Jonsered 2050 Turbo - Dolmar 510 (or 5100)

[Carl Anderson]

Hi, I'm new to this site and it looks like a lot of knowledgable saw people with lots of great info so I thought I'd throw a question or two out there. I have a Jonsered 2050 that is running a little rough. I lent it out a few years ago to a family member who put oil in the gas tank and gas in the oil tank and could not understand why it failed to run :bang:. Anyway I cleaned it all out and it runs but not really up to snuff. Should the carb be rebuilt or replaced?

Also, the 2050 is a good saw but a little underpowered for my uses. I tried a Dolmar 510 today and loved it. I also tried an Efco of similar size and thought, eh, it's just OK (but in fairness, the Efco had a much less aggressive chain on it and was just in so it may need some tweaking from the factory setup). So if I decide to upgrade to the Dolmar what would my 13 year old Jonsered 2050 be worth (it's in good shape, low hours) and is the Dolmar higher rpm saw (5100 model?) worth the extra money?

Thanks!

 

[taplinhill]

I'll let the Dolmar guys answer the 510/5100 question, but good 2050's usually go for $100-$150.

 

[Gunther274]

Are you looking to sell that 2050?

 

[Carl Anderson]

Possibly, if I decide it's time to get a newer, bigger saw.

 

[nmurph]

the 510 is heavier bc the chasis is aluminum as opposed to magnesium of the 5100, and the rev limiter is lower. the 510 is rated at 3.3 and the 5100 is rated at 3.9, bc of the difference in the p/cylinder. otherwise, they are identical.

 

[mikefunaro]

1. What are your "uses"? Are you doing firewood? What diameter do you normally cut? Are you doing firewood or just storm clean up?

2. the dolmar and the jonsered have/had the same advertised horse power rating. So its a stronger saw vs the jonsered in its current state, but presumably not a stronger saw against a 2050 in ideal operating condition. I have never run a 2050, much less back to back, so I really cannot attest to this.

3. I agree that you can probably get $100-$150 for it. If you're capable of cleaning the carb yourself that may be worthwhile. Otherwise to pay someone to do it (either just cleaning, carb kit, or replacement) is going to be more $$$ than you're going to get in terms of return on the purchase price.

I have the dolmar ps 510 and I like it a lot. That said, there are better 50cc saws out there. I have since bought a husky 346 and now the dolmar doesn't see much use. It is a very robust, well made saw for the price it generally goes for. I have heard of some dealers trying to sell them for upwards of $350, which for me, gets way too close into the 346 price range territory. They have also come under fire of late because they are now being made in China. It seems like this "made" really means assembled, and the piston and cylinder and other critical components are of original german quality. Regardless, the implications of this switch are unclear. Presumably some dealers also have German stock still? Either way, this isn't really a big deal.

With regard to the efco many have them in deere skin and love them. The dolmar has more modern amenities like the spring antivibe. Not sure if that matters to you.

The one other thing that I can complain about a little bit with the dolmar is that some fines seem to get through the flocked air filters. This is improved through the use of filter oil. I have seen this happen in my other saws too so this isn't too big of an issue. Just something you hear about.

Overall I like the saw a lot. It has a very nice, torqy powerband. Pulls 3/8 chain pretty well. I like the looks of it too. Excellent for smaller to medium sized trees.

 

[7sleeper]

Hi, I'm new to this site and it looks like a lot of knowledgable saw people with lots of great info so I thought I'd throw a question or two out there. I have a Jonsered 2050 that is running a little rough. I lent it out a few years ago to a family member who put oil in the gas tank and gas in the oil tank and could not understand why it failed to run :bang:. Anyway I cleaned it all out and it runs but not really up to snuff. Should the carb be rebuilt or replaced?

Also, the 2050 is a good saw but a little underpowered for my uses. I tried a Dolmar 510 today and loved it. I also tried an Efco of similar size and thought, eh, it's just OK (but in fairness, the Efco had a much less aggressive chain on it and was just in so it may need some tweaking from the factory setup). So if I decide to upgrade to the Dolmar what would my 13 year old Jonsered 2050 be worth (it's in good shape, low hours) and is the Dolmar higher rpm saw (5100 model?) worth the extra money?

Thanks!

