Tonight, I am on an Echo kick, lol. Been gravitating towards a 50cc saw as the big dog. Just picked up an almost new Homelight I can use for limbing. Primarily will be used for firewood. I have an Stihl ms290 but rather than spend any more on it, considering selling it and getting something lighter. I am open to having a saw modded for more power. The 500p seems to be a cut above other Echo's? Not sure if it's worth it. Could also buy a cs490, it's lower cost, similar weight. I wonder what all I could do (or have it done) to jack it up. Can anyone tell me what bar/chain would be good for this saw? They seem to want to put it with a 20" bar/chain. I have read several 'experts' say many saws would do better using a shorter bar. So, I am open to 16" or 18". What size and model, if any, is better than stock? And if you know of mods that could be done, fire away. I'm not set on 500p, just considering.
490 and 500p are the same saw. 500p has an aluminum wrap handle and a slightly better bar and chain combo. To me those 2 things are not worth the $100 price difference. 500p is also a discontinued model now that the 490 is out. On to the good and bad of these saws. Good... Very well built, @$349 they are a great value, one of, if not the lightest 50cc saws out there. Very nimble and compact saw. The bad... In stock form I think of them as a strong 40cc saw instead of the 50cc that they are. To perform like a decent 50cc saw they require the muffler to be gutted which pretty much voids the warranty. They come with 16, 18, or 20" bar. Personally I think they would perform best with a 16" but an 18" would work if you need the extra length on occasion
Owned a 500p until I recently sold it. Still kicking myself in the azz for that! Great saw! Easiest mod would be to remove deflector and screen on muffler and pull the stupid restricter tube out. Tune it a bit richer and your good to go. I bought mine with the 20" b and c and it pulled it alright. Especially after break in which seemed to be about 10-15 tanks. It would be faster with an 18" and a bit more agile as well. The saw did everything a 290 would but was much lighter!
Are those 490s rim or spur sproket? The 500p I had was a rim sprocket. Also no muffler gut necessary just pulled the deflector tube out from under the deflector and it was basically a open can.
Wow! They weren't available when I purchased the 500p. If they were I would have probably gone with the 490. Although my 500p did have a mag clutch cover. As I understand it the newer 500p has a plastic cover now. Still a great saw but would probably be hard pressed to choose it over the dolmar 5105. Good thing I dont need a 50cc saw.
If firewood is what your after and your not dead set on 50cc, a 60cc and 30/40cc sizes combo makes for a sensible 2 saw plan. Let fordf150 make you a good deal on a dolmar 6100 and don't look back. Edit: lots o good info on them here: Dolmar ps 6100 info and videos | Firewood Hoarders Club
If you are looking for a 50cc saw to replace your MS290, (as in less weight, similar power) it will have to be a strong saw. Saws like the Husqvarna 550XP, and Stihl MS261 would be able to answer the call. Replacing a 290, there are 60cc saws that would still be slightly less weight and blow the doors off a 290. Saws like the Husqvarna 555 and Dolmar 6100 come to mind.
damm man! Warn a feller befor you put all that shiny purty goodness on here! My tongue nearly fell out of my face. X2 on a build thread!
Here's the canidates. When I get one closer to done I'll do a thread. Most don't like waiting while I slowly maneuver threw a saw. Lol.
the little bit that i have seen of the echo cylinders will make you wonder sometimes. they definately have some different ideas
That looks.... different. Kinda hard to tell without my grubby mits on it but it looks like they left some room up top as well.
120/131/81 was the numbers! And that 81 at the tip. But I'll get to all that in the build thread. Lol.
