Sachs dolmar 123 equivalent

[edd01]

Hi, 

I was given a 1982 sachs dolmar 123 about 8 years ago and it is by far the best chainsaw i have ever used. I've tended to use smaller stihls 171, 260, 280s or husqvarna 440s. All the others have died but the dolmar kept going up until about three weeks ago, somehow i got the mix wrong and sealed the piston to the block. I am kicking myself to be honest, then i killed the husqvarna 20 minutes later not realising what i had done.

 

i've looked on ebay for another piston etc but they are up to £200 and the picture doesn't quite match the inside design of the chainsaw, I can buy other chainsaws but i cant guarantee the condition on such an old saw.

 

Is there a modern day equivalent of  a sachs dolmar type? Where  i live there is no gas or oil, but i can get free mostly knotty wood and it does require some serious grunt to get through sometimes. I have to chop up 8 tons of wood a year to keep warm etc etc. So powerful 70cc upwards is what im used to.

 

Thanks!

[Steve Bullman]

You need to speak to @shavey hes a Dolmar dealer.

[edd01]

ah thanks very much 

[Dan Maynard]

The old Dolmars are heavy, long stroke so masses of torque, most saws nowadays have gone for faster revving but less torque.

If you can find a secondhand Stihl 461 that's a good saw, otherwise shavey may sort you a Dolmar 7910/Makita 7900 depending on your colour preference, or various online dealers do Makita. Sachs corp sold Dolmar to Makita in the 90s so the pro saws are still made in the same factory in Hamburg, to be honest they haven't modernised the same as Stihl and Husqvarna.

I would suggest that's better value for money than a cylinder for the 123 because other spares are in short supply too so it's becoming a bit of a collector's saw rather than one to rely on.

In your shoes I'd probably go 7910.

[Conor Wright]

Before buying a new saw it might be a good idea to check out why so many saws have died on you. Good 2 stroke oil and accurate measuring is important and can make the difference between a saw lasting a lifetime and being scrap in a year. Proper sharpening reduces stress on the engine, anti vibe mounts etc too.

Alternatively you could use aspen fuel as it is more suited to being left in the tank for longer.

You won't find a new saw built as strongly as your old dolmar.

I'd consider echo or dolmar/makita as better occasional use saws than stihl or husky. The newer professional saws seem to require constant use. They don't like being left on the shelf too long! The homeowner stihls and huskies are not much better than other made in China generic saws imo.

[edd01]

as i said i got the mix wrong, for the first time in 15 years or almost no mix in this case.

 

I don't keep fuel in cans for long i tend to be a heavy user when i get into the summer months then replace next year.

good to know the new saws require more frequent use. I would rather keep a dolmar going, i'm not using it every day, started on the second pull every time. 

[bmp01]

This one is out of stock sadly

 

https://www.dlastore.com/e_store/cylinder-kit-for-dolmar-123-309-47mm-123130000-by-tecomec.html

 

But it might be worth contacting supplier, see if there are any plans for more.

 

 

[bmp01]

Worth seeing if the cylinder can be cleaned up (often possible). Finding a piston on its own will be easier or there might be pistons from other saws that can be made to fit.

 

[edd01]

yes tecomec i think are italian or at least a lot of their stuff come from there. its all over ebay for all sorts of prices, apparently we are struggling to match up with whats in the chainsaw 

[SimonHS]

45 minutes ago, bmp01 said:

Worth seeing if the cylinder can be cleaned up (often possible). Finding a piston on its own will be easier or there might be pistons from other saws that can be made to fit.

 

I would definitely do this. Take it apart and see what the situation is.

 

In my 'junk' pile I have at least one 123 that I am planning to resurrect.  There may be two, but I can't remember if the other is a 120.  I also have two old Sachs Dolmar cut-off disc saws that may have the same engine in them.  I can't remember what cc engine they are though, or what condition the pistons and cylinders are in.  I would be willing to part with bits from one of the cut-off saws, if they are the right size and useable.

 

If you want to retire your saw and get something else I would recommend a Husqvarna 372XP or the more modern 572XP, but you are looking at lots of ££££££££££s.