stihl ms170 or echo sc306?

radrob · #1 01-12-2009, 01:01 AM

hello everyone. my elbow has been bothering me and i an looking for a lighter carving saw. I want a rear handle saw for better control.
they both are about the same price.
anything good or bad about ether saw would be appriciated. or a better option. the lighter the better.
im still pretty new to this.dont know alot about maintaing.
easier to work on the better.
rob

schizoidlogger · #2 01-12-2009, 02:27 AM

Hi Rob,
Preferences are subjective but if it was me I'd go for the Stihl, with a 10 inch carving bar and a 1/4 inch pitch chain (workers better than 3/8th.) Service and quality is top notch, but the Stilhl may be an ounce or two heavier.

I've been using a Stihl E-14 with a carving bar for several years and have never had a problem with it - for smaller work with a power source it is hard to beat.

Hope I haven't annoyed the Echo boys too much. (chuckle)

Rwenzoski · #3 01-12-2009, 03:17 AM

Hi Rob, Before buying any saw I advise you check out all that is available. I have a number of saws of all different makes & models & if you have any carvers at all near you try to see if they will let you test what they have & see what feels right. What are you using now that is causing the elbow problems? My recommendation if anyone asks me for my preference is the G3200EZ Redmax & pretty well everyone I have talked to about this saw with any experience will recommend the same. It is awesome in all aspects is all I can say! It is available here & Jamie is very good to deal with also! It comes set up with a choice of 3 different 12" dime tip bars & I highly recommend the Cannon from what he has available but my favourite & the best performance I have found is with the Sugi Hara bars!
Chainsawsculpture.com*::...
Hope this helps! Robbin
For maintaining please check out my site for the tool tips tutorials & any questions don't hesitate?

radrob · #4 01-12-2009, 10:25 AM

Dont laugh ive been using a poulan wild thing. only paid $60 it was used once. added a canon quarter tip carving bar about 7 months ago. I now the poulan is a cheap disposable saw. havent had any problums at all. Just a little on the heavy side.
I Dont know any carvers,but you on this site.
I found a used redmax on craigslit for $130 . Its a hour and 45 min.away though. Cant find a local dealer to hold one. This one is top handel and i was told not to get a top handle for carving.
are there any known problums on these saws.
Ive heard the echo are super easy to start?

Big Wood · #5 01-12-2009, 03:12 PM

I use a Stihl MS 170 and would be lost without it. For the price I don't think you can beat it. I've heard good things about the Redmax but I think its $100 bucks more and have never tried it. I'm sure it has laser precision.
Cheers

Rwenzoski · #6 01-12-2009, 03:49 PM

Hi BigWood, The Redmax is $100 more but this is due to it being already set up with a carving bar, 1/4 pitch chain & sprocket, which will soct more than $100 to do with any other saw, even the Redmax. I have 2 Stihl MS200's!
Thanks, Robbin

tcb16 · #7 01-12-2009, 08:54 PM

I have both, and rarely use the 306 anymore. The 170 works well with a pruning bar, which requires no sprocket changes or special chain, just the usual pico micro narrow chain that stihl dealers carry. The pruner bar is just a little larger than a quarter tip carving bar, and is only 23 dollars to replace. I go for a 14 inch bar, and have a 12 inch dime tip on another 170 that works well too. If you go for the echo I'd say 10 inch carving bar, but don't plan on doing any blocking with it.

Good Luck,
Tim

Colin_Partridge · #8 01-12-2009, 09:55 PM

Rob Robbin has hit the nail on the head the Redmax even though it is $100 more it is well worth it. I have an MS 170 and it is great as a blocking saw and I have two Redmax 3200 and I love them. I use it probably 95% of the time. When it comes to saws I trust what ever Robbin says he has researched them all as well as all the carving bars and it was him that turned me onto the Redmax. It is so light you can use it like a paint brush and do some incredible detail. We take the chain brake off to make it lighter to use. You really dont need the chain brake on a small tip I have NEVER had a kick back with the Redmax. Remember though that the Redmax 3200 is strictly a carving saw and not made or designed for cutting logs.
Colin

brianh · #9 01-13-2009, 08:29 AM

I have 2 306's and the 170. The 170 seems cheaper built but runs great.

My 306 saws I have had for 2 years the air cleaner fills with sawdust fast so check it every day.
If you use canola oil clean the pump once a month or it will seize up, the 306 is the only saw I have with the oiler problem.

Overall I would go with the 170 the picco chain it comes with is lightning fast.

I have never used the redmax saws.

radrob · #10 01-13-2009, 10:15 AM

thanks everyone!! Robbin what is your website i would like to check it out. You seem to know the most about these saws.And i know very little. I am on a budget and only have $200 to spend right now. I would really like to try a redmax. Being i didnt really hear anyrhing great about the echo. I decided to buy the stihl.
It was only $179 dollers new!! It dose seem kinda cheap with all the thin plastic parts. But looking at the used prices i figure i can sell it later and get most of my money back if it dosent work out.And upgrade to the redmax. My carving bar fits right on it though. I just need to get a chain to fit it.Thanks everyone!!! cant wait to try it out.