Petrol or electric chainsaw?

[Russell]

My Stihl ms170 (little saw) has just died. It may be possible to reserect it but I don't know if I can be bothered. It revs then does after being pulled at each choke position but won't stay running even with choke off. I've been thinking about getting a battery saw, It would have to be a Makita as that's the batteries I use. Are they any good or should I get another petrol saw?

 

[Komatsu]

I’d get another petrol one personally, but, one of the works managers got a battery Sthil one, and I was really impressed with how it performed....not sure on battery life, but would of thought the top brands should/would be more or less the same?

 

[Smiffy]

My Stihl ms170 (little saw) has just died. It may be possible to reserect it but I don't know if I can be bothered. It revs then does after being pulled at each choke position but won't stay running even with choke off. I've been thinking about getting a battery saw, It would have to be a Makita as that's the batteries I use. Are they any good or should I get another petrol saw?

It depends what it's for as to which route to go but
Your little petrol one probably needs fettling
All the parts available very cheap off eBay
And they are incredibly simple to rebuild

 

[Mintsauce]

I'd replace it with new. I got a corded Makita but obviously depends on what/where you're going to be using it. Good little saws as long as you're not thinking of ringing oak or similar.

 

[J C Builders]

Check out you tube for carb cleaning before investing in a the new saw.

 

[Mintsauce]

If you're very particular about keeping your saw in good condition I think Aspen fuel helps with fuel system cleanliness. Extra £££ as usual.

 

[V8Druid]

My Stihl ms170 (little saw) has just died. It may be possible to reserect it but I don't know if I can be bothered. It revs then dies after being pulled at each choke position but won't stay running even with choke off. I've been thinking about getting a battery saw, It would have to be a Makita as that's the batteries I use. Are they any good or should I get another petrol saw?

there is a tiny gauze filter in the carb .... it's blocked .. ... mine does it a lot despite having cleaned everything to a surgically clean level, this talc fine sh1t is getting into it somehow and 4-5 hours hard work .... carb off - clean said filter and she's fine again for 4-5 hrs ... 15 minutes to do

 

[Russell]

I'll have a look

 

[doobin]

Replace your carb with a £15 Chinese one from eBay. Problem solved.

 

[V8Druid]

Replace your carb with a £15 Chinese one from eBay. Problem solved.

only 'til it blocks again

 

[V8Druid]

I'll have a look

it's under the needle valve and a pressed in gauze about 5mm in diameter

 

[Monkeybusiness]

there is a tiny gauze filter in the carb .... it's blocked .. ... mine does it a lot despite having cleaned everything to a surgically clean level, this talc fine sh1t is getting into it somehow and 4-5 hours hard work .... carb off - clean said filter and she's fine again for 4-5 hrs ... 15 minutes to do

Have you replaced your pickup filter in the tank?

 

[Russell]

Pulled the carb off and gave it a blast out with the compressor, I couldn't see any dirt in there behind the little gause but I gave the little jet behind it a poke with some wire so hopefully I didn't make a hole in the diaphragm. The air filter was fairly nasty so gave that a clean and now It seams to be running

 

[V8Druid]

Have you replaced your pickup filter in the tank?

Oh yes .... new .. and the pick up line ... washed and blown out the tank, the vac. line from the crank case and breather line ... no idea WTF this shite keeps arriving from.... but arrive it does .... different oil in the motion lotion ...... you name it I have tried it
cleaned and fettled it is an awesome saw ...

 

[V8Druid]

Pulled the carb off and gave it a blast out with the compressor, I couldn't see any dirt in there behind the little gause but I gave the little jet behind it a poke with some wire so hopefully I didn't make a hole in the diaphragm. The air filter was fairly nasty so gave that a clean and now It seams to be running

can of carb cleaner is as good as anything, as it dissolves anything unseen ..... then give it the air line treatment
air filter cleanliness will make a huge difference and is paramount to get the lil' buggers to rev

 

[Shovelhands]

Oh yes .... new .. and the pick up line ... washed and blown out the tank, the vac. line from the crank case and breather line ... no idea WTF this shite keeps arriving from.... but arrive it does .... different oil in the motion lotion ...... you name it I have tried it
cleaned and fettled it is an awesome saw ...

Is the tank plastic? Is it degrading/breaking down? Maybe worth trying a new tank?

 

[doobin]

If you're very particular about keeping your saw in good condition I think Aspen fuel helps with fuel system cleanliness. Extra £££ as usual.

At double the cost of petrol I wouldn’t bother unless you are concerned about emissions. Yes, it doesn’t break down like petrol under long term storage- but just drain tank and run dry if you are going to store it for years!

Clean fuel is clean fuel. Aspen is no cleaner than petrol in the sense of things that block carbs. Apparently though the exhaust is less harmful to breathe. Don’t breath the exhaust would be my advice...

 

[doobin]

can of carb cleaner is as good as anything, as it dissolves anything unseen ..... then give it the air line treatment
air filter cleanliness will make a huge difference and is paramount to get the lil' buggers to rev

I take it you know about setting the high screw correctly? Turn it so it revs it’s nuts off- it’s now too lean. Turn it back a touch so you can hear it burbling slightly at full revs. Called ‘fourstroking’- on the tip of running rich but not quite, a good safe top end.

 

[Russell]

Just fired up the saw. It started as it always used to and then ticked over lovely. I cut two 6inch logs and it had plenty of power, then it died and won't start.
New plug time?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Chuck it in the bin and buy the cheapest back-handled makita - they are as good as the battery stihls (you need at least 2 sets of 2 batteries to get the most out of them, and a double quick-charger). All the different Makita variants have the same motor/body/drive - you pay more for a longer bar/chain and the quick chain tensioner but you don’t get a better saw so just buy the cheapest.
No battery saw is as good as a petrol version, but they are fine for a bit of logging etc.