of my next upgrades along with getting rid of the micro bar and chain they have on them.
They are great little saws
JLD Enterprises Small Engine Repair they are great saws. I would be lost without it because I have a MS270 that is the most problematic saw I have ever owned. Just rebuilt the engine and now the coil has gone out for the third time. If I didn’t have the 170 I would never get any wood cut.
If you need all that mate just buy a bigger saw ,just a thought mate ,old jimmy Aust
The dogs that were added are more a safety thing than anything. The bar and chain upgrade I still haven’t done but that is a life of chain issue. These micro chains don’t last as long or stay sharp as long as the bigger chain does. As for needing a larger saw I have a ms270, ms271, Stihl 044 and a Stihl 660 clone that I built. This saw was more for the average homeowner and some of the things you can do to make it a little better for someone who doesn’t want to spend the money on a bigger saw when they maybe use it once or so a year. Thanks for watching the video and for a great comment. 😃
That's criminal, using a ratchet and socket to take off your chain guard.
BLASPHEMY!
😂
For $8 shipped to your door you could have gotten 2 sets of spikes and 4 screws.
All saws smaller than MS230 are kind of embarrassing. I have MS230 and MS311
@@REDLINERUNNER I don’t feel that way. All saws have a place depending what you are doing with them. I have a 170, 270, 271, 044, and a 660. All have different uses.
The dogs on MS170 are plastic for a reason. They don't dig in wood they just protect the saw from hitting the tree when cutting, because dogs on chainsaws make ALOT of strain on the engine and that poor little thing is just 30cc..
The plastic log dogs are plastic which is suck they tend to wear out and not biting well
Ok
My ms170 30cc saw has more power than my poulan 52cc saw.
I love this little saw. It is a nice little saw that any homeowner can afford and is easy enough to handle. I would recommend this as a good saw for anyone.
They have a very bad air filter problem.
I have had a few people say that but I don’t have an issue with mine so maybe they have different ones by the years built. I will have to look into it.
Don't waste your money, bought one rips through chains. Not bad power for small trees and SOME firewood, but my overall recommendation is to put your money into something bigger. You will bet more mileage/versatility out a bigger saw and not have to sharpen/buy as many chains. STHL chains can only be bought from a STHL dealer. STHL makes a great product, just getting too pricy for what you get today.