MS 361? Dolmar 5100? decisions decisions

[mayor]

Hey gang!
I've decided too go buy me a new saw this morning....after reading here and trying too make up my mind.....its looking like a 5100 dolmar...or a 361 stihl!
The dolmar dealer is 30 miles down the road.....I have 3 stihl dealers that are full service within 5 miles of the house...so the stihl is winning right now. I have a bandmill and we do some light logging, but mostly, I cut a lot of firewood in the 20" and down range. I'm 44 years old and my back is starting too let me know that the big saws is not the direction I want too go!!!. I've never tried out the dolmars, but they seem too be getting pretty good reviews!.
Some of the saws I've looked at were the 260's, the 310, I own huskies and like them too!....I've got a poor little special 50 husky that's been around here for over 15 years now and I couldnt count how many truckloads of firewood its cut without problems....but the carb isfinally in need of replacement and some other things going wrong so its time for a new one.

I'll try to get some pics. of my operation as I know everyone likes pics.....especially this time of year!!!!

Stay safe....wear your PPE....and dont get bit by that frozen snake under that log right there!!!.

 

[blsnelling]

The 361 is quite a bit more saw than the 5100. The 5100 is usually compared to the 260 and 346.

 

[mini kahuna]

when I am blocking firewood above 10 inches I grab the 7900.
yeah the saw is heavier but the power and speed gets the job done so much faster the extra weight makes sense,more wood cut in the same amount of time= more money made.

 

[davefr]

IMHO the 5100's sweet spot is 18" whereas the 361 is 20". I'd categorize the 5100 as a small saw at the high end of the output range. However the 361 is the starting point for big saws.

Both saws have a great reputation. If you're doing 20" hardwoods consistently I'd go for the 361. If the wood is soft and if most of it is under 20" then go for the 5100.

 

[WRW]

The Mayor of Barboursville. Been a while since I was anywhere near there.

blsnelling is right about the sizes. Do you just want to replace a 50cc saw or move up to 60cc would be the question. Personally, I would move up.

 

[Just Mow]

The 361 would be my choice since it is the larger saw of the two. I have two and they are great. I have not owned the dolmar but it has a good reputation as well.

Welcome to AS

 

[redwing2]

Mayor: I can't believe that you don't have a 361 already, why every big city mayor knows that owning one of those saws will take care of all your city's problems. From snow removal to sewer problems the 361 can handle it all.

Hell my city issues one to every cop just in case they need back up! Firemen wouldn't't be seen without one (never know when you might have to cut down the neighbors house to stop that fire from spreading.) Daaam, you know it might even get you reelected, now there's something to think about.

A Dolmar huh! that will only cut lot's and lot's of firewood without hurting your back,and never causing you a problem. you wouldn't want one of those.

 

[hornett22]

361 is a nice saw.

if your dealers are that close,i stick with Stihl.i like the dolmar but 30 miles is 30 miles.

if your cutting firewood only i'd look at the ms260 and 270.they might be lighter.i know as i get older the weight gets to be more of an issue.

 

[SAWITALL]

if your dealers are that close,i stick with Stihl.i like the dolmar but 30 miles is 30 miles.

if your cutting firewood only i'd look at the ms260 and 270.they might be lighter.i know as i get older the weight gets to be more of an issue.

Good post Hornet. Buy the 361 is a cure all saw, just ask the guy above you.:greenchainsaw:

 

[SawTroll]

The 361 would be my choice since it is the larger saw of the two. I have two and they are great. I have not owned the dolmar but it has a good reputation as well.

Welcome to AS

We have both - and both are top-notch saws!!!

The weight differense is less than advertised, but the power differense is sustantial - for 20" and down wood the MS361 is the natural choise, with an 18" bar....

The MS361 is my favourite saw, and has been since 2004....

