Its Dolmar time!

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I got the saw just before dark tonight. The saw is really well thought out except for the chain adjuster which I dont really care for. The muffler is good design. It has a large outlet and internaly it is not choked up too bad for a stock piece. It does have a box around the exhaust port ala Stihl 066, but it has plenty of holes, a large cutout at the rear, and is physicaly quit large itself. The carb is adjustable, but does have a limiter on the HS screw which I havent figured out how to remove with out cutting the ears off. Another thing which I dont like is the fact that the ignition is limited to 13,500. Seems like it will be harder to tune as you cant hear when its too lean. Overall my first impressions are good. We will see how she runs tommorow when chain meets wood.
 
glad to hear

that it made it in one piece

I think that the chain adjuster is a better one than the Husqvarna design in that the pin is much longer and is easier to get the bar and side cover on together. Take look at a 372xp or similar and you'll see what I mean.

The HS screw has enough adjustment range on mine with the cap on in place- I'd run it a while before trying to remove it- you will probably find that you don't need to remove it.
 
Originally posted by bwalker
Another thing which I dont like is the fact that the ignition is limited to 13,500. Seems like it will be harder to tune as you cant hear when its too lean.

Ben; An interesting thought. Sure would screw up the tuning by ear for 4 stroking if the ignition were starting to cut out. Could be lean,yet starting to stutter like breaking into 4 stroke. What does the owners manual give for an adjustment procedure?

Frank
 
Hey stumper, Heat aint bad up here, was in the high 60's this afternoon. Pretty nice working weather. As for gettin hacked at the comment by Dan, was late and wanted some serious answers about the saw so I can buy one. I read a lot of good stuff about his saws and will probably have him build me one of those 7900's or a 372xp. I was going to get a 372 but I want a 7900 because no one else around here has one that I know of and I wanted to pull up to the wood pile and eat my brothers 288 because he brags too much about it. I found Makitas DCS 7901 which is the same except for the blue as opposed to the red for not much more than the 372xp- about $595. I may try one to see how I like it and then get dan to build me the Dolmar version.
 
Hey those are wicked looking dogs on that Dolmar! Are they stock?

'kinda gives the saw that Klingon warrior look. My Makita has the same dogs, only the color scheme is "teal and dusk", so it matches the drapes in our family room.

The only problem with having a Makita chainsaw is that I keep reaching for the 14v battery packs when heading out the door. 'hard to break old habits.
 
I ran the 7900 all day today cutting mostly hardwoods between 20-30". The saw is a winner, but IMO will not beat either a 385 or a 066 like some have claimed. It does have more jam than a 460 and is alot lighter than all the saw mentioned above. It's in fact as light or lighter than my ms-440. No for the specifics. Filtration system-Second to none, its better than husky and stihls sytem. The filter was like new after a full day of run time which supprised me since I was sceptical of the dinky filter size. AV sytem-very good as well, as good as a husky and better than a Stihl. Power charachteristics- The power band is a cross between a Husky and a stihl. Its not a stump puller like a Stihl, yet its not a screamer like a Husky. Build Quality- Very high. The saw is avery well thought out design. The coil is located in front of the flywheel and behind the oil tank which keeps it in a cool area, as already discussedthe filtraion sytem design is impressive, the muffler is very large and unrestictive compared to Stihl's imparticular. Its also quiet compared to the other makes. The fasteners are all top quality items and the saw can be broken down by only using the tools that come with the saw. Also little touches like a high quality plug cap that is located by a rubber grommet shows Dolmar is serious about quality. Ergonomics-very comfortable. The handle is angled like a husky and the spread between the front and rerar handle is on the long side. Both of these features make the saw gconfortable for prolonged use.

Overall I would have to say this saws a winner and if Dolmar ever gets a decent dealer network developed they have a chance of getting into the pants of Husky and Stihl as far as the pro market is concerned.
BTW I hope my comments on the rellative power of the saw doesnt start a uproar. Keep in mind that this saw is new and is still on the tight side(The7900 seems to be tighter than any husk or stihl I have ran when new). I also havent fooled with the hs jet too much, so it might gain alittle power. i still dont think it will beat either a 066 or a 385 though.
 
I'm sure Dan can squeeze a few ponies out of a 7900 and make a fine saw.
I am sure, but it isnt going to get the same gains as a 385. I think this saw is aimed at the 460. It does beet the 460 hands down and is lighter. Its also a better all around saw than the 385 IMO because of the weight issue. It just doesnt have the power and probaly shouldnt seeeing how it is giving up 6 cc.
 
7900 Dolmar

Ben
Run about 10-15 tanks of fuel through that 7900 and then tell us what you think of it.
Those saw are really tight from new and it take a long time for them to loosen up.
I have witnessed the stock 7900 out cut the stock 385, more then once. Granted both saws ported the 385 will rule (for now) but is also over 2 pound heavier and has a larger engine.
Later
Dan
 

Latest posts

Back
Top