HELP! Chinese clone chainsaws - worth the hassle ?

[Fabulous]

Looking for input on Chinese clone saws

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

Looking for input on Chinese clone saws

The general opinion seems to be that some are ok and they're able to get around the EPA in ways the big brands can't. I've run a couple that will beat a stock Stihl but on the other hand parts are probably going to be impossible to get after a couple years unless it's a clone of another saw.

 

[ammoaddict]

Most are pretty good but may have a few minor issues. There are lots of threads on this and other forums.

 

[Fabulous]

I was most curious about the neotec 3120 clone listed as NH 8120. Looks like it’s available for around $500. If anyone here has one or can offer insights I’m all ears. It’s going to be used sparingly just want to see if there are any pitfalls from folks who actually own / run them.

 

[Fleethirte]

I got a 395 and mill
With it.

 

[SimonHS]

Looking for input on Chinese clone saws

Lots of good info in this thread linked below. All the info you need. Good luck reading 164 pages though.

In short, most Chinese chainsaws can be made to run great. You may need to swap out bits to get them running right and to repair them when they break. But spare parts are plentiful and cheap. The better brands are Farmertec/Holzfforma and Neotec. Some of the other brands are really cheaply made.

Thread 'Any Chinese chainsaw and chinese parts discussion'

Jan 31, 2017

Edit.
Later in this thread page 9.
i bought four of the chinese 365 saws from china and converted them to 372s.

Here's one of those ebay saws 79.08 shipped they have many names and plastics but identical chassis much lighter than expected ill have to weigh it.
Has a sucky start assist that's the only thing i don't like started third pull 32-1 red armor for the first tank cuts very much like a stihl 028 290 just lighter and more vibes adjustable oiler works good rim sprocket really like the chisel chain ran a tank empty on oak never stretched or dulled Kingpark canada brand hopefully...

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• Forum: Chainsaws

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[Fabulous]

Ok thanks

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Looking for input on Chinese clone saws

China rip-off alternatives:

Used grey echo cs 6700, 670, 8000.

67 cc and 81 cc saws that are usually $150-$400 used.

Nother cheap one is the grey cs 520. Mine slaps a stock cs 501p/4910 silly.

Quality, Made in Japan parts from at least a dozen online vendors.

Woods ported at home, they're excellent saws and will last a long time. Coils are unlimited and Ive never seen one go bad.
Cs 670:

Cs 8000

Cs 6700

Cs 520

 

[EFSM]

China rip-off alternatives:

Used grey echo cs 6700, 670, 8000.

67 cc and 81 cc saws that are usually $150-$400 used.

Nother cheap one is the grey cs 520. Mine slaps a stock cs 501p/4910 silly.

Quality, Made in Japan parts from at least a dozen online vendors.

Woods ported at home, they're excellent saws and will last a long time. Coils are unlimited and Ive never seen one go bad.
Cs 670:

Cs 8000

Cs 6700

Cs 520

But you don’t have any excuses to upgrade if you can’t wear them out!

 

[GMB74]

Chinese-made saws are cheaply made copies of someone else's older model saws, usually Stihl, Husqvarna or Zenoah.
You need 3 things if you are going to get involved with them:
Tools
Skills
Inclination to work on your saw.
If you have the basic Tools and Skills to work on saws, you can improve and upgrade them with help from this Forum.
If you don't want to or like to work on your saws- or if it does not make economic sense to do so, they are not for you.
You will have a hard time finding a shop that will work on them.
One trip to the repair shop, even for a simple or minor repair can easily exceed the replacement cost of the saw.
Shops have a hard time guaranteeing their work when the saw may soon break again due to the poor/inconsistent quality of the saw's parts, materials and overall build quality.

Having said all that, they are inexpensive and fun to repair and modify and can be a cheap alternative to an expensive name-brand saw in some circumstances. They can be great for cutting firewood, light milling, and occasional use.
If you are planning on using one for hard work under severe conditions and must depend on it to earn a living, you may want to carefully reconsider your business plan.

 

[huskihl]

Like others have said, you need to be able to tinker to keep them working properly. Most that have bought them say that by the time they put enough OEM parts in them to where they ran consistently, they could have bought a used OEM saw in good running condition. When it comes to resale, the clones aren’t worth much but the used OEM saw will be worth near what you paid for it

 

[Fleethirte]

worth the hassle only as a hobby.
Its fun to get the parts kit and put a saw together 1 pcs a time and then see if it runs.
My first kit saw ran great until i fried the crank bearing. It was a great lesson.
Now i can center a crank in the case and pressure test a chain saw.
And also find better parts made in Taiwan lol

 

[Motorka]

Try with cheap zenoah clones. like jon cutter.

 

[Fabulous]

Thanks for the input gents. Perhaps I’d be best served finding a decent used 3120 and go from there? I mean , the neotec saw is only $500 but IF I have to soak $$$ into it to get it up to snuff ………

 

[Coupe]

The saying is you get what you pay for. If I never had enough money to buy a Stihl, Husky or Echo
I would wait till I did. Not a fan of them. Had to many in my shed to repair after a couple of months work.
So now if someone brings them in unless its an easy fix tell them go buy a Husky or Stihl.

 

[ammoaddict]

Thanks for the input gents. Perhaps I’d be best served finding a decent used 3120 and go from there? I mean , the neotec saw is only $500 but IF I have to soak $$$ into it to get it up to snuff ………

I have a neotec 395xp. When I got it the decomp was stuck open and the throttle wouldn't open fully. I contacted neotec and they told me to buy an oem Husqvarna decomp and they would reimburse me, which they did. They send me a link for an Amazon carburetor that included air filter and associated parts. They reimbursed me for that as well. They also sent a video on how to adjust the throttle cable. I adjusted it accordingly and it would fully open. I didn’t even install the new carb. Still have it for a spare. I had a great experience with their customer service. Some of these clones run great out of the box, some don't.

 

[Fleethirte]

I heard farmertech 3120 is better then neotech

 

[Fleethirte]

What do you want the 3120 for?
Saw is really only for big milling….