SawTroll
Information Collector
If this is your short list, remember that 1 of those is a true professional saw, the other 2 are pro-sumer models.
Actually none of them are true pro saws, but the Husky sure is much closer than the others.
Choosing new 50cc saw, Dolmar, Husky, Stihl, Jonsereds?
- Thread starter Carl Anderson
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
Actually none of them are true pro saws, but the Husky sure is much closer than the others.
Ambull
OCD Muscle Saw Collector
This is the most common thread topic on this board. It usually ends up in a fight.....
Stihl: the cadillac, generally highest price, highest resale value, most expensive to fix, most sex appeal
Husqvarna: very solid good running saw. generally priced a little less than Stihl
Dolmar: lowest price, good performer, most hated saw by people that don't have one
Solo: low price as well, not as popular
Echo: sorry but that is a home depot saw. a good performer none the less
hope this helps
Stihl: the cadillac, generally highest price, highest resale value, most expensive to fix, most sex appeal
Husqvarna: very solid good running saw. generally priced a little less than Stihl
Dolmar: lowest price, good performer, most hated saw by people that don't have one
Solo: low price as well, not as popular
Echo: sorry but that is a home depot saw. a good performer none the less
hope this helps
indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
With you not considering the two best 50cc saws the Ms 261 Stihl and 346xpne Husky I would find me a really clean 028 Stihl or 028 super even if I had to get in the 250-300.00 range, they are a better saw than most you have listed. Pro-Construction and bullet proof with thousands upon thousand still in use.
You're just having carburetor problems? Would a carburetor not be cheaper than a whole new saw or are you looking for an excuse to spend some cash? :msp_biggrin: If that's the case then go for the 353 or 346xp.
Carl Anderson
ArboristSite Operative
I agree it's better to save for better quality but I need a saw soon and the 346xp is $180 more than the Dolmar 510. I know the xp is better but for the occasional cutter like me $530 is hard to justify. I'm not making money with the saw like most of you guys are. When I was a landscaper we had pro grade tools (saws, mowers, etc) and I got spoiled but I have to be realistic with my needs and my budget now that I'm a just landowner, not earning a living with my tools.
If the xp were $430 I might step up to it but at $530 I just can't. The Husky 353 is $455 total which is stretching it pretty far and nobody has convinced me that it's $100 better than the 510 yet. The Stihls just seem to be very pricey for the features you get.
I'm still open to suggestions but the 510 is in the lead for now. Are there any drawbacks to the 510 that haven't come out yet? I heard the 5100 series had issues running lean and needed extra attention. Is there anyting like that with the 510? I like what Justin said about his dad's 510 just being ready to cut without having to tune it first. I perform regular maintenance but I'm not a mechanic and don't want to have to tinker with a saw and screw it up.
If the xp were $430 I might step up to it but at $530 I just can't. The Husky 353 is $455 total which is stretching it pretty far and nobody has convinced me that it's $100 better than the 510 yet. The Stihls just seem to be very pricey for the features you get.
I'm still open to suggestions but the 510 is in the lead for now. Are there any drawbacks to the 510 that haven't come out yet? I heard the 5100 series had issues running lean and needed extra attention. Is there anyting like that with the 510? I like what Justin said about his dad's 510 just being ready to cut without having to tune it first. I perform regular maintenance but I'm not a mechanic and don't want to have to tinker with a saw and screw it up.
husky 450
I personally own a 450 and if you are looking for something that doesnt have to be super duper pro level the 450 is a GREAT saw. very light and smooth cutting. Ive used mine to cut up HUGE trees and it never let me down.
I personally own a 450 and if you are looking for something that doesnt have to be super duper pro level the 450 is a GREAT saw. very light and smooth cutting. Ive used mine to cut up HUGE trees and it never let me down.
homelitejim
Full of Scrap
Why not buy a slightly used pro saw at a fraction of the price? For $350-400 I would be looking at a nice 044 with 28" bar so I didn't have to bend over so much. I think you can also find the husky 346xp used in your price range or a good 026-260 stihl.Husqvarna 346XP Chainsaw - eBay (item 320676948578 end time Apr-02-11 17:39:03 PDT)
SawTroll
Information Collector
I have huge problems with understanding how minor price differenses is such a big issue - saws are dirt cheap in the US anyway, compared to most of the world.....
sunfish
Fish Head
I have huge problems with understanding how minor price differenses is such a big issue - saws are dirt cheap in the US anyway, compared to most of the world.....
Got that right!
