what should I get - Dolmar vs Stihl

you have open up a can of worms there! lol both good saws

You won't go wrong with either, so go where you can get better service if needed or whichever business you care to do business with.

Agree, for $15 difference I would go with the spot where you feel you will get the best service...have heard both are fine saws.

That German engineering is said to be great. Which dealer is closest and gives the best service?

I've got both and I wouldn't recommend one over the other. They both have certain things going for them. The Stihl has more grunt in the bigger wood. A muffler mod really brings a big gain over stock in the Stihl. The Dolmar will run right along with it up to 16" or so. The Dolmar is lighter and a bit more nimble. It is also a high revving saw that if you're not sure about keeping it tuned and listening to the saw, you'll likely blow up. The thing will rev out of its mind but man is it smooth in the cut.

Basically, like the others before me have said, shop the dealer and not the saw in this case.

Which colour and looks do you like the most?

Dolmar's are much cooler looking!

I like mine...

zhukpavlo said:

Dolmar 5100 for $435 or Stihl 310 for $420

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The 310 is quite a bit more saw than the 5100. Dolmers are all the rage on this site so I recommend the 310. A 50cc saw will do a lot but if you're a one saw guy 50ccs is not enough, IMO.

Dolmar 5100S

Displacement 50.4 cm³ (3.1 cu. in)
Max engine speed 14,500 min-1
Power rating 2.8 kW (3.9 bhp)
Fuel tank capacity 0.46 l (15.6 oz)
Oil tank capacity 0.27 l (9.0 oz)
Net weight 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs)
Standard guide bar 16 ", 18 "
Optional guide bars 20
Chain pitch 3/8 ", .325 "
Chain gauge .050 "

Stihl MS310

DISPLACEMENT 59.0 cc (3.6 cu. in.)
ENGINE POWER 3.0 kW (4.0 bhp)
WEIGHT 5.9 kg (13.0 lbs.)
FUEL CAPACITY 560 cc (18.9 oz.)
CHAIN OIL CAPACITY 330 cc (11.2 oz.)
OILOMATIC® CHAIN 3/8" RSC3
RECOMMENDED RANGE OF GUIDE BAR LENGTHS 40 to 50 cm (16" to 20")

Very little power difference but almost 2 pounds difference in weight. I've used both I think my personal choice would be the Dolmar if you have good dealer support.

Just out of curiosity, what are the equivalents between the two brands?

For example, is the Dolmar 7900 the equivalent to the Stihl 361?

The 6400 would the equivilent of the 361 if not slightly more powerful but more weight also. The 7300 would be roughly the 440 and a 7900 is just a bit more than the 460.

That is suprising that +8.6 cc of displacement gets only .1 bhp more + almost 2lbs. heavier ?
I'd think that 2 lbs. would add up to a lot during a day of cutting. Never tried the 310 and certainly not bashing it.
I'm sure it's a great saw. I'm just curious about the specs.

The difference is the MS310 isn't a "pro" saw it's a mid range saw.

TMonter said:

The difference is the MS310 isn't a "pro" saw it's a mid range saw.

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That is A difference. The 310 is a whole class of saw bigger, too.

I have a PS-510. Not as hi-revving as the 5100, but still no squat if you ask me...... Sharp full chisel chain on an 18" bar in full lenght wood will bring her down, but if you let the saw make it's own headway, you're ok... And it's nice and light for when your cutting branches over your head......

That is A difference. The 310 is a whole class of saw bigger, too.

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But where the actual performance is, the Dolmar IMO is the better performer. Granted the 310 isn't a slouch but it's still a pretty heavy midrange saw compared to a light high revving pro saw.

One of the people I cut with has a MS310 he bought about 3 years ago and he likes it, it's a solid saw and has no complaints. On the other hand he said if he were to buy a new saw to replace it he'd get a 346XP NE or Dolmar-5100 because of the weight.

What really matters here is the actual power to the actual weight and in that realm I think the Dolmar has the edge, especially if you're going to run the saw stock.

