New Chainsaw Question

[crazyal]

I bought 2 Makita 6401's, (same as Dolmar, just different color), from Baileys. $499 shipped when they have free shipping. Also bought a big bore kit, have not yet installed it. Saws have plenty of power for my uses stock. I also bought a new never had gas in it Dolmar 510 out of the local paper for $240. Deals are around, you just have to keep your eyes open.

As stated in an earlier post, I also have 3 Stihl's and have come to prefer the Dolmar/Makita saws. No new Stihl's are in my future.

Baliey's sells the Makita with the big bore kit as a package. The problem is the Makita comes with a 1 year warranty and the big bore kit also comes with a 1 year warranty but if you install the BBK then you void the Makita warranty. So Baliey's recomends you wait a year before installing it, just as the warranty on the kit expires as well. It's best to buy the saw and install the kit right off (and if you have a non piston problem reinstall the stock kit) or wait a year and buy the big bore kit.

 

[LD1]

Baliey's sells the Makita with the big bore kit as a package. The problem is the Makita comes with a 1 year warranty and the big bore kit also comes with a 1 year warranty but if you install the BBK then you void the Makita warranty. So Baliey's recomends you wait a year before installing it, just as the warranty on the kit expires as well. It's best to buy the saw and install the kit right off (and if you have a non piston problem reinstall the stock kit) or wait a year and buy the big bore kit.

Baileys discounts the BB kit $20 if you buy the package deal, but you are right about the warrenty issues.

If I were going to do it, I'd wait a year and spend the extra $20. It would be like having the 1 year warrenty and then sort of a 1 year extended warrenty on the P&C only.

But the 6400 is a pretty impressive saw in its stock form. It might not have the power to weight ratio as the 7900 or some others in the 60cc class, but it is still one of the best in the 60cc line-up. Huqvarna doesn't currently make a saw that will compete. They jump from the 357XP which has less power and slower to the 372xp which is bigger and faster. The 6400 kinda fits in the middle. And stihl doesn't offer a PRO saw in the 60cc class either. The 361/362 is just out @ 59cc and a tad less power and the 441 is in the 70cc range and obviously faster. In their mid-range class, they do offer the ms390/391 that is 64cc, but it makes even less power than the 361/362.

But I have to admit, I was looking hard at the baileys $599 combo for the 6401 and BB. But our local dealer met the price and we couldn't turn that down. $500 OTD for the 6400, but we were buying 4 saws at once so that helped. Our local dealer also offers all his dolmar saws a 2-year warrenty. 1 through dolmar and then they pick up the other year. So we stayed orange but I do think I like them in blue just a little better. I would really love a blue makita with the dolmar black top covers. I just think that would look sweet.

 

[Storm56]

Baliey's sells the Makita with the big bore kit as a package. The problem is the Makita comes with a 1 year warranty and the big bore kit also comes with a 1 year warranty but if you install the BBK then you void the Makita warranty. So Baliey's recomends you wait a year before installing it, just as the warranty on the kit expires as well. It's best to buy the saw and install the kit right off (and if you have a non piston problem reinstall the stock kit) or wait a year and buy the big bore kit.

Yes, I did buy 1 as a kit, still did not install it though. I have the 20 inch bar and quite honestly do not see a need for more power. I do plan on at some point in the future setting a saw up with a 24-28 inch bar and that will be where the BB kit comes in.

 

[LD1]

Yes, I did buy 1 as a kit, still did not install it though. I have the 20 inch bar and quite honestly do not see a need for more power. I do plan on at some point in the future setting a saw up with a 24-28 inch bar and that will be where the BB kit comes in.

How long ago did you buy the kit.

I know they had some quality issues with some of the earlier NWP BB kits. Supposidly the newer 4th generation kits are much much better.

Either way, baileys is known for great customer support regarding the NWP kits.

 

[Storm56]

How long ago did you buy the kit.

I know they had some quality issues with some of the earlier NWP BB kits. Supposidly the newer 4th generation kits are much much better.

Either way, baileys is known for great customer support regarding the NWP kits.

Oct 2009. Should be OK. From what I was able to research, the bad kits were from a few years ago. I did look pretty close at the piston and cylinder and could find no flaws. Most of what I had read indicated you could see the flaws as imperfections on the surface.

But you are right about Bailey's service, they do stand behind their stuff.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Well, I got back here after almost a year and I'm still in the same boat. Last year I was actually set to go down and buy the 372XP and I checked the weather forecast and it said snow, so I waited and saw, and it was the end of my sawing, so I passed.

