Anyone use an electric chainsaw?

[gamc]

I have a 14" Ryobi now that I am a town dweller. Cut my teeth on Poulan then Sachs Dolmar on the farm
The little Ryobi amazed me for light occasional work it cuts like a bas****.
Great for limbing cutting ls timbers etc.

 

[joshb]

I got one for Christmas from a cousin in Texas. I always looked down on them and it sat on the shelf until one day I couldn’t get my Stihl started. Well....was I dumbstruck! It kept going....and going...... Got the limbs cut up and that saw still had juice. Now it’s the first one I grab!

 

[ebb]

Dusty is right if you just need to cut already split wood the miter saw is best. A chain saw cuts a 1/4 or 5/16s kerf, the miter saw cuts an 1/8 or less with one of the thin kerf blades. way easier and faster with the narrower kerf.

 

[jpx2rk]

Thanks for all the replies. I tried using my 10" Miter saw yesterday, and it worked well on the smaller stuff, but most of the wood is too thick/large for it, hence me looking at an electric saw. I can split the big stuff again, but that's another one of those labor intensive jobs (no power splitter). Don't want the maintenance and related issues with the 2 stroke versions. This would only be used on the firewood project, and maybe some small trees. I don't have any large shade trees on my property.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The cheap Remington 14" chain saw was bought in 2008. I needed something I could remote control (plug/unplug) and not be too heavy. I had to replace the oil bulb, bought 2 lost one already. It still runs fine.
I need a gas saw around the house but if you don't and don't want to worry about Li-ion battery life (3 to 5 years) get an electric. Might be slower but if within range of an nice heavy extension cord or a generator it should work. Get an extra chain and learn to sharpen them.
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After a hurricane I sharpen chains in the evening

If you are going to accumulate various battery powered tools, pick a brand, voltage, and stick with it.
I was given a complete set of Ryobi Plus one tools, including a light and radio that was tossed out by a contractor.
I then continued to build on that. Watching for sales, and ebay over the years.
Even built a 20 amp/hr 20volt pack to use out in the swamp. Wear it on a belt or lay on ground.

 

[wkdickinson]

My son recently purchased a DeWALT 60V FLEXVOLT w/16" bar. He's used it quite a bit and really likes it. One of the nice things about the "FLEXVOLT" system is that you can use your 60V batteries on 20V tools and get 3X the battery life. He and I both have DeWALT 60V circular saws, so we have plenty of batteries and chargers.

 

[Joe Maisto]

You might consider using a bandsaw.

A fine choice , and certainly much safer than anything else.

 

[1K6BRA]

Had an electric one but did not want to put an overload on the electric grid system for all those people out there charging their electric cars, stepped up to plate and bought this one.

 

[MikeT124]

Bought a 110Volt AC Homelite 16" about 12 - 15 years ago from Home Depot. Never had any issue with it uses lots of chain oil. Had to sharpen the chain a couple of times. Use it mainly for trimming but have cut down about a dozen trees of various size with it cuts very well plenty of power. Not sure they are being made anymore. Model is UT43122. Very happy with it.

Mike

 

[jpx2rk]

Bought a 110Volt AC Homelite 16" about 12 - 15 years ago from Home Depot. Never had any issue with it uses lots of chain oil. Had to sharpen the chain a couple of times. Use it mainly for trimming but have cut down about a dozen trees of various size with it cuts very well plenty of power. Not sure they are being made anymore. Model is UT43122. Very happy with it.

Mike

Found a lightly used Homelite 16" model UT43123 this morning, all of the paint/markings on the bar was still on, the teeth felt sharp to my finger tip. Build time frame was early 2020 based on markings I found inside one of the covers. It started spinning the chain when I tried at the sellers house, even had the owners manual. LOL

 

[TrapperBR549]

I don't think it matters. I'd avoid battery unless I need the portability because I've got too many different batteries and chargers now. Battery does work briefly with the power lines down but so does gasoline. I did find that keeping a dozen chains in the rotation and not trying to drive a short dull chain with a fractional horse electric was worth the nuisance value.

