Cheap saw for homeowner/DIY

[Darkslider]

I received my solo 646 this week, running a 15" bar and chain. if I'm perfectly honest, I paid £169 and it's not a mile away of being on par with my 346xp 46cc! I'm very impressed with the saw I got especially for how little it cost.

 

I will certainly look into other, professional grade solo saws for the future! I for one am fed up with poor build, quality, longevities of stihls and husqvarna chainsaws.

 

That sounds really promising! Where did you manage to find it for £169, I'm jealous as I'm not sure the 18" bar and a few freebies are worth the extra £20 I've paid for the ebay one.

 

I would imagine yours cuts pretty handy with the smaller bar on. How does the rest of the saw feel, does it seem decent quality like it'll last well? Keep us updated on how you get on with it

[steve7962]

That sounds really promising! Where did you manage to find it for £169, I'm jealous as I'm not sure the 18" bar and a few freebies are worth the extra £20 I've paid for the ebay one.

 

I would imagine yours cuts pretty handy with the smaller bar on. How does the rest of the saw feel, does it seem decent quality like it'll last well? Keep us updated on how you get on with it

 

Was on eBay last week, last one in stock from "mower market", came with loads of bits and bobs.

 

Yeah I guess it does, though I run my saws on smaller bars anyhow, wouldn't dream putting a 18" on a saw this small. Not as lively as a 550 husky, but she'll do the job of living beside the chipper. There's a few bits that don't seem particularly great, choke for example, but it's hugely better in my eyes compared to a ms171! And for £169 I wish I bought 2, they're pretty much through away saws. Let's see how long she'll last.

[shavey]

thats a good deal you had there keep us updated plenty of photo's good luck with your purchase and its got the ko95 bar mounts so you can use so many different bars

[TGB]

Good luck with your saw. Let us know how you get on with it.

[Darkslider]

Yeah I guess it does, though I run my saws on smaller bars anyhow, wouldn't dream putting a 18" on a saw this small. Not as lively as a 550 husky, but she'll do the job of living beside the chipper.

 

Yeah I thought as much but as it was 18" or nothing I didn't really have a choice. I'll see how I get on with it, if it does feel like it's really lacking in power then I'll just make sure to give the bar and chain a hard time and replace them with a smaller combo when they're worn out. Good to know I won't struggle for spares, hopefully drive sprockets etc will be easy to come by as well.

[Darkslider]

Well got my 646 yesterday.

 

 

Came with everything in the box, good quality bag and gloves, Oregon bar and chain, 1ltr Solo chain oil and 100ml Solo 2T oil, spray cleaner, tool kit, mixing bottle and manuals/certificates etc. Basically everything you need for your first day's use minus the fuel.

 

Haven't assembled it yet but had a quick look at everything and it all looks like solid, well put together kit. The saw feels sturdy and chunky without being too heavy, even the freebies feel good quality so that's a result. Have got a lot of cross cutting and a windblown tree to sort out this weekend so will be able to give a better idea of what it's really like then.

 

All in all it looks to be ok, a couple of things disappointed me a bit though. First is the switching system, I was hoping for a single multi switch like Stihl use, but this has a separate on/off switch, choke and half throttle button. The on off switch is fine but the choke knob and half throttle button feel a bit flimsy and they're both quite exposed, so we'll see how long they last.

 

The chain brake lever also doesn't feel has solid as the Stihl saws I've used. It looks a bit cheaply made compared to the rest of the saw, everything else is really nicely finished but this has a cheap look about it, like it's a lesser quality moulding. It's also not quite as positive as a Stihl, I would've preferred a definite 'clunk' on and off of the brake but it the engagement on this one feels a bit softer and a tiny bit vague. It could be the handle pivot is binding slightly as it's brand new maybe and it'll bed in a bit with use, but we'll see how I'm getting on.

 

Maybe I'm not being fair comparing apples to apples as all the Stihl saws I've used have been £4-500 jobs and this was a fraction of that price, but those are the only two things I'd change about this saw if I could so on balance I'm really happy with it. Just thought I'd be completely fair in case anyone else is thinking of picking one up.

[Cuttup]

Darkslider

 

Looks like a good deal. There will be no 'I told you so' form me! I think its good that people are prepared to try other brands, I'm a bit too cautious. Hopefully it will be up to the standard you require.

[steve7962]

Well got my 646 yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Came with everything in the box, good quality bag and gloves, Oregon bar and chain, 1ltr Solo chain oil and 100ml Solo 2T oil, spray cleaner, tool kit, mixing bottle and manuals/certificates etc. Basically everything you need for your first day's use minus the fuel.

