Makita DCS54021 21" 54cc Gasoline Powered Chain Saw

After reading a glowing review and seeing the price that was being offered for a Makita product. I thought I'd give their chainsaw a try. Their power tools have a pretty good reputation.
What a disappointment! The trigger throttle lock was too sensitive and difficult to manipulate. Would not "set" all the time when trying too initially start the saw. Then once the saw was started when you squeezed the the throttle trigger the engine would "die". Which led me to conclude that the throttle was not "set" properly. I was able to cold start it eventually. But then after a period of use, when I would stop. Refuel and re-oil it, and then try to start up again, the saw was extremely difficult to get started again. With less than an afternoon of usage I finally gave up! Perhaps this particular saw just happened to be a lemon. I use chainsaws quite extensively so I do know how to use them properly.
To Amazon's credit they did refund my money. I am satisfied...Read more

For the last 7 years, I've heated my home 90% with wood and the remaining 10% with gas. I've gone through several chainsaws, including Craftsman and Husky. Last year My 2 year old Husky bit the dust. When I took it in, I learned that it was not really a Husky at all, but a Poulan. And Elecrolux now owns Poulan! He said the "big" Husky's are still made to the same specs as the good old days and are still among the best out there. That said, this mechanic told me about Makita chainsaws made by Dolmar Germany. He said that evey one he's worked on was built like a tank and he rarely saw major malfunctions. By the way, he does not sell saws, so he had no bias in that regard. So I baught a Makita DSC 5401. I must say, this thing is a BEAST. I feel like I'm working with a "real" chainsaw for the first time. It literally blows through the toughest wood in no time. I get a ton of work done in a short amount of time and couldn't be happier. I'll have to report back on the long term...Read more

I have a Makita chainsaw that I bought new almost 6 yrs ago.
I could not have asked for a better saw.I heat with firewood only.I use my Makita every year to cut my firewood.I've never had a problem with my Makita.Just changed the spark plug in it this year for the very first time.Great saw.