i looked at the dolmar 510 and it took a while to realize more power is a good thing. i was trying to be modest about the requirement. i am a carpenter and a cabinetmaker and have some idea about saw blades and cutting. in the end it came down to the chain first, what do you want to use. for gathering firewood my choice is 3/8 semi chisel. then you need a saw that will easily pull it and 60cc becomes reasonable. i don't want low profile, and if i knew more about the subject i might like .325. back in the day i ran 3/8 so best to stay with what you know. i have had larger saws but somehow i looked at 60cc as large instead of mid size. then there's the weight and trying to be svelte about the situation, the solution, pick the thing up and don't complain. honestly, a few cords a year, how bad could things be, and then when you need the stonk, it's there. couple questions for the more knowledgeable. i will get a couple loops of stihl rm chain. should i use the provided bar or is there a better reasonably priced alternative. also will i need the spline tool for setting the carb.
Great idea choosing a 60cc saw for your modest needs. As you said, it's light enough to swing around all day clearing brush, downed trees or limbing, but has plenty of power for felling and bucking bigger hard woods. 3/8th's is definitely what you want. What length and dl bar are you getting? For your usage, I would stick with the stock bar as long as the drive link number is the same as the comparable aftermarket bars. This way you can buy prefab loops easily. Or else, you will have to have your local dealer make up the loops. Any small flat screw driver should adjust the carb, but don't quote me on that.
I've had the CS400 for a long time now, have never had to touch the carb on it.... great little saw. You DEFINITELY want to take the echo chain it comes with and drop it in the recycling bin, and get a Stihl or other good brand chain. My echo chain was terrible... As far as 60cc goes, if you just making firewood, I don't know why anyone would "need" a larger saw. I now have a the CS400 as my small saw, the Stihl 362 60cc saw for my main saw. It's cut everything I will ever need to cut with ease...
i've only seen the saw offered with the 20" bar. given a choice i would go 18" but 20" isn't too much for the power head. it's a 70dl and not a 72, but bailey's sells the stihl 33rm chain in 70 link loops. this is why i inquired about the bar. if there is any issue, the bar should be changed out now and before the wrong chain has been ordered, and then given the choice i would go for the shorter bar. everything is messed up in the american market with more/more/more and in chainsaws they put long bars on some inadequate saws to convince the buyers they are getting a real monster.
60 cc will throw a full comp, 20" x 3/8 x .050 x 72dl full chisel chain just fine. Been running one since 82. Not gonna win a race, but I'm cutting firewood, not racing. 20" give you good reach, good balance, easy on the back & the 20" Oregon, LGX & LPX seem to always go on sale once a year for about $15 somewhere. For my cutting the Oregon chain outperformed the Stihl RS overall. RM is OK chain, but give an LPX or LGX a try. Cheaper & you might be surprised at it's performance. Everyone has their own preferences. Just my 2ยข.
Congrats on making the decision - I'm sure you will be happy and the saw will fit your needs! Be safe! Cheers!
