So does makita make chainsaws better than they make electric construction tools? Because those suck. Around here, they are basically throw away tools, and you cannot get parts for them, so no one uses them here any more. I might be able to come up with one Dolmar dealer in the area, but not for makita, and I've never even SEEN one of their saws.
Recommend me a STIHL Saw
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The Makita saws in question are a rebranded Dolmar. The 64xx models are well known and well liked.
mstoelton
Feeling the Heat
I suggest you go rent a Makita (6421) from HD. They are a professional grade saw Made in Germany by Dolmar. They normally retail for around $780.00ish.
I purchased one to try it out because of the opinions expressed about them on this forum. 2 weeks later I purchased another. Put simply they are built to last and they rip. I have cut 10-12 cord of wood over the last several weeks with them. Just need to keep the chain sharp and they go. The largest tree we have cut with them is a 36+ inch diameter red oak. Also Multiple mulberry in the 24-30 inch range.
I purchased one to try it out because of the opinions expressed about them on this forum. 2 weeks later I purchased another. Put simply they are built to last and they rip. I have cut 10-12 cord of wood over the last several weeks with them. Just need to keep the chain sharp and they go. The largest tree we have cut with them is a 36+ inch diameter red oak. Also Multiple mulberry in the 24-30 inch range.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
I think the Makita's 64's go for over $700 new so it's a steep discount. Had a clean one in my hands and almost bit. Thought it was more than I needed but could tell it was no toy.
mstoelton
Feeling the Heat
There are 7 Dolmar dealers in southern New Hampshire mostly clustered around Manchester and Concord.
As suggested above you can go with a Stihl 036, or a ms360 ($450 on ebay). They make 4.5 hp and they would be a fine saw. The Dolmar/Makita is ~$275.00 if you can find one. They make 4.7 hp.
Your money do what you want!
As suggested above you can go with a Stihl 036, or a ms360 ($450 on ebay). They make 4.5 hp and they would be a fine saw. The Dolmar/Makita is ~$275.00 if you can find one. They make 4.7 hp.
Your money do what you want!
buggyspapa
Member
I second, or third, or fourth, the 036 Pro or Dolkita 6421. Both are great saws, and reasonable used. Keep the Echo for limbing or lending out. Or for the pinched bar sitch. It is arboristsite.com. Join and search. You will find all questions answered that don't appear hear in the chainsaw forum. It's practically a job to keep up.
Renting the Makita is an easy way to try it out. What does your local Ace or True Value rent?
I am not convinced about the 50cc class as useful, especially if weight is a consideration. Search for "two saw plan". After boring hours limbing with the 40cc, the joy of running the 036 in a trunk will make the expense and tedium worthwhile. The one saw plan is, well, (queue the crickets).
Renting the Makita is an easy way to try it out. What does your local Ace or True Value rent?
I am not convinced about the 50cc class as useful, especially if weight is a consideration. Search for "two saw plan". After boring hours limbing with the 40cc, the joy of running the 036 in a trunk will make the expense and tedium worthwhile. The one saw plan is, well, (queue the crickets).
IMO the 6401/6421 saws are a little bulky for their power. When upgraded with a big bore, they certainly are one of the finest saws in the ~80cc displacement class.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
I am not a saw expert but I also felt the Makita was a bit heavy for its displacement. Gonna rent one though and see how it feels under power.
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Get 60+cc 50 is not much more than what you have and painfully slow in medium size wood. If you must have 50 cc the saw every one is talking about is the 261 auto tune.
Personally I would get a 391 if your going non pro saw. But I have a 650 that I use a good bit now. Lots 84cc. I honestly dont use less than a 70cc saw now a days. I love the power and not having g to wait on the saw to cut. And with a big ssw you can actually lean on the thing to cut.
Personally I would get a 391 if your going non pro saw. But I have a 650 that I use a good bit now. Lots 84cc. I honestly dont use less than a 70cc saw now a days. I love the power and not having g to wait on the saw to cut. And with a big ssw you can actually lean on the thing to cut.
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Well for that price if your buying new you will get a farm boss...on sale
! And I would not buy that saw it is 59cc bit its just a homeowner and casual cutter saw to me. Go used and get a minimum of 036/360 personally if look for a clean 044/440 which is 70cc class saw.
clemsonfor
Minister of Fire
Muffler modd is basically taking out the baffels and wide I g the muffler outlet to about 80% of the exhaust port size of the cylinder then returning or richening the carb to allow more fuel. You will make that 40 cc saw run more like a 45 and possibly closer to a 50cc saw performance wise.
Bit if you can't make "finicky" two stroke run right you may want to read a good bit before. If you dont tune it right you can lean it out and burn up your top end and scratch the piston and worse the cyl.
Bit if you can't make "finicky" two stroke run right you may want to read a good bit before. If you dont tune it right you can lean it out and burn up your top end and scratch the piston and worse the cyl.
I know you mentioned Stihl, but I was just at one of my local lawncare stores and they have the new Echo (59 cc) I think for $399. That's a lot of saw for that price and if that would have been on sale 2 months ago I probably would have bought that. Instead I went with the ms-291and have been pleaded so far. I have a CS-300 that's 12 years old and it still works and cuts very well too. I have the 18" bar on my Stihl.
smokedragon
Minister of Fire
In your budget, I vote MS290 (if you have to have new) and the biggest 3xx or 4xx pro saw you can afford if you decide to buy used.
My 290 has served me well and will be a significant upgrade over your current saw. However, if you run into anything bigger than 18" on a regular basis, you will find yourself wanting more saw eventually. It is a good reliable saw, and I have never been unhappy with my purchase.
By the way - never handled a Makita or Dolmar saw, but if they survive the rental department at HD, they are significantly better than a Wild Thing.
My 290 has served me well and will be a significant upgrade over your current saw. However, if you run into anything bigger than 18" on a regular basis, you will find yourself wanting more saw eventually. It is a good reliable saw, and I have never been unhappy with my purchase.
By the way - never handled a Makita or Dolmar saw, but if they survive the rental department at HD, they are significantly better than a Wild Thing.
D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
FWIW the 362 and 391 are about identical weight and hp wise. 391 is ~$150ish cheaper. I'm very happy with mine but have never run a 36x to compare it against
D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
smokedragon
Minister of Fire
290 or 291 is a good start (although you may get bitten by the CAD bug and decide that you need bigger later)
Firewood Bandit
Minister of Fire
FWIW, Makita owns Dolmar.
With limited funds, it is foolish to overlook the 500 series Huskies. The 545 (50cc) and 555 (60cc) are about the best values out there right now. Auto tune saws with almost all the features of the pro line and very close to your budget.
Value and the term Stihl do not belong in the same sentence.
roadiestar
Member
- Mar 24, 2014
- 9
Before anyone else recommends Echo, read the OP, please.
OK, I'll check out the Husky 555. I suppose too much is being said about them to be able to justify not looking, at least.
OK, I'll check out the Husky 555. I suppose too much is being said about them to be able to justify not looking, at least.
I'm pretty much a Stihl guy, but I own Macs, Husqvarna, Makita, Poulan, Craftsman, and Earthquake saws, too. In fact, I actually use my Husqvarna 346XP more frequently than any of them.
The only issue that I've ever run into is that bars are not directly compatible (without adapter plate) between Stihl and the others. Really, it's not an issue because I hardly ever want or need to swap bars.
The only issue that I've ever run into is that bars are not directly compatible (without adapter plate) between Stihl and the others. Really, it's not an issue because I hardly ever want or need to swap bars.
smokedragon
Minister of Fire
I disagree.......a saw that will last 30 years with minimal repair/maintenance is a value to me.
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