Age old question needs newbie answer

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theoctagon

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I am in the market for my first saw and i am torn between 2. Either a Stihl 290 or a Dolmar 5100s. Both seem like great saws but only one can be bought. The stihl is going for about 330 and te dolmar is 375. Any help would be great. Thank you in advance. P.S. I am also thinking of becoming a dealer for Dolmar so any info on them would be great. Thats whats making me lean tward it but if they arent worth it i wont even mess with it and just get the stihl.
 
I am in the market for my first saw and i am torn between 2. Either a Stihl 290 or a Dolmar 5100s. Both seem like great saws but only one can be bought. The stihl is going for about 330 and te dolmar is 375. Any help would be great. Thank you in advance. P.S. I am also thinking of becoming a dealer for Dolmar so any info on them would be great. Thats whats making me lean tward it but if they arent worth it i wont even mess with it and just get the stihl.
I have a 5100 along with 3 or 4 other 50 cc saws and the Dolmar is just as good as the others.
 
Dolmars are fine saws. If those are your choices I think 99% of the guys here are going to tell ya to go for the 5100 with only $45 difference. The 290 is a good durable saw but a tad bulky. 5100 seems to be the new hotrod kid on the small-middie block and everyone who has one seems to love it. I don't know much about being a dealer, but Dolmar seems to have great product and many people here have been beggin' for more availability so............... Maybe send a PM to the one of the Cutting Edge guys come to mind, they have been dealing in Dolmies for awhile.

Good luck and welcome aboard.
 
Oh great, this outta be another heated discussion as you will proably find out. I will almost bet that a 361 will be mentioned since you want to spend 375. But, the 290 is a fine saw, but it isn't a Pro saw so most will disapprove of it, some of the stuff you might hear is that your elbow will hurt, your kids won't like to use it, because it isn't as fun. After 20 years of use the extra cost will pay for itself (like your taking a loan out on it) it has 2 starter pawls instead of one, it feels all wrong. God there is alot more but those were some of my favorites! Anyway I have a 310 it's a great firewood saw period. I won't speak for Dolmar I haven't got to use one myself, but very curious. I'm sure others can answer that, just be prepared to maybe, how do you say get "mislead"...
 
I kinda got stuck on the part about maybe selling Dolmars. Since chainsaws are the lions share of Dolmar's product line, or at least the most visible part. it seems reasonable to do a little research.

But it also begs the question, what sort of dealer would you like to be? If I was to guess, I'd say outdoor power equipment wasn't your main area of expertise, maybe you're a hardware store or something looking to expand. I see you're in Mn...a pretty good place to sell chain saws.

How about a few details?
 
I've never personally run any Dolmar but have run 290/310/390's extensively and can say that they are all great saws. If you are just intending to use it for general clean-up, firewood, around the house, etc... you will definitely be happy with the 290.
 
Starting a small engine shop for my dad and me. We are dealers for Bad Boy mowers only for now but looking to expand as we go. Chainsaws seemed like a logical piece to the puzzle. We have a husky stihl and echo dealer within 10 miles and the nearest dolmar dealer is 40 plus miles away into Iowa. Most of the cutting i will be doing will be droppin trees for a wood burning boiler we are going to buy to heat our two shops. We have a small craftsman right now but i hate it and want something w/ some power and reliability.

Was the comparison unfair? what would be a closer comparison to the dolmar 5100?
 
Should i get a taurus or a mustang for just a little price difference?
daz.gif


290 is not bad but, GET THE 5100
 
sawdust clear some space in ur pm. i cannnot reply to your message says your box is full
 
for gink

get a stihl ms 361 and never look back!










seriously, i know nothing of the 290 except it is not a pro saw... if that matters to you. but i hear really good things about the 5100s. just ask cisqoguy. he really seems to like it, and you can watch a video of him cutting with it. looks like an impressive piece of machinery.
 
So far im thinkin this is a no brainer i better get that 5100 and fast. i was thinkin of gettin a 16" and a 20" bar. Can you go w/ a 24" or would that just be way too big for it? Also ive been reading that the stock chain sucks???? what do you recommend to buy for it?
 
I know this will sound bad, but not meaning it that way. You dont sound like you know that much about saws. It would be hard for me to buy a saw from someone like that. Keep that in mind. It wont take long to figure it out by studying searched info. To answer your what size bar question, get the 18" in .375 also known as 3/8's. I have this & cuts like a hot knife through butter. Be carefull of kickback if your not used to a powerfull saw. I'm not into smaller saws than about 45cc's so I dont know anything about dolmars lineup. good luck. Just cause I think you dont know much about a saw is just my opinion so you could know more than I think. Todd.:)
 
Taurus???? Yes you are from Clemson.;) Sorry, I couldn't resist.

That is funny. My intitial thought was that being in Utah, a comparison for you would include and Aerostar or Astro van rather than the Taurus.

Then I noticed the Gamecocks avatar and the Clemson jab took affect. My Grandfather is a Clemson man, so I am slighty more educated on the rivalry than most in the West.
 
I know this will sound bad, but not meaning it that way. You dont sound like you know that much about saws. It would be hard for me to buy a saw from someone like that. Keep that in mind. It wont take long to figure it out by studying searched info. To answer your what size bar question, get the 18" in .375 also known as 3/8's. I have this & cuts like a hot knife through butter. Be carefull of kickback if your not used to a powerfull saw. I'm not into smaller saws than about 45cc's so I dont know anything about dolmars lineup. good luck. Just cause I think you dont know much about a saw is just my opinion so you could know more than I think. Todd.:)

My dad knows a lot more about them than i do. I can honestly say i havent delt with them very much but you gotta start somewhere. I dont plan on getting into selling them until i use them and get to know what im selling. I know exactly what you mean and i would feel the same way. I buy the brand for myself before i sell it just to find out what people think of it. I plan on letting whoever wants try it out and see what they think.
 
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