Solo 681, I Thinking about Buying this Saw in a Few Days... Is it a Good Saw ?

[H60 Hawk Pilot]

I did a Search before I Posted this Post. I saw the different discussions and being a twin to a Domar.

I am asking the folks that actualy own this Solo 681 and have used it alot, does it hold up and keep on ticking everyday ?

I have two Homelite's from the 70's and it's time to buy a new saw in the mid size + range.

I have some tree's to cut that are good size oak but most are less than 22 inches across.

Thanks',

Avery

[sawguy21]

Do you have a good dealer that services what he sells. Solo is a good brand but dealers are scarce.

[H60 Hawk Pilot]

The Answer is No,

I'm at Risk in buying the saw at a Freight Liquidator Store in FL. They have a Return Policy of 30 days. I was going to work the hell out of it for a month and see how the saw worked out.

I was looking at the Known Track Record of the 681 Solo to decide to Buy or Not !

Price wise, the best price I saw was around $ 749.XX  or  $ 6XX.XX when on sale, right here from one of our sponsers and 2 year warranty.  I'd pay 1/2 that for a open box purchase and never gased up or used with all the paperwork, etc. (power head only).  I will have 30 days warranty and then, it's my baby.

Avery

[DanG]

As long as you're aware of, and are willing to take the risk, I see nothing wrong with buying it.  I can't help you with your real question though, as I know nothing about them.  Do keep in mind though, that if it doesn't come with a bar and chain, the separate purchase of those is going to cut deeply into your savings.

[ladylake]

For that price I'd buy it in 2 seconds, over on the other site you hear nothing but good about the 681.  You can order Solo parts online easy, parts are a little spendy as they are on a lot of saws.   Steve

[Rocky_J]

You can order Solo parts online but you will need to acquire an illustrated parts list. Solo has a few on their website but they don't list the 681. I owned one of their top handle saws once and their parts lists and availability were substantially less than complete.
http://support.solousa.com/default.asp?id=89

If nothing else Bailey's should be able to help you get any parts necessary. The 681 is very similar to the Dolmar 7900, which is a heck of a good saw.

[John R]

If your spending upward of $700.00, take a look at the Stihl, or Husky.
You can buy a nice saw for that kind of money, and you can get parts and service too.

[ladylake]

I think he's getting it for around half price, maybe $350 - $375. If I was anywhere close to that store it would be gone.   Steve

[Cut4fun]

Chit for that kind of money I would run it till the crank locked up, if it ever did. If $400-$500. AV is soft, but that can be fixed with 7900 AV.

I know guys that bought them up for $600 and set back.

[John Mc]

I saw the different discussions and being a twin to a Domar.

I thought it was Makita that were twins to the Dolmar saws, and Solo saw were "similar"... but maybe I'm remembering it wrong?

[Bernhard]

I would not see any Problem by buying a Solo. I my county there have been a lot of Solo machines in the past and they have been the Nr. 1 seller by saws at these days.

Some machines of the Solo are developed together with Dolmar, part of Makita today. So all the Makita gasoline saws are Dolmar or Solo.

Some older Husky saws also had been built by Solo.

[John R]

I've never heard of a Solo brand chainsaw, who makes it?

[ladylake]

Solo.   Steve

[isawlogs]

They have been around a long time , dad had one in the late fiftys early sixtys .

[H60 Hawk Pilot]

1st of All... Thanks' for Advice .

I went to the store that had the- Solo 681 and Efco 152,  51.7 CC, 3.4 HP, made in Italy. The Efco has good marks and I got a 18" bar & chain throwed in the deal. I paid $ 700.0 for the two saws.

After I bought the saws, I went to a local saw shop and bought a 24" Husky bar and chain for $ 109.00 with tax.

So I have $ 804.60 in two saws and was pleased that 1 or 2 pulls starts them both.

I forgot to mention that I looked Husky Saws that are on sale, 460 - 20 bar = $459.95 with $ 50.00 off; 359 - 20" bar $ 559.95 and 570 w/ 20" bar $ 689.99 with $ 50.00 off; Husky sale ends 11 Oct. .

I needed two saws (big & med.) and hope I have good luck with them. I figured I saved about $ 250. to $ 350.00 on the whole deal. I think I could have bought the 24 inch Husky bar and chain (3/8 P. .050) for $ 75.00 or so but it's on the saw and ready to go for $ 29.60 bucks more.

Both saws are Spec'd out for the .058"; I was told that .050 is fine and the .058" is a european thing.

** I do have a Question:

The Solo 681 is Spec'd for 92 Premium Gas and 25 to 1 mix when using generic 2 stoke mix (4 %).

Using Solo 2T Eng. Oil, the Mix is 50 to 1 (2 %) what's the Deal here, is the Solo Oil Great Stuff or What ?

That's All I Know,

Avery

[ladylake]

All the companys try and sell thier own high priced oil.    Steve

[John Mc]

Both saws are Spec'd out for the .058"; I was told that .050 is fine and the .058" is a european thing.

.058 gauge is not a "European thing". For whatever reason, however, the preference for .050 vs .058 does vary in different parts of the country. Around my area, just about everyone runs .058 (unless they are running Stihl equipment - Stihl pushes .050 or .063 gauge, I don't run narrow kerf bars, but I guess that may tend towards the smaller gauge as well.)

You can run either. Just make sure the gauge of your bar matches the gauge of your chain. Running mixed sizes increases wear, and may cause a greater tendency for the chain to jump off the bar.

The Solo 681 is Spec'd for 92 Premium Gas and 25 to 1 mix when using generic 2 stoke mix (4 %).

Using Solo 2T Eng. Oil, the Mix is 50 to 1 (2 %) what's the Deal here, is the Solo Oil Great Stuff or What ?

Use a good quality oil at 50:1 and you'll be fine (Stihl, Husky, Amsoil all sell good oils, as do others). The synthetic oils sometimes say you can run them at 100:1 ratios, but that's not something I'm comfortable with.  Be sure to use chainsaw oil (for air-cooled engines), not outboard motor 2-cycle oil, which is for water-cooled engines. Air-cooled engines tend to run significantly hotter. You need an oil that can take that heat.

John Mc

[Bernhard]

I've never heard of a Solo brand chainsaw, who makes it?

German Company

http://www.solo-germany.com/

Which has own distribution(or production?) in US

http://www.solousa.com/

[John R]

I've never heard of a Solo brand chainsaw, who makes it?

Solo.   Steve

Sure glad I ask this question, cause I would have never figured that out. :

[Rocky_J]

Well, he answered your question. What would you tell me if I asked you who made Ford trucks?  ???

[John R]

There is a company named Solo that makes these saws?
Or are they made by someone and rebadged as a Solo?
Kind of like a Craftsmen, they are not made by Sears

[Rocky_J]

The manufacturer is Solo. Did you look at the website links provided?

Or simply put it in Google and see what comes up.

[ladylake]

Yes Solo makes thier own saws in Germany, I think they have made saws for a few other brands including Craftman and maybe even Husky.    Steve

[John R]

OK thanks, I guess I learn something new everyday.