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Opinions:

MS381 stihl for $1625, Makita DCS7301 for $1150 or DCS 7901 for $1325.

I run two small makita/dolmars an 038Magnum and a 311 at the moment, I have been waiting two and a half weeks for a brake band for the 038 and am sick of not being able to get stihl parts. The only problem with the Makitas is there is only one service agent in our area, I was favouring another stihl as this one has given nearly 30 years service but am sick of waiting for parts and the Makitas are so much cheaper.

I run a hard nose 24" on the 038 for dirty wood and a 20" Tsumura for everything else. I would probably go simply for a 24 " Tsumura if I bought the Makita(the makitas only come with a 20" laminated lightweight job).
 
Opinions:

MS381 stihl for $1625, Makita DCS7301 for $1150 or DCS 7901 for $1325.

I run two small makita/dolmars an 038Magnum and a 311 at the moment, I have been waiting two and a half weeks for a brake band for the 038 and am sick of not being able to get stihl parts. The only problem with the Makitas is there is only one service agent in our area, I was favouring another stihl as this one has given nearly 30 years service but am sick of waiting for parts and the Makitas are so much cheaper.

I run a hard nose 24" on the 038 for dirty wood and a 20" Tsumura for everything else. I would probably go simply for a 24 " Tsumura if I bought the Makita(the makitas only come with a 20" laminated lightweight job).
i take it yr dealer only orders once a month. i could get genuine parts to you in a week if you would like. and get the 381 for $1500 i reckon.
 
i take it yr dealer only orders once a month. i could get genuine parts to you in a week if you would like. and get the 381 for $1500 i reckon.

Thanks for the offer, the Local bloke is being screwed by stihl, I have seen the paperwork. This isn't the first time they have had issues getting parts for me, apparently it will be here tomorrow..... that said I am a bit pissed they didn't have something as simple as a brake band and if they aren't going to keep inventory then one of the main reasons I was going to stick with Stihl is gone. I have had a very good run out of my two small saws and just want to know what the bigger Makitas are like from someone other than a weekend firewood cutter like me.

I should have bought a MS381 a couple of years ago when they were around $1200. I only cut firewood and clear tracks now.

Cheers.
 
Thanks for the offer, the Local bloke is being screwed by stihl, I have seen the paperwork. This isn't the first time they have had issues getting parts for me, apparently it will be here tomorrow..... that said I am a bit pissed they didn't have something as simple as a brake band and if they aren't going to keep inventory then one of the main reasons I was going to stick with Stihl is gone.
Cheers.

Don't know why, but it takes me 2-3 days MAX to get Stihl parts, from either stihl dealer in town, wonder why it differs?
I also speak highly of the ms381, if I'm cutting something small or going away camping it's a good pick for the weight/cc.
 
thats the hard part
Not really.

I've got a few dozen customers local to me....this load is wetter than wet. Well over 4.5 ton...I had to use low to get it off the property.....just didn't want to budge up hills.

Hoping to sell it straight out the back so I don't have to double handle it...about 4.9cu mtrs there
 
Opinions:

MS381 stihl for $1625, Makita DCS7301 for $1150 or DCS 7901 for $1325.

I run two small makita/dolmars an 038Magnum and a 311 at the moment, I have been waiting two and a half weeks for a brake band for the 038 and am sick of not being able to get stihl parts. The only problem with the Makitas is there is only one service agent in our area, I was favouring another stihl as this one has given nearly 30 years service but am sick of waiting for parts and the Makitas are so much cheaper.

I run a hard nose 24" on the 038 for dirty wood and a 20" Tsumura for everything else. I would probably go simply for a 24 " Tsumura if I bought the Makita(the makitas only come with a 20" laminated lightweight job).

Go the 7901. A Stihl 381 won't hold a candle against a 7901. Not a hope in hell. 7901 is a German built pro saw that will easily run a 32" buried in our hardwoods. Even if the 381 was a grand the Makita (made by Dolmar) is still better value. You can't even buy a Stihl MS261 (50cc) for the price of the 79cc Makita. In fact I can't even believe the 381's are so expensive for what you get...
 
To be honest Neil I gauge saw performance simply by how many stickers you can fit on the top engine and air filter cover. T Shirts also influence saw performance.
For somebody who's been around racing for so long I'd have expected you to know this.

Looks like I'm going to stay at the back of the pack then, no stickers, no stubby holders and no T shirts , and I suppose no hope of ever being picked up by a sponsor... bugger. Thanks Mathew for explaining just how far behind the 8 ball I actually am.
I can understand the test being done, but it wouldnt be used all the time or is it only when a saw has a problem

Why would a test rig be needed with a simple work saw as in the case in the video, he has a lot of vids doing different stuff that guy has.
Some years back on this and other forums it became the subject of great discussion, it seemed everyone needed one suddenly. Was about the same time when every man needed a tacko too.
There are some very well made ''home made'' hydraulic test rigs around, and yes they obviously work well.
My point answering your previous post was why is it needed, if a guy can't tell by using a saw if its running right then he should give it to someone who does or even be shown what to listen for ect. Tuning saws correctly does need practice but even novice saw users with a little coaching can tune a saw to safely operate without it going over the top.
 
Looks like I'm going to stay at the back of the pack then, no stickers, no stubby holders and no T shirts , and I suppose no hope of ever being picked up by a sponsor... bugger. Thanks Mathew for explaining just how far being the 8 ball I am.

That's OK mate. Just keeping you in the loop old son. Things have changed in the performance saw scene which you obviously aren't aware of.
 
That's OK mate. Just keeping you in the loop old son. Things have changed in the performance saw scene which you obviously aren't aware of.

Well there are obviously many many top engine builders around, it amazes me sometimes the amount of newer guys across different forums who have the ''skills'' and the ability to run down some other creditable developers who has been on the same forums for many years before and have many saws out in the fields.
 
Opinions:

MS381 stihl for $1625, Makita DCS7301 for $1150 or DCS 7901 for $1325.

I run two small makita/dolmars an 038Magnum and a 311 at the moment, I have been waiting two and a half weeks for a brake band for the 038 and am sick of not being able to get stihl parts. The only problem with the Makitas is there is only one service agent in our area, I was favouring another stihl as this one has given nearly 30 years service but am sick of waiting for parts and the Makitas are so much cheaper.

I run a hard nose 24" on the 038 for dirty wood and a 20" Tsumura for everything else. I would probably go simply for a 24 " Tsumura if I bought the Makita(the makitas only come with a 20" laminated lightweight job).
I'd be sticking with the brand that you can still get genuine parts for 30 years after it was made. There are only a few manufacturers that still in the world we live in do that, Not worthy of a winge actually.
Thangst
 
Looks like I'm going to stay at the back of the pack then, no stickers, no stubby holders and no T shirts , and I suppose no hope of ever being picked up by a sponsor... bugger. Thanks Mathew for explaining just how far behind the 8 ball I actually am.


Why would a test rig be needed with a simple work saw as in the case in the video, he has a lot of vids doing different stuff that guy has.
Some years back on this and other forums it became the subject of great discussion, it seemed everyone needed one suddenly. Was about the same time when every man needed a tacko too.
There are some very well made ''home made'' hydraulic test rigs around, and yes they obviously work well.
My point answering your previous post was why is it needed, if a guy can't tell by using a saw if its running right then he should give it to someone who does or even be shown what to listen for ect. Tuning saws correctly does need practice but even novice saw users with a little coaching can tune a saw to safely operate without it going over the top.
Very well said and that answered my question
 

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