 

[TDunk]

Having owned both saws, like stated above, they are in two differnet classes. But i'd still go for the Stihl. The dealers closer, it's a tried and true saw, good track record, it's just a better saw IMO.

 

[B_Turner]

I have a 5100 and it is very nice to run, although not as well made a saw as the 7900 in my opinion.

Ask me in a few weeks, as mine has lean running problems from new and I am going to send it to a dealer to have it looked at. Probably something very simple, and then I will be very happy with the saw.

It's maybe a little smoother than a 361 (but both saws are very smooth), but like folks say it is one size smaller. I run an 18 on my 5100 and it likes it okay (square chain), but with a 16 it would be even more nimble and fast. With anything longer than 18, the 361 will eat it alive.

The 361 is a long term investment. The 5100 is somewhat unproven long term-but price/performance a bargain.

 

[wood4heat]

Mayor: I can't believe that you don't have a 361 already, why every big city mayor knows that owning one of those saws will take care of all your city's problems. From snow removal to sewer problems the 361 can handle it all.

Hell my city issues one to every cop just in case they need back up! Firemen wouldn't't be seen without one (never know when you might have to cut down the neighbors house to stop that fire from spreading.) Daaam, you know it might even get you reelected, now there's something to think about.

This post is spot on, I have nothing more to add just go buy one!

 

[redwing2]

Mayor all kidding aside the 361 is a fantastic saw but in my opinion you don't need something that big.
You stated that you cut fire wood in the 20" and down range and that you have been using a 50 special for the last 15 yrs, now I'm not a professional logger and don't pretend to be but why on earth would you spend 6 to 7 hundred dollars on a saw that your going to cut fire wood with.You have already proven that you can take care of a saw, your last one is 15 yrs.old
Any saw you pick will be light years ahead of what you have been using. 5100, 346xp, ms260, 353, 2152,350,ms270 all great saws that with an 18" bar will do anything that you are doing now and than some. Personally I would go for a 260 or a 346xp that's just my opinion

 

[Stihl here]

A stihl ms361 with a 18'' bar is a great firewood saw. It is one of the most talked about saws for a reason!! It might even be the last saw you will ever buy but I doubt that if you visit here often!!!

 

[SawTroll]

I have a 5100 and it is very nice to run, although not as well made a saw as the 7900 in my opinion.

Ask me in a few weeks, as mine has lean running problems from new and I am going to send it to a dealer to have it looked at. Probably something very simple, and then I will be very happy with the saw.

It's maybe a little smoother than a 361 (but both saws are very smooth), but like folks say it is one size smaller. I run an 18 on my 5100 and it likes it okay (square chain), but with a 16 it would be even more nimble and fast. With anything longer than 18, the 361 will eat it alive.

The 361 is a long term investment. The 5100 is somewhat unproven long term-but price/performance a bargain.

The 5100S has been out for quite a while, with no real issues....

... but the 361 may be the best saw ever, everything considered...

Both have a very slight air filter issue (they do get dirty, unlike some Huskys), but with normal maintenance it isn't a real problem on either.

 

[Erick]

Another vote for the MS361, its just more saw than the 5100 and with your dealer support it‘s the easy choice. Get it with a 18" B&C for the 20 and under stuff and if you find bigger wood it is capable of running a 24" bar w/skip chain, with the 5100 you would be limited on the bigger wood.

 

[Lakeside53]

yep... then full wrap kit, muffler mod, oil pump mod (the stud mod is now standard) and you'll have one like mine.

 

[SawTroll]

yep... then full wrap kit, muffler mod, oil pump mod (the stud mod is now standard) and you'll have one like mine.

I would not want the wrap handle.....

 

[Roteiche]

if your dealers are that close,i stick with Stihl.i like the dolmar but 30 miles is 30 miles.

if your cutting firewood only i'd look at the ms260 and 270.they might be lighter.i know as i get older the weight gets to be more of an issue.

+1

And get the chain sharp - if it`s a stihl or a dolmar.