Echo Gurus... CS 400 or CS 4510?

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SierraMtns

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Looking for some input on a couple echo saws. Looking at either the CS 400 or CS 4510. There is a couple things I like better on the 4510 like kill switch and higher RPM's. The 4510 says 13,000 rpm's vs 12,000 rpm's in the 400. The down side is the 4510 is a little heavier and more expensive.

Looking for some details on the engines. It looks like the 400 has plastic cases where the 4510 looks be magnesium. I am trying to stay right at 40 cc.

Thanks
 
I don't have a CS400, but go with the 400.

I'm making that recommendation based upon the following thought process:
If the drawing in the previously linked IPL is correct and the carb adjustment screws actually DO look like that, F- that mess.
 
Sweet thanks. I am surprised its a strato engine. I guess I would of thought echo was still building non-strato engines. It looks like the 4510 is also a clam shell style engine.
If those are your only choices, listen to Steve and get the CS-400. For the money, and once modded, it will last longer, cut as fast, and be cheaper to operate with regard to parts. If you want an even better way to go, forget both, and buy a CS-490 on E-Bay for about $279 delivered, or even less. You get a magnesium alloy crankcase, 50cc displacement engine, and the saw weighs 10.66 pounds at the powerhead. The CS-400 weighs about 10.3 pounds with the plastic handle and 10.4 pounds with the aluminum handle. Not sure what the CS-4510 really weighs, but guessing it is well over 11 pounds (you actually have to way these saws, as every manufacturer fibs a little). The CS-490 is about the easiest saw to muffler mod and offers great value. Still, you can't go wrong with the CS-400. I have lots of them, and even with modular design and without magnesium crankcase, they are pretty much bullet proof. They really respond to muffler modding well. Performance increases perhaps 30-40%. Strato saws don't respond as well to muffler modding in my humble opinion. For that matter, the CS-490 doesn't respond as well to muffler modding either, but it is a 50cc displacement saw and well built. Air filters for the CS-400 are down right cheap compared to the others, if you buy right. Also, the CS-400 uses the 041 bar mount, so you can interchange extra bars from Poulan etc. should they be available for little money. Just my two cents.
 
I have a 400 and am happy with it. It's efficient and decently powerful, starts like a breeze and is dead reliable. I can cut for years with all the Poulan bars and chains I have from my days with those. Honestly there are better and cheaper saws out there probably like the 490 but I like the 3/8 low pro chain. I can also use the 400 for hours and not really be tired.

It's been out awhile and parts saws are going to start popping up as they wear out or succumb to abuse. A decent cs400 can be had for $150- $175 around here.
 
A couple of things the Cs400 ready to cut weighs #13 even, a Cs490 500 weight 14 3/4# ready to cut. To make the Cs490 500 cut much faster than the CS400 you will need to use a .325 NK B@C or convert it to a 3/8 lp B@C. Also give the CS490 500 a long time to break in, the CS400 doesn't seem to need much break in. Steve
 
