Makita DCS or EA

[Steph79]

Hello,

Just looking for a little advice, looking to pick up a bit of a do everything saw, I was considering the Makita EA6100 but I did notice another dealer close to home which sells the DCS6421. Anybody try both? There are also some deals to be had on Dolmar 5105 saws from another dealer which also seems interesting.

This would be for doing about 8 to 10 cords per year, plus helping out with friends whenever I can. I'm fairly new to chainsaws, I have a little DCS 34 which is great and starts easy, nice for yard clean-up. I've borrowed a Husky 359 on occasion which is a PIA to start, even when warm, but great when running. That's about it, so the frame of reference is small. We do have a large Husky dealer in the area but it's not a great place to shop so I'm not really considering Husky.

Stihl & Echo dealers are also relatively close, I just zeroed in on Makita because the DCS 34 has been good.

 

[The Thriftdrifter]

My bro bought a EA6100p a couple of months back and it is a fine saw, it's got a big gas tank, and easy to start. I have no experience with the DCS6400 but I know it has been around longer than the 6100 and has the potential to be easily upgraded into a larger capacity saw.

I'm sure CoreyB might be along here soon telling you to just get on and buy the 6100.

 

[Steph79]

Its likely what I'll end up getting, just wanted to make sure it a was worth the drive, the dealer is out in the boonies but he is going to keep the place open an let me test the saw, he's also willing to move on price a little. The other dealers are all in town, can't try the saw first and have that big box store feel.

 

[Steph79]

Plus Makita has always been good to me; compressors, drills, saws...

 

[nstueve]

6100

 

[Ryan'smilling]

The 6421 is the same saw as the 7910, but with a smaller top end. It is quite a bit heavier than the 6100. If you're going to carry a saw that heavy around, it had might as well be the 80cc 7910.

The 6100 is a much newer model. It's lighter and based on a different type of engine technology (strato-charged). They are very well liked by those that own them. If I was going to buy a new 60cc saw, that'd probably be the one.

I couldn't tell from your post if the dealer the boonies who's keeping the store open late and letting you test the saw is the guy with the 6100, or the 6420. Personally, without running either saw, I'd want the 6100 (or even better, a 7910) but I'd want to buy it from that guy.

 

[Steph79]

The small shop has the Makita 6100, Dolmar 5105 and Dolmar 7310. It's an extra $70 to jump from the 5105 to the 6100 so that's what he recommended. Didn't really consider the 7310 but that's a price increase of $200 over the 6100 and its powerhead only. Not sure if that's worth looking into? Starting to get into lots of money but this is hopefully a long term purchase so I would consider it. My only real concern with this place is it's about 4.5 hrs from home if something goes wrong, just so happens I'm out of town for work and just about 1.5 hrs away now so I'm going to head over at the end of the day tomorrow to check everything out. I can't imagine not buying after the travel, and his willingness to stay open - and he's holding the saws for me too. I think the store is attached to his house.

The 6421 is a place close to home that specializes in online orders, they would have to order it in and there's no way to try it out first. Wasn't sure if it was a find or not, I knew it was older but sometimes the newer models aren't actually an upgrade. It's also $30 more than the 6100.

 

[The Thriftdrifter]

The 6100 makes short work of these type/size of logs.

You can also get new/used Makita saws and parts from some members on this site. Ford150 springs to mind, not sure what the freight prices are like.

The 6100 would make a great all round saw no doubt and would be my choice. Another option worth looking at would be an Echo CS590, just use the search function on this site for more information/opinions on the 590.

 

[fordf150]

Can't go wrong with either one but sounds to me like a 6100 would be a better fit. Lighter, longer run time, better air filter, plenty of power for 20-24" bar

 

[CoreyB]

All three are great saws. The 6400 is heavier but lots of grunt. The 5105 is a stout 50cc saw and can do 10 cords a year without a problem. However to me the 6100 doesn't feel much heavier than the 5105.
The 6100 just has a great blend of speed and torque, Dolmar in General has great AV but at the same time doesn't feel like mush or something is going to break.
If I where to pick up a 6400 it would be a HD rental units. I have lots of videos of the 6100 on my YouTube channel. Feel free to check them out.




Here the 6100 side by side with a 421. The 6100 has the longer bar.

 

[Jeffkrib]

I know DCS stands for Dolmar Chainsaw. Anyone know what the EA stands for?

 

[wde_1978]

I know DCS stands for Dolmar Chainsaw. Anyone know what the EA stands for?

EA = EPA Approved

All my votes go towards the 64xx/73xx/79xx line - I just love these saws!

