davefr
Addicted to ArboristSite
I just rec'd a new Dolmar PS5100 from Cutter's Edge and did some comparison with my Stihl 026. Here are my initial observations:
1. Design/engineering - Both saws seem very well engineered but I'd give the Dolmar a slight edge. Just my gut feel from looking it over.
2. Weight - When both saws are outfitted with 18" bars and fueled up ready to cut wood they weight exactly 15.75#. The data sheets show the 026 being about 1 lb lighter but I found them nearly identical.
3. Features - The PS5100 has an adjustable oiler, Stihl 026 (non Pro model) does not. I really like the oil and gas caps on the Dolmar with the raised edge. I'm amazed that Stihl hasn't figured out we can have slippery hands and don't want to find a screwdriver to fuel up. However the Dolmar has very little slack in the gas cap retainer. It can get in the way during refueling.
I also like the Dolmar's access cover that can be removed by 3 simple clips. It looks like maintainence/repair is very easy on the Dolmar.
4. Balance - The 026 with 18" bar points down about 10-20 degrees from horizontal when balanced by the handle. The Dolmar actually points up about 5 degrees.
5. Mod. Friendly - The 026 muffler is really easy to modify. It's 2 halves and the interior baffle and outlet port can be easily enlarged. However my 026 carb has a fixed HS jet that I had to drilled from .56 to .57 mm to richen it up. I think the new MS260's have gone back to adjustable jets.
The Dolmar muffler is crimped. It looks to be more difficult to modify but probably not a big deal. The outlet deflector looks pretty restrictive. The Dolmar has limiter caps on the carb. You can carefully remove the rubber dust seal on the case and get easy access to the screws. If you need more range it looks like a couple nips will remove the wings and give you a fully adjustable carb.
6. Usable bar - I measured the usable bar length on both saws and the Dolmar is 17.25" yet the 026 is the full 18". Maybe Stihl provides slightly longer chain.
7. Starting - Both saws start after several pulls cold and one pull hot. However the 026 is a very easy pull (like a lawnmower) yet the Dolmar requires a very strong yank. The Dolmar manual says there's a compression release but there isn't one on my saw. I think the Dolmar could really benefit from compression release whereas it isn't needed on the Stihl.
The Dolmar control is 3 position. Full choke, on and stop. There isn't a half choke setting. (I still miss the old pull chokes)
8. Cutting test - This really isn't fair because my 026 is broken in and has an opened up muffler and a .57mm main jet. The Dolmar is just as it's come from the factory with it's first tank of fuel. I took both saws to a 18" Doug Fir log and made some "pizzas". They both plow thru it without slowing down. I think my 026 outperformed the Dolmar by a tad. However after muffler mods, carb tuning, and break in the Dolmar should surpass the 026. I'm not sure how sharp the factory chain is on the Dolmar but my 026 chain was recently filed.
The Dolmar seems very smooth and accelerated almost instantly. There's hardly any vibration on the 026 and no noticable vibration on the Dolmar.
9. Support - I was somewhat apprehensive buying this saw since the U.S. Dolmar support channel is so weak. However getting parts for my other Dolmar (DCS 401) was easier then getting parts from Stihl since I could do it online vs. making 2 trips to a B&M Stihl retailer. I hope the Makita parts distribution network supports Dolmar.
12/10 Update:
I've opened up the muffler (seperate thread) and increased the H jet to 1/8 turn beyond the limiter. The saw has had about 3-4 tanks so it's well on it's way to be broken it. At this point I'd say it definately outperforms my 026 with no weight penalty. The saw feels as though it floats thru the cut - perfect balance and not even a hint of vibration.
Yesterday I did some stump cutting and this saw performed the task very efficiently. (I usually pull out the 046 for stumps)
1. Design/engineering - Both saws seem very well engineered but I'd give the Dolmar a slight edge. Just my gut feel from looking it over.
2. Weight - When both saws are outfitted with 18" bars and fueled up ready to cut wood they weight exactly 15.75#. The data sheets show the 026 being about 1 lb lighter but I found them nearly identical.
3. Features - The PS5100 has an adjustable oiler, Stihl 026 (non Pro model) does not. I really like the oil and gas caps on the Dolmar with the raised edge. I'm amazed that Stihl hasn't figured out we can have slippery hands and don't want to find a screwdriver to fuel up. However the Dolmar has very little slack in the gas cap retainer. It can get in the way during refueling.
I also like the Dolmar's access cover that can be removed by 3 simple clips. It looks like maintainence/repair is very easy on the Dolmar.
4. Balance - The 026 with 18" bar points down about 10-20 degrees from horizontal when balanced by the handle. The Dolmar actually points up about 5 degrees.
5. Mod. Friendly - The 026 muffler is really easy to modify. It's 2 halves and the interior baffle and outlet port can be easily enlarged. However my 026 carb has a fixed HS jet that I had to drilled from .56 to .57 mm to richen it up. I think the new MS260's have gone back to adjustable jets.
The Dolmar muffler is crimped. It looks to be more difficult to modify but probably not a big deal. The outlet deflector looks pretty restrictive. The Dolmar has limiter caps on the carb. You can carefully remove the rubber dust seal on the case and get easy access to the screws. If you need more range it looks like a couple nips will remove the wings and give you a fully adjustable carb.
6. Usable bar - I measured the usable bar length on both saws and the Dolmar is 17.25" yet the 026 is the full 18". Maybe Stihl provides slightly longer chain.
7. Starting - Both saws start after several pulls cold and one pull hot. However the 026 is a very easy pull (like a lawnmower) yet the Dolmar requires a very strong yank. The Dolmar manual says there's a compression release but there isn't one on my saw. I think the Dolmar could really benefit from compression release whereas it isn't needed on the Stihl.
The Dolmar control is 3 position. Full choke, on and stop. There isn't a half choke setting. (I still miss the old pull chokes)
8. Cutting test - This really isn't fair because my 026 is broken in and has an opened up muffler and a .57mm main jet. The Dolmar is just as it's come from the factory with it's first tank of fuel. I took both saws to a 18" Doug Fir log and made some "pizzas". They both plow thru it without slowing down. I think my 026 outperformed the Dolmar by a tad. However after muffler mods, carb tuning, and break in the Dolmar should surpass the 026. I'm not sure how sharp the factory chain is on the Dolmar but my 026 chain was recently filed.
The Dolmar seems very smooth and accelerated almost instantly. There's hardly any vibration on the 026 and no noticable vibration on the Dolmar.
9. Support - I was somewhat apprehensive buying this saw since the U.S. Dolmar support channel is so weak. However getting parts for my other Dolmar (DCS 401) was easier then getting parts from Stihl since I could do it online vs. making 2 trips to a B&M Stihl retailer. I hope the Makita parts distribution network supports Dolmar.
12/10 Update:
I've opened up the muffler (seperate thread) and increased the H jet to 1/8 turn beyond the limiter. The saw has had about 3-4 tanks so it's well on it's way to be broken it. At this point I'd say it definately outperforms my 026 with no weight penalty. The saw feels as though it floats thru the cut - perfect balance and not even a hint of vibration.
Yesterday I did some stump cutting and this saw performed the task very efficiently. (I usually pull out the 046 for stumps)
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