Help me decide - new 346XP or PS5100?

[Steve NW WI]

Since you said you have no experience with either dealer, go visit both, and ask for a demo. Any good dealer should have a log or two out back for you to get a feel for what you're gonna spend your hard earned money on.

If either one gives you a bad vibe, walk out and go to the other one. Even if you are a hardcore sawfixer, a good dealer can be invaluable at times, and might even have a fix for the case of CAD you're bound to get here.

Local dealer, price, reviews on here, and previous good Dolmar experience led me to the 5100 personally, but I don't think you'll go wrong with either one.

 

[HEAVY FUEL]

The Jred 2153/Husky 346 is the best 50cc saw for $500

The Dolmar 5100 is the best 50cc saw for $400

 

[blsnelling]

....you will need to spend some money on porting and muffler mods if you want it to stay with or out do the 5100.

I'm sorry, but that is not the case. A muffler mod is all that is required. The cat muffler can easily be modded as well. So no money required either.

 

[J.Gordon]

The reasons I went with the 5100 over the NE346 was #1 was the inboard clutch and #2 price, I do have a good dealer that takes care of my Dolmars though. If I used my saw for limbing only I might have got the Husky but I buck wood as much or more than my 7900. I have never had or used a saw that has better air filtration than the husky's. I have picked up both saws and to me there's not that much difference handling. If I ever need a more nimble saw I will get one designated for that purpose.
try them both, but go with the dealer that will take care of you after the sale!

IMHO
Husky= the best air filtration and crappy outboard clutch.
Dolmar= inboard clutch and save a 150 bucks.
Both worthy saws.

 

[blsnelling]

The Jred 2153/Husky 346 is the best 50cc saw for $500

The Dolmar 5100 is the best 50cc saw for $400

The reasons I went with the 5100 over the NE346 was #1 was the inboard clutch and #2 price, I do have a good dealer that takes care of my Dolmars though. If I used my saw for limbing only I might have got the Husky but I buck wood as much or more than my 7900. I have never had or used a saw that has better air filtration than the husky's. I have picked up both saws and to me there's not that much difference handling. If I ever need a more nimble saw I will get one designated for that purpose.
try them both, but go with the dealer that will take care of you after the sale!

IMHO
Husky= the best air filtration and crappy outboard clutch.
Dolmar= inboard clutch and save a 150 bucks.
Both worthy saws.

Find the right dealer and you can get a 346 for a lot less than $500.

 

[J.Gordon]

Find the right dealer and you can get a 346 for a lot less than $500.

When I bought mine that was the price, Husky was the hot item. It would be nice if Dolmar would copy Husky's air filtering process. It hasn't been beat in my books.
Why Husky sticks with the OB clutch is beyond me though.

 

[woodyman]

I have a Snellerized NE346XP that I just love and I just got a PS5100SH (heated handles)that is blowing close to 180 psi cold after just 7 cuts.

 

[smitty299]

Honestly i don't understand what the big deal is with the outboard clutch. what it takes an extra min to switch rims or 30 sec to switch bars how often are you gonna be switching rims and bars anyways. one thing with the dolmar is your gonna be washing that filter everyday or carrying a spare with you.the husky not so. i'm not brand loyal i have both and not willing to part with either. but i honestly think the crappy filter is a bigger deal than the outboard clutch. i say if possible handle both because there is a big difference in the way they feel in your hands. i prefer the way the husky feels and handle's but that's just me:greenchainsaw:

 

[smitty299]

I have a Snellerized NE346XP that I just love and I just got a PS5100SH (heated handles)that is blowing close to 180 psi cold after just 7 cuts.

I was pretty surprised a couple days ago when my 5100 tested at 200psi.
that's a nice looking bar on the 346 wish i could find one for mine.

 

[Andyshine77]

When I bought mine that was the price, Husky was the hot item. It would be nice if Dolmar would copy Husky's air filtering process. It hasn't been beat in my books.
Why Husky sticks with the OB clutch is beyond me though.

The outboard clutch does have it's advantages. It helps keep the saws weight near the center mass of the saw. The closer you mount the chain to the crank bearing the less stress you put on the crank itself.

 

[Jtheo]

I'm sorry, but that is not the case. A muffler mod is all that is required. The cat muffler can easily be modded as well. So no money required either.

Okay Brad, thanks I mis understood on that one. I thought it took porting as well.

