Cut off Saws

[calebng15]

What do you guys think. Have a couple projects coming up. Need to cut a brick wall in a house, and cut a 20ft. strip in pavement. I know it would be cheaper to just go rent a saw for a couple days, but I'd kind of like to learn about these anyway. Would probably just keep it for a year or so, and sell it. My questions is, cut off saws are something new to me. Do y'all think something like the 268k, or 272k would be something to look at, or what brand and model, do y'all think? Read up on a lot, but still a lot to learn. Thanks for any response!

 

[psuiewalsh]

I have a couple projects if you are interested. Jimmy in NC seems to work on a bunch. Most people around here seem to run the stihls.

 

[backhoelover]

i dont like the 268, 272 but that is just me. i have fixed a ton of them

 

[calebng15]

I have a couple projects if you are interested. Jimmy in NC seems to work on a bunch. Most people around here seem to run the stihls.

I sent you a PM.

i dont like the 268, 272 but that is just me. i have fixed a ton of them

Why not, and what did you like better?

 

[fordf150]

Stihl is the best, the dolmar/rebranded dolmar saws are a distant second but in the running for number one because of their cheaper purchase price(new), anything else is just a boat anchor.

 

[fordf150]

Why not, and what did you like better?

Poor air filtration, crankshaft have a habit of breaking, crankcase is weak, a/v is weak, intake manifold leaks are common, low on power compared to others, coil failures, pistons seem to disintegrate (never see it on other saws)

That's the short list of issues with the 272, 371, 750, 760 saws

 

[calebng15]

Stihl is the best, the dolmar/rebranded dolmar saws are a distant second but in the running for number one because of their cheaper purchase price(new), anything else is just a boat anchor.

What do you think of the older models? I know the newer ones can be pricy.

 

[fordf150]

What do you think of the older models? I know the newer ones can be pricy.

Older stihls? Ts400 and 420 are the 2 best saws made IMHO. They have their own set of issues but hold up much better to abuse

 

[backhoelover]

hey i got a 970 husqvarna. now they are good saws. here is the thing it will need a new cylinder. but it look new. guy bought it for his crew and a man that cant speak English put straight gas in it on it second tanks. dont know why he didnt fix it. he fired the guy. went and bought another one. i have 50.00 in it as it sets

 

[fordf150]

hey i got a 970 husqvarna. now they are good saws. here is the thing it will need a new cylinder. but it look new. guy bought it for his crew and a man that cant speak English put straight gas in it on it second tanks. dont know why he didnt fix it. he fired the guy. went and bought another one. i have 50.00 in it as it sets

never had the luxury of working on one of those. 60-70cc 14" saws are the popular ones around here. that leaves you with k750, k760, k650, k700, 371k, stihl 400 and 420, dolly/makita/wacker/corecut 7414 and all of its variations.

husky's are universally despised.....the dolly/makita/wacker/corecut are hit or miss....some guys love them, others hate em but run em cause they are cheaper to buy/maintain and hold up "ok". stihl is the preferred saw but the initial price plus high parts prices chase allot of people off since most of the saws die an early death by misuse/abuse rather than wearing out.

 

[Al Smith]

I've got a pair of 70 some cc Makitas I got off of Guido a few years back .Cheap enough .Got one running and one that will sometime when I get the inspiration .They do just fine or rather one does and likely so will it's twin .

I think Dolmar made these things for a couple manufacturers ,Wacker,Dolmar ,Speedicut maybe one or two more .

One thing to remember about cutoff and masonary saws .Nobody gets any joy in operating them but it sure beats a Skil saw with an abrasive blade or a hammer and chisel .

 

[Jimmy in NC]

The Partner/Husky saws are better saws IMHO but the TS400 and TS420 have better support via China.

I hate Stihl dealer support around me but when I found HL... the demo saws and I started clicking.

The 420 is a pretty decent saw, I have two right now (and a Partner). How many have i worked on? I dunno but I can replace a crank start to finish in under 3 hours. 2:26 is my best time.

