looking for a light weight saw with power

[Finnbear]

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?

For $425 I can buy an MS260 Pro at my local Stihl dealer. I looked at one Monday and I'm holding off until I find out whether my 028WB can be saved rea$onably once I get it torn down. Probably a bit less $$$ for the standard MS260 and the only difference is the Pro has a compression release and adjustable chain oiler. The 260 powerhead weighs 10.6 lbs. and will easily handle a 16" or 18" bar. It is a 50.2cc saw rated at 3.2bhp. The 5100s is 11.2 lbs and is advertised as 50.7cc and 3.8bhp. It sounds like a screamer but weighs a bit more. If I were buying a saw in this class I'd choose the brand according to whatever dealer had the best service in my area. For me it is Stihl and I'm not even sure if anyone sells Dolmar around here.
Finnbear

 

[Lakeside53]

That's pretty good price for the 260 pro... With the standard 5 minute muffler mod, I'm pretty sure the orginal 3.5hp comes back quckly... no measurements thought - just "feel"... might even be a little more.

 

[RED-85-Z51]

What happened to "lightweight" and "small displacement" to pull 12-16" bars...?

If you want a cheapy, look at poulan or poulan pro. Good saws, light saws, cheap saws.

They wont kick you in the wallet.

The wild Thing is a 40cc 18" saw, very well balanced rear handle saw, and very light.

If you are just doing little trees (4-10") or doing a little bucking, it will serve nicely. And after 2 years, when the fuel line cracks, spend a few minutes putting some new line on, or replace the saw. They can be had for around 150, with case, extra chain, scrench, and some 40:1 oil.

I know these guys HATE it when I recommend Poulan products, but for what they are, they work.

No, it wont outcut a MS361, but then again it didnt cost $500+ either.

 

[zemmo]

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.

Howdy, are you running 3/8 on it? Just curious, TIA.