Customer Reviews

Makita DCS510-18 Commercial Grade 18-Inch 50cc 2-Stroke 3.2 HP Gas-Powered Chain Saw

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This saw is made by Dolmar Sachs in Germany.It is a detuned version of Dolmars 5100 Saw that has become a favorite of pros. the saw has a chrome cylinder great anti vibration system.it also meets 300 hr emission standards.this saw has a great power to weight ratio and will cut cut as fast as any other premium saw on the market.the chain that comes with it cuts Ok.I replaced the chain with a full chisel woodland pro chain (9.95 At Baileys forestry supply)and the saw cut much better.

I was looking for a saw that approached the quality of a professional-level machine, since it became evident as I attempted to clean up after Hurricane Ike that my small gas and electric homeowner saws were not up to the task. I selected the DCS510-18 because it was avaiable through Prime, touted its low vibration and high power-to-weight ratio, and it was branded by Makita. I knew the quality of their products, but wasn't aware of Makita making non-electric power tools. I gambled to an extent that they would not tarnish their brand by selling subpar products, even if manufactured by others.

The saw lives up to the power and vibration promises, and is almost elegant in its appearance, like one would picture a chainsaw made by BMW. I found that German elegance was not a false impression in the very useful first review written for this saw. I'm writing my own review as much to praise that first reviewer for the very useful information he provided as to address the quality of the Makita chainsaw. He identified the actual manufacturer and model number, and provided some very useful suggestions - which I have followed - to optimize the saw's operation.

I've had two Makita DCS 510s, the second replacing the first when it was returned under warranty, for about a year now. I really, really regret the purchase. When it runs it is a good saw, but neither starts/started without a lot of frustration. I have acreage to maintain, and I need reliable tools. This doesn't fit the bill. I've had Stihls, Echos, and Husvarnas, and had good luck with them all. I'd recommend you look to one of those first for a new saw. I only went with this saw because of Makita's good reputation and the competitive pricing. I guess the value isn't there this time.

There are a couple of positive reviews of this saw that chalk the starting problems mentioned in this and other reviews up to operator error. I have two responses to that. (1) The instructions are simple enough that even I can follow them to the letter. And occasionally I do get the sputter on the second or third pull, and then the saw works as advertised. But if I have to pull a fourth time, the saw is flooded and will not start. At least not until the plug and cylinder are totally dried out. It's that touchy, and that's unacceptable. (2) I have many 2-cycle tools, and have owned many more over the years. I have never had trouble with one of them like this. Even if it is operator error, the heck with it. Makita/Dolmar's competitors produce tools that start reliably every time, even for a knuckle-dragger like me. It's 1920's technology - the steps to start it should be engage choke, pull cord a few times, dis-engage choke, possibly restart it again if it died before you could get the choke off, and then go get some work done. And that's basically all it is with this saw, except that more than half the time, it won't start. And this is my second Makita DCS510 to have this problem.

I recommend you look to another saw manufacturer, even if you have to pay more.

Kudos to Amazon, though. If you're going to get a bad saw, Amazon's a good retailer to do it with.

Dan

I was looking for a medium duty chainsaw similar in quality to the other two name brand European saws. Makita bought Dolmar in 1991, and the saw is still "Made in Germany" -- as listed right on the label. Dolmar invented the gas chainsaw in 1927. It is a quality product, well made with an elegant appearance. In all aspects an identical twin of the Dolmar PS-510 -- except in the Makita trademark color. The saw runs well, but like all chainsaws, needs to be setup correctly, and maintained that way. You also need to know how to start and operate a two-stroke engine -- one review in this section gives it a "one star" because it is supposedly hard to start. Not really, it starts like any other two stroke engine, and it's temperamental and susceptible to flooding just like any other two stroke -- and once flooded, you can spend a half hour or a day, but it won't start until you dry out the plug.

The drill is simple, but must be followed, and when done correctly, it will start on the first or second "ignition on" pull. Make sure you're on the choke position when cold, follow the directions on the pulls until you hear it trying to start. Once. Once only. Then, STOP IMMEDIATELY, and switch to "on," give it another pull, and it starts. That simple. Absolutely. But, if you keep trying to crank on choke, and it will flood. You then you either wait a few hours, or you clean the plug -- just like on your old Kawasaki 750 triple. Sachs has been making engines for 100 years -- they know how to build a two stroke and what a two stroke should run like. Also, don't mess with the carb adjustments unless you know what you're doing. This saw has enough features/adjustments for the pro, but if you follow the directions, anyone can use it.

Two nitpicks: (1) Make sure the plug wire is seated when you set the machine up -- mine wasn't, but something you should do when you check over the saw before starting the first time. (2) The Makita manual refers to a decompression button -- which the saw does not have -- the German version manual makes no mention of this button, so don't keep looking for one; you can use the rest of the cold start procedure fine without one. Just skip the button part.

Otherwise, great saw -- fantastic acceleration and RPMs to cut through oak -- crosscuts and rip cuts -- which is what I've been using it for. Five stars -- all quality!

Makita DCS 510-18 very hard starting, or simply will not start. This problem right out of the box. Continues yet today, 4 months after purchase in late Dec 2009

Started only twice so far. 1st time took 30 minutes, 2nd time about 15 minutes until my arm was sore. This time no start after 30 minutes. Very poor selection. My old Homelite 360 started on 2nd pull every time for 30 years, and finally just gave up after several hundred cords of wood. The Makita is a very poor piece of equipment. Very frustrating, and poor service connections..

