Porting the dolmar 421...

[Woodpecker]

Here in the states.

Hand a guy $350 tell him to go buy a brand new mag cased saw. What options do you really have?

That was the whole point of this thread. Comparing 2 saws in the same retail price, weight and physical size.

This is the exact reason I didn't get into much more "opinionated" detail between which is the better saw.

Just try to show people real world cut performance between the 2 saws.

I don't care if the 550 xp or 261c would stomp all over either of the 2 saws this thread is intended for. Not everyone needs/wants/can spend 600$ +/- on a saw to keep the family warm.

I have a brand new 261c, and I would grab the dolmar 421 if I owned it before the stihl.

Love it or hate it, in the states these 2 saws (421,490) are about the best bang for the buck.

That being said, the dolmar is the better performing saw stock.(as in not paying to have one ported) Expecially with lo pro chain and a muffler mod.

The stock echo is a plain Jane work horse. Not fast, but plenty enough saw to keep ya warm for many years.

Joe you hit the nail on the head. I just spent last weekend at a firewood GTG here in Michigan with the muffler modded 490. I put that saw in as many hands as I could. Everyone was impressed with it. Not sexy but an everyday firewooder's saw. Same goes for the 421. Two quality saws that are best bang for your buck.

 

[Simondo]

To me, it makes little sense to have a 42cc saw that weights close to some much better and stronger 50cc saws ported - but each to his own.

If you are able to port it properly yourself, the picture does of course change a bit - provided cost is an issue.

It makes all the sense in the world if you can't afford or want a more costly saw. The same/similar weight car can come with different power and engine sizes ..it surly isn't wrong to chose the lower powered or cheeper one if thats what your pocket or choice is and wouldn't automatically make it a "Bad Car". Having a broad range of makes of saws I hope you will understand I'm not speaking from a point of favouritism ....I understand your reservations with some design elements on many saws you have commented on. Your comment "Each to his own" seems like a reasonable way of looking at personal "Informed" choice.
Having followed your comments on a few forums for a long time on this and similar subject matter it must be something you feel strongly about for what ever motivation.
Personally I find it hard to be dismissive of many saws/makers that are out there other than the very poor build quality Fakes that exist.
Your own comment seems reasonable to me, if from a informed standpoint ..."Each to his own"

 

[paragonbuilder]

I actually had a saw (with husqvarna stamped all over it) with an out board clutch to play with a few weeks ago. I actually tested it out to see if there was any difference. Although the out board clutch was on a 50cc saw and I compared it to my 60cc 6100. Truth be told the 6100 felt better.

Corey is that the poulan 5020?
My brother has one. And while it does have husky stamps all over it, it doesn't cross to any husky model, and is a total turd! I will be fixing that for him though. But there is no way that saw especially in stock form would impress anyone with any sense, and for sure not when it's next to a 6100! Did it gave the stock chain on it? I've never seen a new chain so bad ...

 

[exSW]

My video production capacity is ziltch but I can compare apples to apples. 262 XP to 6100. So far,why would you but a mint shelf queen when for same money you can buy a saw to use.

 

[CoreyB]

Corey is that the poulan 5020?
My brother has one. And while it does have husky stamps all over it, it doesn't cross to any husky model, and is a total turd! I will be fixing that for him though. But there is no way that saw especially in stock form would impress anyone with any sense, and for sure not when it's next to a 6100! Did it gave the stock chain on it? I've never seen a new chain so bad ...

Ya that is a 5020. It was brand new. A buddy bought it and after the first use it needed some repair so I got it working for him. It still had stock chain. I sharpened it and it did cut but not impressive. Not bad for a $150 saw.
I was mainly razing SawTroll because if outboard clutch was so much better in should be able to tell even comparing the 5020 to the 6100.
I suggested that my buddy by a new bar and chain the stock bar is scary cheep .
I would definitely rather have the 421 lol

 

[exSW]

Mines an early 420. Maybe it is aluminum.

Nope,my 420 has a plastic handle. After 60 -70 cord I don't give a chit.

 

[CR888]

I think bucking rounds the difference between inboard/outboard is near identical handling but has heat differnces. Cutting in odd positions, turning saw on its side and arborist work in trees where the tree branch dictates what position you hold your saw is where an outboard shines. For a firewood guy its not really an issue and they like being able to remove the powerhead easily with an inboard they gedit stuck. FWIW I cannot think of a top handle saw that has an inboard clutch, I am sure there would be one somewhere. Pro TH's cost plenty of $$$ as they will balance perfectly straight with one finger in the handle unless of coarse if one puts a silly big bar on them ruining the engineers design intention.

 

[exSW]

I think bucking rounds the difference between inboard/outboard is near identical handling but has heat differnces. Cutting in odd positions, turning saw on its side and arborist work in trees where the tree branch dictates what position you hold your saw is where an outboard shines. For a firewood guy its not really an issue and they like being able to remove the powerhead easily with an inboard they gedit stuck. FWIW I cannot think of a top handle saw that has an inboard clutch, I am sure there would be one somewhere. Pro TH's cost plenty of $$$ as they will balance perfectly straight with one finger in the handle unless of coarse if one puts a silly big bar on them ruining the engineers design intention.

Ok this is weird. I use my 262's and 6100 as firewood saws. Occasionally I'll use one to fall a cull instead of grabbing a bigger saw. To me the 6100 (inboard clutch) handles much better for falling than the 262's.