I am a big fan of Dolmar but this situation sounds more like a thorogh cleaning of the carb is in the waiting. A ultrasound cleaning should do the trick. If you don't have one go to the local small machine repair man or car repair and ask if you can use theirs. It should be a minor fee. Then check for cylinder integrity by unscrewing the muffler. Maybe you weren't told the whole story?!?

I have the dolmar ps 510 and I like it a lot. That said, there are better 50cc saws out there. I have since bought a husky 346 and now the dolmar doesn't see much use. It is a very robust, well made saw for the price it generally goes for. I....
Overall I like the saw a lot. It has a very nice, torqy powerband. Pulls 3/8 chain pretty well. I like the looks of it too. Excellent for smaller to medium sized trees.

A 510 as well as 5100 or the revised modell 5130 are great saws. Maybe a forum member would like to sell his as he doesn't have much use for his anymore.

7

 

[Carl Anderson]

I am clearing about an acre of property with only small to medium sized hardwoods (26 inch diameter or less). I burn about 4 cords of wood per year but used to buy it (too busy renovating my house endlessly) but it's getting too expensive now. So I want to cut more myself.

I saw an online retailer that had the Zama C1Q EL1 that's in the 2050 for under $50 (plus shipping) so I was thinking that's pretty cheap and much easier and quicker than a rebuild if another cleaning doesn't smooth it out enough for my liking.

Maybe I should just wait and see how that turns out (but I'd love an excuse to buy a new saw). The dealer had the Dolmar 510 "on sale" for $355, sounds like people are saying that is too high anyway.

 

[mikefunaro]

Yeah I mean I paid $310 two or three years ago for the 510. $40 or so in the scheme of things isn't a big deal, if your dealer's a good one, but it's certainly far from a midnight madness sale price.

 

[Carl Anderson]

Well, there is only one other Dolmar dealer in my area so I'll get a price from them tomorrow. They are also a Husky dealer but from looking online the 346 is over $450, out of my price range right now.

Tractor Supply has the Husky 450 that would just barely be in my price range but that may be a box store model, not sure how good it would be. Sears also has it on sale for about $315 shipping and all.
Any thoughts on that one?

If I can't afford a good saw I'm better off with the Jonsered 2050 I have as long as it stays running OK. The chain on it also has small teeth, maybe I can get a different chain that will give it a little more bite as long as it's running strong enough.

 

[grandpatractor]

You should be able to get the Dolmar 5100 in 3/8 or .325 chain.
A fair price around here would be about $400 bucks for a 5100.
The biggest thin on any saw is to keep it tuned right and run a sharp chain.

 

[Carl Anderson]

I think the dealer I was at had the 5100, he referred to it as "the hot saw". Hopefully he meant the high rpm saw, not the stolen saw. Anyway I think he wanted about $450 for that one so roughly $100 more than the 510.

The Husky 450e for $315 (plus CT sales tax) from Sears sounds tempting if it's a good saw. I'm not sure about that tooless chain tensioner though, seems like a gimic that might turn into more of a problem than a plus.

Mikefunaro, if you are willing to part with your 510 that isn't seeing much action anymore I might be interested.

 

[Carl Anderson]

The other Dolmar dealer wants $485 for the 5100 and $389 for the 510. Everything is more expensive in this Godforsaken state (CT). So the 5100 seems out of my price range and if I want the 510 then the $355 at the first dealer is as good as I'm going to get around here. I could probably find one online for less but not sure I want to go that way. Shipping (but maybe no tax) and no dealer prep, etc.

The Husqvarna 455 rancher is going for $399 with a spare chain at the 2nd dealer. That would be a good sized saw for what I need but not sure how it ranks against the Dolmar 510. The Husky is bigger, more common to findparts, etc. but is it lower quality, better quality, or about the same?

 

[7sleeper]

....
The Husqvarna 455 rancher is going for $399 with a spare chain at the 2nd dealer. That would be a good sized saw for what I need but not sure how it ranks against the Dolmar 510. The Husky is bigger, more common to findparts, etc. but is it lower quality, better quality, or about the same?

The Dolmar is definately a pro like built saw while the Husqvarna is a homeowner typ saw. Another defination here in Austria is the pro, the farmer and the homeowner typ saw. Obviously the direction of quality is clear. So by this definination the 510 would fit the "Farmer" class and the Husqvarna would fall into the "Farmer/Homeowner" class in my books. If it was my choice I would definately get the Dolmar either from your dealer or from Mike, and if he doesn't want to part from it I'll tell you where he lives and then at night.....