To the OP....unless you run one often, rent. They are extremely high maintenance and short lived. We plan on them living less than 6 months using them 3 days a week at my office.

I'll add more tomorrow when at a keyboard and not on my phone.

 

[calebng15]

The Partner/Husky saws are better saws IMHO but the TS400 and TS420 have better support via China.

I hate Stihl dealer support around me but when I found HL... the demo saws and I started clicking.

The 420 is a pretty decent saw, I have two right now (and a Partner). How many have i worked on? I dunno but I can replace a crank start to finish in under 3 hours. 2:26 is my best time.

To the OP....unless you run one often, rent. They are extremely high maintenance and short lived. We plan on them living less than 6 months using them 3 days a week at my office.

I'll add more tomorrow when at a keyboard and not on my phone.

Sounds like you've taken more than one apart! I guess what I was thinking, is that I don't plan on using that much. I figured rather than going to rent one, I might as well learn to work on one. I work on several chainsaws for guys, so least I'd have an idea, if I ever had to work on one for someone. Something I'd never done before. As far as realistically, I know it would be smarter money wise to go rent one.

 

[heimannm]

 

[Guido Salvage]

I have a Pioneer based Target saw I will part with. I will give the same sort of deal I gave Al on his but won't be able to deliver it like I did for him.

 

[Al Smith]

Something I don't know regarding cut off saws is how they are governed .As I read it the max RPMs of a 14" abrasive blade is 5000 rpm .Now granted even with the reduction ratio of the belt drive that engine would be capable of spinning it much faster were it not for the safety factor .

I bought a replacement coil for the one Makita I don't yet have running from evidently the same model as Dolmar who made it to begin with rather than the chainsaw counter part .Assuming it was a limited coil .I darned certain don't want a danged blade grenading on me .That could ruin your day .

 

[huskihl]

Something I don't know regarding cut off saws is how they are governed .As I read it the max RPMs of a 14" abrasive blade is 5000 rpm .Now granted even with the reduction ratio of the belt drive that engine would be capable of spinning it much faster were it not for the safety factor .

I bought a replacement coil for the one Makita I don't yet have running from evidently the same model as Dolmar who made it to begin with rather than the chainsaw counter part .Assuming it was a limited coil .I darned certain don't want a danged blade grenading on me .That could ruin your day .

My ts400 is coil rev limited at 10,000. And that's what 14" diamond blades are rated. Not sure about abrasive blades, but Ive used both concrete and steel cutting abrasive blades wide open without fail

 

[pa-aaronq]

Something I don't know regarding cut off saws is how they are governed .As I read it the max RPMs of a 14" abrasive blade is 5000 rpm .Now granted even with the reduction ratio of the belt drive that engine would be capable of spinning it much faster were it not for the safety factor .

I bought a replacement coil for the one Makita I don't yet have running from evidently the same model as Dolmar who made it to begin with rather than the chainsaw counter part .Assuming it was a limited coil .I darned certain don't want a danged blade grenading on me .That could ruin your day .

I've had a couple fiber blades blow up. A guy was running one that flew apart and a piece flew into my open mouth, chipped my tooth and lodged into my gum. The next one came apart and laid back the skin on two nuckles and another piece went in the side of my shin down to the bone. I've also had diamond blade fragments come off when they start getting thin. We used to buy stihls but now only buy husky k760. The filtration is awesome with them.

 

[calebng15]

Thanks for all the replies guys! So, educate me on the blades a little. Looks like you have to use two different blades for asphalt, and concrete. Although there seems to be multi-purpose blades also. What do y'all recommend? And where do you get them at?

 

[Wagnerwerks]

I have a 2171/371/372k mutt that I put together for the same kind of thing you're doing. Great having it around and cheap enough to fix and maintain. I use it for cutting steel more than concrete so now it sees an easy life. Plan on going all out on the rebuild as most I've parted out needed crank and all thanks to concrete dust.

Unless you find a fresh one like the one listed above..