You need to go shopping and buy the better saw. You should be able to buy one for $440-$465.
Interested in a very lightly used MS261? I can get you one shipped to you for $500. I'll even mod the muffler and retune for free.
indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
Brad, he should take you up on that offer. For a pure firewood saw I like the 261 quite a bit more than the 346. That's a heck of a good deal, it should be the last saw he should ever need.
Went from an 044 Stihl to the Dolmar 5105. Was a little scared but now that I'm using it I absolutely love it. The lighter saw is easier for me to use for hours on end and seeing that the largest thing I usually cut is 20" or less it performs well for me. Don't be scared off by the stories of the Dolmars having lean/heat lock up issues. That was with the 5100s. The 5105s seem to have the issues corrected. Good luck in your quest!
Carl Anderson
ArboristSite Operative
Brad that is very generous, I appreciate the offer. That is a good deal and your expert mod and tuning is definitely worth a lot too if I can make the money work somehow. What bar/chain is on it?
I will also keep an eye on that xp on ebay, thanks for the link Jim, that is very nice of you to take the time to look that up. Right now it's at $376 but reserve not met yet. I'll see where that goes.
I'm sorry to irritate people with budget details, I know it is a pain in the rear but income is down so an extra $100-$200 is a big deal to me right now. I didn't plan on buying a saw this just happened out of the blue and I'm scrambling a bit. I'll try and shut up about the money from here on out.
I will also keep an eye on that xp on ebay, thanks for the link Jim, that is very nice of you to take the time to look that up. Right now it's at $376 but reserve not met yet. I'll see where that goes.
I'm sorry to irritate people with budget details, I know it is a pain in the rear but income is down so an extra $100-$200 is a big deal to me right now. I didn't plan on buying a saw this just happened out of the blue and I'm scrambling a bit. I'll try and shut up about the money from here on out.
20" .325.
zogger
Tree Freak
Have you looked here?
http://www.arboristsite.com/classifieds.php?do=main&catid=18
Several decent deals there, take yer pick. If you need it real quick, even fast shipping would still come in way under your budget.
How about your local craigslist? End 0 the season, I notice mine now has chainsaws coming out like crazy. Buyers market now, as opposed to say lawnmowers, now they are starting to creep up in price.
http://www.arboristsite.com/classifieds.php?do=main&catid=18
Several decent deals there, take yer pick. If you need it real quick, even fast shipping would still come in way under your budget.
How about your local craigslist? End 0 the season, I notice mine now has chainsaws coming out like crazy. Buyers market now, as opposed to say lawnmowers, now they are starting to creep up in price.
SawTroll
Information Collector
gmskyjacker
ArboristSite Lurker
I have a rancher 455 and I love it starts in 2 pulls every time in the cold -15 out or 100 degrees out . I run it about 8 hours every weekend still feels new never had a problem with it . But for some reason everyone hates them ha ha the only time I grab another saw is when my 20 inch bar won't go deep enough when layen down a monster
Tim Carroll
Firewood Hack
I'm sorry to irritate people with budget details, I know it is a pain in the rear but income is down so an extra $100-$200 is a big deal to me right now. I didn't plan on buying a saw this just happened out of the blue and I'm scrambling a bit. I'll try and shut up about the money from here on out.[/QUOTE]
Don't feel bad about not wanting to spend a extra $100-$200. To me that is a concern if it is above your budget. I think that a Dolmar 510 or 5105 would work just fine for you if that is what your budget allows. I have put a lot of time on my 5100 and I think that the Dolmars are good for the money. They have good AV, good power to weight, good build quality and a better price point. I'm not going to say that they are way better than this or that but that you would get a decent saw that you can afford. Sometimes your just better off with a Chevrolet instead of a Cadilac. IMO
Don't feel bad about not wanting to spend a extra $100-$200. To me that is a concern if it is above your budget. I think that a Dolmar 510 or 5105 would work just fine for you if that is what your budget allows. I have put a lot of time on my 5100 and I think that the Dolmars are good for the money. They have good AV, good power to weight, good build quality and a better price point. I'm not going to say that they are way better than this or that but that you would get a decent saw that you can afford. Sometimes your just better off with a Chevrolet instead of a Cadilac. IMO
nmurph
ArboristSite.com Sponsor
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2007
- Messages
- 16,162
- Reaction score
- 7,167
The problem is the color!
how do you know what color i am?????
Thanks for the props Brad, I appreciate it!!
I'm pretty sure I could muff mod a saw
