Shopping for a second saw

[Vibes]

Being that your a goose rider, you should be looken at those pasta burnin Efco's. I have several of the older Olympics and the first time I started messing with one I said ''this thing reminds me of my old SP''

They are very tough saws and simple to work on, just like the Guzzi. You shouldn't be afraid of parts availability because they run like a Guzzi. [parts not needed]

I'm going to be parking an Efco 181 next to my 98 EV in a week or 2.

Welcome

 

[parrisw]

I was only kidding, but anyway, yes I ve heard good things about Stihl chain. Don't know why you'd even bother with a adapter to run a stihl bar, when there are so many that fit it properly.

About oregon chain. I ve never had a complaint about it. I always use it and really like it. I also have some Carlton chain, no complaints about that either.

I ve also used the 91vg, its on my Craftsman saw at the moment. And I didn't find any problem with it. It cuts just fine for light duty stuff, thats all I use that saw for. I'm not too fond of the bumper drive links but I was in a pinch when I needed a chain, it was a weekend, so I picked up one at a local Canadian Tire, and to my suprise it cuts really quite well. I've loaned the saw out to a few people and they liked it too.

 

[SawTroll]

..... their "safety chain", such as the 91VG series is :censored: garbage... They put so much effort into making it proof against kickbacks that they forgot about making it do other things, like CUT... One of the guys over on the Hearth described bumper link chain as "training wheels for chainsaws" ....

The Stihl PM1 is just as bad as the 91VG in that regard, etc......

 

[HUSKYMAN]

I'll also say that I'm having trouble visualizing how one would make an adapter to change a bar mount. Wouldn't doing so change the plane that the bar mounts on, leaving it where it wouldn't line up with the sprocket?

Gooserider

I wouldn't bother with this mod, Stihl bars are no better than any other except they cost more. As long as you flip your bar and grease the tip often any major manufacturer's bars will last years.

 

[Wortown Mick]

Well I've noticed a lot of people suggesting three or more saws, but the budget can't take that kind of hit, and I'm not sure I need that much coverage. I'm figuring right now that my Poulan does a good job of the bottom end, and getting something big enough to cover the high end, with multiple bars will let me do double duty on the high side.

While I'm not totally ignoring the possibility of a used saw, I'm looking more and more at the potential for a Dolmar 7900 - I've checked the Dolmar dealer locator, and there are about a dozen dealers listed w/in an hour or so's drive from home. I don't know how good any of them are, and some would be a real PITA to get to, but there are at least 3-4 that wouldn't be to bad, not to mention the possible on-line sources. I have one on-line price for a new 7900 that suggests it would only be a little more than a good used MS460 according to the prices that Huskyman was mentioning.

One question that my GF had when I was talking to her about this, is how is parts and service info availability for Dolmar? (and the other brands for that matter) - I'd probably want to do a good bit of my own maintainance and repair work, is there any reason to prefer any of the major brands for better access to parts, tech manuals, and so forth if one is not a dealer?

Gooserider

Well, if you go to the dolmar website, and go to the model saw your looking at you can bring up a PDF parts list with all the parts numbers to build a saw from scratch.

You take the part number and call it in to your dealer and the next day you will have your part.(if you got in early enough)

My boss waits weeks to a month for parts for his 394, I wait 2 days TOPS for parts for my 7900. Find yourself a local dealer that uses the integrated distribution network I think its called.. Its just a nifty computerized ordering system that makes life nice.

I dont know what kinda manual youd need to work on the saw, all you need is a Scrench & T27 Torx to rebuild the saw.. I know because I did it on the hood of my truck. The saws dont need to be wrenched on too often at all.

 

[Big Neb]

The Stihl adapter from Bailey's just slides over the bar mounts. It allows those of us that already have a number of Stihl mount bars to use them on other chainsaws. Do a search and you'll find pics etc... of how they work.

They really are quite simple and basically just fill in the gap between the Husky/Dolmar mount to the Stihl mount.

I haven't found that any quality bar such as the Stihl are any more expensive than another. I just picked up a 28" Stihl bar and paid full price at the dealer for $60. By the time I pay shipping I can't get an Oregon etc.. for any less.