 

 

 

Haven't assembled it yet but had a quick look at everything and it all looks like solid, well put together kit. The saw feels sturdy and chunky without being too heavy, even the freebies feel good quality so that's a result. Have got a lot of cross cutting and a windblown tree to sort out this weekend so will be able to give a better idea of what it's really like then.

 

 

 

All in all it looks to be ok, a couple of things disappointed me a bit though. First is the switching system, I was hoping for a single multi switch like Stihl use, but this has a separate on/off switch, choke and half throttle button. The on off switch is fine but the choke knob and half throttle button feel a bit flimsy and they're both quite exposed, so we'll see how long they last.

 

 

 

The chain brake lever also doesn't feel has solid as the Stihl saws I've used. It looks a bit cheaply made compared to the rest of the saw, everything else is really nicely finished but this has a cheap look about it, like it's a lesser quality moulding. It's also not quite as positive as a Stihl, I would've preferred a definite 'clunk' on and off of the brake but it the engagement on this one feels a bit softer and a tiny bit vague. It could be the handle pivot is binding slightly as it's brand new maybe and it'll bed in a bit with use, but we'll see how I'm getting on.

 

 

 

Maybe I'm not being fair comparing apples to apples as all the Stihl saws I've used have been £4-500 jobs and this was a fraction of that price, but those are the only two things I'd change about this saw if I could so on balance I'm really happy with it. Just thought I'd be completely fair in case anyone else is thinking of picking one up.

 

 

You have the same thoughts about the same things as I do, iffy choke and vague chainbrake, but for the money it's still a winner

[Darkslider]

Well I thought I'd update this thread as I've had a bit of bad luck.

 

One year on and only a few weeks out of warranty (if I had any) I managed to drag a small log back into the dog teeth while cross cutting on a pile of timber. Was only a small knock so I was surprised that it smashed a hole in the front of the (plastic!) oil tank.

 

 

If I'd realised the oil tank was only a single skin of brittle plastic I would've reinforced it with a metal plate. Disappointing from what is a £400 saw at RRP, a Stihl or Husky at that money would have an alloy/magnesium casing which would have stood up to an impact a bit better. Though I've had it for a year I've only used it for maybe 6-8 firewood sessions so I'm gutted

 

So does anyone have any suggestions as to how I go about sorting this? Finding Solo parts online is near impossible, translating the Solo by Alko german page just directs me to my local dealer but as I got the saw off Ebay I doubt many would be that keen on helping me, plus it looks like the tank is part of the entire underneath casing so it might not even be replaceable, or it could end up being a huge job. Any Solo dealers feel like commenting as to parts availability?

 

If it looks like I have to try and repair it how would I do best going about it? Any repair I do would have to incorporate an alloy bashguard to stop it happening again, I know there's a few wizards on here that have brought smashed up saws back from the dead, do I need chemical metal/jb weld or something else?

Edited December 13, 2015 by Darkslider

[dirtybiker]

Well I thought I'd update this thread as I've had a bit of bad luck.

 

One year on and only a few weeks out of warranty (if I had any) I managed to drag a small log back into the dog teeth while cross cutting on a pile of timber. Was only a small knock so I was surprised that it smashed a hole in the front of the (plastic!) oil tank.

 

 

If I'd realised the oil tank was only a single skin of brittle plastic I would've reinforced it with a metal plate. Disappointing from what is a £400 saw at RRP, a Stihl or Husky at that money would have an alloy/magnesium casing which would have stood up to an impact a bit better. Though I've had it for a year I've only used it for maybe 6-8 firewood sessions so I'm gutted

 

So does anyone have any suggestions as to how I go about sorting this? Finding Solo parts online is near impossible, translating the Solo by Alko german page just directs me to my local dealer but as I got the saw off Ebay I doubt many would be that keen on helping me, plus it looks like the tank is part of the entire underneath casing so it might not even be replaceable, or it could end up being a huge job. Any Solo dealers feel like commenting as to parts availability?

 

If it looks like I have to try and repair it how would I do best going about it? Any repair I do would have to incorporate an alloy bashguard to stop it happening again, I know there's a few wizards on here that have brought smashed up saws back from the dead, do I need chemical metal/jb weld or something else?

How about a bit of 22 gauge aluminium bent and pop riveted onto the oil tank sealed underneath with something like 'petropatch' (a fuel tank sealer) or JB weld or good old epoxy, making sure you fill the pop rivet heads up too. It's only the oil tank so much thicker liquid than fuel and less likely to seep out. A small leak of chainsaw oil on a saw only used now and again isn't an issue! IMHO