Craftsman S1600 vs Craftsman S1800
Tinted cells mark the better figure on that row alone: more engine, longer bar, lighter, cheaper. A lighter weight is only a win on the same basis.
What owners like and complain about
Craftsman S1600
- Full-crank 42cc engine rather than the half-crank common under $200
- 12.2 lb ready to cut is light for a 42cc saw
- 3-point anti-vibration and a self-activated chain brake are not givens at this price
- Tool-free access to spark plug and air filter makes seasonal maintenance quick
- Sold at Lowe's nationwide, so returns are easy even if service is not
- 3.7-star average across 660 Lowe's reviews is the weakest in the value gas tier
- Plastic starter housing is the part owners report failing
- Low-kickback chain cuts slowly until replaced
- 2-year warranty with no dealer network behind it
- Carburetion complaints cluster after storage — fuel discipline is not optional
Craftsman S1800
- 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
- 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