Same 42cc full-crank engine as the S1600, two more inches of bar, thirty more dollars — and that is the entire difference, which is worth knowing before paying for it. Forty-two cubic centimetres pulling 18 inches of chain is a stretch, so the longer bar buys reach rather than capability; in anything over about a foot of hardwood the S1600 and this saw feel the same because the engine, not the bar, is the limit. It is now the largest gas saw Craftsman sells, the 20-inch S205 having been dropped from the lineup, and it carries the same 3.7-star average across 664 Lowe's reviews as its smaller sibling, with the same clustering of complaints around the starter housing and post-storage starting. At 12.9 lb it stays easy to handle.

Best for: Homeowners who need the extra reach of an 18-inch bar for storm cleanup and accept 42cc of engine behind it.

Specifications

Engine class: 40cc class (by displacement)
Engine: 42 cc
Bar length: 18 in
Bar range: 18 in
Single-pass cut: about 16 in (bar minus 2)
Chain: 3/8" low-kickback pitch / .050" gauge
Weight: 12.9 lb, with bar and chain
Power type: Gas
Use case: Homeowner
Warranty: 2-year limited
Model: S1800 (CMXGSAMY42N8)

Manufacturer figures except the engine class and single-pass cut, which are derived here. What each spec means

Craftsman's largest gas saw
42cc full-crank, 12.9 lb
18-in reach for $229

What owners like

Full-crank engine and 3-point anti-vibration carried over from the S1600
12.9 lb with bar and chain is genuinely light for an 18-inch gas saw
Easy Pull Start reduces cord effort noticeably on a cold engine
$229 is the cheapest 18-inch gas saw from a nationally stocked brand

Common complaints

42cc is underpowered for 18 inches of bar — reach without matching capability
3.7 stars across 664 Lowe's reviews, the same middling score as the S1600
Starter housing and post-storage starting are the repeated owner complaints
No dealer service network; the 2-year warranty runs through a retail returns desk
Only $30 under saws with real 45cc-plus engines on sale