Got my Dan Henry PP346XP, not happy

[Koa Man]

Received my PPd 346XP last week Monday and have been slowly breaking it in. Compared the cutting times in a large mango log with my stock Stihl 024 Super. Both saws running new chains and bars. The 346XP on only the 2nd tank of gas (Dan said at least 5 tanks to break it in) beat the 024 by 6 seconds! 19.73 vs 13.47. I just ran my 4th tank of gas and saw is getting stronger. Why am I unhappy? Because now all my saws, except for the Walkerized 066 and the Dan Henry 346XP seem like POS. I used to think the 024 Super was a screamer...now it seems gutless. I guess the only cure would be to get rid of all my stockers and replace them with more PPd saws by dozerdan.

Dan,
Thanks for doing a super job on the 346XP. I'll probably be ordering a 372XP soon. Which would be a more powerful saw, a PP'd MS200T or a PP'd 335XP?

 

[rbtree]

Koa, my Walkers built 335 only barely beat a stock 020. I've only heard of one built 020/200, by Ken Dunn...and it made huge gains.....

 

[jokers]

Hi Koa Man,

After Jeff Sikkema very graciously loaned me his Dan Henry PP346xp, I had to have one of my own. I`m expecting it to arrive soon and I`m anxious to put it to work. I can`t speak for Jeff but I figure that he must have been very impressed also or he wouldn`t have sent me his saw to demo.

I`m also pleased to say that Jeff`s gesture of sending me the saw caused me to make another friend, since I find Dan very enjoyable and interesting to speak with. There are alot of good people on this site.

Russ

 

[jokers]

Hi Rocky,

Already got the oiler gear from a 357 and a clutch drum coming from Jeff so that I can run the large spline 3/8 8 tooth rims, of which I have many. Don`t know yet whether I`ll need the other oiler. Gonna have Jeff send me another GB bar for this saw also.

Russ

 

[SilverBlue]

I now have 3 modified 200T's and yes they are incredibly fast. Hey Dan, let’s talk about some work on my Huskies and I’ll show you the supercharged 660 project… the evolution of HP saws….MUAHH HAAA HAAA HAA

 

[dozerdan]

WOW
Interesting title of your thread. It definitely got my attention. LOL
Glad your happy with the saw. I even got paid for it last week. USPS isn't the fastest in paying off claims.
It would be a pleasure to build you a 372. I have two of them here now that I am building. It is getting boring building all of those 346s. I finished up two of them last week and I have two more for next week.
If you promise to be my tour guide, I may hand deliver your 372. Hawaii and California are the only two states out of the 50 that I haven't been in.
Later
Dan

 

[tony marks]

dan now u gotta come drink that beer u owe me withme first.. gonna sell my place,soif u coming to hillbilly heaven,its gonna need to be soon.

 

[Koa Man]

Dan,
I'll be happy to give you a tour of Oahu, the island I live on. Bring your porting tools along. I will need you to work on some of my other stuff. Can you PP stuff like Shindaiwa brush cutters and Echo hedge trimmers?

 

[dozerdan]

Tony
Sounds like you are having some hard times. I hope things work out for you. Shoot me a PM and tell me what's up. Even if you have to sell your place, you still owe me one beer. You might have to come here and drink it with me.

Koa
I may take you up on your tour offer in the very near future. Yes those items you mentioned can be ported. I have one of the fastest hedge trimmers in the US. LOL
Later
Dan

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Another satisfied PP346 owner. Not suprising as Dan does excellent work!

Try a PP7900, then watch the smile get even bigger!

 

[Hunter]

Dan Henry PP saws

I am supposed to be getting my pp346 any day now and I cant wait. I also have a 372 that will be done here real soon and next I am going to give him my 385 and maybe a 338 and a 350.
I cant wait to run my 372 and 346.
Hunter

 

[geofore]

346powerported

Some guy ( I won't mention his name) said it was Trendy to get the PowerPorted saws but I know the feeling of never wanting to go back to the stock saws after using the Power Ported ones Koa Man, I've been using trendy saws since the early 70's. You now have a bunch of saws you can get rid of (as in, give them to your crew as bonuses) and order the new PP'ed saws you really needed all along for yourself.
Next question is how long are your reflexes going to stay fast enough to handle the PP'ed saws? IMHO the PPsaws save wear and tear on your body as the saws manhandle the wood and save you from trying to manhandle the saw through the wood.
There is no going back. Hey Rich, do you think the saw bug bit another one? How long before he goes for the PP7900 or PP372? Maybe you should give him some pointers on how many he ought to buy, as many as you can get away with owning.

