I need help deciding on a chainsaw for my husband's birthday!!

[Scooterbum]

Also comparing the 46cc poulon to a 50cc Dolmar is about like comparing a Pinto to a Corvette.No comparison!!

Now if I can just get my wife to read this post.........................
You see...... I....... just......... need......... 1.................. more saw.......................

 

[wdchuck]

No kidding. If I could find a woman like this, I'd consider dating again.

But until then....

Wanted: female companion, must enjoy fishing, hunting, and cutting wood with chainsaws, please enclose picture of your favorite chainsaw.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled thread.

 

[Scooterbum]

Edited:Wanted: female companion, must enjoy fishing, hunting, and cutting wood with chainsaws, please enclose picture of your favorite chainsaws.

 

[begleytree]

so, with the $400 cap, what are the choices? husky 350, dolmar 5100S,and what stihl? I know the 361 is getting thrown out there, but that $550 and imo,$150 more for the very slight difference between the 361 and 5100S is too much. sowhat $400 stihl is everyone recommending? at the $ cap, I still vote ms290. I have an old 029 super and I cant break it. dependable as sunrise.
-Ralph

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I still vote ms290. I have an old 029 super and I cant break it. dependable as sunrise.

I still agree. For what he's using it for, and what he's used to, it'd be a good saw.

 

[sawinredneck]

so, with the $400 cap, what are the choices? husky 350, dolmar 5100S,and what stihl? I know the 361 is getting thrown out there, but that $550 and imo,$150 more for the very slight difference between the 361 and 5100S is too much. sowhat $400 stihl is everyone recommending? at the $ cap, I still vote ms290. I have an old 029 super and I cant break it. dependable as sunrise.
-Ralph

The 290/310 seem to get the nod.

 

[Like The Woods!]

No kidding. If I could find a woman like this, I'd consider dating again.

But until then....

Not me...I want auntmeme to adopt me. What say auntmeme? I am well trained and .........

 

[Mr.]

NOT THE 350!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 353 is well under the $400 budget and more saw.

It has a pro crankcase. The 350 crankcase is not as well made.

Fred

 

[wdchuck]

Not me...I want auntmeme to adopt me. What say auntmeme? I am well trained and .........

Methinks you guys have adopted auntmeme.

 

[NapalmDeath]

$400 limit, MS280. $600 limit, MS361.:angry2:

 

[SawTroll]

Okay...so it sounds like the top 3 are the Stihl MS361, Husqvarna 350 and Dolmer 5100. The Poulan is 46cc...the Dolmer is 50cc and the MS 361 is 59cc (I can't find the cc on the Husqvarna website). Is there that much difference? Or am I not looking at the right thing power-wise? Thanks for helping narrow it down to these three. I can't find much info on the Dolmer from their website. Since they've been around for so long, shouldn't I have at least heard the name? Just asking By the way, you all aren't confusing too much...just narrowing down what I need to look for. Thanks again!

the Husky 350 is a very nice 52 cc saw, but not comparable at all to the 5100 - plastic crank-case, and a lot less power.

Put the 359 on the list instead, and the list would be right.

My prioritys then would be Stihl MS361, Dolmar PS5100, Husky 359 - all very good saws, but the 359 lags behind in the power to weight department......:greenchainsaw:

 

[auntmeme]

Thanks for adopting me, but you can't have me...I'm very much in love with my hubby. Thanks for the video too. It was a help to see them cut, there's not much difference. I

 

[WVhunter]

My vote in the $400 range would be the MS 280, little less power then the MS 290, alot less weight or the MS 310 same weight as MS 290 but more power. That is as far as the Stihl saws go, but that Dolmar 5100 they say is great, I want one myself. But he really would like that MS 361 LOL..... Good luck and Merry Christmas.

 

[auntmeme]

You all aren't going to believe this...I just found a used 361, purchased new in June of 2006, not been used since August...with an 18" bar and case for $400! I'm emailing back and forth with the seller now. I'll keep you updated...woohoo!!

 

[North Wood]

hey auntmeme

i have to put the dolmar 5100s at the top of the list there are several people on this site and others that have had them for different times and i have yet to come across anyone who has ANYTHING not positive to say about them!!

I have gone to my local dealer and he quoted me 369.00 for the saw well within your price range and enough to get him eye protection and an extra blade loop (need to switch from the stock loop of safety chain to the full chisel chain makes a big difference!)

now to let my wife see this post i have told her about the awsome chainsaw and deal at the dealer hope i have an 11 lb gift under the tree
with a dolmar label

go dicker with the dolmar dealer if he's any kind of good dealer he will work with you to make you a repeat customer if not go to the next dealer the 409 is the msrp never pay that unless they are sweetning the deal with some extra stuff. just my 2cents or so

 

[SawTroll]

Thanks for adopting me, but you can't have me...I'm very much in love with my hubby. Thanks for the video too. It was a help to see them cut, there's not much difference. I

The difference would shurely have been larger, if the wood was larger or harder, there is a marked difference in the max power output, and a larger one in max torque....

 

[sawinredneck]

You all aren't going to believe this...I just found a used 361, purchased new in June of 2006, not been used since August...with an 18" bar and case for $400! I'm emailing back and forth with the seller now. I'll keep you updated...woohoo!!

Sounds like you're decision just got a lot easier!! Congratulations!!! That is a ver good buy, make sure it pulls over alright and enjoy!!!
Andy

 

[bytehoven]

You all aren't going to believe this...I just found a used 361, purchased new in June of 2006, not been used since August...with an 18" bar and case for $400! I'm emailing back and forth with the seller now. I'll keep you updated...woohoo!!

Was this a deal you found on the internet? If yes, be very careful. You will not have a warranty with a used Stihl saw, and it is possible the 361 could have been poorly treated in only a couple of months.

Is the seller local to you? If yes, ask if you could have the saw inspected by your Stihl dealer. Then you would know you're not buying a problem.

Folks 'round here buy saws used because they are very good at fixing their own equipment, but they are still very careful when buying used.

IMHO, a couple of hundred dollar savings is not worth the risk of buying a used saw without an assurance from a Stihl tech inspection. BTW, this goes for any used saws, not just Stihl.

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

 

[infomet]

Good advice!
And don't forget to tell us about the slinky clothes!
Wilson

 

[Like The Woods!]

You all aren't going to believe this...I just found a used 361, purchased new in June of 2006, not been used since August...with an 18" bar and case for $400! I'm emailing back and forth with the seller now. I'll keep you updated...woohoo!!

That's great!

Buying sight unseen? There are fellows on this board that have had a lot of experience buying/selling over the net. If you can draw, on their experience to determine whether it is a good saw or not. There are some sellers that are less than truthfull.

Chances are this is a great buy, but it doesn't hurt to check things out the best you can. Does he have another? Tell him I would bid as high as $400.25!