Chainsaw Preference: Dolmar or Jonsered?

[Clarkfield Farms]

Tough time of year to get responses, I know, but -- it's time for a chainsaw purchase and I'm looking at Dolmar and Jonsered. The dealer for Dolmar is very good on service and recommends them very highly; states that at the Woodsmen's Field Days in Boonville, most if not all of the competitors are using Dolmar. On the other hand, neighbors with (older) Jonsereds are extremely pleased and rate them higher than Stihl or Huskvarna (I know I know, it's blasphemy!! lol!) that many have also had. Anyways, as for models I'm looking at the 5105C and the 7910 from Dlomar (I know, big difference but those are the two upper-end models in stock); from Jonsered, the 2152, 2166, 2255, and 2258.

I'm not completely set on anything yet (obviously, from the above!) but I do need to buy one soon. I have NOT used any of the models I've listed. Just looking for input from anyone on here, what you have to say carries pretty much the most weight for me.

So, thanks in advance!

- Tim

[moeh1]

I was a Sthil man for 30+ years, but I am slowing down and I bought a semi-pro rated Husky that I'm very pleased with. Dolmar is owned by Makita I think and the Makitas are ranked very highly on a couple other forums I visit. I think Husky is pulling them from Tractor Supply stores and replacing with johnson reds... Not sure what to think of that development.:confused:

[sugarsand]

The Dolmars have a good reputation, although I have never used one. Jonsereds are a good saw as well as the Husky Pro models.

[madmapler]

You may want to check with a jonsereds dealer on availability. Their US. distribution system crashed this past winter and there were virtually no saws available. I know they're working on restructuring things but the last time I talked to my Jonrereds dealer, it was still iffy. I ended up buying a husky in January which is'nt a problem really because they're the same saw made at virtually the same factory as jonsereds. The companies go their own ways when it comes to the marketing and of course the color and other cosmetics. I just like my jonsereds dealer better but he'll work on both. I don't know much about dolmars either but a reputable logger I know uses them exclusively and I do respect his opinion.

[vikingHB]

I was a Sthil man for 30+ years, but I am slowing down and I bought a semi-pro rated Husky that I'm very pleased with. Dolmar is owned by Makita I think and the Makitas are ranked very highly on a couple other forums I visit. I think Husky is pulling them from Tractor Supply stores and replacing with johnson reds... Not sure what to think of that development.:confused:

I have 3 saws - 2 Husky (460 & 455) & 1 Makita Dcs6421
The Makita is a real champ - starts 2nd pull & cuts through any wood like butter - no issues with this saw at all - bought because of reviews, and they have all been bang on
The Huskys have both had oiler problems, and tend to bog down more.
I've gone from orange to blue!!
Got a great price too for the Makita $560 - the orange saws couldn't even get close to that price with a comparable saw.

[K.I. Joe]

My Jonsered keeps going and going....Good little saw, almost no vibration....and they are made by Huskvarna I am told.

[Maple Ridge Farm]

Personnally I like Stihl pro models, the 261, 362 and 461. Very reliable and true workhorses. When I go to the bush to cut wood I want to know my equipment is up to the task also.

[red maples]

The main thing is you have a dealer that works on them close to you. With all the modern technology now in saws over a certain size new need to comply with all the new emission regulation. So that's key. I don't have a dealer for either of those saws that I know of anyway, I have several husky and stihl dealers around. I just bought a 562 XP husky pro saw last fall and I have to say Its the best saw I have ever owned hands down. I would recommend it to anyone.

I can't stress enough buy the better chains. I buy stihl chains they hold up better much much better. they aren' tthat much of a price difference either. I think the Oregon chains they have in the big box stores and in TSC are way too soft and are NOT made for the pro saws and wear out incredibly fast. I can cut all day on a stihl chain barely have to tighten it or sharpen it. with the same amount of bar oil flow.

With my new saw I had to cut up a 4 foot wide roadside maple that was taken down 1/2 by sandy and 1/2 by the power company and roadsides that big as we know are full of twists and healed over branchs etc. it cut through like a hot knife through butter with a 24" bar. even my neighbor who was watching me couldn't believe how easy it I was going through it. I let him make a cut and he couldn't believe it either.

[sg5054]

I'm still driving a husky 50 that I bought new in 1988. It has never been in for service since I bought. I use high quality synthetic oil. It still powers through anything I hand it. Was cutting up a couple of 30" maple trunks in to workable slices just last night.

[Maple Hill]

Go to a husky dealer and see if they have a 562xp demonstrator you can try.You wont want anything else.

[eagle lake sugar]

I have a Makita DCS 6421, DCS is for Dolmar chain saw, great saw. You can also buy a big bore kit for it and bring it up to about 80cc if you ever needed that much power. Baileys online has free shipping usually on their saws.

[PACMAN]

I just replaced my old 365 husky , after 15 years of cutting. I just purchased a 462xp and love it, I now own 4 huskys and the others are at least 10 years old and they still run strong. I manage to cut around 150 cord of wood every year and have never had a problem with them. I just don't want to take a chance on buying anything else.

[Clarkfield Farms]

Thanks to all. I knew about the Husqvarna-Jonsereds and Makita-Dolmar connections, I'm just going by what I've had a chance to look at that are serviced here. I think they also sell/service Stihl but -- again, trying to get a handle on what works. Pretty much sounds like I won't be sorry whichever way I go. And no, I won't be doing the chain store chain saw route. Thanks guys!

