New Makita DCS 520i has arrived

[eric_271]

Well said sedanman. I have 2 of the 520i saws and have only used one of them but if I buy a 540 I can start mixing and matching and going for the gusto. The one that I have used is great. I run full chisel on a 16 inch bar. I bought these saws for limbing and they dont weigh much. I cut osage orange which is extremely hard wood and found with the 16 inch bar and the full chisel chain that the 520i has enough grunt to go into a big log. Elmore you did not go wrong getting that saw. I think list was close to $500.00 for the 520. It will last you a long time. Buy another one like I did and it will last you a long long time.

 

[Molecule]

best price for Makitas

for Makita try ...

http://www.toolbarn.com/cgi-bin/group.cgi/makita/gaschainsaw/

I bought a 540, but it seems to have a little more than usual vibration in it -- I don't know quite what to do. I hoped it might new compression which would shake out during breakin, which hasn't happened yet. It's a nice starting and handling, and runs a 16" limbing bar with no quit in it. Change the carb and choke handle, and jug and piston, and make it a 5200i. Makita says the 5200i pistons sets are on backorder. $178.00

 

[Elmore]

Finally operated this saw

I finally cranked this Makita DCS 520i. I must say this is one heck of a cutting machine. I ran one tank of oil rich fuel (26.6/1 Shindaiwa oil, late 80s vintage). When I run out of this mix I will run a 32/1 Opti2 dino mix until I am out of it then I will run 32/1 Mobil synthetic for the duration. Great saw. I wish I had a smaller lighter saw that performs as this one does for clean up of the tops of these fallen trees. I did follow up with a 32cc Craftsman but even after filing down the depth gauges and a sharpening it still doesn't cut very well. Perhaps another round of adjustments is in order or maybe repairing the fuel lines on my Poulan 2000 which I seem to have liked better than the Craftsman in close quarters.
Here is the 520i, just before I ran it.

 

[Luke]

401

If you would like to have a small 520, try a 401. Mag case, very light. Remove the inner baffle in the muffler, grind off the limiter caps, give them a quarter turn, and let her rip. Great little saw.

 

[Elmore]

If you would like to have a small 520, try a 401. Mag case, very light. Remove the inner baffle in the muffler, grind off the limiter caps, give them a quarter turn, and let her rip. Great little saw.

My thoughts exactly.