I know, they are both a little different saws, but the ex rental is a known commodity, and easily built up to 80 or more cc's for cheap. Both have 20" b&c, the dolkita has a new chain, although I've heard the home depot chains are crap. I'm sure the 372 is able to be built bigger too. I've got a Dolmar dealer about 15 miles away, and the husky shindaiwa dealer is about a mile away. If that matters. I'm also 50% German, and 50% Norwegian. Norwegians and swedes are like water and oil. I prefer Stihl, as that's what my grandpa taught me, so I'm inclined to lean toward the Makita as it's a German saw.
Too much $ for the same deal. I've run my buddy's ms460, and I like it a lot. My stihl, and all stihls I've ever run have been very reliable. I've heard a Dolmar 7900 will easily outgun a ms460. Dolmar Makita , nor husky spend anywhere near the amount of $ on advertising as stihl does.
Will it outlast a Stihl? Until Stihl proves to me that they won't last, I'm willing to pay a little extra for the reliability..
They are both German. German vs German. I love stihls, no doubt. My 029super has never been rebuilt, and it's 17 years old. It cut 10 cords of hardwood a year for its first 10 years. To this day, it just is pull and go, even with e10 its entire life, outside of a few cans of tru fuel. All those commercials on TV and radio, along with race teams sponsored by Stihl add up to more cost. I've never seen or heard one TV or radio ad for husky, let alone Dolmar. Makita does back sled and motorcycle teams, primary sponsorship too. But they are a big company. They can spread the marketing/ ad money between many divisions. I'm looking at bang for the buck, and there's no used Stihl anywhere in this price range that is bigger than my 57cc 029S. Running my buddy's ms460 told me I need a bigger saw. If I could find an 044 or 046 fit for under 350 I would buy that if it wasn't beat. The dolkita even takes the same chain as my buddy's ms460. Heck my 029S takes a completely different chain than my friends 460. It'd be nice to be able to swap chains if need be while cutting.
Here's the 372's tag. What can this tell anyone here? I've got no idea how to decipher this, except it's a 372xp. See what I mean, it's well used. The guy says I can bring a compression gauge to test, and test cut some logs.
I believe it is 2000 model. I actually just got a 372 with a 00 tag last month. I do not have any run time with it yet though. But I have had a 6421 for a few years and I like it a lot. I can tell you the 372 is slightly lighter but I like the look of the 6421 better. I have ran a 372xt for a few hours and I liked it with a 24" bar. If you made me choose right now I would take the 6421. But husky has a great advantage with their parts being cheaper and an abundance of aftermarket parts. Also the high top has a great air filtration system that would cost you another $80 for the Dolmar. Bottom line they are both very good saws. Well built and proven design. The tie breaker would be condition and if you are going to put a 7910 top end on the Dolmar.
Thanks Kyle. Yeah, the 372 is well used. That's for sure, and the 6421 looks basically new. I'd big bore and HD air filter the Dolmar in less than a year probably. I've heard that the HD filter kit does less on the 6400/7900 than other saws. That 372, who knows how long it'd last before it needed rebuilding? It's easy to throw a piston and cylinder on, the bottom end stuff is bit more work and $. I like to buy newer non abused stuff when I can. Here's another pic of the husky. Is that some odd repair above the gas fill?
That bolt holds a rubber anti-vibe on. I can't tell if it is a washer on the bolt or the case repaired. I do like the total bar. How much does he want for it? Do you know him?
Horkn, you're answering your own question. And you're right. Buy the saw in better overall condition...
300. It's a good deal, but it's not in the shape the dolkita is. I don't know the guy, and have no clue how it was treated, outside of what you can see. He's firm on that 300 too. I don't blame him. Yes, I believe I was before I even posted the thread. Sometimes I just need to weigh things out and talk it through.
I'd go with the Dolkita too. Build it to a 79cc machine and you won't regret passing on the 372XP. You can build a 372 to 75cc but the OEM parts are relatively rare and $$.
Want an even stronger opinion? I'd buy the Dolkita before I'd take the Husky for free. No contest. I already own a Dolmar 6400, so I'd big-bore one of them. Husqvarnas don't belong on my property unless someone else is using them.
I'd buy the Makita. It's an easy upgrade when you decide to bump up the displacement, and it's still a strong saw before that. You will want to toss the chain that comes on it though. And don't buy into that "stihl only" stuff. When you're talking pro grade saws, there's virtually no difference in reliability between all the European and Japanese brands. If it's at Home Depot, go in and talk to the guys and ask if they can do better. They brought the price down about $40 when I got mine.
$200. Cylinder Assembly (52Mm) For Dolmar 6400, 7300, 7900 And Makita 6401, 7301, 7901 | Dolmar | Pistons, Cylinder & Ring Kits | www.www.baileysonline.com.com There's also an 85cc chinese P/C for a little over $100, and from what I understand it makes about the same power as the 79cc.
Buy the dolkita you won't regret it! Seriously though nothing against the Husky but you know more of the history of the dolkita than the husky. In this case the newer saw is the gooder choice!
