NHden
ArboristSite Member
I'm just a homeowner but have found myself with more chainsaws than I need, both for work around my property and I find I like working on them. I have a MS261 (non CM), several MS170s, and a beautiful MS200T I just finished refurbing, also rebuilt an MS461 in bad shape. Still, I find myself in love with the size and weight of the MS151T. As has already been said, it's just sooo cute. The light weight is greatly appreciated as I just hit some very tender age numbers.
Last week, I handled probably the only one in my state at a dealer. Yes, it is VERY cute but I left with my wallet in my pocket. Why?
I've rebuilt an MS461, worked on my MS261, rebuilt the MS200T and numerous times, have completely disassembled and reassembled the MS170. I understand good mechanical and have done a fair amount of electro mechanical design. I know WHY I wanted the "pro" MS151T.
Walked away totally disappointed in Stihl and perhaps in the way their products may be heading. The starter is held by 3 screws into plastic only, where others have 2 in metal, 2 in plastic. Looking at good photos of the parts, the starter (fan cover) bosses in the main housing are pretty pathetic. Looks more like a $29 vegetable chopper. The recessed hanging clip literally looks like it was made from a large gauge paper clip. One end goes a short distance into the housing, looking like a $2.99 lawn tool. Our UK brethren have good coverage with photos of the destruction of that clip, happening as I envisioned. There is no magnesium housing / crankcase. The engine has tiny halves which I assume are magnesium. The whole dang housing and tanks are all plastic. The engine, with tiny metal halves, IMHO, rapidly approaches a clamshell, not that they are bad. Stresses on the bearings are not spread out to the wider side walls of the MS200T for instance.
So, I'm looking at plastic, plastic and more plastic. No way in heck can you call this a "PRO" saw, especially for the $619 price tag. It really is not much better than the MS170 for $199. I can tell you that for a fact from my work on them and design experience.
OHHH, almost forgot. There is no metal back plate for the bar mount as you have for Echo (?) or perhaps other small plastic saws. On the MS200T, I had quite a bit of wear where the bar sits. Any overheating of Stihl's plastic will either burn or distort it over time. Very poor.
My question (phew) is should I buy an MS151T anyway? It just bugs me how it is built.
Last week, I handled probably the only one in my state at a dealer. Yes, it is VERY cute but I left with my wallet in my pocket. Why?
I've rebuilt an MS461, worked on my MS261, rebuilt the MS200T and numerous times, have completely disassembled and reassembled the MS170. I understand good mechanical and have done a fair amount of electro mechanical design. I know WHY I wanted the "pro" MS151T.
Walked away totally disappointed in Stihl and perhaps in the way their products may be heading. The starter is held by 3 screws into plastic only, where others have 2 in metal, 2 in plastic. Looking at good photos of the parts, the starter (fan cover) bosses in the main housing are pretty pathetic. Looks more like a $29 vegetable chopper. The recessed hanging clip literally looks like it was made from a large gauge paper clip. One end goes a short distance into the housing, looking like a $2.99 lawn tool. Our UK brethren have good coverage with photos of the destruction of that clip, happening as I envisioned. There is no magnesium housing / crankcase. The engine has tiny halves which I assume are magnesium. The whole dang housing and tanks are all plastic. The engine, with tiny metal halves, IMHO, rapidly approaches a clamshell, not that they are bad. Stresses on the bearings are not spread out to the wider side walls of the MS200T for instance.
So, I'm looking at plastic, plastic and more plastic. No way in heck can you call this a "PRO" saw, especially for the $619 price tag. It really is not much better than the MS170 for $199. I can tell you that for a fact from my work on them and design experience.
OHHH, almost forgot. There is no metal back plate for the bar mount as you have for Echo (?) or perhaps other small plastic saws. On the MS200T, I had quite a bit of wear where the bar sits. Any overheating of Stihl's plastic will either burn or distort it over time. Very poor.
My question (phew) is should I buy an MS151T anyway? It just bugs me how it is built.
Bottom line is that I do want the size and weight and will likely spring for it soon. I also held a 194T an hour ago, along with my 200T. It doesn't seem to bring anything to the table for my purpose (size, weight). I'll keep my fingers crossed that I can fix any 151T problems because of 4 Stihl repair techs I've spoken to, none had ever worked on a 150T or 151T.
