Makita 6401 any good

luckydave

Hi,
I'm in the market for a new saw to cut firewood here in Australia. Was considering a MS 390, now MS391, but have read a lot about Makita 6401 which is apparently a copy of a dolmar saw.
Heres the problem;
MS391 about $1100 Aussy dollars 6.5 kgs 3.3 kw
Makita DSC6401-20 $750 Aussy dollars 6.2 kgs 3.5 kw
So keeping in mind that both the above saws will do the job I want them to do (cut hardwood firewood) what do you guys recomend and why?
Also down the track a muffler mod will probably be in order but not sure that the Stihl will benifit much??
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Luckydave.

Cut4fun

I would get the Makita aka Dolmar 6400 and if you ever wanted a bigger saw you could go from 64cc to OEM 73cc to OEM 79c to aftermarket 85cc all on the same saw with a p+c change.

Thats me with my dealer support here. Make sure your dealer can take care of your parts needs down the road.

SawTroll

Sure, no doubt at all!

SawTroll

The true weight of the Dolmar (Makita) is 6.4kg, as far as I know - but it still is no doubt that it is the better saw!

"Pro saw" constructions always will win over "homeowner" constructions, and that is what you are comparing here!

Rudolf73

The Makita 6401 is a Dolmar 6400 - just different colors. Makita bought out Dolmar quite a few years ago.

I have a 7900 Dolmar and its an awesome saw. I prefer it to my Stihl 460, 440 etc.

$750 for a 6401 is a great price for a proper pro saw - it would cost you the same to import one from the US where the saw are a lot cheaper. And later on you could aways put on a big P & C for around $250 (7901). Then you will have more saw than the Stihl MS460 for almost half the price (in Australia).

I have the Stihl 039, MS390 and MS361. The MS390 is a homeowner saw, but dont get me wrong - still a good reliable saw. The 361 being a pro saw is well balanced, lighter, better built, etc.

If you are looking at getting a stihl for dealer service etc have a look on ebay... you can pick up very nice saws for around half the new price sometimes.

MCW

Also don't forget to purchase the Dolmar HD filter kit upgrade. The standard Dolmar/Makita filtration really struggles on Australian hardwood with dust getting through readily unless you upgrade or oil the standard filter.
The HD kit is one of the best filter systems on the market. Just remember to import it from the US, you'll pay a fortune for that kit in Australia.
You'll also be able to import a Dolmar 7900 from the states at the moment for about AUD$900. PM me if you'd like to know where from...

KevinE

I worked with a mate who has a 660 today, taking down a large mountain ash; the only difference I could tell between his 660 & my 7901 while I was blocking up the firewood was that the 660 was heavier.