Dolmar PS-6400 & PS-7900

 

[Steph79]

I think it'll be the 6100, looks like it'll be more saw then I'll ever really need. I may take a quick look at the 5105 for comparison but there doesn't any real reason to go bigger than the 6100. Thanks for all the info everybody.

 

[The Thriftdrifter]

Don't forget to post some photos once the deal is done.

 

[tallguys]

The small shop has the Makita 6100, Dolmar 5105 and Dolmar 7310. It's an extra $70 to jump from the 5105 to the 6100 so that's what he recommended. Didn't really consider the 7310 but that's a price increase of $200 over the 6100 and its powerhead only.

That'd be the small shop out around Bobcaygeon, right?

Back to your question, any of those three would do fine but if you're staying with a 2-saw plan I'd probably suggest the 6100 with a 20" bar.

The 5105 loves a 16"-18" bar and can easily handle a 20" occasionally. The 7310 flat-out rips with a 20" and easily pulls up to a 28".

 

[wde_1978]

...The 7310 flat-out rips with a 20" and easily pulls up to a 28"...

My PS-6400 doesn't mind pulling an aggressive 20", great saw.

I stupidly passed a really affordable PS-7310 , but I have my PS-7900 to keep me smiling.

I agree, the PS-6100 might be the most saw for the buck for the OP.

 

[nstueve]

I think it'll be the 6100, looks like it'll be more saw then I'll ever really need. I may take a quick look at the 5105 for comparison but there doesn't any real reason to go bigger than the 6100. Thanks for all the info everybody.

I know most don't have the epoxy carb at this point but I would pull the AF cover and look at the carb to make sure that it can be adjusted without the pain of epoxy removal. Some dealer could have been sitting on their 5105's for a long time due to the bad reputation of lean carb settings from factory. If you get the 5105 I would make sure its tuned correctly (richen it up) when its fresh out of the box. It will save you the headache of a lean seized saw in the future. Good dealers know about the issue and adjust the carb for you.

Run 40:1 full synthetic oil. Dolmar silver bottle is great stuff!!!

 

[wde_1978]

A DCS-6421 + a PS-7910 P&C conversion kit could become this:


Dolmar PS-7900 with 36" full complement 3/8" chisel chain, in walnut root ball.

Just messing with Ya'!

Slightly off topic:

Dolmar silver bottle is great stuff!!!

Any pictures or a Dolmar article/part number?
It seems I can only get this oil:


Back on topic!
To the OP, let us know what saw came home with You, and don't forget lots of pictures and videos.

 

[nstueve]

90% sure my silver and red bottles say full synthetic on the back and of course it has fuel stabilizers too.

You might not be able to get the "dolmar" branded oils much longer depending on supply. I'm sure Makita will merge oil distribution together with parts just like they are doing with the Dolmar/Makita power equipment and parts. Current Makita oils are already full synthetic with fuel stabilizers. At least that is what I would assume since the bottle doesn't read synthetic blend or partial synthetic. I could be wrong though since it doesn't read "full synthetic". Its currently unknown who the oil producer is for makita and dolmar but the packaging is different. I would assume different producer/distributor which means different product. Others have brought up this before b/c we are wondering what kind of bar oil quality we are going to get in the future if makita switches its oil sourcing with the brand switch. Again all assumptions on my part and maybe Steve, Scott, or Nate know more??? @cuttinscott @166 @fordf150

 

[wde_1978]

90% sure my silver and red bottles say full synthetic on the back and of course it has fuel stabilizers too.

You might not be able to get the "dolmar" branded oils much longer depending on supply. I'm sure Makita will merge oil distribution together with parts just like they are doing with the Dolmar/Makita power equipment and parts. Current Makita oils are already full synthetic with fuel stabilizers. At least that is what I would assume since the bottle doesn't read synthetic blend or partial synthetic. I could be wrong though since it doesn't read "full synthetic". Its currently unknown who the oil producer is for makita and dolmar but the packaging is different. I would assume different producer/distributor which means different product. Others have brought up this before b/c we are wondering what kind of bar oil quality we are going to get in the future if makita switches its oil sourcing with the brand switch. Again all assumptions on my part and maybe Steve, Scott, or Nate know more??? @cuttinscott @166 @fordf150

Thank You for the information and pictures @nstueve !

I have NEVER seen Dolmar 2 stroke oil in that kind of packaging, must be due to different markets (Europe/USA).

Sorry to bother You, but what is the part number on those Dolmar bottles?
I can only make out xxx 100 100.
But I think those are not available in Europe anyway as the smallest packaging we have is 100mL, or 0.1Liter.

Great information, thanks again!
Cheers