 

[Jtheo]

Find the right dealer and you can get a 346 for a lot less than $500.

I got two prices local. One is $555 and the other $478. That kind of held me back.

 

[blsnelling]

I got two prices local. One is $555 and the other $478. That kind of held me back.

$478 with tax would be a good price.

 

[J.Gordon]

Looks like the only place aroundme with decent dealer support is changing ownership in teh next week and they can't commit to what they will offer going forward....so probably means I'll get a 346xp even though it costs like $75 more.

I missed this earlier, your getting a great saw for the money. Dolmars dealer network sucks to say the least. There are good dealers out there, you just have to get lucky to have one close. Good luck!

 

[nikocker]

That's so true. . .

For an "all around" firewood saw right out of the box....5100 no doubt!.....If you want a nimble screamer for limbing and don't mind spending an additional $50 for a non catalytic muffler, to get the same grunt the 5100 has in the big stuff, than get the 346.

Both great saws either way.....With many pros and very few cons! :greenchainsaw:

They ARE both great saws. But you can't spend ANY amount of money to make the 5100 handle as well as the 346! So it can never be truely the same kind of all-round saw! Sorry.

How much does that filter fix for the 5100 cost??

Al

 

[SawTroll]

The reasons I went with the 5100 over the NE346 was #1 was the inboard clutch and #2 price, ......

The price really is the only reason to go with the Dolmar, and to me the difference isn't large enough to really matter!

The inboard clutch is one of the reasons that the Dolmar is rather clumsy to handle (for a 50cc saw) when limbing etc in the woods.

 

[SawTroll]

The outboard clutch does have it's advantages. It helps keep the saws weight near the center mass of the saw. The closer you mount the chain to the crank bearing the less stress you put on the crank itself.

I think that is what you meant to say!

Go back and edit!

 

[mowoodchopper]

Here is my OP , and its off the topic a little. The older I get and the more firewood I cut the less I even start a 50cc saw. 10 yrs ago I would have told you a good 50cc saw was perfect for a firewood saw. I used to think they were lighter and easier to cut with. The more I cut and the worse my back gets, now I dont even start a 50cc saw. For tree trimming or cutting brush ok they are good. For firewood most of my cutting is bucking 6 inch and up wood and very little of the six inch stuff mainly 8-24. So you start at the small end with a hot 5100 or 346 after about 10 -20 cuts the wood is up to 10- 12 inches and just keeps getting bigger. A 50cc will cut 12 inch wood fine but even a hot rod is slower than a good 60-80 cc saw. And even though the big saws are heavier , for me they are faster and work me less, they do the work. In fact I think its time to start a 60cc plus woodcutters social group on here and see how many people agree!

mowood

 

[CentaurG2]

I own both and use both almost daily. I feel that the little dolmar has the advantage in power on the stump but I have never actually done timed cuts with both saws. The dolmar air filter could be better but if you buy another filter and clean/switch them frequently, it is not a problem. If you go with the dolmar keep an eye on your max RPM. I am running 14200 (10 percent ethanol premium mixed 50:1 with synthetic oil) without problems but that is as fast as I will push it. I also had problems with the saw throwing the stock 3/8 bar and chain set up when limbing. It seems to be a combination of the inboard clutch, sprocket / bar mount and speed that did not sit well with this saw. I switched it out to a .325 set up and have not had any problems since. If you get really stuck deciding on which saw to get, do what I did and get both. That way you will always have a great saw for a back up. Good Luck.

 

[Chaz1]

They ARE both great saws. But you can't spend ANY amount of money to make the 5100 handle as well as the 346! So it can never be truely the same kind of all-round saw! Sorry.

How much does that filter fix for the 5100 cost??

Al

Myself, Ive never ran a Dolmar 5100. That being said I can't compare the two. But having read so much here on AS I think it's safe to say that the 5100 has had it's share of lean scoring issues. Poor dealer setup? Maybe. Intake leakage issues? Probably the source of the problem. Forget his name(CS comes to mind. Dolmar dealer in NY) has said that Dolmar IS coming out with a fix to the problem. Mainly why I brought this up. That's fine but for my money, I would like to see the fix on the saw BEFORE I bought one. I don't doubt that the saw is a good saw especially for it's suggested retail but it needs to be as bulletproof as the 346 before I would recommend it as a better saw. Just my double lincolns!