Another New Saw

[mbopp]

It's all you guy's fault.

Not that I needed a Pro saw but I like nice equipment. With all the talk of the Dolmar 5100 I tried unsuccessfully to find a local dealer. The Husky guy down the street had a 353 for a great price, actually cheaper than some on-line dealers. But in the end I got a Shindaiwa 488 mostly because it just felt nice. After it's broken in I'll be looking to replace the carb with an adjustable version and maybe mod the muffler. The first thing will be to get another chain to replace the factory 33SL.

The Mac 655 gets relegated to backup duty.

 

[THALL10326]

It's all you guy's fault.

Not that I needed a Pro saw but I like nice equipment. With all the talk of the Dolmar 5100 I tried unsuccessfully to find a local dealer. The Husky guy down the street had a 353 for a great price, actually cheaper than some on-line dealers. But in the end I got a Shindaiwa 488 mostly because it just felt nice. After it's broken in I'll be looking to replace the carb with an adjustable version and maybe mod the muffler. The first thing will be to get another chain to replace the factory 33SL.

The Mac 655 gets relegated to backup duty.

The 488 is a nice saw, a real nice saw. I've used one of those and they aren't bad at all...

 

[ericjeeper]

I am wanting someone to order a 5100

see if you can actually get one mail order.

 

[Pablo26]

It appears that Bailey's is selling them online now. How are they they managing this feat?

 

[wdchuck]

It's all you guy's fault.

Not that I needed a Pro saw but I like nice equipment. With all the talk of the Dolmar 5100 I tried unsuccessfully to find a local dealer. The Husky guy down the street had a 353 for a great price, actually cheaper than some on-line dealers. But in the end I got a Shindaiwa 488 mostly because it just felt nice. After it's broken in I'll be looking to replace the carb with an adjustable version and maybe mod the muffler. The first thing will be to get another chain to replace the factory 33SL.

The Mac 655 gets relegated to backup duty.

We didn't make you turn on the computer.

Have fun with the new toy, be safe.

 

[Four Paws]

It's all you guy's fault.

Not that I needed a Pro saw but I like nice equipment. With all the talk of the Dolmar 5100 I tried unsuccessfully to find a local dealer. The Husky guy down the street had a 353 for a great price, actually cheaper than some on-line dealers. But in the end I got a Shindaiwa 488 mostly because it just felt nice. After it's broken in I'll be looking to replace the carb with an adjustable version and maybe mod the muffler. The first thing will be to get another chain to replace the factory 33SL.
QUOTE]

Well, congrats on buying a darn good saw. Often underated - it isn't the cheapest, it isn't the fastest, it isn't the lightest - but the 488 is a fine, dependable saw.

Search the site, and you will find a few guys that have some experience modifying them. I know rbtree had a modified 488, rahtreelimbs ran a few of them - did a carb swap and muffler mod, and alderman has 2 or 3 of them now. Shindaiwa saws are notorious for standing up to abuse - keep good gas and oil in that saw, and it will last you 25 years. Pick up a few rim sprockets, an extra air filter - I would recommend getting the pro filter kit for it, and you will be a happy camper!

What size bar are you running on it? And, if I can be nosey, what did you pay? You can PM if you don't want to post it on here.

 

[Four Paws]

The 488 is a nice saw, a real nice saw. I've used one of those and they aren't bad at all...

:jawdrop: Tom, did you really say that? LOL Didn't know you were a closet Shindaiwa fan - you've been holding out on us all along! Glad the truth finally came out.

 

[alderman]

Finally another Shindaiwa fan

I've got a couple 488's and find Shindaiwa provides good running, reliable equipment. I've yet to buy a new saw as they can be picked up used for a very good price. I recently purchased a loop of Bailey's 20RC chain and this combined with the 18" bar does a good job of cutting for .325 although I would expect a bit more bite from a 3/8 chain if you opt to go for that. For the bigger stuff I take out the 757 so I don't really push my saws to their limit. Let us know how the adjustable carb works out for you if you go that route. Welcome aboard!!!!! Four Paws will be happy also.

 

[alderman]

We're not alone

Four Paws:

You got in while I was typing. Looks like we've got a friend.

Alderman

 

[THALL10326]

:jawdrop: Tom, did you really say that? LOL Didn't know you were a closet Shindaiwa fan - you've been holding out on us all along! Glad the truth finally came out.

I never said a Shiny was a bad saw. I've run the 488 and seems like a good saw to me. I even took the carb cover off and gave the saw a good look over, its built good, real good as a matter of fact. You've never heard me say Shiny is a bad saw, I got no bones with the 488 at all. Nice saw.

 

[Four Paws]

After it's broken in I'll be looking to replace the carb with an adjustable version

The carb you are looking for is a Walbro HDA79A - fully adjustable, pre-EPA, factory equipment on the 488.

 

[litefoot]

Shindaiwa's are GREAT, really smooth...I use mine with a graphite rod...wait, oh, ShinDAIWA, not Shimano...Sorry!:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Freakingstang]

I picked up a super clean 695. Can't wait to turn it into a woods hotsaw.... opcorn:


If we had more dealers around here that had them, I might try one, but I have more saws than I'll ever had time to run them until they are wore out....

 

[mbopp]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The 488 has an 18" bar & I want to try Carlton KC semi-chisel on it. I was using the Oregon 3/8" version on the Mac but Oregon doesn't make a .325 semi-chisel. I know, chisel is faster but for trail clearing semi-chisel is easier to maintain. From the archives I found the HDA-79A or HDA-79-1 carb is the fully adjustable one but thanks for bringing it up again. There is an aftermarket parts distributor near me that carries Carlton loops and I'll be checking with him for a carb too.

And I found the heavy-duty air cleaner kit. But the saw won't fit in the case with the kit on. In the parts list there is a flocked air filter I may try instead.

 

[SawTroll]

.... but Oregon doesn't make a .325 semi-chisel. ....

Yes, they do - it is the 20-series BP, which also is a low-vibe chain, unlike the Carlton.

I would prefere Stihl RMC though, if I wanted a semi-chisel .325, for a bit better stay-sharp.