Pick 1 to port - MS261, 550XP, PS5100

[Joe Kidd]

That's the 1st generation McMoobs 261 right?
The 2nd generation are faster?? lol
Make mine a 3rd gen please.

 

[Simondo]

I like my PS5100. I have to have a bit of a light touch with the 18" 3/8 bar that is currently on it, though. It might benefit from getting a few extra bananas stuffed in, or since I am rebuilding a couple MS261's and 550 XP's right now, I could build up one of them.

I got one of the MS261's running, and tuned it using a 16" .325 bar this weekend. It seems to like that combination, but doesn't seem to quite have the torque of the Dolmar. I didn't run it directly side by side with the 5100, though, so that may not be a completely fair comparison. It did feel a little more nimble in my hand, but weight wise, they are pretty close.

I almost have one of the 550XP's together again. Christmas has been keeping me busy, so hopefully next week I can get it together, and maybe run all 3 side x side for a more fair comparison.

But, if I do that, would I then want to get some work done to the weakest feeling saw to get it up on par with the other two, or take the strongest one and make it even stronger?

Pop a .325 1.3mm (.50) 15 in bar and chain with a 7 pin drive sprocket on the Ps 5100 and see what you make of it then !
I swapped the 3/8 set up on my ps 5105 to the above....a real difference.

 

[Mastermind]

Strongest 550 I ran Shaun Carr ported. It had more torque than any of the others I ran

He uses the special sauce.

 

[mdavlee]

He uses the special sauce.

Evidently. It was nice. Felt like 261 lugging power and still had the quicker spool up

 

[srcarr52]

Strongest 550 I ran Shaun Carr ported. It had more torque than any of the others I ran

New recipe special sauce there and why I voted 550XP.

I didn't get a video but here is the one I built him prior too that one.

 

[Mastermind]

Send me a bottle of that sauce.

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

Man, now I am really having a hard time. The 261 and 550 both look nasty...

 

[srcarr52]

Send me a bottle of that sauce.

Sorry, that would be bootlegging.

 

[Mastermind]

Sorry, that would be bootlegging.

Ha.

Fine. Don't send it, I think I just figured out what's in that sauce anyhow.

 

[dall]

Ha.

Fine. Don't send it, I think I just figured out what's in that sauce anyhow.

did you taste it and burn your tongue ?lol

 

[Mastermind]

did you taste it and burn your tongue ?lol

Best Answer?

 

[A.E.E.llc]

I didn't vote cause I'm brand biased when it comes to 50cc saws. I say port the saw you like the best by brand, quality, and feel.

If you want to know which one has the most torque? Put 3/8" pitch on it. I have a feeling one of the three would be far behind the other two.

 

[huskytime]

In my very novice and humble opinion, not having any experience with the other 2, I really love my MMWS 550xp. No it doesn't much like 3/8 chain, you must let the saw feed itself. I swapped to .325 7pin 16" and it's a whole other story.

I'm not heavy handed so I've settled in with 8pin .325 18" and I love it. That saw is fun.

 

[Mastermind]

In my very novice and humble opinion, not having any experience with the other 2, I really love my MMWS 550xp. No it doesn't much like 3/8 chain, you must let the saw feed itself. I swapped to .325 7pin 16" and it's a whole other story.

I'm not heavy handed so I've settled in with 8pin .325 18" and I love it. That saw is fun.

You're gonna love this 359.

 

[huskytime]

I'm super excited sir! Has it finished the rigorous training program and earned it's certificate of completion badge?

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

I'm not going to cast a vote for the 5100 since I've never put a 550 in wood. I was very impressed with a stock 261 but haven't ran a ported one. I'm more impressed with a stock 261 than a stock 5100 but I can tell you the 5100 really wakes up. They're rev limited but up at 14,500 so it's better to tune them in wood.
I have a little contribution here for the 5100. It's running the first cut after reassembly before fine tuning. It's a bit too lean in the video. The exhaust is raised about two degrees if I remember right. I never changed the degrees on the transfers or intake. Also muffler modded.