TMonter said:

That is A difference. The 310 is a whole class of saw bigger, too.

Click to expand...

But where the actual performance is, the Dolmar IMO is the better performer. Granted the 310 isn't a slouch but it's still a pretty heavy midrange saw compared to a light high revving pro saw.

One of the people I cut with has a MS310 he bought about 3 years ago and he likes it, it's a solid saw and has no complaints. On the other hand he said if he were to buy a new saw to replace it he'd get a 346XP NE or Dolmar-5100 because of the weight.

What really matters here is the actual power to the actual weight and in that realm I think the Dolmar has the edge, especially if you're going to run the saw stock.

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I agree the stock 5100 is a heck of a saw and on the other hand the stihl with just a muffler mod. will have big gains over the dolmer

TMonter said:

That is A difference. The 310 is a whole class of saw bigger, too.

Click to expand...

But where the actual performance is, the Dolmar IMO is the better performer. Granted the 310 isn't a slouch but it's still a pretty heavy midrange saw compared to a light high revving pro saw.

One of the people I cut with has a MS310 he bought about 3 years ago and he likes it, it's a solid saw and has no complaints. On the other hand he said if he were to buy a new saw to replace it he'd get a 346XP NE or Dolmar-5100 because of the weight.

What really matters here is the actual power to the actual weight and in that realm I think the Dolmar has the edge, especially if you're going to run the saw stock.

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The 310 has almost 20% more displacement. The 5100 might achieve higher RPM, but it has to. Anyone ever dyno'd these saws? I think that might tell us a lot more than our conjecture and assertions.

the way to measure a saw is in a time cut and a stihl saw will pick up 15-20 percent on time cuts with ported muffler. that 5100 is tweak out "stock" thats why i beleave the 310 with a little work would be the saw to beat in this "case", but both saws stock the 5100 would win

The 310 has almost 20% more displacement. The 5100 might achieve higher RPM, but it has to. Anyone ever dyno’d these saws? I think that might tell us a lot more than our conjecture and assertions.

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But that displacement comes at a cost of almost 20% more weight as well. I think overall the 5100 is just a better saw than the 310. The 310 is going to have a little more grunt pulling a longer bar but overall I think most people would be more pleased with the 5100.

The specs show that the Dolmar has almost the same power as the 310 and all of the people I've talked to who have run one against a 310 confirm that fact.

This isn't a Dolmar Vs Stihl debate it's a Pro versus Midrange saw debate. The 310 just isn't that spectacular of a saw in the Stihl lineup.

TMonter said:

The 310 has almost 20% more displacement. The 5100 might achieve higher RPM, but it has to. Anyone ever dyno’d these saws? I think that might tell us a lot more than our conjecture and assertions.

Click to expand...

But that displacement comes at a cost of almost 20% more weight as well. I think overall the 5100 is just a better saw than the 310. The 310 is going to have a little more grunt pulling a longer bar but overall I think most people would be more pleased with the 5100.

The specs show that the Dolmar has almost the same power as the 310 and all of the people I've talked to who have run one against a 310 confirm that fact.

This isn't a Dolmar Vs Stihl debate it's a Pro versus Midrange saw debate. The 310 just isn't that spectacular of a saw in the Stihl lineup.

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Meh. . . .

They are not saws of the same class.

Period.

The End.

Ok here's my 0.02$

I bought a 310 last year. I like it. It suits my needs extremely well. Key factor is "my needs". If you are going to be cutting all day, yes you will feel it in your arms since it is heavier. I don't notice it for the amount I'm using it for, 4-5 cords a year. My deciding factor was close service, quality service, the 310 was $50 cheaper than the 5100 and it came with an 18" bar.

And when the warranty is up...I look forward to the muff mod!

As for the 5100, I have nothing bad to say about it. It just wasn't the saw for me so I saved some money.

Let us know what you end up with!

neither! i WOULD GO husquvarna!!

Adirondackwoodburner said:

neither! i WOULD GO husquvarna!!

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One in every crowd! %-P Hahaha. J/K