Chainsaw Advice Request-Newbie

[seawash]

I've been reading threads on this site for a couple of weeks now and think I have my selection narrowed down, but would like some feedback from the experienced folks out there.

I live in the PNW, NE of Seattle WA. Land of rain, floods, wind storms, and freak snowstorms. I'm waiting for the plague of locusts this spring.

Mostly I cut firewood and clean up from trees downed in the windstorms. Between me and my neighbor, we had 11 trees come down in December's storm. I've been using a 18 in, 40cc garage sale craftsman for the past 10 years. With some of the insurance money from the storm damage, I decided to get a real chainsaw.

Here's the list, I'm leaning toward the dolmar:
Dolmar ps5100- 1 local dealer (lawnmower shop), 20 miles away, only carries 1 model of dolmar, not the 5100.
Husky 346xp- 1 dealer 10 miles away, no saws on hand, currently in a remodel. Other local "dealers" listed on Husky website have no saws and never did.
Stihl 280- dealers everywhere, this seems to be stihl country. I'd get a 260 pro or 361 if I could get a used in the same price range as the first 3.

I would like a 20 inch bar, but have done a lot over the years with the 18inch. Can you put a 20in on the dolmar?

Most of the advice on this site seems to recommend service/parts availability over price. If that's the case it seems like I should go with stihl, but it doesn't seem to me that I get the same features on a stihl that I'd get on the dolmar for about the same price.

Based on the good reviews here, I'd like the dolmar, but with the limited service options could this be a mistake?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Seawash

PS- to you guys that climb the trees to bring them down, my hat's off to you. I had to hire a professional to bring down a 140 ft doug fir leaning toward my house from the last windstorm. 4 tree services wouldn't do it. That guy was worth every dime I paid him, tip included.

 

[bytehoven]

Welcome to AS.

I'm new around here as well.

Find a way to get the 361. You will not regret it.

I have the 20" bar on my 361 and some have suggested the 18" is also nice with a little better balance. If you have found 18" bar serves you well, that might be a better setup for ya and just a tad lighter.

I was looking closely at the 5100S, but Dolmar did not have very good dealers in my area, nor did Husky. On the other, I have several excellent Stihl dealers, including one about 5 minutes away.

You know exactly what you're getting with the 361, a saw that will last you a long, long time, and will be an extremely fast cutter compared to your Craftsman.

Happy shopping and remember the difference in the cost of the saw will end up being a fraction of your longer term investment in chain, accessories, fuel, etc.

 

[wayne s]

Welcome to AS. Buy the Dolmar. I got a PS-5100S for Christmas and love it. I cut about 4 cords of wood a year and its a big improvement over my little Stihl 011 that I had.

 

[Millman]

$399 Saw

SeaWash, I traded in my Echo 440 for a stihl MS310. This year I ended up with a load of Oaklogs, red and white to cut. My old echo wasn't up to the task and I was in the same position you are in. I couldn't afford MS361 and trying to find a "good" used one, not abused, is next to impossible here. So far the 310 has done a great job. It cuts through the oak with minimal effort but it doesn't have the magnesium tank and case. Still, I don't go into the woods and bang it around, I have the logs delivered to my house. The Dolmar is a great saw but like you found out the dealers are sometimes scarce. Hopefully in the next couple of years, I'll pass the 310 down and get the 361 or 440. Good Luck and happy shopping.

Millman:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[fixitguy75]

+1 for the 5100. You can't beat it, especially for the money. Awesome light weight little power house!

 

[Haywire Haywood]

On that list I'd get the Dolmar. If you can scrape up the cash for a new 361 I'd get that one, but otherwise, the 5100s gets the nod.

Ian

 

[NapalmDeath]

I have a MS270 I use for firewood, and while I'm happy with it, sometimes I wish I spent the extra $200 for the MS361 just to get the job done faster,

 

[hornett22]

with your dealer selection...........

i'd go with the 361.it's a hell of a saw so you're not having to settle for anything less than you'd need or want.

 

[Just Mow]

Spend the extra money and get the 361 and you will get the best of both worlds. A saw that will last you a lifetime and the service to back it up as well.
Welcome and good luck.

 

[SawWitch]

Spend the extra money and get the 361 and you will get the best of both worlds. A saw that will last you a lifetime and the service to back it up as well.
Welcome and good luck.

We have both Husky, Stihl and Jonsered. But now I look forward to get Dolmar 5100SH, my husband promised me that.

 

[zemmo]

If you feel you need a 20" bar, I'd go with a 357xp or 361. If 18" will suffice I'd go with the Dolmar, which could probably run a 20" quite well but I tend to be conservative with bar length. I sure love my 5100, and compared to what the same $ will get you from Stihl, it's a real bargain. BTW, Amicks still had 357xp powerheads for $450, last I checked.

 

[TDunk]

If you can get your hands on a 357xp, i'd go that route (i'm a Husky guy myself) but i ran a 361c for a while (and still do). It's not a power house, but you can do just about anything with those saws. My dad has a 357xp for his small saw, we call it the "screamin-demon". but you can't go wrong with eaither saw.