Got a new Dolmar 401...wow.

[Hoosier]

This saw is awesome. After reading everything I could find here and elsewhere I purchased this small saw and gota say I like it. Power to weight is pretty good ( no, it is not a 200T, but not bad) and considering the cost it was a no-brainer.

I went out to the wood pile and did a few smaller cuts then buried the bar 3/4 of the way, it did ok... I guess it should on a new saw with seasoned wood, so I will give it a work out this week and give more info...

http://www.dolmarpowerproducts.com/site/managed/html/produkt/4087/PS-401

The saw has a nice metal case with a few plastic covers, feels solid, and that compression release is a better system than the Easy starts I have looked at. To be honest you really don't need the release, but it may save a cord in the future.

I wanted to thank the forum and the users for this valuable resource we all share.

Now to go make a few $$ with this lil saw.

 

[computeruser]

This saw is awesome. After reading everything I could find here and elsewhere I purchased this small saw and gota say I like it. Power to weight is pretty good ( no, it is not a 200T, but not bad) and considering the cost it was a no-brainer.


I wanted to thank the forum and the users for this valuable resource we all share.

Now to go make a few $$ with this lil saw.

That's the spirit! It is a good little saw, and at the going price for a 401 it shouldn't take very long to have the saw pay for itself and start earning its keep.

Happy cutting!

 

[Cut4fun]

You got the idea right, not everyone needs a $530+tax saw for limbing. Hard to pass up a $249 price tag that will get the job done WTG and happy sawing. Dolmar PS401 Chainsaw Amick's Price $249.95
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu_Kks...r/EXP=1181680420/**http://www.dolmarsaws.com/

 

[Austin1]

Like to see a small saw post on here! I really like my big saw's[that macho feeling] That 056 with a 30'' means no bending also. But most of my trees I can handle with a smaller saw. Great to hear you like you new saw! And by small saw I don't mean the top handle ones that those crazy tree climbers use! No Disrespect to the Climbers, nothing but respect for those nut's
But a good 40cc saw is a useful tool.

 

[Hoosier]

Well, the store I got it from was a selling dealer and also a rental yard. He had this new saw and a few others sitting with dust on them, so I worked him on price and got it for $225.

Not a bad price but it had never seen fuel and therefore not set up or ran. After the saw cooled I went to restart and I think I mixed it a tad heavy at 50:1. Dolmar says to go 40:1 with non-Dolmar oil. So I thinned it a tad.


Anybody know a good link to saw tuning LOL.. I think I need to buy a tach..

 

[jhellwig]

After the saw cooled I went to restart and I think I mixed it a tad heavy at 50:1. Dolmar says to go 40:1 with non-Dolmar oil. So I thinned it a tad.

You mean you added oil right?

 

[NovaMan]

Maybe I'm misreading your post, but 40:1 is more oily than 50:1. Definitely use at least as much oil as the manufacturer recommends!

 

[BIGBORE577]

I'm glad you are happy with your 401, I am with mine. It's also a pleasant surprise to see that many small saw enthusiasts replied to your post. I thought I may be one of the only ones out there. Then again, some might think that sending my 401 to be worked over by Dave Neiger might get me a seat on the short bus!

 

[Hoosier]

Well, the instructions were written to point out that if you use there branded 2 cycle oil you should use it in the specified 50:1. However if you use the "performance" Dolmar it ratios out differently..?.

Now, if you use any other brand of oil it specifies to use it in a ratio of 40:1... This makes little sense to me, I had always mixed the oil to 50:1 anyway and ran everything on it. Now, when I used my normal mix on this saw it smoked a tad much and fouled the plug (hence the hard starting after the first thermocycle). So I added a bit of gas to the mix can and thinned it a tad, altho I must admit that the true ratio is an unknown, but the saw still smokes more than my stihl saw or any other 2 stroke motors I run on blowers and trimmers. I am going to cycle it for a few more hours and mix up a fresh batch.

To really screw with me the Dolmar website is clear in stating ...


"All DOLMAR power products are designed to run on a 50:1 mixture using any standard high-performance 2-stroke engine oil. It is important to ensure that the oil meets or exceeds the quality standard of TC, and do NOT use oils designed for water cooled engines that carry a standard of TCW . DOLMAR offers the 50:1 oil in two sizes, a 2.6oz. bottle for 1 gallon purposes and 6.4oz. bottle for 2½ gallon purposes."


Go figure... at least it is still smokin, even when you pull it, you see a waft of smoke with every pull...

 

[gdn]

if u thin 50:1 with petrol u'll end up with 60:1 or 70:1 or something but never 40:1. Good to hear it smokes, take it to the guy u bought it off maybe he'll do a free first tune.
i'd run 40:1 with a fully synthetic 2stroke oil, but thats me.
also i'd only learn how to tune if the was someone beside me who knew how, and had known for many years.
changing fuel/oil mix only makes marginal difference to carb tuning, carbs are set rich from factory, maybe it needs leaning. Maybe needs good petrol, dunno.

 

[SawTroll]

You mean you added oil right?

Maybe I'm misreading your post, but 40:1 is more oily than 50:1. Definitely use at least as much oil as the manufacturer recommends!

Hopefully!!!!! If not....:jawdrop:

Anyway, just ignore the usual "our oil vs other oil" thing, it is just BS.
Just use good synthetic oil, regardless of brand, and mix it 50:1.

Make sure that any "safety margin" goes the right way (more oil or less fuel).

 

[bundy]

401

I have the Makita version of the 401. Saw runs good but leaks oil after running and does not have an adjustment for bar oiling(excessive bar oiling). I also added a 91vx chain which helps.

 

[sdt7618]

Have a 401, but shot!!

Anyone have any suggestion on replacing a piston and cylinder on these, and where to get them?

PS never lend your saw to ex friends!!