Thread: Makita Chainsaws....

Originally Posted by crash

A mate of mine use to have a mower / chainsaw shop. Use to sell Olemac and Solo chainsaws. Then just before he shut up shop he was selling Makita, and bought a 70cc saw for himself. His advice to me was - they make a couple of smaller "chinese" saws which you need to avoid. The 70cc and up are an all aluminium case, and have a decompression switch for easier starting and a few other unique features. This will be my next saw purchase, they appear to be of very good value.

All the pro Makitas saws have a mag case, the cheapy home owner spec saws use an aluminium case.
Some of the cheaper saws are assembled in China in a Makita factory but their cases, etc are made in Germany.

Re bar oil, Caltex is good and cheap.
Don't buy from Bunnings, et al, it's insanely expensive.
Support your local saw shop, or in the case of Caltex, buy from a distributor.
Last 20l drum cost under $70.

Shhhhhhh rick don't tell every one how good the dolkita saws are or every one will want one.

What are the smaller/cheaper Makitas like?


Looking to get a small/compact saw (30-40cc) for camping. Had a 011 Stihl.....it broke.....

A question if I may, off the original topic. I have an older Makita/Dolmar saw that needs a new barrel and piston. Can anyone recommend a reliable parts supplier?
I've also got a bigger Dolmar 6000i which I love. Heaps of grunt.
Don.

Don, depends on the model, some of the older saws are hard to get barrels for now.

If it only has a small amount of aluminium pickup and isn't scored badly, you can remove it (carefully) with hydrchloic acid and cotton buds.
P
Pistons for some models can still be sourced.
I used to source most of my major Dolmar parts from a supplier in the US but he doesn't do internet orders anymore apparently...

Hi Kev
How do you charge it when away from mains power?

Thanks Rick. It was getting hot, and difficult to start after refuelling, so I took it to the local bloke who looked in to it after taking the carby off. Said it was scored and therefore stuffed. He looked extremely disappointed when I gathered up all the bits and left. I'll try you remedy. It was a handy saw.
Don.