 

[CR888]

It may well do so but its not like your comparing apples to apples. 1 year old saw compared to 20y/o. Most saws in 20 odd years have improved in design, handling & performance. Maybe a better comparison would have been a 562xp. Most saws I have are inboards but I am not ingorant and understand the physical benefit of an outboard design and even benefit of inboard design. Its a physics thing where a spinning wieght beside a crankshaft creates smoothness. Ya either get it or don't, I am not going to force anyone to understand it. Stihl makes pretty much all their models nowdays with an inboard design, have you ever wondered why the 200t/201t are outboards?

 

[exSW]

May well have more impact on smaller saws. I don't know, to me it's not an argument. I have saws set up both ways big and small. Maybe on the newer saws so many other ergodynamic features have been worked out that it makes less of a difference.

 

[ajschainsaws]

Has anyone done a compression test on a standard 420 / 421 simondo and myself have done this test and would be very interested in getting your results from the 421 thanks

 

[CoreyB]

Now for this dolmar....


Looks pretty good overall. As said above seems to handle just fine with the 18" lo pro setup.
.

How many drive link is that set up? How did you like that bar on the 421?

 

[KiwiBro (deleted)]

View attachment 20432 Red97 sent back the saw today. It arrived well packed and looking good as new. No one would ever know it's been ported from the exterior which I appreciate. While I haven't started it yet (it's late and I do like my neighbors) I did pull it over and it definitely takes more effort than it did stock.

I am hoping to try a loop of 18" .325 on it to compare this to 3/8 lp. Ill find little trimming to do this weekend and I'll run it a little.

Here's a comparison of a GB low pro 18" vs a .325 18" Oregon bar.View attachment 20434View attachment 20433

Keen to learn what you think of the arbortech bar after it has had a fair amount of use. I got a few when LCS was selling them off with chains. Frankly, I found the bars crap, but the price was great so I think of it as buying a chain and getting a free bar with it. Rails seemed to hold up well initially but the hardness must be almost just surface hardening because once through that it's like butter but still chips too. There are chips, the noses chip and the sprockets wear, fail and noses spread.

But, there are not many solid picco bar options and laminated bars have not held up well for me. Hopefully the cannon bars I received recently hold up well.

 

[SawTroll]

I think bucking rounds the difference between inboard/outboard is near identical handling but has heat differnces. Cutting in odd positions, turning saw on its side and arborist work in trees where the tree branch dictates what position you hold your saw is where an outboard shines. For a firewood guy its not really an issue and they like being able to remove the powerhead easily with an inboard they gedit stuck. FWIW I cannot think of a top handle saw that has an inboard clutch, I am sure there would be one somewhere. Pro TH's cost plenty of $$$ as they will balance perfectly straight with one finger in the handle unless of coarse if one puts a silly big bar on them ruining the engineers design intention.

Inboard/outboard matters when limbing downed trees as well, not just standing ones - but I agree it doesn't really matter for bucking (or for felling).

 

[Red97]

How many drive link is that set up? How did you like that bar on the 421?

68dl 3/8 lp
The bars were very cheap when I got them. 16$ ish.
Will last a long time for my use, seem to be better quality than the factory laminate. Have to see how the gb does on the echo this winter. Won't be cutting anything till then.

 

[Backtroller]

I can't comment too much on the GB bar as to I have not cut much with it. I put a Sugi K095 18" .325 on it and have used it like that after I made a few cuts with the GB to compare the two sizes. The lopro is smoother and leaves a nicer smoother cut, but I love the balance and the extra reach. My dad needs surgery on his wrist and with this setup (light bar and the nice AVof the 421) he was able to trim with me and loved the setup.

With the extra grunt it has no problems with this length or chain. I've put a few tanks through it limbing and it feels stronger than when I got it back from @Red97

Its all cleaned up for the time being but will probably get pulled out today to chop some lumber up from a project.

 

[SawTroll]

My video production capacity is ziltch but I can compare apples to apples. 262 XP to 6100. So far,why would you but a mint shelf queen when for same money you can buy a saw to use.

There are several advantages with the 262xp over the 6100 (slightly more power and better power to weight ratio, and more importantly outboard vs. inboard clutch) - but also disadvantages, like AV and age.

The simple answer is of course to forget both, and get one of the versions of the 560xp - meaning 2260 or 562xp in the US.

 

[exSW]

There are several advantages with the 262xp over the 6100 (slightly more power and better power to weight ratio, and more importantly outboard vs. inboard clutch) - but also disadvantages, like AV and age.

The simple answer is of course to forget both, and get one of the versions of the 560xp - meaning 2260 or 562xp in the US.

The 6100 is better in larger hardwood. Period.

 

[SawTroll]

The 6100 is better in larger hardwood. Period.

That's just an opinion -based on how many saws of each model?

 

[CoreyB]

There are several advantages with the 262xp over the 6100 (slightly more power and better power to weight ratio, and more importantly outboard vs. inboard clutch) - but also disadvantages, like AV and age.

The simple answer is of course to forget both, and get one of the versions of the 560xp - meaning 2260 or 562xp in the US.

That is the silliest most delusional thing I have heard all week. And I have 4 daughters between the age of 2 and 10. I hear some crazy stuff.
Like just 10 min ago my 3 year old was fighting dragon Tigers with lightning feet. Not sure if her feet where the lighting feet or the dragon Tigers.
You tell yourself what ever makes you feel better about not having a 6100. Most of us know the truth. You should really watch some of my videos the 6100 even starts every time!
(FYI this is where I am ruffling feathers not bashing someone's 562 or purchase of one. Just throwing back some of the obserity and exaggerations of someone blind loyalty to a saw that is no better then any other available EVEN THE Poulan wildthing )