Cordless chainsaws

[pelletman]

Anyone have opinions? It would be homeowner use and light commercial property cleanup. I have Milwaukee M12 and M18 stuff already, but I don't really see the value in spending $400 on a saw. Ryobis seem to look good, and my dad already has a bunch of their tools, so that might be a fit and I think the direction I am leaning in. Your thoughts are appreciated.


Chain saw, chainsaw

 

[jimreed2160]

I have had an Ego lawnmower for years and it is very durable, so I bought an Ego chainsaw. I have used it for light tree work around the house and am impressed. Sure beats smelling gas all the time. This thing has way more power than I do because the battery has never given out during a session.

 

[Fbmoose48]

The Echo 58V is more than decent for around the house. I upgraded from a 40V Ryobi

 

[454ragtop]

I picked up the Ryobi 40 volt a few months ago, really like it. Perfect for clean ups and limbing, mine got a real workout when a tree fell on my house a month or so ago. Found that the battery discharges somewhat quickly when cutting logs bigger than the length of the bar, but it will do it. Really shines on the 6" and smaller stuff, chain sharpness is critical, if you don't know how to use a file to touch up a chain, learn, it's not hard. Really nice to pick up the saw, squeeze the switch, make a cut, stop in dead quiet, do something else, repeat a couple minutes later. Scored a second battery and charger on CL and a weed whacker for dirt on Ebay ( found the saw on Ebay as well). Into the whole shooting match for about $250.

 

[Stinger]

From my experience, chainsaws should all be electric. They characteristics of an electric motor (high tq at zero/low rpm) fit a chainsaw WAY better than a little 2 stroke engine (high rpm/low tq). Even the $30 cord style electric ones cut WAY better than you'd think they would.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I just sold my Husqvarna gas equipment and picked up the M18 trimmer/blower promo deal. I can't believe I didn't switch sooner. It's just homeowner use for me and helping out friends and family, so it won't see unusually heavy use.

I plan on getting the M18 chainsaw when it's released in July. It's $399 for the kit, and the 12.0ah battery is $199 on it's own. I can use that battery in other tools, especially the OPE stuff, so I don't feel like I'm spending $399 on just the saw. I only cut up the occasional tree for firewood or if a tree falls on my property or my father's yard, so I'm not worried about long runtime. And not having to fuss with another engine for the few times I use a saw each year is a big plus for me.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I cant imagine the Milwaukee will stay at retail for long once the initial "gotta have it" phase is over, I can see discounts coming on the bare tool if your not in a hurry, YMMV

 

[American Locomotive]

I just sold my Husqvarna gas equipment and picked up the M18 trimmer/blower promo deal. I can't believe I didn't switch sooner. It's just homeowner use for me and helping out friends and family, so it won't see unusually heavy use.

I plan on getting the M18 chainsaw when it's released in July. It's $399 for the kit, and the 12.0ah battery is $199 on it's own. I can use that battery in other tools, especially the OPE stuff, so I don't feel like I'm spending $399 on just the saw. I only cut up the occasional tree for firewood or if a tree falls on my property or my father's yard, so I'm not worried about long runtime. And not having to fuss with another engine for the few times I use a saw each year is a big plus for me.

Do keep in mind that M18 chainsaw is 40% heavier than comparable gasoline powered saws, and around 25% heavier than Stihl's battery saws.

 

[finn]

The local Stihl/Husqvarna dealer has a large, prominent display of Oregon battery saws right next to the pro model Stihl and Husky saws.

Based on the floor space allocated to the battery saws, he expects them to be popular for homeowners.

 

[nh_yota]

If you just need a saw for pruning limbs you can use a cordless sawzall with a pruning blade like I do. It works fine for anything under 3" or so and when the blade gets dull you buy another one for $3, plus you can use the saw for lots of other tasks. I use mine for cutting up roots as well because chainsaws shouldn't cut through dirt.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

I have the green Ryobi, it does ok, I was actually happy with it when I just had it and the Poulan 38cc gasser. I got the Stihl Farm Boss Labor Day of 2017 it starts so easy and spins so fast that the Ryobi gets used less and less. I would totally invest in something like this alligator lopper if Ryobi made a battery one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do keep in mind that M18 chainsaw is 40% heavier than comparable gasoline powered saws, and around 25% heavier than Stihl's battery saws.

With or without batteries ?

 

[850xpeps]

I just picked up a makita 12” one. Little heavier than I thought but it’s not bad. Seems to work well so far. $349 cad for the tool with a free dual charger and 2 - 3ah batteries.

 

[Technikal]

I recently picked up the 40v 14" brushless Ryobi. It works better than I expected. I've only used it for cutting small trees and branches - but it zips right through them. I'm using the 2.4ah battery from my weedeater and the battery seems to last well.

The had the bare tool on sale a couple of weeks ago for $85, At that price I couldn't resist. Unfortunately it looks like they are back to the regular price now.

 

[shoeless]

If you just need a saw for pruning limbs you can use a cordless sawzall with a pruning blade like I do. It works fine for anything under 3" or so and when the blade gets dull you buy another one for $3, plus you can use the saw for lots of other tasks. I use mine for cutting up roots as well because chainsaws shouldn't cut through dirt.

I've cut down several 6" or so trees (some might of been closer to 8") down using my M18 sawzall and a 12" Diablo pruning blade. Just have to be careful not to pinch the blade or it will get bent. I've been meaning to get the chainsaw out, but I've got my work cutout for me as my dad filled the fuel tank with bar lube by accident. It was quicker to just use the sawzall.

