4 oft discussed saws-videos

[nmurph]

i had a few minutes this evening and i wanted to shoot some videos of 4 saws that get a lot of discussion on this board. i make no pretense about this being a fair or scientific comparison. i will tell you that all saws are wearing RS 3/8 with a fresh sharpening. the 5100 and 357 shared a 20" bar and the stihls shared a 18". that is as close to i could get to even.

i just got the 357 today. what you see in the video is the very first time i have run the saw. i checked for a little bit of burble and let it run. it has a stock muffler (not for long) and 150psi compression cold. it looks like it is a keeper. i put it on a set of accurate (checked against the postal scales at work with a 10lb weight--they were off by a .2 oz--close enough for a CS) where it weighed exactly 13lb PHO w/o fluids. that is considerably higher than the advertised weight.

i have had the 026 for a couple of months now. it sports a 1.5x.5" modded muffler and about 148psi compression cold and weighs 10lbs 12oz PHO w/o fluids. my only complaint besides the need for about .75 more HP (i hear it is easily found in the ports) is that the air filter needs to be bumped clean with each fill up. it is very easy on fuel.

the 310 is an '02 model with probably 200+hrs. it has a modded muffler. i believe the weight on this saw was ~13.5lbs PHO w/o fluids.

the 5100 was sent to me by a fellow member to try (note to owner; it is boxed in the same box it was sent in (the UPS girls may steal the stamps off of the box!!!) and will go out tomorrow). he will remain nameless unless he chooses otherwise. i was quiet suprised when the offer came to me. it didn't take long to decide to take him up on the offer. i have run it about 6hrs total. i really like the power and weight of the saw. it has a very broad powerband, cutting well at any RPM. there is no need to rev it to get it to cut. it looked like a very new saw, so it might pick up a bit with some more run time. it weighed 11lb 14oz PHO w/o fliuds. what i disliked was the thickness, from top to bottom, of the rear handle, and the large throttle trigger. i have large hands and i felt it was too large for me. some users may prefer this feel. i didn't find the filtration to be a problem. it doesn't require nearly as much attention as an 026.




enjoy the vids


5100
http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/?action=view&current=001.flv

357
http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/?action=view&current=003.flv

026
http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/?action=view&current=002-2.flv

310
http://s323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/?action=view&current=004.flv

 

[Mr. Bow Saw]

The 310 looks like the fastest. 5100 and 357 look abot the same.
026 Was the slowest. What kind of wood were you sawing?

 

[nmurph]

the wood is a 10" semi-dry, water oak. i used it because it was consistant in size.

 

[chopperfreak2k1]

it says i have to join to see the video

 

[nmurph]

5100
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i323.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/001.flv">
357
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i323.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/003.flv">
026
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i323.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/002-2.flv">
310
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i323.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid323.photobucket.com/albums/nn466/nmurph_01/004.flv">

 

[nmurph]

i timed and averaged the cuts and it looks like the 310 and 357 were dead even at ~8 seconds, the 5100 averaged ~9 seconds, and the 026 was averaging ~13 seconds.

 

[Maldeney]

I vote the 310 was a "short and curly" faster than the 357!

 

[nmurph]

i was suprised when i put the stopwatch to them this morning. last night i would have bet that the 357 was faster. i will say that i did not do any tuning on the 357. i got it out of the box, put the chain and bar on and ran it. it was four-stroking a little and that was good enough. it was twilight when i was shooting this and i needed to get it done ASAP.
the 5100 was also running a little rich. it belonged to someone else and i didn't adjust the settings.
the 310 and 026 are both a touch rich. i would rather have it last a little longer than to cut like a race saw.

 

[Maldeney]

Good Thread!

 

[computeruser]

The 5100 was a little rich indeed!

Good comparison, though. It points out that the old 310 isn't as much of a dog as some folks like to make out. For the guy who cuts firewood, cleans up after storms, and helps the neighbors out from time to time, it's a hell of a good value on a durable machine that tolerates more neglect and imperfections in tuning than some of the higher-performance machines.

 

[nmurph]

the 5100 was not as rich as it appears in the first of the video. the saw was sitting idle for a couple of minutes while i got the log strapped down. you can notice that once i clear it out and start to cut that the excess smoke disappears.

all saws were running 89 with Stihl synthetic at 50:1 from the same can.

i have always contended that a MM 310 that would run close to a 361/357. i have never run a 361, but my 310 certainly is very close to the 357. i might be able to pickup a little by adjusting the carb on the 357, but for the average HO i don't think the $ justify the difference.

 

[Maldeney]

The 5100 was a little rich indeed!

Good comparison, though. It points out that the old 310 isn't as much of a dog as some folks like to make out. For the guy who cuts firewood, cleans up after storms, and helps the neighbors out from time to time, it's a hell of a good value on a durable machine that tolerates more neglect and imperfections in tuning than some of the higher-performance machines.

Shhhhh.... The MS310 haters might hear you.

 

[mountainlake]

Good job. Steve

 

[nmurph]

i have a 359 that i need to get back together and cut in this same log. maybe someone would volunteer a 361 or a 346.

 

[Andyshine77]

357 vs 361 stock the 361 is no doubt the stronger saw.

 

[smokinj]

310 throwing bigger chips

 

[joatmon]

Neal,

This is a real eye opener. Thanks. I like the fact that you were not trying to "prove" one brand superior to another. The 5100 and 310 owners have a right to be proud at this point. Lean that 5100 a bit and try another cut or two.

ole joat

 

[Evan]

find 70cc saw to run in the test id like people to see that saw in line up, any brand of 70cc saw

 

[josh1981]

very good videos. that dolmar and stihl saws are good. husky ok.

man that 310 cut good. I have the 290 3 yrs old very good saw for the money. cuts the bigger stuff goood. why spend 600 on a bigger saw anyway especially if your as homeowner occasional cutting.

that 026 sounds like my 180.

where in ga are you? suwanee here.

 

[joatmon]

very good videos. that dolmar and stihl saws are good. husky ok.

man that 310 cut good. I have the 290 3 yrs old very good saw for the money. cuts the bigger stuff goood. why spend 600 on a bigger saw anyway especially if your as homeowner occasional cutting.

that 026 sounds like my 180.

where in ga are you? suwanee here.

Josh,

I've been to Suwanee Lumber Co. on several occasions. Nice place.

ole joat