Need saw choice help

notjustair · Oct 6, 2015

I think I've posted about this a hundred different times over the years, but I am pretty gun shy on this one. It is time to make a move, though.

I have a Dolmar chainsaw that I absolutely love. It is perfect for me in every way but one. It's too heavy to use all of the time. For taking the brush off a tree it is overkill. I'm needing to buy a new trim saw. I have four chainsaws (two good trim saws) but only use the Dolmar because it has such good shock absorbing handles. You can't even tell you are holding anything running. My arthritis and carpal tunnel is getting bad enough that a vibrating chainsaw can't stay. I can run the Dolmar all day and my hands don't even know it. The rest of me is worn out, though.

I'm tempted to buy another Dolmar but I hate to spend the money for a trim saw. I looked at Stihl, but the size I would want (180) now has the electronic carb and I'd rather not do that. I found a pretty light Echo with a five year warranty, but I flipped it over and the handle is just bolted to the case - no shock absorbing of any kind.

What's your advice? It has to be in the low 9's weight-wise and have VERY little vibration in the handles. I don't need a bar any bigger than 14 for it. I will grab the Dolmar at least as often as I use this new one. I have never had a saw that was as smooth to run as the Dolmar. It really is a joy. I fear it has ruined me as I pick up any other saw and immediately put it down because the vibration makes my hands numb. Thus the reason I have three other saws of various brands (older saws) that don't ever get used.

oldtanker · Oct 6, 2015

(quoted from post at 20:07:58 10/06/15) I think I've posted about this a hundred different times over the years, but I am pretty gun shy on this one. It is time to make a move, though.

I have a Dolmar chainsaw that I absolutely love. It is perfect for me in every way but one. It's too heavy to use all of the time. For taking the brush off a tree it is overkill. I'm needing to buy a new trim saw. I have four chainsaws (two good trim saws) but only use the Dolmar because it has such good shock absorbing handles. You can't even tell you are holding anything running. My arthritis and carpal tunnel is getting bad enough that a vibrating chainsaw can't stay. I can run the Dolmar all day and my hands don't even know it. The rest of me is worn out, though.

I'm tempted to buy another Dolmar but I hate to spend the money for a trim saw. I looked at Stihl, but the size I would want (180) now has the electronic carb and I'd rather not do that. I found a pretty light Echo with a five year warranty, but I flipped it over and the handle is just bolted to the case - no shock absorbing of any kind.

What's your advice? It has to be in the low 9's weight-wise and have VERY little vibration in the handles. I don't need a bar any bigger than 14 for it. I will grab the Dolmar at least as often as I use this new one. I have never had a saw that was as smooth to run as the Dolmar. It really is a joy. I fear it has ruined me as I pick up any other saw and immediately put it down because the vibration makes my hands numb. Thus the reason I have three other saws of various brands (older saws) that don't ever get used.

I just bought a little Husqvarna, don't remember the # off the top of my head. Very little noticeable vibration in while running and lite enough to use one handed if needed. I got it for trimming and brush cutting. I can get you the number if you want sometime tomorrow. Nice little saw.

Rick

D beatty · Oct 6, 2015

I do most of the cleaning up of tops with an Echo top handled saw with a 12" bar . The Echo top handle saw is easy to start and not to heavy and power to weight ratio is good. I really don't pay attention to vibration but get cramps in my hands after hours of using saw

JayinNY · Oct 6, 2015

I'm on my second stihl ms 180 mini boss, great saw for light work, my others are a stihl 034, stihl ms 460 and a shindiawa 488 all great saws.

Robert Major · Oct 7, 2015

Hi Notjustair
I was reading your Echo comment and just went and looked at Dads new one it's a CS 400 with 18" bar. when you look at that it has the outer case with both handles fixed to it then in 4 corners kinda black rubber motor mounts isolating the motor from the handle and throttle assembly. it's not a traditional spring mount like some saws. Maybe the one you looked at was the same.
Dad suffers with Vibration and his hands. I haven't heard him complain any worse than he did with the poulans I think they had springs, I can double check tomorrow, for Dads opinion. When the saw was on the bench the other day I kinda glanced at it quizzed him about the lack of dampers for vibration and he kinda pointed it out, But I wasn't real interested in studying it until seeing your comment. I have used the saw twice since that day he got it and i didn't think Vibration was a noticeable problem.
regards Robert

FBH44 · Oct 7, 2015

I was gonna say Stihl MS 180 too. Great saw, you can get a small trimming bar for it. Excellent dealers. I've run one for many years.
The chain-loosener-tightener gizmmo takes some getting used to, but it works great once you get it figured.

Russ from MN · Oct 7, 2015

Good place to research saws, don't know about their prices. I have a Lil-jon that I bought in 1972 that I used for trimming, about 6 pounds, and I have 2 newer Jonsereds that weigh about 10, (45 cc)

http://www.equipatron.com/

stonerock · Oct 7, 2015

stihl 460....game over

Mike M · Oct 7, 2015

You speak so highly of the Dolmar why would even look elsewhere ?
Get rid of those 3 other saws and put the $$ towards what you know you like.

Russ from MN · Oct 7, 2015

I would stick with Dolmar, especially if you have a good dealer nearby. I'm not sure if the other link works, this one should.

http://www.equipatron.com/dolmar-ps-32-chain-saw-kit.html

teddy52food · Oct 7, 2015

Did you try running that Echo? It may surprise you.

Jiles · Oct 7, 2015

Makita/Dolmar is my favorite saw and mainly for the quick starting and low vibration.
Other saws seem just as smooth but you can fell the difference when you put it down and run the Makita/Dolmar .
I have repaired and sold many brands of saws, and most people are sold when they run the M/D.

Robert Major · Oct 7, 2015

Hi I checked with Dad about the vibration on the Echo saw he said it's about the same as the Poulans he had Maybe a little better depending what he's doing. His fingers play up if he uses a hammer or the lawn tractor too long. so his are pretty bad and he can't stand the cold to long either now.
Regards Robert

Need saw choice help

notjustair

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oldtanker

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D beatty

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JayinNY

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Robert Major

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FBH44

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Russ from MN

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stonerock

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Mike M

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Russ from MN

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teddy52food

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Jiles

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Robert Major

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