Used Dolmar 7900 price

[newman7786]

I found a used Dolmar 7900 on CL not too far from me he is asking 500 for it I went to look at it today. The saw is clean and in good condition. He told me that he won it at a charity raffle two years ago and has only put 10 hour on it since he got it (has a Husky saw too). Did a compression test and it was just under 120psi on an average of 3 tests .The muffler has a spot that is worn through, almost like the chain came loose and fied a spot through. He doesnt know how that happened though. He doesnt really know anything about the Dolmar saws and says it is too big for what he cuts. He is currently running an 18 inch bar on it. The saw starts and runs great. My only concerns are 1) Does the hole in the muffler have any affect on how the saw would run? 2) Does running a short bar on a saw that big have any down sides? 3) $500 too much in this case? Thanks in advance for any replies.
PS-I didnt buy the saw until I did some more research

 

[smokinj]

500 Not bad. Hole in the muffler no problem. Shorter the better on bar length. If it cuts stong its a pretty good deal. 120psi seems low but don't always trust the gauge. Run It!

 

[blades]

Thats a pro saw, I have a pair of them , $500 good price

 

[Wildo]

I bought a new 6400 for just over $600 with tax yesterday. $500 sounds like a great deal on a 7900. If you need a muffler I already replaced my cat muffler with a non-cat oem muffler and will sell it for $35 plus shipping. Oh btw these saws rip!

 

[newman7786]

Well I guess I will have to go back and talk with him. I am looking for a saw that could easily handle a 24 inch bar. Thanks for the opinions

 

[blades]

24" on the 7900 no problem , I have a 24 on one and a 32 on the other, 32 is about max for the oiler. The last 7900 purchased a couple years ago at a close out ran me 700 including taxes and the 24" bar, figured that was a decent deal. I do not remember the other but it was close to that 10 years ago, power head only.

 

[TreePointer]

If it has an extra hole in the muffler (like a muff mod) and the carburetor weren't adjusted to compensate for this, the saw may have been running a on the lean side. Take a set of torx drivers (T25 or T27, can't remember) with you to pull the muffler and inspect the piston.

Short bar on that saw will be extra short because the dogs are big. If you don't like that, add the cost of a new bar & chain to your total.

If he doesn't have one, take a test log with you to make some cuts.

 

[newman7786]

A hole like this on the outside? I couldn't take a piece of test wood to cut because unfortunately I had the wife's car.

 

[DodgyNomad]

That looks like he had the chain to loose when running it, came off and nicked the muffler. Shouldn't hurt a thing.

Great saws, price is fair, that compression is a bit low for the hours he's mentioned, but could be your tester. I think closer to 170 is what these have when new, just as reference.

 

[TreePointer]

It's difficult to determine from the picture, but I've seen some muff mods that look similar. Take a Dremel with a cutoff disc and make a slit or two. Next you pull on the opening with pliers or pry it open with a flathead screwdriver.

 

[Firewood Bandit]

If it has an extra hole in the muffler (like a muff mod) and the carburetor weren't adjusted to compensate for this, the saw may have been running a on the lean side. Take a set of torx drivers (T25 or T27, can't remember) with you to pull the muffler and inspect the piston.

Short bar on that saw will be extra short because the dogs are big. If you don't like that, add the cost of a new bar & chain to your total.

If he doesn't have one, take a test log with you to make some cuts.

Pulling the muffler and Inspection of the P/C is the only way to tell what you have.

 

[newman7786]

Unfortunately I wont have the chance to look at it, the saw sold. Looks like i will have to keep checking my local HD for a Makita....

 

[Wildo]

There was a Dolmar 7910 for $700 with a quarter tank through it on AS yesterday.

 

[Jags]

Unfortunately I wont have the chance to look at it, the saw sold. Looks like i will have to keep checking my local HD for a Makita....

That may have been a blessing in disguise. Isn't anyone else concerned with 120 PSI?? That sounds half wore out to me.

