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General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: 711ac on November 08, 2012, 03:30:12 PM

Title: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: 711ac on November 08, 2012, 03:30:12 PM
I have a few questions for those with any experiance.
1 Is this considdered a commercial saw?
2 Made by Dolmar?
3 Baileys has it for $600. comments?

I have allways been a Stihl guy, the first saw I grab is my old 044. I have an even older 041 and I am looking to replace it. (firewood) Thinking that this Makita is a good size for that. I havn't bought a new saw in a long time and it seems that the big guys now make 2 grades of saws, 1 for the "pros" and another for TSC and Homedepot. I've heard/read good things about the Dolmar and for price, if this saw is a "commercial" saw, it looks like it'll save me some money. I have ZERO complaints with my Stihls but I need to save some money and in this economy, you know about the money talks & the bs walks thing. I have not done any serious shopping yet, but this Baileys flyer has me thinking.
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: lumberjack48 on November 08, 2012, 04:29:33 PM
I would buy a used 034 Super, i ran 034's professedly many yrs. Its a saw you can run everyday, and the next day it still impresses you how it cuts.

This Makita [ Dolmar ] looks like a good buy, amazon wants 746. for it.

I'm not sure how its rated
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: Ianab on November 08, 2012, 05:04:51 PM
Only complaint about the DCS6421 is that built exactly the same as the 7901 (7921?)

Means it weighs the same as the 79cc saw, so it's power to weight is not amazingly good.

But it is a "pro" saw.
It is made in Germany
There is nothing "wrong" with it, until you compare it to it's big brothers.

But if the price is right, and you don't need to pull a longer bar like I do, then it's certainly worth considering. I have an older but almost identical Dolmar 7900 which is a great saw. Even with a bit less power it would still be a "good" saw.

Probably still cut better than anything else you could buy for that price...

Ian
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: chipsfly09 on November 08, 2012, 06:09:24 PM
I Totally agree with Ianab.  I Have a 7900 -- my dad bought a 6421Makita --  because he liked the 7900

No complaints-- it just does not have the zip of the 7900 for the same weight. If you can afford the extra $ I think you will find the 7900 highly comperable to the 044 or 046-- I replaced my 046mag with the 7900 and have not been sorry.
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: shinnlinger on November 08, 2012, 06:29:18 PM
YOu can also "up jug" the smaller saw and make it 79cc (or bigger) saw for a little over $100 in parts.

Dave
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: celliott on November 08, 2012, 06:32:49 PM
Our school has Dolmar saws, yes the Makitas are just blue Dolmars. I have ran the 6400's, and yes, they are a HEAVY saw. They do run good, but they just feel like a brick. I have also ran a 7900, and it weighs nearly the same as the 6400 with alot more power. If I was buying a Dolmar, I would get either their 50CC saw, or the 7900. Would not buy the 6400 after running the 7900 right afterwards.
But they are professional grade saws, they do run well, and hold up well. I guess Dolmar just isn't as popular as Stihl and Husqvarna.
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: NCFarmboy on November 09, 2012, 08:32:09 AM
I have 2 6401's bought both to upgrade.  I have a BBK on one and in the process of upgrading the other with a 7900 P&C.  Was a Hardcore Husky man til these Dolmars.  They are awesome.  Also have 5-5100S and a 510 w/5100 P&C.  6400/6401 cuts big for 64cc.  IMO the best bang in a new saw is the 365XT 71cc same as 372XT for a couple hundred less.  I just picked up one.  It's on the bench cutting out the dividers in transfer covers making it same as 372XT. 
Shep
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: Ward Barnes on November 11, 2012, 05:39:14 PM
Howdy Folks:  If I recall correctly Home Depot rents the Makita DCS 6421 for about $50.00 per hour.  If you go into their rental department ask when the rental units will be sold as the do sell their rentals from time to time.  A friend of mine picked up 3 by just asking.  He paid $300.00 each and says they are a wonderful saw and were in top notch condition when he purchased them.

God Bless, Ward and Mary.
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: 711ac on November 11, 2012, 08:56:55 PM
So how's their 50cc saw? I'm gettin to old or soft to hoist and swing the 044 around limbing up. I am looking to save weight as well.
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: JohnG28 on November 11, 2012, 08:58:04 PM
The 6421 has a cat muffler on it I believe. Some power can be gained just by swapping that with a non cat to get a little more punch from that saw. Easy to do and can keep the warranty before doing any BB upgrades.
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: NCFarmboy on November 12, 2012, 09:56:28 AM
Quote from: 711ac on November 11, 2012, 08:56:55 PM
So how's their 50cc saw? I'm gettin to old or soft to hoist and swing the 044 around limbing up. I am looking to save weight as well.
Dolmar 50cc=510-5100-5105.  The 510 (semi-pro saw)is a good saw alum crankcase (a little heavy for 50cc, most parts for 5100-5105 interchange).  5100S and 5105 are awesome (346XPNE class).  They are pro quality mag.,split crankcase) saws, light, nimble and very powerful for 50cc.  They had a problem with the 5100 and the 5105 scoring pistons.  The problem was they were set lean @ factory and a lot of dealers didn't set them up properly on delivery.  The max recommended rpm was 14,500 on 5100 and 5105.  Dolmar issued a service bulletin lowering max rpm to 13,800.  I absolutely love my 5100's.  Very good saws.
Shep
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: chipsfly09 on November 22, 2012, 07:39:48 PM
I Have a 5100s which i bought because of how much I like the 7900.  I think it is a fine saw but I do not like it as much as the 7900 and it is harder to start to me.  I had to replace the fuel filter after two tanks of gas (with a plastic one wo/that fiber crap on it).  I have run the 246XP and for the most part I have found it to be comperable.  I  am still trying to get used to the kill switch/choke positon and have flooded the crap out of it because of this.  I intend to use the saw more- my dad uses his with a 24" bar and says it does fine- mine has an 18" and I bought the 3/8 pitch sprocket.  Hope to use it more this  season- i like it for felling relatively small trees (once the fuel filter problem was solved-nothing worse than a saw cutting out or off when you are making the felling cut)
Title: Re: Makita DCS 6421
Post by: AdkStihl on December 13, 2012, 10:52:55 AM
For those who are interested, Baileys now has the 6421 for $549 + free shipping.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=MKA+DCS6421+20&catID=11227