So I've found a 5105 with an 18" bar I'm interested in, not for myself but for my dad. He's been using an MS 310 with a 20" bar for 10 years now, and still likes it, but now he grabs my brother's 026 with a 16" bar when he cuts. He said he likes the lighter weight, and at 59 I'm sure weight is getting important to him when he's cutting for hours. So I want to get him something a little smaller of his own. But it seems like the 5105 isn't as light as the 026 looking at specs, it might only save him a little over a pound overall compared to the 310. And I'm not necessarily looking to replace his 310, just get him a lighter weight companion to it. So what's everyone's thought's? Am I better off waiting to find a deal on an 026/260, or even something like a MS 250? Or will the handling and anti-vibe make up for the weight enough for him to prefer it significantly over the MS 310?
This is used, and I'm trying to keep the price below $250. I'd love to get him a 346xp (I've already own a 550xp) but I've checked craigslist every morning for 18 months I've only seen one 346xp come up, and it was gone by the time I responded. I've only seen one 026/260 show up for under $250 that wasn't beat to hell in that amount of time, and that's the 026 that I picked up for my brother for $150. That's when I discovered that my Dad might be interested in a light saw, because my brother is stuck using Dad's 310 now whenever they cut together.
Keep a look out on the trading post of the 'Another Site' for used saws and check with nmurph over there for a used/rebuilt 346xp.
I have a 550xp that's close to what you are wanting to spend. I'm waiting on another member to accept or decline.
I have all these saws mentioned so far in this thread. By a good margin, my ported Stihl 026 PRO is my biggest sweetheart of them all. It was rebuilt from junk box parts. It is hard to beat the Stihl 026/036 pair as old saws for firewood. I have a Husqvarna 545 and when you add up all the features and consider the new price, it is a strong contender. I bought mine from Spike. The Husqvarna 55oXP is a 545 with more power and costs more money. Cost wise the 545 is a better deal for the feel is the same and the power difference is not so noticeable comparing my 550XP with my 545. Now days with new saws, it would be hard to beat a 545/555 pair as your fire wood buddies. My stock 346XP NE is faster than the 026 PRO and about the same as the 545. The 545 is smaller and lighter than all of them. I bought my Dolmar 5105 when they first came out. It was only $350 (had been used as a demo) with a 20" bar. It is closer to the 550XP in speed but is very wide and is the biggest and heaviest saw of these 50cc saws mentioned. They've gone up considerably in price since I bought mine. I have another old sweet heart in a Dolmar 111i/115i. Slightly heavier than a 026 but a favorite of all time for a old saw. Mine was given to me by the local dealer with a bad carburetor. I have its 6800iH companion also.
In 14 years of using a 346xp I've never seen a used one for sell around here. Pawn shop here moves a lot of saws, but never any 346s'.... I bought the first one Jan 2001, second one 2010 and a used one on AS a year ago. There have been a good number sold here locally, but people hang on to them.
That 3.3 54cc with 3ci weight would make your dad a nice saw. Jeff has it in the for sale section here. Price is way under your wants too. My dad bought one close to it new and still going at it.
I had a 5100 for years. The 5105 was the newer version with a catted muffler to meet emissions. You and your dad will love it for a smaller saw. An ms310 is a Brick with a bar on it. Guys don't like specs of the 5100/5105 and are used to being able to pick the cream of the crop. the 5105 has a catted muffler on it though, and it robs a bit of power. My 5100 was muffler modded and it ripped for a small firewood saw. I sold it to buy a 550 xp. I love the 550 and if Squarefile can make you a decent deal, I'd say grab his. But that 5105 won't disappoint you or your dad. He is likely to like it much better than an old 026 too. I know I did, but I'm not an 026 fan at all. The 5100 has Lots of grunt. Plenty of power to run a 18" or 20" 3/8" bar.
I agree. That 550xp is not only light... But it cuts so fast that your Dad will be amazed at how much would he can cut before he gets pooped out
Trust me, I know all about the virtues of the 550xp, I just assumed it'll be a long time before they appear used for a decent price.
A 5105 will weigh about about 3/4 lb more then a 550 and about 1 lb less then a 310. The diff in cutting speed between a 5105 and a 550 is only told by a stop watch
Id contact Caleb (mesupra) on AS. He has great lightly used saws and is very nice to deal with. I bought my as new 346XPG from him with an 18" b/c for $415. One of the best saw deals ive ever gotten.