 

[Koa Man]

After my ground crew saw the way the 346XP went thru the wood, one guy tried to use it when I wasn't looking, although I gave explicit instructions that no one was to even touch that saw without permission. LOL he couldn't start it. I'm going to keep my stock 024 and 034 Supers (for the ground crew) and get rid of my 028 Super and 039. I like my Walkerized 066 and I'll keep my stock 084 for the times I need to pull a 42 inch bar, like tomorrow.
I would like the lightest saw I can get to run a 28 inch bar. We have no frozen wood and most woods here are pretty soft, so the 346XP pulls a 20 inch bar no problem.

Recommendations for a lightest possible saw capable of pulling a 28 inch bar are welcome.

 

[rbtree]

Koa man,

I'd bet a PP 357 would pull a 28 bar just fine in soft wood. Granted, it is smaller displacement than an 036, but stock they cut about the same. And a 036 does well with a 24 bar, so add the 40-50% extra power over stock, and presto, a PP357 oughta be fine. But I'd prefer a 372 for that bar length.

My 346-G does fine with a 20 inch bar, but it really comes alive with a 16...same would likely apply to a PP357, best with a 20-24, acceptable with a 28.

 

[Koa Man]

hey Roger,
I need to thank you for telling me to go with the 346XP. Used it some more today. Now on its 7th tank of gas and I can definitely feel the power increasing. I am really happy with this saw, and this is from a die hard Stihl man. We are taking down a large banyan...5 day job and starting to hit the big wood where a 20 inch bar won't see the other side. I got some 18 inch logs on the ground and for a lark, I'm going to see what kind of time my 066 with a 32 inch bar takes to go through that and then time the 346XP. I will most likely get the 372XP, unless someone has a better saw to get PP'd.

 

[geofore]

light saws

Most of the guys that bought the PP7900's from Dan use 20" bars in the woods but I use 24" and a 32" bar for it. Most of the cutting is in hardwood here. Light and power to spare. Ask Dan to bring along a 372PP and 7900PP when he comes to visit you. My bet would be you'll like the 7900PP with the 28" bar, semi or full skip chain in the soft wood. The 7900 comes factory with the .58 chain set up and I had Dan set mine up for the .50 3/8" because the .50 is what most of the local shops carry and it is what I run on most of my saws.

 

[Koa Man]

I like full skip chain. Need to find a source for that in .325 pitch. Heard Baileys is carrying them now. The only concern I would have with a 7900 is parts locally. Well maybe I shouldn't even be concerned with that. The Stihl dealer here sucks and other than chains, bars and air filters, you have to order everything else which takes 1 to 2 years to get. I am not kidding. My wife went there to get some Stihl brand saw chains and there were 3 people ahead of her at the counter. It was a full 5 minutes before the owner, who was talking non business stuff on the phone even acknowledged anyone. His wife was sitting at the desk clipping her fingernails. I plan to start a small engine repair and dealership, along with arborist supplies with a friend in about 5 years when I retire from the tree business. He is a small engine mechanic at the Shindaiwa/Toro distributor here. He is taking advantage of the dealership training and learning the ropes of sales and distribution. Stihl needs better representation here. The only reason the current dealer survives is there is no one else.

 

[jokers]

Hey Koa Man,

Sounds like you need to open your saw shop now, before everyone else that is frustrated just like you are gets the same idea.

Jeff Sikkema has .325 skip chain and I believe that his prices will beat Bailey`s. You also get much more friendly and personalized service. Try this:S&S Saw Shop

 

[Koa Man]

jokers,
Thanks for the info. I just bought a 32 in. bar and chain from Jeff. I'll check on the other chain. As much as I'll like to start up a saw shop now, I still need to build up some start up cash. I figure I'll need at least $150,000 for equipment and inventory plus operating capital. Or can someone who actually started up a small engine repair and sales give me a realistic figure?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Re: 346powerported

Originally posted by geofore
Hey Rich, do you think the saw bug bit another one? How long before he goes for the PP7900 or PP372? Maybe you should give him some pointers on how many he ought to buy, as many as you can get away with owning.

No pointers needed, just let the addiction take hold & go from there!!! I outta know: been there............doin' that!!!