Considering a Stihl MS 250 chainsaw

[wavinwayne]

Even though I recently got my old 1997 Craftsman chainsaw up and running, I'm considering retiring it because it does not have a chain brake. I am considering the 18" Stihl MS 250. It is $350 at Ace Hardware. I don't have any need for a bigger saw. Anybody want to talk me out of the Stihl?

 

[brandon9715]

My family has been using nothing but Stihl saws for a few decades. I have nothing negative to say about Stihl.

 

[skyactiv]

I bought a Stihl weed trimmer years ago. I don't know if they still do it, but when I bought mine, if you purchased a 6 pack of their oil at the time of purchase it doubled the manufactures warranty.

 

[doitmyself]

I just advised my recently retired coworker on the Stihl MS250. In short, it's an"old holdover" gem in the Stihl line up. My Stihl dealer buddy and confident told me that the modernized MS251 was released to replace the MS250, but so many professionals LOVE the MS250 that Stihl Corp. decided to retain it. Two similar saws in the same catagory/size class.

We have MS250's at our workplace in a professional (research) setting. The MS250 is an old school design homeowner/farmer level saw that gets the job done. It tends to hold up well and is a good value at this size class. Why else would Stihl continue manufacturing it when the updated MS251 duplicates it?????

My only recommendation would be to go down to a 16 inch bar/chain. The power head is better matched to the 16 inch bar and it will run a bit "faster" and lose less power. We sometimes mount 14 inch bars to make it a better "screamer" when pruning conifer plantations. Sigh..............men and their "size matters" complex.

 

[Nukeman7]

Even though I recently got my old 1997 Craftsman chainsaw up and running, I'm considering retiring it because it does not have a chain brake. I am considering the 18" Stihl MS 250. It is $350 at Ace Hardware. I don't have any need for a bigger saw. Anybody want to talk me out of the Stihl?

Is the chain brake mechanism broken or not set correctly? All chainsaws sold in the U.S. were mandated to have a chain brake after February 9, 1995 by OSHA. My 1989 18" Craftsman chainsaw (made by Poulan) has a chain brake.

 

[#18FAN]

I probably go compare it to a ECHO i do own a Sthil pro 261 but that's a 700 dollar saw but absolutely love it. I would build the ms250 with a 16inch bar if I were to do it.

 

[doitmyself]

Is the chain brake mechanism broken or not set correctly? All chainsaws sold in the U.S. were mandated to have a chain brake after February 9, 1995 by OSHA. My 1989 18" Craftsman chainsaw (made by Poulan) has a chain brake.

SHHHHHH. That's the excuse he's using (wife,girlfriend, etc.) to justify a new saw!!!!!!!

 

[MNgopher]

We've owned an MS250 for a many years now. So long as you don't flood it when trying to start it cold, and you have fresh gas in the tank, its a good saw. It has no tolerance for starting on gas that's sat in the tank for a period of time. On the cold start if it gives even a hint of life, advance the choke to the next setting. (and I mean it when I say any sign of life...)

Other than that, its done everything we've asked of it and we like working with it. The suggestion for a 16" bar isn't a bad one - its a bit underpowered when using the capability of the 18" bar (ie: bigger trees )

 

[DuckRyder]

Agree.

Just remember the slightest hint of life, dial back the choke...

Got a bunch of stihl stuff and its all very good and gets virtually no maintenance...

 

[doitmyself]

Who needs chain brakes??? This weekend is homecoming (see in photo section). Past students dropped off this monster, going to a collector I know.

 

[02SE]

I was going to get the chainsaw out and do some trimming, but it seemed a little too cold.

 

[Nukeman7]

SHHHHHH. That's the excuse he's using (wife,girlfriend, etc.) to justify a new saw!!!!!!!

Understood!!!

However, the part needed to upgrade his saw to a chain brake is still available for ~$50.

Craftsman Chainsaw Brake Blade Upgrade Part

 

[JavierH19]

I've owned a small ranch in the woods since 07 and I've had a poor experience with both my sthil chainsaws being the ms190 and I'm forgetting the other one but it's a larger one that I only got a few years ago but not my trimmer. The trimmer has been rock solid but it's a commercial model. For chainsaws I'd say Husqvarna because it gives me no issues. Always starts and I haven't changed anything on it.

 

[wavinwayne]

Is the chain brake mechanism broken or not set correctly? All chainsaws sold in the U.S. were mandated to have a chain brake after February 9, 1995 by OSHA. My 1989 18" Craftsman chainsaw (made by Poulan) has a chain brake.

You can argue that til you're blue in the face, but it doesn't change the fact that my saw, with a 1997 date on the model # tag, does not have a chain brake. This is what the owner's manual says about it:

 

[wavinwayne]

SHHHHHH. That's the excuse he's using (wife,girlfriend, etc.) to justify a new saw!!!!!!!

My wife doesn't care what I buy, as long as I wear chaps the next time I run a saw! She's the brains in the marriage.

 

[cpayne5]

MS250 owner here. The 250 is notorious for hard starting. I'd recommend getting one of the other Stihl models with their easy start.

 

[wavinwayne]

Understood!!!

However, the part needed to upgrade his saw to a chain brake is still available for ~$50.

Craftsman Chainsaw Brake Blade Upgrade Part

I responded initially before I saw this. I may well order this part and keep my saw. Thanks for the link!!!

 

[burbguy82]

Even though I recently got my old 1997 Craftsman chainsaw up and running, I'm considering retiring it because it does not have a chain brake. I am considering the 18" Stihl MS 250. It is $350 at Ace Hardware. I don't have any need for a bigger saw. Anybody want to talk me out of the Stihl?

Talk you out of a Stihl? No. They are great products.

I would say that you should have a look at Echo as an alternative. Overall I have had great success with my echo stuff. I have a TS590 Timberwolf. Killer saw.

 

[wavinwayne]

Talk you out of a Stihl? No. They are great products.

I would say that you should have a look at Echo as an alternative. Overall I have had great success with my echo stuff. I have a TS590 Timberwolf. Killer saw.

Love my Echo weed trimmer, never used any other Echo OPE. I'll give them a look. Thanks!

 

[drtyler]

Love my Echo weed trimmer, never used any other Echo OPE. I'll give them a look. Thanks!

Echo chainsaws are good.