On the other hand I have no idea what a rebuild of your Jonsered 2050 with a new cylinder&piston would cost in the US. Specification wise there shouldn't be to much difference between your 2050 and the 510 or 455. Just a generation of technology.

Good luck!

7

 

[Carl Anderson]

The Jonsered is a great little saw but it has never had near the power that Dolmar I tried had, even when it was brand new. Even if it did it is still running a smaller sproket/chain/bar that is never going to chew like the Dolmar even if it did have the same power.

Even though the Dolmar is technically the same size it just seemed to cut like a much bigger saw than the Jonsered. The brand new Efco I tried was 51.7 cc and had the same chain size and type as my Jonsered and it cut like a lot it when it was new. The Efco took almost twice as long to get through the same log that the Dolmar flew through.

If I can sell my Jonsered for $100-$150 dollars and save time and money on replacing/rebuilding I'm probably around $100 away from the new Dolmar.

 

[7sleeper]

The Jonsered is a great little saw but it has never had near the power that Dolmar I tried had, even when it was brand new. Even if it did it is still running a smaller sproket/chain/bar that is never going to chew like the Dolmar even if it did have the same power.

Even though the Dolmar is technically the same size it just seemed to cut like a much bigger saw than the Jonsered. The brand new Efco I tried was 51.7 cc and had the same chain size and type as my Jonsered and it cut like a lot it when it was new. The Efco took almost twice as long to get through the same log that the Dolmar flew through.

If I can sell my Jonsered for $100-$150 dollars and save time and money on replacing/rebuilding I'm probably around $100 away from the new Dolmar.

That seems to be more a chain and carb problem than a saw problem. By no means do I want to inhibit you on buying a new saw but I am just trying to warn you that you will be extremly unhappy if you get a new saw and still have some cr@p cheapo chain on it. I would try some woodland pro from Baileys or even better, although more expensive, some Stihl chain which is generally considerd the best with woodland pro second. The "aaahhh yeeessss!!!" effect can be quite dramatic with a quality & freshly sharpened chain.

I would also be very careful about putting a too large bar on a 50cc chainsaw. Generally 18 inch is considered the maximum. And a 325 chain is usually preferable to 3/8 on this power league.

The carb should of course be set using a rpm device.

Further a easy fix is also a muffler mod to recieve more power. There are tons of threads, pictures and videos here which describe the "how to". And it is a cheap fix. If interested you'll find them with the search function or on the top of the chainsaw forum "Lakeside53's --361 muffler mod w/photos " is considered a classic which applies, with minor modifications, to any saw size!

I forgot, if you aquire a new chainsaw it is considered extremely rude to not present at least photos if not a short video of you in action. The rumor goes that unfortunate former fellows here on AS have had their account terminated because of that. Who knows and maybe we shall never find out .....

Good luck

7

 

[litefoot]

The 2050 was my first saw. They're pretty snappy when you get them running right. I suggest the carburetor rebuild and a muffler mod before you make up your mind. You'll be surprised and you might save yourself a few bucks.

 

[garyischofield]

2050

If you're looking for a decent 2050,I got one .Decent saw.P,M me if interested.Gary

 

[Carl Anderson]

That's tempting. My folks have a place on Lake Winnipesaukee and I am planning on going up sometime to help do some work on the place. I think for now I am going to see what I can do to tune up the Jonsered, get a better chain and see how it cuts. If I still feel I need a new saw I will send you a message and see if it's still available and what your asking price would be. What part of NH are you in?

 

[Carl Anderson]

That's very tempting where it's practically new and I would not have to deal with shipping, I will pm you if I can work something out.

By the way, I sharpened up the crap chain on my Jonsered today and it cut OK, not great but not too bad. It would not idle though once it warmed up, died as soon as I got off the gas. Maybe just a carb adjustment but I will rebuild or replace that anyway whether or not I keep that saw. So I think some carb work, a new plug, maybe a muffler mod and a good chain and that 2050 might still be a great saw (to keep or sell). Never hurts to have more than one though!

Oh, one other thought. My local New Holland tractor dealer carries Stihl. I saw he has a m290 I think it was for $369, somewhere around that. If I decided to eventually get a brand new saw should I be considering a Stihl?