Makita 6401

[Builder]

Just about to buy MS290 FB for $340 when I came across a clean used Makita 6401 (Dolmar) with 20" bar for ~$275. I read the reviews on this saw and they are extremely positive compared to Stihl, Husq, etc, looks like it blows them away. Looks like a real torque monster. Seller said it outcuts his Stihl 362. It will take up to a 32" bar. I only need a 20", but might buy a 24' for it.

http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=428

Now I don't know what to buy: a used superior Makita (sachs) or new MS290 with warranty. Leaning towards Makita 6401, but the downside is I have to drive 150 miles round trip, so I have to add $35 in fuel.

I already have one MS290 and it's really not quite the saw I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, it's a good saw, but kinda heavy and slow for the power rating. Looking for a chainsaw that's a Duramax this time, not a 7.3L Powerstroke.

 

[milkman]

Both good saws, but I'd be on a road trip.

 

[RobertN]

Just go get an 090...

I already have one MS290 and it's really not quite the saw I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, it's a good saw, but kinda heavy and slow for the power rating. Looking for a chainsaw that's a Duramax this time, not a 7.3L Powerstroke.

 

[LD1]

Both good saws, but I'd be on a road trip.

I agree.

The 6401 is a LOT more saw for less money if you can put up with out the warrenty.

And if something does go wrong, for ~$100 you can put the baileys BB kit on it and have 84cc of mean power.

But for the price, I'd take the chance on the makita. They cost $500 new, and rumor has it, that price is going to go up by about $100. So for almost half the cost of new, I'd be jumping on it.

 

[Builder]

UGH....I hate driving that far to take a chance. Never know what's gonna be there when you get there, compression, etc.

I read-up on the bailey's kit..... man that's tempting.

 

[LD1]

UGH....I hate driving that far to take a chance. Never know what's gonna be there when you get there, compression, etc.

I read-up on the bailey's kit..... man that's tempting.

Yes it is. I am going to order one along with the HD filter kit for my 6400. They are currently $129 but when I called them, the guy said they would be going on sale mid-end of this month for $99. They said they weould be sending out the flier soon. He said they were also going to offer free shipping on anything over $200.

 

[Builder]

So this is a bolt on head, mahle piston job? I haven't rebuilt an engine for 15-20 years....:laughing:

 

[KeithT]

I would go with the 6401 any day. If it is clean, it probably has not been used much. With a 20" bar it should rip......

 

[LD1]

So this is a bolt on head, mahle piston job? I haven't rebuilt an engine for 15-20 years....:laughing:

It is an aftermarket cylinder and piston. It is NOT mahle, it is made in tiawan I think. The brand is NWP.

Baileys has great customer service. There were some issues with the earlier NWP BB kits, but baileys stands behind them with a 1 year warrenty.

The guys at AS seem to speak fairly good of them

 

[Storm56]

This is a no brainer, I'd be making tracks at daylight. I own both of these saws, 6401 all day every day over the 290. I seriously do not think you need a big bore kit if you are going to run the 20 inch bar most of the time.

 

[Builder]

It comes with a 20". Will prolly buy 24" as an extra.

 

[Storm56]

The 6401 is sweet with a 20 inch bar. Never put a 24 on mine. Unless you are in big wood, the 20 will do fine. If you find the need for a 24 inch bar on occassion, I still do not think you need the big bore kit. Now want is a whole different cup of tea....

 

[LD1]

The 6401 is sweet with a 20 inch bar. Never put a 24 on mine. Unless you are in big wood, the 20 will do fine. If you find the need for a 24 inch bar on occassion, I still do not think you need the big bore kit. Now want is a whole different cup of tea....

I agree that he doesnt "need" the kit. I only suggested it IF something were to go wrong with the top end in the near future.

As to bar length, I perfer a 24" bar. That it what I have on most of my saws. And it is NOT because we cut big wood all the time. The reason I like the 24" is because I dont have to bend over. For me, a 20" bar is harder on my back and tires me out quicker because of this.

 

[Storm56]

I agree that he doesnt "need" the kit. I only suggested it IF something were to go wrong with the top end in the near future.

As to bar length, I perfer a 24" bar. That it what I have on most of my saws. And it is NOT because we cut big wood all the time. The reason I like the 24" is because I dont have to bend over. For me, a 20" bar is harder on my back and tires me out quicker because of this.

Gotcha! Hey different strokes for different folks!

 

[crazyal]

I think I would go with the Makita as well. I've toyed with the idea of getting one and the big bore kit, a pretty cheap option for some real power in a saw.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've never seen or even heard of Makita Chainsaws. Makita is my favorite power tool company, so I'm a big fan of their stuff already. What makes me nervous is where will you get service if you need it? if you have a place to get it worked on, then it might be worth buying. If not, walk away.

Echo is my favorite chain saw. I have to Stihl's and one Echo right now. I also have an Echo weed eater. The Echo is just night and day easier to start compared to the Stihl's that I own. When they die, I will only buy Echo for now on.

Eddie

 

[LD1]

I've never seen or even heard of Makita Chainsaws. Makita is my favorite power tool company, so I'm a big fan of their stuff already. What makes me nervous is where will you get service if you need it? if you have a place to get it worked on, then it might be worth buying. If not, walk away.

Echo is my favorite chain saw. I have to Stihl's and one Echo right now. I also have an Echo weed eater. The Echo is just night and day easier to start compared to the Stihl's that I own. When they die, I will only buy Echo for now on.

Eddie

Makita bought Dolmar. Which used to be Sachs-Dolmar until the mid 90's. They have been around forever. Dolmar really does make a good saw, and they are made in germany. The makitas model #'s all start with DCS. For example, DCS6401. That stands for Dolmar Chain Saw.

As far a service, at least around here, saw shops will work on ANY make of saw. They are basically all the same. Knowing how to rebuild, tune, etc is pretty much the same for all of them. Warrenty work is a different story though. I am not sure where you would go. But I dont own any makitas, all of mine are orange dolmars. And we do happen to have an excellent dealer in our neck of the woods.

 

[crazyal]

Makita saws are made by Dolmar so any Dolmar dealer should be able to help you out. I would also expect that any Makita repair center would also be able to order any parts you need or do warranty work. Makita also makes a gas powered cut off saw. If I'm not mistaken one of them also has a 64cc engine.

 

[Mac624]

Makita also makes a gas powered cut off saw.

Which is a Dolmar, too.

We have had a Dolmar 120 si as the first saw at the VFD and it was a bunch of junk, lot of carb probs, guess they had a kind of variable nozzles, that was not working correctly. But that is 20 years ago. Coworker owns a PS 34, to make repair on it is not as convinient as on a Stihl of same size, but that doesnｴt really matter.

But Iｴm not sure, if it makes sense to compare used vs. new.

On the other side, the 290 is not the best piece of german engineering. We own a 290 beside of all the other Stihls (181 to 064), VFD has received 2 of them, too and I have to agree: Itｴs to heavy for itｴs size and the Performance also could be better.

 

[LD1]

We have had a Dolmar 120 si as the first saw at the VFD and it was a bunch of junk, lot of carb probs, guess they had a kind of variable nozzles, that was not working correctly.

The 120SI is one of the BEST saws dolmar ever made.

The carb is just like any other chainsaw. The only difference is in the choke. It does NOT have a choke butterfly, rather it has an enrichening jet/port that is opened to increase the amount of fuel @ start-up. But once the saw is started and is running, and the "choke" si shut off, the carb runs just like any other.

It is possible that the carb got mis-adjusted or out of whack. But it doesent matter what brand or what model of saw, if the carb is not set properly, it is going to seem like a peice of junk.