I know there’s a lot of variables, but I’ve got a line on one for about $300 is it a good buy if it’s in good shape? Who’s got one? I’ve been wanting a newer Dolmar for a while now which makes it even more interesting.
Yes 300 is a good price for a 6400. And if you ever want to make it a 7900 all you have to do is throw a piston and cylinder on it. Some guys do some carb work as well. But for a firewood saw a 6400 would be a good saw.
I just bought a Home Depot Makita 6421 from a pawn shop yesterday. I paid 240.00. Someone mentioned the big bore mod. I think I'll go that route. Plus, I'll need to gut the muffler.
I’d give the crank a good wiggle if ya can before purchasing. They’re decent saws overall, but I have one on my bench with a spun crank (rare). The HD filter upgrade is nice. Id also advise against the current aftermarket big bores— find an OEM 7900 top end if you really want the increased displacement.
Thanks for the input guys! I’ll have to do some investigating on it. I’m thinking it would end up with a 20” bar and fit between my 55 and 372 huskys. I know it’s somewhat close in that gap..... but I’ve always wanted a newer Dolmar... although I don’t really need to spend the money right now.... but it is another saw in the collection... but...
I love the 6421 dolkita I got in March. 300 is a good deal. You'll love it. I think they come with a 20" bar. Mine did, and it works well with a 20". The stock HD special trilink chain isn't noted for being that good, but mines still sharp, and throws nice chips. I know a better chain will work so much better, I'm just impressed as it is for now. The big bore kit, whether stock Dolmar or the bigger aftermarket seem to all work just fine. I hear the 85 cc aftermarket kits don't seem to perform much or any better than the Dolmar 79cc factory kit, but for the price, you can't go wrong. I did a fair amount of research and the only guys saying the aftermarket big bore wasn't as good were guys that had never run one, or had bought the Dolmar 79cc kit. I have not yet gutted my cat from the muffler on my dolkita, but I will probably do that some time soon.
We ran one for two years. It’s losing plating now below the exhaust and near the intake. Ran great til the saw didn’t idle due to other issues... Caber ring, 85cc Weedeaterman white box kit from 2014. I like some AM jugs, but longevity is an issue for certain products.
Granted this a questionable build (not mine) but a cylinder shouldn’t look like this after two years of non-pro use (properly maintained as well).
Spun crankshaft on fw side, probably bad mains, too. Never ran super lean at wot, but probably would have if we kept running it. Only a slight smear on piston, machine marks were gone despite hd air filter upgrade. Compression was still good, but that p/c would have failed soon imo.
I did it! Got the saw, manual, 8 spare used chains and a cleaning tool that looks like a bent screwdriver. I haven’t opened it up yet but I’m thinking the 3003 Stihl bar on it isn’t right and I don’t think it’s wearing an adapter either. I think it should be the bigger husky mount bar?
Stopped and picked up a new 20” Total bar on the way home. The Stihl bar that was on it had the bigger incorrect mount as well as no adapter just like I thought, now she’s ready to rock!! By the way how are the total bars? It looks shiny so I figured I’d try one...
There is/was some relationship with Tsumura. I have a 28" Tsumura lightweight and love it on my Husky 372XP. Can't speak to longevity, I've only used it a few times so far.
Speaking of how’s the 372 pull a 28”? I know a guy that’s got a 372 and was thinking of a 28 for it...
I felled three 26-27" red oak and it did fine. I have Stihl full comp, full chisel chain. I am not a competitor, ie: timed cuts. I make my face cut, bore cut to set the hinge and trigger then hit the release. I had no problems. The bore cut went very quick. If I think of it I'll time a few cuts when I buck the logs into firewood length using the bar.
