Dolmar 120 Super vs Stihl 038 Magnum...which is the better saw?

[stutheweak]

Have the chance to buy either...which is the better saw?

 

[hoss]

Homelite 450:msp_biggrin: The Dolmar would probably be good for a little longer bar and the Stihl would prolly spin up a little better. IMHO

 

[bryanr2]

I have a Sachs Dolmar 120si and had Mastermind woods port it. There is a thread on the saw. It is one wood eating machine. One of my absolute favorites. The 038 is a solid saw with loads of torque (not a screamer). 38 weighs pretty close to 44 and the 44 will walk away from it in the cut. The 44 Mastermind built for me is a beast. I would go based upon condition and price and if they were similar would probably go for the Dolmar. If I ran across another one I would snatch it in a heartbeat.

 

[Arrowhead]

I've never ran a Dolmar 120, but an 038 Mag is a torquey wood cutting machine. A tad heavy, but a mean saw.

 

[bryanr2]

I've never ran a Dolmar 120, but an 038 Mag is a torquey wood cutting machine. A tad heavy, but a mean saw.

I'm sure they are like the Dolly with a slight heavy feel (that to me, is a sign of a solid built saw), not like the plastic today. OP, there is a lot of info on here that could help you with your decision- but in the end you have to put em in your hands and feel em out and go with what feels right.

 

[Mad Professor]

Lots easier to find parts for the stihl.

If you build a 038M it will run with a built 044.

Never ran the Dolmar, no dealers anywhere near here. I do like my friends 166 though, that saw is a beast

 

[sawfun9]

The 038 mag is less than an 044 but not that much less. That said wouldn't a 038 super be a bit more equal to a Dolmar 120 with both being 68cc. A +1 on the 166, after burying mine with a 42" bar in white oak and it didn't even work a sweat. within a few seconds I had over a foot deep pile of chips, now I'm a real fan.

 

[Nardoo]

I have both saws and to be perfectly honest there is very little between them. Try them and see which one feels best to you. After all, you are the one who is going to be using it. If I was you I would buy both - they are classics.:msp_smile:

Al.

 

[russhd1997]

I have to agree with Al. If you can afford it buy both saws. The 120 Super is a good saw that you will like if you buy it and the 038 Magnum is a good one too.

 

[leeha]

If they are reasonably priced i would buy them both
then decide which one you like better and unload the
other. You may even profit on the one you decide to sell.




Lee

 

[RiverRat2]

dont have an 038 but I do have the 120 super,,, it is a solid good running saw,, 68 cc's and very nimble,,, I suppose they would respond well to a woods port,, I think Randy did a thread on porting one a while back but in stock form they do have a good bit of power and wear a 20" bar very well.

I have to agree with the last few posters,,, I would think if you are a firewood cutter, you will love it,,, and from what I hear the 038 is a tush hog itself,,, Couldn't go wrong with either one,,, awww heck, get em both,,, and peddle the one ya dont like,,,

the 120 wears a small mount Husky style bar and runs .375 chain

 

[deerjackie]

Buy them both and then sell me the 038 mag , i bought one last week and for an older saw it cuts good even dull as it was when i got it.What kind of price are they asking for the 038 mag if you dont mind me asking?

 

[goosegunner]

Do you have any Home Depot with rentals near you?

I had a 120si with some parts from a 6800. It was a great saw, lots of torque, started very easy.

I found a Makita 6401 for $180. The anti vibe is so much better I sold the 120si. I do miss it at times, especially after I watched the Mastermind meets the 120si thread.

Maybe someone can post about parts availability, I thought that could be an issue with some of the older saws.

gg

 

[bryanr2]

I own the Dolly 120si that Randy did the thread on. That saw is an absolute beast. One of my favorites. Randy is porting my 6401 with 7900 pc and it should be finished today. He had mentioned he might do a thread. I agree, if the price is right- I would buy them both.

 

[stb94tsi]

I have ran both and just got a 120super about 6 months ago. dam saw is a ripper for only being a 66cc saw...Im running a 32" bar cutting in some 3' round OG ceder and loving this saw. much lighter then my johnnyred 70e and a better top then my husky 380S. I just put a new top in a sthil 044 and ran that one for a year good TQ and a little faster rev but the sachs all around a dam nice little ripper....

 

[Dalton Ellison]

I have a Sachs Dolmar 120si and had Mastermind woods port it. There is a thread on the saw. It is one wood eating machine. One of my absolute favorites. The 038 is a solid saw with loads of torque (not a screamer). 38 weighs pretty close to 44 and the 44 will walk away from it in the cut. The 44 Mastermind built for me is a beast. I would go based upon condition and price and if they were similar would probably go for the Dolmar. If I ran across another one I would snatch it in a heartbeat.

I've got a sach dollar for sale