I've had the DCS510 since March 2010 and have used it for total of less than 4 hours of runtime. Recently pulled it out to saw up a fallen poplar tree and noticed that it wasn't oiling the chain even though the reservoir was full. I checked the instructions and cleaned the port and bar groove as directed. Still no oil. Eventually I resorted to stopping peridically to oil by hand.
Unlike other reviewers I have not had any problems with starting the saw. I follow the instructions and it fires right up after a few pulls - never more than 6 or 7. I can't say that the saw's cutting performance is anything to brag about although, admittedly, I do not have a lot of experience. Wish now I had purchased the larger Makita.

There are plenty of people out there that will tell you this saw starts easily and then they will quote you directions on how to start a 2 stroke.

Thanks. I have plenty of 2-stroke motors in my garage that start just fine and the 1 that came with this saw simply sucks.

Regurgitation of the user manual is all fine and good if the saw "tries to start". If it never does (mine has done it once since I've owned it for 5 months), you're stuck with a flooded and useless saw.

My guess is that there are saws sent out by Dolmar/Makita that "try to start" on the 2nd or 3rd pull every time and then there are the few that never work this way, like mine.

You might get lucky. You might not.

My husband had a Homelite for many years, but it finally died. We had gotten a Poulan to replace it, thinking it was a fairly common namebrand, but found the saw was not that great. After about a year it completely died, so we started researching something different. I saw all 4-5 star ratings on this saw and thought it was an option. When I showed my husband the info, he said "I didn't know Makita made chainsaws" (a comment that has become repetative with all of his buddies that see and hear about his new Makita saw). Seeing all the excellent reviews and looking into other brands, we decided on this saw. It was a little pricier than I had intended to spend, but those reviews hooked me in! We have since had multiple trees taken down in the yard (8 on the last run) and he was excited about how well it worked and how easy it made his task of cutting up these trees. He has helped some of his friends cut trees in their yards, and they have also been impressed with the saw's performance. I waited awhile to write the review to make sure that I still felt positive about it, and I still do after almost a year. Bottom Line: I HIGHLY reccommend this saw for anyone who needs a chainsaw for more than a few cuts here and there. Definitely able to handle a decent size workload!

I have operated a Makita DCS-510 for two years now & in my opinion it is one of the best 50cc chainsaw on the market even comparing to Stihl & Husqvarna. I own two houses & we burn thru 3-4 cords of firewood a year for each house, so needless to say I use my chainsaws alot. I have Stihl MS-660R, MS460R, MS361, Husqvarna 262xp & Makita DCS-510 in my arsenal & this little DCS-510 is my favorite 50cc saw.

Makita is the parent company that owns Dolmar which is the oldest chainsaw manufacture in the world ! DCS-510 is the same exact saw as the Dolmar PS-510 which is red/black, needless to say it is a top notch quality saw built on a time proven platform.

If anyone is having trouble starting this saw then you are not operating it correctly !! It's a 2-stroke ! So as soon as you hear the slightest "burp/sputter" with the choke in "full" position, flip that switch over to "run" immediately & keep on pulling otherwise you risk flooding the carburetor. This saw almost always starts within 3-4 pulls for me & I've never had a situation where it takes more than 6 pulls.

The "chain" was very dissapointing!! Makita supplied the saw w/ a very low quality, low kick-back type of chain that didn't last me 10 fire logs before becoming dull. To make the matter worse, it is a 64 link (.050 gauge x 3/8 pitch) while most 18" chain on the market has 66 links. Consequently, a standard 18" chain off the shelf won't work on this saw if you ever need a replacement chain.

My suggestion is take the original bar to your local Stihl dealer & have them cut you a couple high quality Stihl chain which are made out of tempered Swiss steel, Stihl is famous for their saw chains & lots of professionals rely on their durability & ability to hold it's "edge".

After acquired 3x 64 link custom cut Stihl chains($51 is all), this little Makita is transformed into a screaming, merciless cutting machine ! While I use my big Stihl's for falling big trees & bucking logs, I always grab the Makita for cutting logs into firewood size. I find myself picking up this Makita more often than my Stihl MS361 because the Makita is lighter & easier to manuver but it's only a little bit slower.

I would definately buy another DCS-510 if this one ever wears out. It is a highly functional & reliable little saw built w/ German craftsmanship backed by German engineering & you get a lot of saw for the money.

Don't let the hard starting reviews discourage you from buying one. By not pulling more than 2x in the full choke mode you won't flood the carbureter & starting it will be the same as any other chainsaw.

Word to the wise: "Do Not" follow manufactur suggested fuel to oil ratio of 50:1 for the following reason. Our latest EPA compliant gasoline now has higher concentration of ethanol than ever. Consequently 50:1 no longer provide sufficient lubrication. I mix exactly 3.1 oz of 2-cycle oil per gallon of gasoline which yield a 42:1 mixture. You may have to change out the spark plug ($2 part) after 40 hrs instead of 50hrs due to a more oily fuel, but the cylinder & piston will last much longer from the additional lubrication.

I had a chance to use this chainsaw for the first time last week on a trail building project in the Chuckanut mountains, south of Bellingham, Wa. Purchased fuel, mixed, and fueled saw. Started up very quickly, as I would hope for a brand new saw. Used two fuel tanks through the day's work, generally fallen fir, cedar, and maple, between 3" and 20" diameter. Always started right up, predictable behavior when cutting, plenty of power with the 20" bar and chain. I could bog it down in larger logs, but could easily moderate the cut rate for ideal engine speed. Well balanced, vibration control is great. On/off/choke lever just slightly hard to operate with my chosen gloves, generic leather work gloves that were wet, a better glove would likely improve lever access. Chain tension easily adjusted, and held firm. Fuel and oil caps easy to access, air filter element easy to service. Overall very pleased with the tool, satisfied with purchase, and would recommend.