 

[isipwater]

That may have been a blessing in disguise. Isn't anyone else concerned with 120 PSI?? That sounds half wore out to me.

Yes, should be at min 150, right? Also, I have heard these saws can be had for around $250 used from Home Depot Rentals.

 

[Jags]

I would think so. I am not sure you will get a 7900 for $250. That is more in line with the used 6400.

 

[isipwater]

I would think so. I am not sure you will get a 7900 for $250. That is more in line with the used 6400.

Thanks for the correction. That is true.

 

[dougand3]

I am not sure you will get a 7900 for $250. That is more in line with the used 6400.

Yes, our HD rentals sells Makita 6421 for $260-$270 - when they decide to sell.

 

[Mischa Shashumshkavich]

i've been vacillating between getting a DOLMAR 6400 with 20'' & 24'' bar and local support/repair for $699 or a MAKITA DCS6421 through my workplace with just a 20'' bar for $597 .... or waiting for the off chance home depot rental sale, (which may be beat to hell,people tend to treat stuff they don't own differently than when they own it)..... It's been about 3 weeks now and i cannot make a decision..i am leaning towards the DOLMAR w/2 bars and support, and if i need parts, i can order from makita thru my job.....has anyone ever tried using makita parts on a dolmar? i'm thinking they should be compatible.....should

 

[TreePointer]

...and if i need parts, i can order from makita thru my job.....has anyone ever tried using makita parts on a dolmar? i'm thinking they should be compatible.....should

Makita owns Dolmar. Makita chainsaws are made by Dolmar. Makita chainsaw parts ARE Dolmar parts.

The difference you will see is that the case/covers have a different color scheme.

 

[mstoelton]

i've been vacillating between getting a DOLMAR 6400 with 20'' & 24'' bar and local support/repair for $699 or a MAKITA DCS6421 through my workplace with just a 20'' bar for $597 .... or waiting for the off chance home depot rental sale, (which may be beat to hell,people tend to treat stuff they don't own differently than when they own it)..... It's been about 3 weeks now and i cannot make a decision..i am leaning towards the DOLMAR w/2 bars and support, and if i need parts, i can order from makita thru my job.....has anyone ever tried using makita parts on a dolmar? i'm thinking they should be compatible.....should

If you get the Makita 6421 from HD and find that the saw is damaged or needs an upgraded piston/cylinder set, you can get a big bore 85 cc replacement cylinder/piston set for ~$130 and then you have a monster saw on your hands for less than $500.

I have 2 of the HD Makita's and they are awesome saws. As indicated above the Makita saws are Dolmar saws. Parts are interchangeable. The Makita 6421 and the Dolmar 6400 are the same saw with different colored outer cases. The 6421/6400 and 7900 saws only have different cylinder and piston so you can upgrade the 6400/6421 to a 7900 by changing cylinder and piston. Go with the HD saw if you can find one in good shape. you won't be sorry.

If you go talk to the rental folks and tell them what you are looking for they can look at an online list and tell you in your state where one might be for sale. The list is revised at the beginning of each month. Monday or Tuesday afternoon would be the time to talk with them when they are slow. Don't go ask them to look this up for you on a Saturday morning.

Note: I found both of my Makita saws by just calling the home depot stores around me.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Well I guess I will have to go back and talk with him. I am looking for a saw that could easily handle a 24 inch bar. Thanks for the opinions

That saw could easily handle a 32" bar

 

[TreePointer]

Yep, I run a 32 and a 24 on my 79cc Dol/kita. Lots of folks keep a 28 incher on theirs.

 

[Mischa Shashumshkavich]

Well, i am sitting here at home cuz i took a sick day from work, and guess who calls me? Home Depot. They have a used Makita 6421 for $250.....i am heading over there now hoping they will do a comp. test for me, as i do not as of yet own my own tester.....

 

[Mischa Shashumshkavich]

has anyone ever built there own compression tester? they look pretty simple. i have gauges, hoses, and all kinds of connectors where i work.....i feel like i am being pulled into another hobby that i will never escape from!