CORDLESS CHAIN SAWS (ie electric, not petrol)
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 17:25
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Member - DickyBeach
Couldn't find anything in the archives over the last couple of years so here goes.
I'd be interested to hear your opinions, please, on the merits of cordless chain saws for occasional use in cutting campfire-size firewood for those times when my aching back protests at swinging an axe (or using a bushman's saw).
If someone would also care to recommend a particular make and model that'd be beaut too.
With thanks,
DickyBeach
Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 19:29
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 19:29
Dicky cordless saws are not particually suitable for cutting firewood. They simply dont have the power or run time to cut dry hardwood of a decent size. Although they may have a bar over 200mm, in reality anything over the thickness of your arm they will struggle to cut. I can only imaging when the blade is a little dull & the batteries are older it would be next to useless for anything other than light green pruning.
Here are a few reviews I found that shows there performance.
Logs up to 3" in diameter are not a problem for this Makita although battery drain cutting logs this size or larger, is significant.
Where this cordless Makita really excels is when cutting all those little "garbage" limbs that fall after a storm or, in the case of a treed property, thinning the saplings - which usually sprout up close together and are difficult to access with a larger chainsaw. With it's light weight and 4 and 1/2 inch cutting length, the Makita is perfect for smaller jobs in smaller areas.
200mm cutting chain
The power is more than adequate for 2 to 4 inch diameter cuts. This saw will cut 5, 6, or 7 inch diameter trunks but these cuts take more time and drain the battery faster.
This cordless chain saw did not meet my expectations. The speed of the chain (blade) was far too slow, which resulted in snagging and binding on the log being cut. Also, the "automatic" chain oiler failed to work. NO oil was dispersed to the chain, which will cause the bar and chain to wear prematurly. Also, the battery only had enough power for about 50 cuts through small logs. I returned it.
Short on engine power
Difficulty cutting anything more than 3 inches diameter
Blade dulls quickly
Not enough power to split firewood
Overall, I don't regret the purchase but this is not a substitute for a real chainsaw.
AnswerID:
384371
Reply By: Member - Josh (VIC) - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 19:30
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 19:30
Not sure what you mean by cordless. If it is electric then it has a cord, usually if it doesn't have a cord then it is petrol. If you do mean an electric saw how will you power it when out in the bush, that will be a very long extension lead lol. Personally a petrol one is better. We have a small husky in the tool box on the draw bar of the trailer. I do believe you can buy battery saws but very expensive and does not last long, not really intented for fire wood, Dewalt I think do one. Electric saws are ok but not sure of the power consumption and running then up the bush.
Josh
AnswerID:
384372
Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 21:57
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 21:57
Josh, we had one years ago that hooked up to the battery. Absolutly usless. It broke.
FollowupID:
652305
Reply By: Ianw - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 19:49
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 19:49
This subject was covered not too long ago. See threads 64054
and 63876
Ian
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Mudripper - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 20:34
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 20:34
A nice sharp axe/hatchet will do good.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 20:55
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 20:55
Nonsense, a small (30-35cc) petrol chainsaw will cut wood at least 10 times quicker than axe, with a lot less effort; even if you are Jack O'Toole.
FollowupID:
652152
Follow Up By: Mudripper - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 16:14
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 16:14
I wouldn't have posted this reply if DickyBeach was referring to a petrol chainsaw.
FollowupID:
652213
Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 20:14
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 20:14
Yeah, fair point.
I got caught up in the value of a modestly priced petrol one.
Sorry,
Jim.
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652282
Follow Up By: Mudripper - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 21:33
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 21:33
Yeah look, if I was DickyBeach I would definitely go with a petrol one, like one of those cheap Talon jobbies from Bunnings.
I personally recommend Stihl (no affiliation, just bloody good products.) I used to use an electric chainsaw (Crap and Decker I call it) and being thoroughly disappointed I went and bought a Stihl MS 180C. I now own three Stihl chainsaws - that says something. OK they do come with a price tag, but you get what you pay for. Huskies are not too bad, but horrid to work on (I service and repair small engines). Like what Crackles said above, the electric ones are just disappointing, so an axe would be better hehehehe =).
Transportation may be an issue (petrol fumes, etc) but carry cases are available which also allow storage for other chainsaw related parts. You'd have carry a small amount of fuel mix and bar lube (another PITA) but it only takes 1 min to refuel a chainsaw. How many hours does it take to recharge a cordless? And how long will it last? Hmmm....
So yeah, go with a petrol one and that will beat the hell out of an electric c/s and an axe combined!
Cheers.
FollowupID:
652300
Reply By: Road Warrior - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 21:13
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 21:13
I would imagine that a cordless/battery operated chainsaw would cease to be effective once you put it under load.
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Follow Up By: Ianw - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 00:10
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 00:10
See threads 64054
and 63876
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Reply By: Member - DickyBeach - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 05:33
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 05:33
Thank you all for your replies, the reference to a previous post (that didn't pop up in my archives search) was also helpful.
After weighing the pros and cons I'll spend a couple of hundred and see what help I can give my 70 year old back.
In 6-9 months, after our FNQ trip, I'll post my impressions.
Cheers,
DB
AnswerID:
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Reply By: DIO - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 09:33
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 09:33
Have a look at this
LINK there's even a video of it running.
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Reply By: Member - Mary W NW VIC - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 18:34
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 18:34
If you carry a generator there is an alternative.
My honda EU2 happily runs a Talon electric Chainsaw from Bunnings at $98 on specail -Has a 15" bar and really surprised me with performance.I've always used a Stihl for my smaller firewood and pruning tasks.Now find it less hassle to just load the genny drive near to task and plug in the saw.It's also much quieter!.
Cheers,
Mary
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384501