 

[jsaw]

If you just need a saw for pruning limbs you can use a cordless sawzall with a pruning blade like I do. It works fine for anything under 3" or so and when the blade gets dull you buy another one for $3, plus you can use the saw for lots of other tasks. I use mine for cutting up roots as well because chainsaws shouldn't cut through dirt.

Agree, would rather use a reciprocating saw. .might not cut as fast, but way less maintainence, and no worries about hitting dirt

 

[Monte]

Husky

 

[Bretny]

If your wanting to use existing batterys from a m18 or ryobi kit i would just use a pruning blade in a reciprocating saw like mentioned above. Its going to be real tough to get any battery life out of a 18v battery pulling a chain through 10in of wet wood.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I like my sawzall, I climb with it, but the LiXPt Husky smokes it in every way. As the high end electric, probably out of the price range, but if I were a tree guy, I'd buy one for sure.
Thats the only battery saw I've got to use so far.
The Milwaukee saw offers some of the most worthless specs I've ever seen(the details, not the numbers), but on paper it looks almost as heavy as my 80CC gasser.

 

[kythri]

I haven't cut anything bigger than around 4" or so, but my old blue Ryobi 18V chainsaw works great, and works better than a pruning blade in my reciprocating saws.

It would chew through the original ni-cad batteries in no time at all, but the 4.0aH Lithium+ stuff wakes it up nicely.

 

[nh_yota]

I've cut down several 6" or so trees (some might of been closer to 8") down using my M18 sawzall and a 12" Diablo pruning blade. Just have to be careful not to pinch the blade or it will get bent. I've been meaning to get the chainsaw out, but I've got my work cutout for me as my dad filled the fuel tank with bar lube by accident. It was quicker to just use the sawzall.

Yeah I've cut limbs larger than 3" with my cordless sawzall but the efficiency drops off a bit once you get past 3-4" diameter so it takes a while to cut through something large.

I can operate my cordless sawzall easily with only one hand vs. the two hands needed for a chainsaw, but often you need the free hand to hold the limb still while you cut, so it's a wash. The downside of using a sawzall/reciprocating saw is that it reciprocates and will just shake the limb instead of cutting it if the limb is not held stationary, whereas a chain saw will just cut right through it.

 

[Bob P1]

One thing I noticed about electric the blade stays sharper longer, not sure if it is coincidence or what...

 

[American Locomotive]

With or without batteries ?

With

 

[pelletman]

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate being woken up to the diablo pruning blades. I am going to go that route for now

 

[Shaners256]

Get the new Milwaukee one when it launches in July

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate being woken up to the diablo pruning blades. I am going to go that route for now

I was way happier with the carbide tooth ones than the bowsaw blade style.

 

[bob15]

From my experience, chainsaws should all be electric. They characteristics of an electric motor (high tq at zero/low rpm) fit a chainsaw WAY better than a little 2 stroke engine (high rpm/low tq). Even the $30 cord style electric ones cut WAY better than you'd think they would.

So, how big an electric motor is needed to pull that chain on the long bar saw? And yes that saw gets used....last time cutting up a 42" red oak tree.

Electric saws might have their place for some homeowners, but a blanket statement that all chainsaws should be electric is way off base.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

From my experience, chainsaws should all be electric. They characteristics of an electric motor (high tq at zero/low rpm) fit a chainsaw WAY better than a little 2 stroke engine (high rpm/low tq). Even the $30 cord style electric ones cut WAY better than you'd think they would.

I got a cheap corded one and think it is a great option. Inexpensive and every time you pull the trigger it goes. Also much quieter which I like. I have never tried a cordless unit but my concern with them is run time.

 

[outdated]

Being a hopeless romantic, I got the missus a chainsaw for her birthday... Stihl MSA160T cordless, I think they are 36V. It is the smallest/lightest cordless saw available at the time and comparable to simlar 2-stroke arborists saws.

I figured it was going to be a bit of a toy but I am seriously impressed with it, it performs WAY beyond expectations. For branch lopping and small tree felling on my 2 acre block it is my first choice simply due to the fantastic ease of use, lack of noise, exhaust fumes and so on. I got the smallest capacity (lightest) battery and it's surprising how long the charge lasts, as it only draws when it's actually cutting.

Obviously for felling decent sized trees there is no product large enough (yet) but I do wonder about how a large chainsaw utilising the backpack battery system would work. I think it might be surprisingly good! I agree with the previous comment that the *nature* of the electric motor works very well, maximum torque at low revs. The overall weight/capacity of present-tech (including the cumbersome nature and possible safety hazards of a backpack/wires) might make it impractical for large units at this stage but I'd say it's coming.

 

[straps57]

So, how big an electric motor is needed to pull that chain on the long bar saw? And yes that saw gets used....last time cutting up a 42" red oak tree.

Electric saws might have their place for some homeowners, but a blanket statement that all chainsaws should be electric is way off base.

Sorry to derail but check out Buckin Billy Ray on Youtube. He loves those saws.

 

[Davefr]

For quick jobs they're great. Pop in a battery, cut a few limbs and you're done.

However they're relatively slow with lots of vibration. For more then a few minutes work I much prefer a good professional gas chainsaw.

 

[toplessHO]

So, how big an electric motor is needed to pull that chain on the long bar saw? And yes that saw gets used....last time cutting up a 42" red oak tree.

Electric saws might have their place for some homeowners, but a blanket statement that all chainsaws should be electric is way off base.

someones showing their age showing off Mac chain saws....
I once had a Mac 91 go kart engine on a mini bike.
Nothing would beat it 0-60. Still have a 14 inch gasser and 16 inch plug in

 

[upgrading]

A thread from many years ago would not be relevant to todays cordless chainsaw offerings

Buckin Billy Ray still does have a great channel though.