I have been looking for an upgrade to my O26. Thought around the 70cc mark. I like the 440 and 460 s but they are still crazy priced around me and look to be worn the heck out. Cant do the 1300 or whatever for a new one. BUT I found a guy that builds nothing but clones with all new aftermarket parts. I can pick up one of these for around 700. He has a 441 up right now and said he is going to start on a 660 soon which will cost about the same , for some reason he said the 441 was just as much to build as the 660. What do you think? I just like the idea of a new saw and the bigger cc.
Buying a new "Clone" saw?? What do you think?
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There's a couple threads in the equipment-chainsaw forum reviewing the kits. Seem to do okay but seems very un-American, maybe even treasonous, to buy stolen German designs. 
At least he is acknowledging that they are clones. Around me, they put a Stihl bar on it and just sell it saying its a MS660 and rip off unsuspecting buyers.
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At least he is acknowledging that they are clones. Around me, they put a Stihl bar on it and just sell it saying its a MS660 and rip off unsuspecting buyers.
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For $700 dollars could find a 372,385,390 used and rebuild with oem parts. For that amount buy lightly used. Some am parts are good and some are not. IMHO. Have a 372 with new rings, full wrap and new 24 inch bar and chain you can take home for $600. Contact Clipper1 he always has a nice Stihl or Husky for sale. I hate saying stihl.
For about $750/$800 you can have a new 372xp, add another $150 and you can have yourself a new 390xp, a grand and you can pick up 441, maybe a 461 if you can find the right dealer.
Saving a a few hundred bucks is not worth the inevitable hassle you'll have with the Chinese clone saws. These things are really just toys to have fun building and messing around with, I wouldn't consider them to be real tools you can depend on. You will most definitely have to upgrade some parts to oem and even than the other components are at best subpar. Following the build threads and videos on clone saws has proven that.
Stihl saws are always priced crazy high for one reason and one reason only, they have Stihl written on them.
Saving a a few hundred bucks is not worth the inevitable hassle you'll have with the Chinese clone saws. These things are really just toys to have fun building and messing around with, I wouldn't consider them to be real tools you can depend on. You will most definitely have to upgrade some parts to oem and even than the other components are at best subpar. Following the build threads and videos on clone saws has proven that.
Stihl saws are always priced crazy high for one reason and one reason only, they have Stihl written on them.
cuinrearview
Red saw lover
I have not seen a clone kit for a 441 so the seller is already suspect.
You are going to find a range of opinions on the China saw kits, but I agree with the opinions above. For $700 you can buy a whole lot of "real" saw, slightly used or mechanically new. Take a look at what's offered in the trading post.
You are going to find a range of opinions on the China saw kits, but I agree with the opinions above. For $700 you can buy a whole lot of "real" saw, slightly used or mechanically new. Take a look at what's offered in the trading post.
As someone who has built a clone saw, don't expect it to perform like an original. They do well for what they are but I'm always doing something to mine. $700 for one already assembled is to steep in my opinion. A used 372 or 440 should be cheaper and less headache.
Building a clone was a great learning experience, and with the info on here, not difficult. Just don't expect to tighten the last screw and never have to take it back apart.
Building a clone was a great learning experience, and with the info on here, not difficult. Just don't expect to tighten the last screw and never have to take it back apart.
Cheesecutter
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Around here a new 72 cc Jonsered 2166 can be had for $630 pho, or $680 with a 24 inch bar. A Dolmar 7910 is $699.
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Is it an M-Tronic? Come with multiple chains? Too high IMO.
Don't count out Echo. For $700 you should be able to pick up a 680. Jred, Dolmar, or Echo all are good. Been a long time since I've priced anything new, but if I were going to sink 700 into a saw, new would be the route I'd take.
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Cut the baffles out and have a 2171.
panolo
Seldom right...Always opinionated!
I think @MustangMike has built some clone saws. Maybe he could give you his thoughts?
May have been available in 2010 but my dealers often kept both models- original and M-tronic- on the shelves to meet buyer preference. For example, I only just got my first m-tronic saw a month or so ago...
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Buy an echo can have a new 680 for a little over 600 I sold both my stihls and bought s new 620. And never looked back in my opinion way better saw then my 290 and 390
cuinrearview
Red saw lover
I'm guessing you're dealing with the yahoos on CL in the mid-MI area? Whenever I ask the guy in Jackson/Parma with the clone questions about his equipment he never has a response. I haven't looked closely at that 441. Not a lot of bigger saws at decent prices in our area right now. Over towards the west side there's a 372 at a halfway decent price.
cuinrearview
Red saw lover
Wait! I take that back. Are you looking at "the chokeless super saw"
