NGaMountains
ArboristSite Operative
Hello, everyone. I am a fairly new member and had posted an introductory message several weeks back. I am primarily a firewood scrounger to feed my new Quadra-Fire woodstove insert, and currently have two saws, a Dolmar 7900 and a Husqvarna 543xp purchased here very recently on the Tradin' Post.
The reason for my post is to see what some of you who are much more knowledgeable than I might recommend for modifying the Dolmar, which was bought brand new and is bone stock. Although it seems like quite a nice saw based on my still limited use, it was suggested to me that significantly more power would be available via spending a few hundred bucks to have it ported. At the same time, I had come across an old AS thread I read through where one poster and someone later responding both referred to the 7900 as a "grenade" and suggesting that "it runs great for a few minutes", so would want to make sure anything I did to the saw didn't significantly adversely affect its reliability and durability by stressing it much too highly.
I enjoy coming here regularly to learn from all of you and to take part in what seems like a great group of folks, as compared to forums I've frequented on other subjects where almost everything seems to rapidly descend into arguments and name-calling. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you'd have on modifying the 7900 to be a better saw, or maybe just a recommendation to leave well enough alone (although that would shock me from this group!).
Lastly, I hope this photo of my current woodpile and processing area comes through OK. This is year one for me but I'm trying to get ahead, still not entirely sure how much I'll use in a season. I think I have about 8 to 9 cords of hardwood currently, most all it now split and stacked, and all of it (14 pickup truck loads, at last count) obtained from "Free" craigslist postings.
The reason for my post is to see what some of you who are much more knowledgeable than I might recommend for modifying the Dolmar, which was bought brand new and is bone stock. Although it seems like quite a nice saw based on my still limited use, it was suggested to me that significantly more power would be available via spending a few hundred bucks to have it ported. At the same time, I had come across an old AS thread I read through where one poster and someone later responding both referred to the 7900 as a "grenade" and suggesting that "it runs great for a few minutes", so would want to make sure anything I did to the saw didn't significantly adversely affect its reliability and durability by stressing it much too highly.
I enjoy coming here regularly to learn from all of you and to take part in what seems like a great group of folks, as compared to forums I've frequented on other subjects where almost everything seems to rapidly descend into arguments and name-calling. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you'd have on modifying the 7900 to be a better saw, or maybe just a recommendation to leave well enough alone (although that would shock me from this group!).
Lastly, I hope this photo of my current woodpile and processing area comes through OK. This is year one for me but I'm trying to get ahead, still not entirely sure how much I'll use in a season. I think I have about 8 to 9 cords of hardwood currently, most all it now split and stacked, and all of it (14 pickup truck loads, at last count) obtained from "Free" craigslist postings.