On the advice of a good friend that runs a saw far more than I ever hope I have to I purchased one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Pferd-17304Pferd-Chain-Sharp-Filing/dp/B0046VN5Z6/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.6b029eb3-7d41-4744-b45d-69fe835e098d%3Aamzn1.sym.6b029eb3-7d41-4744-b45d-69fe835e098d&crid=3E2OA6N0VGNDK&cv_ct_cx=chainsaw+file&keywords=chainsaw+file&pd_rd_i=B0046VN5Z6&pd_rd_r=874cc32b-31f7-4be7-8a82-6828f5baacaf&pd_rd_w=ObHDv&pd_rd_wg=Kr9TC&pf_rd_p=6b029eb3-7d41-4744-b45d-69fe835e098d&pf_rd_r=B5DVTXP9T1A1EZVZABKC&qid=1666207677&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1LjI1IiwicXNhIjoiNC42OCIsInFzcCI6IjQuNDcifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=chainsaw+file%2Caps%2C124&sr=1-3-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons&psc=1

He said to use it every tank of gas. After a very small bit of practice I can sharpen a chain almost as fast as I can take an old one off and put a new one on. Not to mention the time and expense to get them sharpened after I remove them.
I purchased another to fit the Ryobi electric my wife likes to use and it made a huge difference as well.

Also, the sharpener I linked to is worthless without a vise hold the saw so make sure you have one that will work where you will be doing the sharpening.

 

[rr2030]

I decided to hold off on the electric chainsaw. Waiting for the autonomous chainsaw.

 

[ebb]

Time for a bigger miter box

 

[john 800]

I have the smallest 20v dewalt they make amd It works very well for the small occasional stuff I use ot for. Unless you are using it alot and want some feature of one manufacturer I would suggest using something that uses batteries you already have if you have any

 

[NorCalMikie]

Just picked up a Saker 4" Mini Electric (one handed) Chain Saw with an extra battery pack. Perfect for liming my fruit trees. Curious how long the battery packs will last.
Got a Ryobi 4 stroke gas poll trimmer attachment for the high stuff and a bush trimmer. Don't get used much but fire up every time.
Only thing about battery powered tools is the battery life. Cordless drill battery packs don't seem to last very long and replacement batteries usually cost more than the drill motor alone.

 

[SEM]

for some unknown reason electric and battery powered saws go through bar oil at twice the rate of gas saws, I have had electric saws that lasted me 20 years and some only a year, NEVER loan them out they always come back ready to break the next time you use it. My eldest son has broken lost or flat destroyed more of my tools than anyone or any thing can, I sold off the gas saws after I bought a Ryobi 40v same battery I use for weed trimmer and blower. I would not use it or any chain saw for what you are needing to do way to hard to control and real hard on blades cutting seasoned hard wood chews up blades. Some one else suggested a chop saw only if you make a half fence so you wont bind in the cut. A band saw would work better

 

[SEM]

Just picked up a Saker 4" Mini Electric (one handed) Chain Saw with an extra battery pack. Perfect for liming my fruit trees. Curious how long the battery packs will last.
Got a Ryobi 4 stroke gas poll trimmer attachment for the high stuff and a bush trimmer. Don't get used much but fire up every time.
Only thing about battery powered tools is the battery life. Cordless drill battery packs don't seem to last very long and replacement batteries usually cost more than the drill motor alone.

Mike, I chickened out buying the mini saws, To concerned about the battery issue from past experience. I just bought the Makita 18v 10" saw (have lots of the 18v tools too, havent used it yet) thinking it could not weigh that much... Hah... I may just cut the peach trees off at the ground problem solved!! Think I could of bought and replace several mini saws for what the Makita cost with out battery... Let me know how it does pruning please, I am getting to slow at dodging falling trimmings thought a small one handed saw would allow the other hand to deflect or control, it did not feel that heavy in the box.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Neighbor cuts up pallets for the backyard fire with a circular saw(plug in).

 

[Wrkm45]

I've been using a ONEVAN 6" portable chainsaw. It's reliable, has good battery life, and provides enough power for most of my cutting tasks. Plus, it's relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver.

 

[hogpatrol]

I'm tired of fighting my temperamental Stihl, damn thing only starts when it wants to. I am looking at the larger Makita rechargeable. Bought the Makita rechargeable weed eater last year and have had no problems with it. A plus is they will both use the same batteries.

I'm on my third coil in two Stihls. PITA changing them all the time but that's usually the fix to a hard starter.