[Fort Wisers]

May as well start life here at Mapletrader with a thread revive, just in case someone else is looking to buy a saw!
We currently have three Dolmar saws:
PS-7900
PS-5100S
PS-510

We cut about 12 face cords a year for firewood (home / shop heat) and use the saws also for general trimming and yard maintenance.
This year we'll cut a little extra as we'll be getting into maple syrup next spring (2017).

Overall the saws have been great.

The 5100 and 510 are both the same saw except the 5100S is the "speed" model, Dolmar marketing term meaning it revs higher than the 510.
Both of these saws are great for general purpose firewood cutting and yard maintenance, fairly light but also rugged.
The 5100 when reved right up and sharp, cuts very fast but the 510 has a bit more torque so it can take a little more grunt work to bog it down.

The 7900 is just awesome. A ton of power, heated grips (which I never would have thought I'd like, until having them), super fast cuts through anything.
Only thing is it can get a bit heavy for a long day of cutting when something that big isn't needed.
But for heavier work, I'd spring for the 7900, personally, I can live with the extra weight as a small price to pay for the extra power.


The 5100S is the oldest saw, I believe we've had it for 6 years now.
The 510 we got maybe a year after the 5100, as a saw for up at camp.
The 7900 we just got last spring (2015).

Only advice I have for anyone thinking Dolmar is be sure your dealer has parts in stock.
Because the saws aren't that common (at least in this part of Ontario, Canada) getting parts can take a long time.
We've only had to put some work into the 510 (broke a handle a few years ago) and it took like 4 weeks to get the part in.
In the end, any saw used for real work is going to require some TLC (lets face it, how many times have you actually put your saw down gently!).
So be sure you have a dealer who will stand behind their product and has parts to service.

Other than that, great saws, definitely recommended from this end.
Hope that helps....

[Maple Man 85]

I would spring for a commercial saw and stay away from cheaper versions of any brand. I run a mix of 2 Huskys, 1 Stihl and 2 Johnsred. Each saw has its pros and cons the trick to a good cutting saw is a combination chain, saw size and RPMs. Also making sure the rakers are just below the cutting edge (if they are filed down too far the saw will kick back). In addition to that do not use 87 octane spring for the good 91 non-ethanol or there's a good chance you'll have engine issues as most small engines aren't set up to run 10% ethanol.

Maple Man 85

[motowbrowne]

I just bought a Dolmar 421. My excuse was that I need a saw for my dad or my wife to use while cutting with me. The Dolmar is the easiest saw I've ever started. Dad tore his rotator cuff and can't start his Stihl 036 anymore. He has no problem with the new Dolly. I paid $339 out the door with 4 chains, a gallon of bar oil, and a six pack of mix bottles. Yes, Stihl and Husky and Jonsered make pro saws in the 40cc class also, but you're looking at about $200 more for one of them. Anything you can buy at that price from those guys is gonna be a plastic clamshell saw, where Dolmar is magnesium and pro grade construction.

I'm very pleased with it. The dealer said I won't ever pick up my 50cc Shindaiwa anymore, and my 036 won't get much use either. In wood under about 14" I believe him.

[WESTMAPLES]

dolmar saws are nice ive had a few of them right now i have a 6400 (64cc now with a big bore kit available) thats 2 years old and a 9010 (90cc) thats 8 years old and still pulls like hell ( pics in my gallery) great saws run them doing firewood ( 120 cords a year) others are nice, but dolmar is my go to

[Fort Wisers]

I would spring for a commercial saw and stay away from cheaper versions of any brand. I run a mix of 2 Huskys, 1 Stihl and 2 Johnsred. Each saw has its pros and cons the trick to a good cutting saw is a combination chain, saw size and RPMs. Also making sure the rakers are just below the cutting edge (if they are filed down too far the saw will kick back). In addition to that do not use 87 octane spring for the good 91 non-ethanol or there's a good chance you'll have engine issues as most small engines aren't set up to run 10% ethanol.

Maple Man 85

Agreed about not running anything with eth, getting harder to find these days whihc is unfortunate but none of our seasonal equipment get's anything that has eth in it.

[Diesel Pro]

I'm a Husqvarna guy. 346xp, 359, 372xp and a 345 homeowners saw. I would suggest looking at arboristsite for good chainsaw info.

[Burnt sap]

If you cut a lot of firewood, whatever saw you buy make sure it's a pro saw with anti vibration and start assist .

[Daveg]

Ford vs Chevy.
All chainsaws have teeth and a motor. You get what you pay for, across the available spectrum of choices.
1) Eye and ear protection is #1 1A) Chaps
2) Knowing how to operate in a potentially deadly environment is #2
3) Knowing how to sharpen is #3

[motowbrowne]

Ford vs Chevy.
All chainsaws have teeth and a motor. You get what you pay for, across the available spectrum of choices.
1) Eye and ear protection is #1
2) Knowing how to operate in a potentially deadly environment is #2
3) Knowing how to sharpen is #3


C'Mon. Chaps NEED to be on that list. You can skip them if you want, but when making recommendations to others, chaps is at the top of the list.

[saphead]

Another item to add to the list, if possible, is to attend a "Game of Logging" training program. Took the 4 day class around 12 yrs. ago and it was worth every $.Even had a professional logger taking the class and he said he was glad he took it!