 

[CR888]

My opinion is just that, so probably put more weight on what TM/MM have to say but....I do own both 550xp & MS261 standard carb saws. The 550 is the best saw stock out of the three, great throttle response and reasonable power, its not dissapointing to use in stock form probably the best performing stock 50cc saw ever made or at least up there. The MS261 ported completely changes personality, mine is strato gutted and is a completely different saws to my stock one. My pick is if you already own the three saws get the 261 ported but if your buying the saw to port either the 550 or 261.

 

[bryanr2]

I voted 550xp based upon what you had there. Ive owned a ported 5100, a ported 261cm, and I own a ported 550xpg and the ported 2153 Randy posted in that video. All built by Randy. Stihl and Husq definitely have approached the 50cc class differently. Depends on what you like. I found the 261 to be a bit bulky for 50cc (but now the have the 261cm II) which shedded some weight. The 261 is the better "general use" 50cc saw, as it can lug it's way thru some bigger stuff. The 550xp is the "dream machine" of the limbing saw bracket. My 2153 punches way above its class. It's hard to describe the balls that saw has. My 550xpg is only on it's first tank- but it aint no slouch. I expect it to get even better. It's first tank was spent slabbing/noodling 16-18'' diameter Cherry and Oak Logs. Impressed me. Yes the 2153 beats it, but it's not the "landslide" one would imagine it would be with the reputation of the 346xp.

What are your other saws in other classes. That would help us decide what to cull and what to keep.

 

[stihl livin]

I voted 550xp based upon what you had there. Ive owned a ported 5100, a ported 261cm, and I own a ported 550xpg and the ported 2153 Randy posted in that video. All built by Randy. Stihl and Husq definitely have approached the 50cc class differently. Depends on what you like. I found the 261 to be a bit bulky for 50cc (but now the have the 261cm II) which shedded some weight. The 261 is the better "general use" 50cc saw, as it can lug it's way thru some bigger stuff. The 550xp is the "dream machine" of the limbing saw bracket. My 2153 punches way above its class. It's hard to describe the balls that saw has. My 550xpg is only on it's first tank- but it aint no slouch. I expect it to get even better. It's first tank was spent slabbing/noodling 16-18'' diameter Cherry and Oak Logs. Impressed me. Yes the 2153 beats it, but it's not the "landslide" one would imagine it would be with the reputation of the 346xp.

What are your other saws in other classes. That would help us decide what to cull and what to keep.

I have owned this 2153 that Steven speaks of for a short period of time. I would sure like to have it back in my hands again. Hint hint Steven

 

[kingOFgEEEks]

I have a Jonsered 2188 for my 'big saw', so for heavy bucking and noodling, that always gets the attention. I mostly cut firewood, so not a lot of limbing, as I either get log length delivered, or cut standing dead, which tend to limb themselves.

My other "personal saw" is the Dolmar 5100. Together, they make a good firewooding team.

Other than that, I do have an MS310, which is currently getting put back together, with one of the $12 "DRZ" kits from HL supply. That's probably going down the road as soon as I test and tune it.

This fall, I acquired a dead pile from a local tree service - 5 MS261's, 2 550XP's, 2 Husq. 570's, and a MS192TC. I've gotten one of the MS261's running and tuned it - I like it. I will have a 550XP and at least one more MS261 running within the next week or so. I have promised an MS261 to my brother, and his choice of a 550XP or MS261 to my one cousin, for cost of parts only. The rest are mine to fix and sell, but I will probably keep one of the 50CC class saws as well.

I'll run each stock, and see what I like more. Then, after flipping the rest, I'll probably either build up one of the 570's into a 575XP, or get one of the 50cc ported. Since both 570's appear to need bearings and a lot of parts, they aren't looking like they'll make economic sense to fix, and will probably be parted out on the 'bay.