Now what I'm thinking is maybe I'll do the 372XP and relegate the CS500 (which has no chain brake) to the task of running a capstan winch, which would be a huge help around here.

Would a pro saw with a modern chain brake be safer than an older saw with a low-kickback chain and no chain brake? One dealer here said the only thing saws without chain brakes are good for is hanging on the walls for decoration.

Well, anyway, the purchase of the new saw and winch would be a total of about $1600, and if it snows, I can think on it another few months 'till spring, lol..

Also, Bailey's has the Makita 6421 going now for that same $599 and two big bore kits available with it. I would think a 64 cc saw would have enough power for me, but I would want a longer than the 20" bar in the ad.

 

[Chilly807]

Would a pro saw with a modern chain brake be safer than an older saw with a low-kickback chain and no chain brake? One dealer here said the only thing saws without chain brakes are good for is hanging on the walls for decoration.

I'd have to agree with him there, unless you're only using it for milling or maybe blocking at the woodpile. Even that has it's moments.

I picked up an old 41 Husky a few weeks ago that needed a new brake band, and it got it before I'd use it for anything but woodpile use. That saw doesn't kick hard, but I've seen enough nasty cuts to make me a believer in safety equipment.

If you need the big saw, you might as well just swallow the cost and buy it. Either the 372XP or a 441 Stihl fits the bill nicely, and both will turn your wallet pale. I've no personal experience with the Dolmar/Makita offerings, so I won't comment on them.

Any saw over 60 CC should pull a 24" bar, although maybe not as fast as a pro might expect for everyday use. As long as they can keep the bigger chain and bar oiled properly they'll do the job, it just may take a little longer with a slightly less aggressive filing job.

My Stihl 044 with a 20" bar (old mid-90's version of the MS441) goes through softwood like shi* through a goose, I doubt a 24" would be much different. Hardwood takes a little longer, but there's no lack of power. Just keep a fuel can handy, you'll be using more than you're used to :laughing:

I remember the first time I used the Stihl, I commented to my wife that I wasn't really impressed with the fuel economy, although the saw DID work well. She just shook her head and pointed to the pile of wood, as if to say," Did you think it would cut all that for nothing??"

Sean

 

[MiserableOldFart]

Well, I finally bit the bullet today and ordered the 600P with 24" bar and chain from Wise Sales in Illinois. They actually had it in stock, which is more than I can say for other dealers. Price was about $50 less, including free shipping via fedex than same saw with 20" bar at closest dealer.

Would have preferred to do it with a local dealer, but wasn't to be.

BTW, one of the big hardware chains (not chain, really, the stores are independent,) the one with the card name, has a deal going where if you sign up for their VISA card, you can get $100 off your first bill. One about 25 miles from here does Stihl and another about five miles closer does Husky, but after taking all into consideration, esp. being able to use the bars/chains from my CS500VL, stayed with the Echo brand. Still have to say though that the newer saws do not look anywhere near as rugged as my 30 year old one.. Since I don't have 30 years to worry about, though, that's not my problem, lol..

Now the race against the first big snow begins.. might have just purchased an expensive ornament for the next few months if we get a storm.

 

[cqaigy2]

You'll have to post a pict before you get it all dirty and such.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Well, I finally bit the bullet today and ordered the 600P with 24" bar and chain from Wise Sales in Illinois. They actually had it in stock, which is more than I can say for other dealers. Price was about $50 less, including free shipping via fedex than same saw with 20" bar at closest dealer.

Would have preferred to do it with a local dealer, but wasn't to be.

BTW, one of the big hardware chains (not chain, really, the stores are independent,) the one with the card name, has a deal going where if you sign up for their VISA card, you can get $100 off your first bill. One about 25 miles from here does Stihl and another about five miles closer does Husky, but after taking all into consideration, esp. being able to use the bars/chains from my CS500VL, stayed with the Echo brand. Still have to say though that the newer saws do not look anywhere near as rugged as my 30 year old one.. Since I don't have 30 years to worry about, though, that's not my problem, lol..

Now the race against the first big snow begins.. might have just purchased an expensive ornament for the next few months if we get a storm.

That saw will serve you well...
My dad had an older EV 4400 Echo that was a fine performer until it was stolen...
IMHO, Echo's are very well engineered for long life...
I really like the air filtration system that they have and think that it does a better job than most of the other systems out there...
My little old Stihl 019T was stolen last month and I have been in the process of getting my dad's old Homelites running...
So far 4 are running fine with 4 to go...
I don't think that I will wear out those 8 saws anytime soon...