Fool Proof Saw Comparison

[ShoerFast]

:monkey: he's right.. but now we need a "standard operator"..

Frank

Ever check and see what that thing (Byron), that checks golf-clubs is doing?

Maybe he is trainable?

But what do I know? I still have a hard time trying to figure how they get the salt inside peanuts?

 

[Al Smith]

I might also say you can't compare apples to oranges.I could brag up my 125 Macs or somebody else the same about their 3120 Huskies or 088 Stihls but they would be a pizz poor firewood cutter.

Somebody else could yack it up about their 372 or 044 but it would be a lousey climbing saw.Another person could elaborate the fine points of their MS 200T but it wouldn't do too well on a 4 foot red oak.

You have to keep things in retrospect with the intended use of the saw.You don't hunt lions with a .22 rifle nor would you hunt rabbits with a 460 Weatherby.

 

[hornett22]

i agree 110%

Just about the perfect answer!!!

Look at Dolmar...............look at 5100 & 7900 great saws. But as we all know Dolmar sorely lacks in distribution, parts and just having dealers. No matter how bad ass their saws are some guys just ain't buying Dolmars for the aforementioned reasons!!!

this is exactly why i do not own one.not to mention they are ugly.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

In a discussion I recently had with a former AS member some of the comments on this thread were brought up. Perseption seems to be 90% or better on which saw is faster...............whether it is modded or not.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

but... Isn't it just Ford verses Chevy at any one model/price point? The dealer and service is what makes the difference.

oh, I can hear the crying already...

Just about the perfect answer!!!

Look at Dolmar...............look at 5100 & 7900 great saws. But as we all know Dolmar sorely lacks in distribution, parts and just having dealers. No matter how bad ass their saws are some guys just ain't buying Dolmars for the aforementioned reasons!!!

this is exactly why i do not own one.not to mention they are ugly.

Sounds like a Hooker I know!!!

 

[Engineeringnerd]

I have thought on several occasions of putting together a test apparatus for comparing saws and set-ups for cutting speed. Making something repeatable wouldn't be too terribly difficult. Making something that is repeatable and maximizes the potential of each saw would be a little more complicated. I was thinking of mounting a saw onto a pivot point (down by the handle) and hooking up a rpm feedback device to the throttle control. Run a few tests to determine at what downward pressure and rpm creates the fastest cut, then regulate the saw to those parameters and make several cuts. It would be really fun to create a comprehensive battery of tests and do a "Consumer Reports" type analysis with a wide variety of saws and wood using factors that matter to the pro consumer.


Then I slap myself and say, have you lost your mind? Who has time and money for this sort of thing? Who would trust it when your done!?

Most importantly, the forum wouldn't be any fun any more if we had real facts to argue!

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

How many variables can you have with chainsaws? Seems like an exponential amount.


Unless one has a grievous and glaring defect, its probably going to be on par with the comparative model.

 

[Lakeside53]

Sounds like a Hooker I know!!!

hmmm.. most would say "used to know"... but many lie...

 

[Crofter]

Comparing stock pro saws would be simpler because they are designed for pretty similar cutting conditions. A machine could quite easily be made to supply a constant pressure or to sustain a given rpm or to hold a selected torque, but it would need a much more complicated machine to predict which engine would win in a race. Width of torque sweet spot, spoolup time, heat fall off etc, plus all the operator skills influence cut times greatly. Even the particular kind of race almost needs a special design saw. Hot start or cold start, small wood or large wood, pipe or muffler, gas or alcohol and on and on.

Like t'was said, that machine would be expensive and think of all the fun it would spoil!:biggrinbounce2:

 

[West Texas]

Frank, what I think would be an interesting test is to do some comparison at the next GTG. For instance, we often have a blind wine test, where we put sacks over the bottles to conceal their identity, then have everyone taste each bottle and write down their opinion as to which one is "their best wine." Often times there is general agreement; but, not always.

You can't cover up the saws; but, I was thinking that at a GTG, it would be neat to let everyone try out all the saws on a log or two; then have each guy write down his notes. Only after everyone has finished using the different saws, then compare notes. This is not a precise or scientific method; but, it would give some general ideas. In fact its probably not fair at all due to the different weights and sizes of the saws and the participants; but, I think it would be a fun exercise just the same.

I've had a lot of guys use both of my woods modified 361's with 'similar' bar and chains (not the exact bar and chain) and time after time, they tell me they are 'so close' its hard for them to tell the difference.

I think you can have a definite 'preference' but end up buying another saw, because of cost, dealer support, etc. etc. etc. That's why I buy Toyota's instead of a Mercede's

 

[Crofter]

Well you certainly do have to have very similar bar, chain, sprocket setups to compare two saws but what can happen in comparing modified saws that way is that one may do better than the other with one combination and the roles reverse with different chain and sprockets or different operator style. That is where some different opinions can come in comparing modified saws. My guess would be that both of your saws got about the same treatment but that is not always the case from one builder to the next and I am sure that most builders do different things according to what the specific customer needs. (They should anyway) I have used one saw that was taken from stock, in different oprations, through about 4 different stages that took it to the edge of what you can still use for everyday wood cutting. Definitely the torque band gets narrower; not necessarily less torque but if you do drag it down it drops off quicker than the stock or milder modded saw so someone who was not used to feeling for the sweet spot might not do a good job of showing it off. I have seen fellows bog a saw three times in a ten inch cut! I think ya gotta take some comparisons with a grain of salt unless you can see clear attempt to eliminate variables. Now when two fellows say they have compared their saws by cutting with same bar and chain, both fellows cutting alternately with their own and the other saw and taking turns on the stopwatch and averaging two cuts, one off the small end the other off the large end of the block etc, you can guess the comparison is fairly good. Course, you are still taking for granted they are not both pulling your leg

 

[ShoerFast]

From a manufactiring standpoint, there never has been a better saw then the 029 / MS-290 , if you think about it, the Rancher 455 is up there also.

Sort of on the lines that there never will be a better deer rifle then the 30-30 ,,, if you count the number of deer.

 

[Al Smith]

Sort of on the lines that there never will be a better deer rifle then the 30-30 ,,, if you count the number of deer.

Well,you are exactly correct about the 30-30 ,it has most likely taken more deer than all the others combined.

As far as good saws,classics if you prefer,the 10-10 Mac is right up there along with the 038 Stihl.Then again it all goes back to perspectives.I think a PM 610 Mac is not too bad but I'm sure not too many agree with me.If the danged things serve you well ,it is a good saw.