Today played with my Echo cs490. Didn't have my glasses on but the Tension pin (the pin that fits in the bar tension hole) appears to be PLASTIC. I could be wrong but it sure felt plastic. Could be black metal ? Any way I was playing with a Tractor supply bar & chain. The chain oils but heats up. Tension was correct. The drive Links don't have those oil assist holes that allows the chain to float on a film. The saw oils at a tension hole and it was half covered so I'm messing with the bar seeing if that's a problem. I was raised a poor kid and even though I'm not poor anyone old habits are hard to break and it's fun trying to beat the system. Also ran my very old Sthil 024. The thing has a Metal Clutch cover, is very old, maybe 1990ish and is so damn sweet I kept ask if it has a sister. That bar (very old but good) is a heavy duck. The kill switch and choke spring, the one that holds the choke on for starting and makes contact with a wire to stop the engine, seemed to be binding. Dumbass here broke it with pliers. I should have known better. Probably could buy one but, I've got an idea about removing one from another saw for a pattern and trying to make a new part out of spring steel. Don't laugh. I once installed a Ford Pinto (what a fool, Pinto of all things) in a VW bus. I pleaded temporarily YOUNG. At age 30 I had no idea that Pinto engines probably weren't the best choice. Today looking at that old Sthil 024 I realized the REASON Sthil were once (may still be) the best saws we could buy. Those saws were built like Tanks. Back then they were cheaper too. Echo makes a decent old man, that thinks he's a young man, saw,. But Echo saws ( the ones I've seen) look weak and flimsy standing Beside a Sthil. Example. The choke on my cs490, or cs352. Didn't check cs590. So, we were discussing cs4510??? What? Why? And is Echo serious? The cs400 and cs490 are good enough saws. Do we REALLY NEED a 45cc Echo. Ok I get it, let's build a Strato. I'm up for that but why not a BIGGER. Say a 70 cc saw. But, wait. Echo plays the Professional uh, almost, market. Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe, that 45cc thing really is worth introducing to my fleet. Good day.
 
They always have a bs answer. To make money of course but unless someone that has used that saw posts something positive I'm seeing low reviews. The 400 is a great old stand by the next step up would be the cs490. Unless they wanted to get a NEW Strato on the market by rolling the dice, I can't see a reason to buy one. But that opinion is open ended. I'm anxious to hear from someone who bought one and tells me IF the value is really there. I'm semi-retired and need to sell not buy but still like looking. Good night. Blessings
 
You can trust that the CS-400 is a great, long lasting, powerful saw, even though it doesn't have a magnesium crankcase. I could be wrong, but I do not believe that the CS-4510 has a mag case. The cS-450P did. As for value, you can't beat the CS-490. Absolutely the most bang for the buck. True weigh of the CS-490 is 10.66 lbs on my digital scale. The CS-400 is 10.3 lbs on the same scale. For one third more pounds, you get another 10cc displacement and magnesium crankcase. Typically, the brand new, delivered price to your door from E-Bay is about $30 difference if you buy patiently. The CS-490 is slightly less work to mod as there is no cat to remove. Once the CS-490 breaks in (and provided you do the small muffler medication required), the saw will run very close to most pro 50 cc chainsaws. I would store the 20" bar for another day and get a 16" FOLD bar with a standard kerf Carlton semi chisel chain (they stay sharp longer and are better for newbies). You will be happy.
 
If I could start all over again, rather then owning multiple saws, the cs-490 would be it. Cut about 2+ cords of Oak a year for personal use.

Update: I lied. I like owning multiple saws.
 
If I could start all over again, rather then owning multiple saws, the cs-490 would be it. Cut about 2+ cords of Oak a year for personal use.

Update: I lied. I like owning multiple saws.
We all like owning multiple saws. Yes, it is a sign of power, virility, social status, and complete total mental instability.
 
We all like owning multiple saws. Yes, it is a sign of power, virility, social status, and complete total mental instability.
Yes, I have way to many. Got the 024AV Sthil tuned up and running great. I may sell it. Bought a gas and feel impulse line for the 026. When it's cooler I may sell those saws. The cs352,490,590 get used most. The Sthil 029 is a good medium saw so I'll keep it as a back up for the cs 590. Sthil I enjoy reading reviews and reading on this site . Good day
 
So. Far I still can't see a good reason for the cs4510. Priced to close to the cs490 which I figure is a better saw. That's like the cs 310, not even close to being as good as the cs352. I see no reason for the cs 310. But that's just an opinion. I'd be interested in learning why those saws are made.
 
I like the cs400 very well, my new cs490 probably less then 3 tanks through it, so far I don't think highly of it like the cs400. The cs400 is in a nutshell user friendly, can keep going long with it, no pain. cs490 feels weak so far and isn't near as smooth and easy starting.
 

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