Light saw wanted: Hitachi CS33EB?

[onetruth]

Hello all,

 

I need a light, inexpensive rear-handled saw. Until recently I'd been using an MS250 for everything, but I managed to drop it from up a willow when the chain got caught in a cut I was making. I have an old 357XP and an MS340 I picked up from a car-boot, but I really need something a little less bulky when climbing. I don't want a top-handled saw.

 

Ideally I want something light and cheap, but durable and powerful enough to be my first choice of saw when cutting anything under 10".

 

Stihl MS192. At £315 it's more than I can really afford.

 

Hitachi CS33EA or CS33EB. I think these saws are marketted in other countries as Tanaka. The price is ok (£170), and it is certainly light (3.8kg). It's meant to have a 2-year professional-use warranty, but I'm not sure what that covers.

 

Do any of you chaps have any experience of the Hitachi?

 

Could anyone suggest any alternatives?

[Tom2020]

Ms170 or Ms180

Stihl MS 170 chainsaw (30.1cc) | F R Jones and Son

 

Both good saws light as well

[jrose]

I have a Stihl 171 and don't really rate it to be honest - when it dies, the two 30-35cc saws I will be considering to replace it are:

 

Sanli - I've never used one, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Very reasonably priced, and everything I've heard and read seems to be good. Only issue might be parts though...

 

Makita - again, never used one but heard that unlike Stihl and Husky, their small homeowner saws still have pro grade construction.

 

hope this helps

[onetruth]

Ms170 or Ms180

 

Thanks, Tom. I'd looked at those too, forgot to mention them in my original post.

 

I've never use one, and my local dealer suggested they would be totally unsuitable for regular (weekly?) use. I love the price of the MS170, and there are an ambundance of parts on ebay with it being such a popular saw, but I'm wondering how much I'd be paying for the name "Stihl". I think the price I'd pay locally would be about the same as for getting a Hitachi delivered.

[onetruth]

Thanks jrose.

 

I have a Stihl 171 and don't really rate it to be honest

 

What in particular?

 

Sanli - I've never used one, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Very reasonably priced, and everything I've heard and read seems to be good. Only issue might be parts though...

 

Never heard of them before. Very cheap! 16" bar is longer than I'd like. Their website states "5.1kg with bar and chain". Does anyone know what a 16" bar and chain weigh? Every other manufacturer seems to give powerhead weight only.

[Tom2020]

the ms170 im using from a pal is from 1996 and was still going strong Dies a bit when you give it full revs but for what i was doing at the time It was nice saw to use and play with For the price £156ish Carn't go to wrong with it Rather pay for the name and a good saw then a cheap expensive thing.i was using the saw day in day out for about about a month never let me down once

 

(Really need to hand it back)

[jrose]

my MS171 the chain tensioner is pants, chain is always going loose. Also takes a really long while to warm up when starting from cold, I'm talking 3-4 minutes it seems like before you can give it full throttle. And you only have to look at the oiler in the wrong way for it to block up.

 

I haven't even mentioned the flippy caps...

[onetruth]

I'd heard somewhere that 170s didn't like being used at funny angles (ie. ok for cross-cutting, no good for tree work). Correct?

 

Has anyone here used the Hitachi I mentioned? So light; I'm very tempted to take a chance on it.

 

Out of interest (not that I'll be in a position to afford one), will the new top-handled Stihl have a rear-handled equivalent in the UK?

[spudulike]

With the Stihl 181/171 you get what you pay for - a home owner saw that will do a bit of pro work at a push. The bar and chain are lightweight using 1.1mm drive links, the engine is a bit lethargic and they don't allow you any "H" adjustment on the carb. I have done a few up and now don't do them unless really pushed - secondhand cost £100 - £120.

 

My favourite rear handle saw is my Husqvarna 345 - yes, a 345......nice and light, well made, powerful and works even better now I have opened up the exhaust. If you get a good one off the bay, it will cost you £150 - £175 and would recommend a 15" bar.

 

I know it isn't an MS260 or 346XP but we are looking at keeping the costs down here!

 

If you can wait a few weeks, I have a Tanaka top handle and a Husky 345 to do up - I don't do cheap but I do get saws up to excellent working order - a few of the guys on this site can back this up! I believe Hitachi bought up Tanaka and there products are green versions of Tanaka products - small Japanese reasonably well made saws!