You dont have to be all that handy to change the piston and cyl. With no previous experience I'd guess a fella could get it done in an hour or so. There are excellent instructions on the web. There are some tools that make it easier, but they are not required.
I was just thinking the other day that I should sell my 6400 with OEM 79cc top end, since it looks like I'll prolly be out of the firewood game. Haven't used it in a year or more. And yeah, it ran a 28 just fine when it was 64cc. I wouldn't want to do it all day, every day, but it's fine for the times you need it.
I run a 24in full comp on my 6421 and it doesn't seem to mind at all. I don't own 28in bar, but I don't think I'd run my 32in on it in stock form. Maybe skip chain for a few cuts but not as a general setup. I have heard that the oiler is good up to 32in bars. I few years back I owned a 7900 that pulled the 32in with full comp easily in oak. I hit a ruff spot and had to sell that 7900..... hope to have another (or upgrade the 6421) soon.
Jeff, you can send that saw to me if you want.... I'll be sure to use it some. I've got a 24 super with a 026 top end in it that is the same deal as your saw..... it just sits around looking longingly at the firewood..... but I never pick it up... I feel sorry for it and but it in the truck to ride with the dolmars, but it rides the bench every time.
I have a 64cc saw that pulls a 24/25 with ease, and could pull a 28" fairly well, but I have bigger saws fo' dat. Besides, the 24" already puts the weight far enough forward, and being a dirty hippie midget, I just can't lift the saw high enough if the nose gets too heavy. #dirtyhippiemidgetproblems #lifeofamidget
Ya know I thought there would be a huge difference in the AV from my new ms461 compared to my ms362, but to be honest the 461 is not that bad.... Now I have not ran it for 8 hours a day for a week straight, and it is still new, but I am happy with how smooth the 461 is!!!!!
So if you have a 6400 with a 24 inch bar and are cutting 24 inch oak up there wouldn't be that much of a difference power wise in the cut than a 7910? Its not til you get into bigger bars that you notice a difference in power?
AV is totally a personal preference thing. If your interested in a saw ie. 460/461 have a go at one for yourself. After slinging 044's and some other older Stihls around in years past, AV has started to become a very important thing for me. There is a pronounced difference between the 460/461 and 7910 to me. If your a younger guy you may or may not even notice. I'd still recommend trying out the saws your interested in YMMV. Pretty much all the saws from the main saw builders are quality. Currently I'm partial to Dolmars and Stihls. But since you had a 2186, why not try a Jred 2172? I hear they are darn nice saws.
There's a 1 h.p. difference between the 2 saws. Your going to notice that in any size wood. Maybe not much in speed but there really is no replacement for displacement. Both saws are very close to the same weight though.
AV is a huge deal for me as well. I have even ran a saw that according to others had great AV but it made my hands go number and ache with very little use. I think the frequency that vibrates can be big factor. What works great for Joe may not be so great for Sam. That and it is always fun to try different saws.
I too appreciate good Anti Vibe. I'm 50 now, and when I was in my early 30's I fell off of the top of a tank truck trailer, landing on my hands, and my head(came down at a 45° angle) on asphalt. I never broke a bone, nor showed signs of a visible concussion. The nerve damage in my wrists, forearms, and neck however have started to make themselves known. Thank goodness for years, and years of powerlifting. It saved me from paralysis.
I have a solo 665 and really like it. Should of said that in the beginning, but just wanted to here opinions on different saws. Should I just keep the solo the same and be happy or upgrade the top end on it? Sell the thing and just find a used 7910? Sell a couple saws and get a 461? I know what I should do is just be happy with what I have and go cut some firewood. Thanks
For smooooooth serious power, and ability to run 28" in oak like a toy, my vote went to 576XP-AT. So quick, it's been hard to get much runtime on it. Ease of access for service a real plus, should it ever become necessary. (Creamsicle comparison, not even talking price.)
So is a "ported" 372XP-W. Saw in the back left was ported by TermiteBuffet of Zoo City Sawz. This was yesterday at 7500' in elevation, and required one and a half tanks of fuel.
