Makita EA5600F review

[Wilhelm]

Agreeing with others, I'm really digging the air filter. Seems like a lot of saws are lacking a good seal between air filter and base/carb. Just as important as the filter itself, IMO.

I use grease as a seal on the seam of the air filter halves and the seating of AF and carb boot of my big Dolmar's.
Works great.

Would it have been nicer if the AF were better designed from the get go?
Sure!
But to me air filtration is the least I worry about since I mostly cut fresh firewood logs.

I love my Dolmar's for all that they are, and they are head turners in my area I tell You!

Sorry for off topic, got carried away.

 

[OldJack]

I can't remember who posted the grease trick, but it works for me.

 

[72thing]

I agree with using grease...It's just nice to see a filter design where you don't have to fool with greasing anything.

 

[ajschainsaws]

Here it is working as I would normally,
A branch that came down the other day.

This Saw is actually quite peppy! Quick spoolup for limbing
And bucking at the wood pile

With a proper chain... thanks Steve! this Saw is pretty impressive stock. I remember thinking the ms261 was bulky and slow stock, this Saw "feels" better, I wish I still had it to compare to.
I bet this Saw wakes up nicely with some simple mods. But I'm going to get some tanks through it first.

Both the 5600 and the 6100 make a distinctive sound when pushing I’ve noticed it on several occasions when the chain isn’t 100%
That juddering sound lets you know when to sharpen let down t(e rakers

 

[ajschainsaws]

No problem noodling! Cleared noodles just fine!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@paragonbuilder hows the saw coming along have you had chance too do any more with it

 

[paragonbuilder]

@paragonbuilder hows the saw coming along have you had chance too do any more with it

Funny you ask now... I’m cutting with it and the 3601 this afternoon. I just stopped to lower the rakers on this chain @166 Steve sent me to try out. I have about 3 tanks through it. Chain is holding its edge in some dirty wood, but I feel I’m pushing more than I like.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Put another tank through it. I’m liking the chain speed, but it could use a little more grunt. Perhaps when it breaks in good it will have it? Or maybe a muffler mod is all it needs.
This new chain is Surprisingly resilient. I cut quite a bit of dirty wood and it’s still giving me this

But it’s time to take it to the next level. I’ll be square grinding it before I use it again.
That’s what I’m used to so I’ll have a better judge of the Saw.
How many tanks do the 6100’s usually take to break in?

 

[RI Chevy]

Can you take some pics of the chain before you grind it please?

 

[ajschainsaws]

Put another tank through it. I’m liking the chain speed, but it could use a little more grunt. Perhaps when it breaks in good it will have it? Or maybe a muffler mod is all it needs.
This new chain is Surprisingly resilient. I cut quite a bit of dirty wood and it’s still giving me this

But it’s time to take it to the next level. I’ll be square grinding it before I use it again.
That’s what I’m used to so I’ll have a better judge of the Saw.
How many tanks do the 6100’s usually take to break in?

It was 8-10 tankfuls and it seemed to be gaining more power every time

 

[paragonbuilder]

It was 8-10 tankfuls and it seemed to be gaining more power every time

Thanks AJ, I was thinking 10 tanks before mods, so that’s what I’ll do.

 

[166]

Funny you ask now... I’m cutting with it and the 3601 this afternoon. I just stopped to lower the rakers on this chain @166 Steve sent me to try out. I have about 3 tanks through it. Chain is holding its edge in some dirty wood, but I feel I’m pushing more than I like.

Some of that chain got out with the rakers not to spec. @Spike60 and @afleetcommand had this issue.

 

[166]

 

[RI Chevy]

Lol. A little race chain there?

 

[166]

Lol. A little race chain there?

Just a sample loop of 72EXL I gave to local logger. Told him to bring it back when he was done.

 

[RI Chevy]

Wow. Looks like he used most all of it. How was the feedback?

 

[166]

Wow. Looks like he used most all of it. How was the feedback?

Some guys would get 2 to 3 more filings out of it. We see them come in filed so far the cutters are breaking off.

He was impressed by the chain.

 

[RI Chevy]

Lol. Good Steve. [emoji106]

 

[Cut4fun]

Nate brought one up with him last night for me to check out.
IMO if folks buy a 291 over these they are nuts. Just buy looking it over. Havent even ran it. Looks well built compared.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Some of that chain got out with the rakers not to spec. @Spike60 and @afleetcommand had this issue.

Interesting... I didn’t check the height. But 4 swipes with a flat file helped it quite a bit.

 

[paragonbuilder]

Can you take some pics of the chain before you grind it please?

Sure I can do that Jeff.