Tool Question

[Lynkage]

I hope this is the right place for this.
Can any TBN member give any real world advice on Gas concrete saws. I am looking to get 1 of 2 saws.

1) Stihl TS400 14"
2) Makita DPS7311 14"

I have read great reviews on both but I would rather ask here because TBN'ers are great people.
I will do mostly concrete cutting. I also know these machines are destine a hard life.

I will most likely cut some stone, metal, brick and others.

I have a Stihl MS 270C chain saw that has been GREAT, but the Stihl saw is $300 more than the Makita.
Please help.
Shane

 

[Birdhunter1]

I've used that Stihl model quite a bit and it is one **** of a saw. The plus side of buying the Stihl is you can get all your parts the same place you can get your chainsaw parts and don't have to hunt for a parts source.

I've never used the makita so I cant somment on it, but what I will say is that stihl makes some very good equipment, mostly all of which is gas powered and has a very good reputation of manufacturing very durable commercial equipment. Chances are the Makita is made by another company and it has a Makta name on it, but I am speculating on that.

 

[Soundguy]

I work at a road construction co. we use the sthil. it's a great saw..

soundguy

 

[Lynkage]

I've used that Stihl model quite a bit and it is one **** of a saw. The plus side of buying the Stihl is you can get all your parts the same place you can get your chainsaw parts and don't have to hunt for a parts source.

I've never used the makita so I cant somment on it, but what I will say is that stihl makes some very good equipment, mostly all of which is gas powered and has a very good reputation of manufacturing very durable commercial equipment. Chances are the Makita is made by another company and it has a Makta name on it, but I am speculating on that.

The Makita is a Wacker (rebranded). I do know Stihl is very good equipment. (heck I own one) but the reason I ask is because Home Depot rents them and they say they work very well.

So far it looks like people are using Stihl. I do not think this is a bad thing.

 

[_RaT_]

I hope this is the right place for this.
Can any TBN member give any real world advice on Gas concrete saws. I am looking to get 1 of 2 saws.

1) Stihl TS400 14"
2) Makita DPS7311 14"

I have read great reviews on both but I would rather ask here because TBN'ers are great people.
I will do mostly concrete cutting. I also know these machines are destine a hard life.

I will most likely cut some stone, metal, brick and others.

I have a Stihl MS 270C chain saw that has been GREAT, but the Stihl saw is $300 more than the Makita.
Please help.
Shane

There are many good ones. I have used Sthil, Husqvarna, Shindawa and Partner. I own none of the gas but do own a Partner electric which quite frankly impresses me so much that I doubt I will ever have a need to buy a gas saw. I love the instant on, no fumes and light weight. I notice very little difference in power. The Partner is a true electric cut-off saw designed that way, not as a angle grinder converted to one. Soft start, electronic current monitoring, its great unless you don't have a power source then the gas is a superb alternative. I have the 14" Partner. The price was also quite a bit less then gas.

 

[Birdhunter1]

The Pardner gas saw is a very wel built unit too! If I were buying one I would get a Pardner or Stihl, the deciding factor would be price.. as both are top of the line saws.
A good friend of mine owns a rather large concrete business, all of their saws (all are gas) are Pardner and Stihl, with one Hilti (bought it through some sort of dollar back deal for spending about $100k with them in a year). Honestly I used the hilti and was not impressed with it, it may have just been a bit out of tune or something but it wasn't the saw the Pardner was.

 

[_RaT_]

By the way Partner is now owned by Husqvarna.

 

[nobull1]

The Makita is a Wacker (rebranded). I do know Stihl is very good equipment. (heck I own one) but the reason I ask is because Home Depot rents them and they say they work very well.

So far it looks like people are using Stihl. I do not think this is a bad thing.

I worked as a service tech for Makita for 15 years, up until 6 years ago. Around 10-12 years ago Makita bought out the German co. Dolmar and over time changed the colour from orange to blue. As far as I know the gas cut off is still a Dolmar. Maybe they are using someone Else's saw but I would doubt it. I will find out for sure in the next day or two as the Makita guys are still friends of mine and they will know for sure. As far as which is better I really don't know. I have used Stihl products for over 25 years and had great success. The Makita/Dolmar I did the repairs on but have never owned or used one much. What I can say though is I never had reoccurring problems while I was the service tech in our area for Makita.

 

[Lynkage]

Thanks for the info guys. I was looking at one of the electric ones (Makita) and it looked good as well.

I will most likely not use this tool very much but (just like my tractor) I hate to rent stuff like this because it is expensive. If I rent 5 or 6 times I have bougt one.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Thanks for the info guys. I was looking at one of the electric ones (Makita) and it looked good as well.

I will most likely not use this tool very much but (just like my tractor) I hate to rent stuff like this because it is expensive. If I rent 5 or 6 times I have bougt one.

Rent one 10 or 12 times then you will be able to buy a saw and a blade... a good diamond blade will run you a few hundred dollars.