stim141
ArboristSite Lurker
My MS180C's Cylinder and piston self destructed on the exhaust port side a few months ago and I attempted to do a rebuild with an aftermarket. Didn't go well - after about 1 hour of mixed use the aftermarket died as well. Had new clutch side seal, sealed case with Dirko Red, the boot seemed fine and the carb was new. Must have overheated it or something else went wrong - or the part was crap (mismatched cylinder, rings or piston). Rings fused on piston and the cylinder is pretty scored - significantly worse than the genuine Stihl it replaced. Bought it from a place called L'Red Barn on eBay. The piston was a Platt and don't know what the cylinder was. The hinge pin actually turned blue at the ends so it must have been running VERY hot. It ran fine and idled perfectly the few times I started it - under load had plenty of power the day before. I checked the cylinder and piston by removing the exhaust and it was shiny/clean no marks. Fuel mix was new and I even ran it slightly richer than 50:1. Plug new and after a few starts - 1 or more tanks the plug electrode was brownish. Light cross hatch on the cylinder walls - it looked perfect.
Short - the parts are going on eBay and I'm in the market for a well built and slightly more powerful saw. Spending in the 300 low range. Looked at the Huskie 441, Stihl Ms250 and the Dolmar PS-421.
Out of the three I'm leaning toward the Domar although it has a few issues - can't do a 18" bar according to the website, the case is Magnesium which is lighter than Aluminum but Aluminum doesn't corrode if the paint chips and it can crack where AL won'l
The Huskie only has one bar nut - which is a concern because I've read it can loosen up and is very hard to keep tight. Switch seems very cheap - dealer support is lacking - even if they sell it.
The Stihl seems no better made than the MS180 that its replacing - just higher in power but the suspension system is the same rubber unlike the Domar's and the Huskie spring setup. Still seems like a low end saw even though people say its a good saw.
I got a price of 299 for the Dolmar which seems a little low - other dealers were selling it for 335 unless there is a special sale on the saws - know the 510 has been reduced to 389 with the shorter bar but can't confirm the price on the PS-421 from another dealer in the area. The guy quoting the 299 is a little far out. Should I be concerned about the magnesium vs aluminum construction? For 299 it seems extremely well made and the power output seems very close between the three although the Stihl and Huskie can run an 18" bar.
For the extra 50 if the 421 isn't truly on sale is the 510 a better buy?
Short - the parts are going on eBay and I'm in the market for a well built and slightly more powerful saw. Spending in the 300 low range. Looked at the Huskie 441, Stihl Ms250 and the Dolmar PS-421.
Out of the three I'm leaning toward the Domar although it has a few issues - can't do a 18" bar according to the website, the case is Magnesium which is lighter than Aluminum but Aluminum doesn't corrode if the paint chips and it can crack where AL won'l
The Huskie only has one bar nut - which is a concern because I've read it can loosen up and is very hard to keep tight. Switch seems very cheap - dealer support is lacking - even if they sell it.
The Stihl seems no better made than the MS180 that its replacing - just higher in power but the suspension system is the same rubber unlike the Domar's and the Huskie spring setup. Still seems like a low end saw even though people say its a good saw.
I got a price of 299 for the Dolmar which seems a little low - other dealers were selling it for 335 unless there is a special sale on the saws - know the 510 has been reduced to 389 with the shorter bar but can't confirm the price on the PS-421 from another dealer in the area. The guy quoting the 299 is a little far out. Should I be concerned about the magnesium vs aluminum construction? For 299 it seems extremely well made and the power output seems very close between the three although the Stihl and Huskie can run an 18" bar.
For the extra 50 if the 421 isn't truly on sale is the 510 a better buy?
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