looking for a light weight saw with power

[danp76]

I am looking for a small saw something that will handle a 14" bar with ease or maybe a 15" or 16" bar. How would the 5100 do? Any saws that would be lighter that would perform better and still have nice power? I currently have a 357xp with a 16" bar, and a 575xp with 20" bar...I can buy a 5100 for $410.00, is tha a good price?

 

[computeruser]

What exactly do you have in mind for the "light weight saw with power" to do?

A 346xp might not be a bad compliment to the saws you already own, and it is a pound or so lighter than the 5100s.

 

[Four Paws]

$410 is about list price on a 5100S (11.2 lbs) = a great saw for the money, but you won't be getting a 'bargain' at that price. Both the Husky and Dolmar are heavier than the manufacturers advertise.

Husqvarna 346XP (45cc / 10.6 lbs), Shindaiwa 377 (38cc / 9.3 lbs), Stihl MS200 (35cc / 8.4 lbs) would all be good choices. Buy what fits your budget, your hands, and comes from the dealer you like best.

 

[BostonBull]

Depending on how lightweight you want to go the MS200 is a nice lil 35cc saw that will handle a 12-16" bar nicely. OR the new MS192T rear handle, should be oe of the lightest rear handles on the market.

But what are you using it for?

 

[danp76]

How much does a 346xp cost? I can buy a 5100 for $410.oo is that good? I have a 357 and 575 for medium and big stuff, also have a 034 stihl

 

[danp76]

I will be cutting hardwood, for firewood. What is a good price for the 5100? Where is best place to purchase it? Sounds very light and like a powerhouse, how does the stihl and huskies compare on the smaller saws...

 

[computeruser]

How much does a 346xp cost? I can buy a 5100 for $410.oo is that good? I have a 357 and 575 for medium and big stuff, also have a 034 stihl

$400-450 or thereabouts.

You still haven't really identified what you're aiming to use the saw for - "firewood" can be interpreted as meaning different things to different people. By my way of thinking your 357xp is not that much heavier than the saws you're looking at, so unless you're looking for a little limber saw (346xp, for example) you might as well stick with what you've got.

The best place to buy a Dolmar 5100s would be your friendly local Dolmar dealer!

 

[Four Paws]

What is a good price for the 5100?

For me, it is as cheap as I can possibly attain it. If $410 sounds good to you, whip out your bank roll.

Where is best place to purchase it?

From your local Dolmar dealer - the same guy that will fix it, sell you replacement parts and cover warranty work. OR from one of the site sponsors if you know how to use a T27 torx bit and plan on maintaining it yourself.

Sounds very light and like a powerhouse, how does the stihl and huskies compare on the smaller saws...

Stihl and Husky pale in comparison.

I think your 357XP is a fine saw, and you should be looking at a smaller saw such as those mentioned earlier IF you feel the need to have a smaller saw. The 357 and the 575 should be a good combo. Spend your money on a gym membership so you can limb with the 357XP:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[danp76]

I live in New Hampshire, where are the dolmar dealers?

 

[Four Paws]

I live in New Hampshire, where are the dolmar dealers?

Where did you find the saw for $410?

 

[B_Turner]

Sounds like he's bound and determined to by a 5100.

I'm hope it is enough lighter than his 357 to suit him.

 

[danp76]

a husky/stihl dealer said they could get me one for $410.00, but maybe it's the wrong saw, not worth it cause I have the 357xp?

 

[Four Paws]

Sounds like he's bound and determined to by a 5100.

I'm hope it is enough lighter than his 357 to suit him.

Didn't you buy a 5100? If I remember correctly you weren't too thrilled with it for your liking? Maybe you can recover some of your investment and danp76 can get the saw he wants for a 'good price'?

 

[PES+]

Simple

Go to the Dolmar website and use the dealer search and ask your local Dolmar dealer if he can price a Husqvarna for yahopcorn:

 

[troutfisher]

I have a 346XP and 372XP. Great pair of saws to bring to the woods. I'm very impressed with the 346XP.

 

[danp76]

Do you thik the 346xp is too close to the 357 in power/weight?

 

[Four Paws]

Do you thik the 346xp is too close to the 357 in power/weight?

What do YOU think?

I think in hardwoods, your 575 with a 20" and the 357 with a 16" would be a good combo. Maybe you could sell the 575 and get a 385. Then you would be SET as far as I am concerned - no need for a small saw.

 

[troutfisher]

I've never run a 357XP, but that 346XP on a bigger scale sounds MEAN!

 

[grandpatractor]

I just got a 5100 for 389 including tax. I like it better than my bro's 2156 jred and I thinks that the same as a husky357.

 

[B_Turner]

Didn't you buy a 5100? If I remember correctly you weren't too thrilled with it for your liking? Maybe you can recover some of your investment and danp76 can get the saw he wants for a 'good price'?

I did buy one and I don't love it yet, but I don't hate it or anything. I am determined to hang in there and see what happens with some more time. Not a bad saw, I think I was just expecting more.

If it will develop a bit more grunt and I can get it to return to idle a little faster I may learn to live with it. WOT rpm seems pretty variable.

To start it cold I now unchoke after 2 pulls max even without a pop and I am not flooding it anymore. Cut with it a bunch the last two days, and maybe I am getting used to it I suppose, although the chain I put on it this morning was perhaps the sharpest chain I've ever used. "Wicked sharp."

I don't use saws smaller than 70cc much, but I am not a big fan of laminated bars. I kind of wish I had a solid bar on hand to try on the 5100, maybe it would give it a little more presence in my hands. Don't have anything else that runs the small husky mount, so I doubt I will buy yet another bar just to find out.