About to pull the trigger

[Herr Von Rippen]

OK, I've been lurking here for weeks. I've read posts giving advice until I'm . Here goes.

I can get a Husky 359 with a 20" bar for $395 shipped. I can get a Dolmar 5100S with a 18" bar for $355 shipped. The nearest Husky dealer is about an hour away and the nearest Dolmar dealer (worth anything) is about 35 minutes away but doesn't know much about saws. However, I'm not worried about warranty or service work - I'm capable.

I also considered the MS361 but my local dealer loves the list price and I don't like paying list.

So between the Husky and Dolmar, considering the price difference, or lack thereof - a little advice. I'm cutting firewood - 20" white oak, red oak and hickory - but I like having better tools than I really need.

Oh, I've been using a Stihl 025 but it's time to upgrade.

Thanks,

John opcorn:

 

[dnhll]

I have a 5100 and really like it but if you are cutting a ton of 20" oak I think I would want something a little bigger like the 361. Or you could always get a 7900.

 

[Herr Von Rippen]

To clarify - 20" is the max. Most of it is 16".

John

 

[Hired Gun]

359 with the size and species wood you described. :lifter:

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

My vote would be for the 359, but I haven't got to play with either saw...

 

[Herr Von Rippen]

I'm itching to hit the "order" button. Any more advice?

Hired Gun - not arguing, but learning. They're both rated about the same for HP numbers - what makes the Husky more capable in tough wood?

 

[Hired Gun]

IMHO the 359 has a better torque curve for what you will be doing. The 5100 is more than capable to do what you want as long as you let the saw do the work. The 359 won't be working as hard on the bigger hardwood, and if you only have 1 saw and have to cut something bigger than what you described the 359 will pull a 20" bar and can do a short stint with a 24" if need be. I wouldn't do it all the time but you can if you have to. The 5100 is an excellent complement to a larger saw like the 7900 or 372. If I was only going to have 1 saw it would be the 359. Those are just my opinions.

 

[dnhll]

IMHO the 359 has a better torque curve for what you will be doing. The 5100 is more than capable to do what you want as long as you let the saw do the work. The 359 won't be working as hard on the bigger hardwood, and if you only have 1 saw and have to cut something bigger than what you described the 359 will pull a 20" bar and can do a short stint with a 24" if need be. I wouldn't do it all the time but you can if you have to. The 5100 is an excellent complement to a larger saw like the 7900 or 372. If I was only going to have 1 saw it would be the 359. Those are just my opinions.

If you can only own one saw the 361 is a great saw. I you see 2 saws in your future I think the 5100 or 346xp is a great smaller saw and a 660/7900/385 (I try to be brand agnostic but I do think dolmar has 2 good saws right now) make a great larger saw. I am really happy with my 5100 and in wood up to 16" it cuts really well. One of my the guys I cut with has a 372xp and in smaller stuff it runs with it. (if not out cuts it) It isn't super torquey but it definitely has chainspeed.

 

[rb_in_va]

I was cutting some small cherry up with the 5100 today. It fell right through the wood. I would go with the 5100. It is a great saw, and then you can easily justify the 7900/372 down the road! Or get the 5100 modded. Never have run a 359 though.

 

[dnhll]

I was cutting some small cherry up with the 5100 today. It fell right through the wood. I would go with the 5100. It is a great saw, and then you can easily justify the 7900/372 down the road! Or get the 5100 modded. Never have run a 359 though.

exactly. buy the 5100 now and convince yourself/wife you need a bigger saw in the future.

 

[rb_in_va]

exactly. buy the 5100 now and convince yourself/wife you need a bigger saw in the future.

Now we're talkin'!

 

[Herr Von Rippen]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered the 359 and received it from Northern Tool yesterday. I went ahead and put a Stihl RM chain on it since I'll be cutting some oak that's been on the ground for a while. I plan on ordering the non-epa muffler from Bailey's after break-in. I wish we could order the euro spec muffler for the 359 with the additional tube. I'll probably go ahead and open up the non-epa muffler when I get it.

BTW, I'm impressed with the design and build of the saw. Can't wait to fuel it up and go.

Oh, and my wife thinks you guys suck.

John

 

[ericjeeper]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered the 359 and received it from Northern Tool yesterday.

Oh, and my wife thinks you guys suck.

John

Please, give her our love. LOL enjoy the new saw.

 

[afntrn56]

359

where did you buy the saw???

 

[oldsaw]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered the 359 and received it from Northern Tool yesterday. I went ahead and put a Stihl RM chain on it since I'll be cutting some oak that's been on the ground for a while. I plan on ordering the non-epa muffler from Bailey's after break-in. I wish we could order the euro spec muffler for the 359 with the additional tube. I'll probably go ahead and open up the non-epa muffler when I get it.

BTW, I'm impressed with the design and build of the saw. Can't wait to fuel it up and go.

Oh, and my wife thinks you guys suck.

John

I would have probably done the same. Now, there is this guy out in Washington....okay, at least break it in first.

Mark

 

[SawTroll]

OK, I've been lurking here for weeks. I've read posts giving advice until I'm . Here goes.

I can get a Husky 359 with a 20" bar for $395 shipped. I can get a Dolmar 5100S with a 18" bar for $355 shipped. The nearest Husky dealer is about an hour away and the nearest Dolmar dealer (worth anything) is about 35 minutes away but doesn't know much about saws. However, I'm not worried about warranty or service work - I'm capable.

I also considered the MS361 but my local dealer loves the list price and I don't like paying list.

So between the Husky and Dolmar, considering the price difference, or lack thereof - a little advice. I'm cutting firewood - 20" white oak, red oak and hickory - but I like having better tools than I really need.

Oh, I've been using a Stihl 025 but it's time to upgrade.

Thanks,

John opcorn:

I would probaby have opted for the 5100, to opt for a 361 later.....:greenchainsaw: :greenchainsaw:

The 359 is heavier than the 361, so you sort of are stuck - no use for it if you get a 361 later.

 

[Cut4fun]

For the $200 saved buying a 359, compared to a 361 list price. You could have a 359 modded for the extra money you saved on initial purchase price and it would eat up the 361 for the same investment price for price.
Dneiger does a heck of a job up in MI.

 

[WRW]

Oh, and my wife thinks you guys suck.

John

You just freed up more time to attend to her needs.

 

[asb151]

Good move with a 359. As others mentioned, it mods well and you can tell your wife you saved some cash for a jump up to a 70cc class saw(372/7900) in the future.

 

[SawTroll]

For the $200 saved buying a 359, compared to a 361 list price. You could have a 359 modded for the extra money you saved on initial purchase price and it would eat up the 361 for the same investment price for price.
Dneiger does a heck of a job up in MI.

DUH, most people aren't getting their saws modded.. .........