Cordless electric chainsaws?

20 years ago

There are 2 or 3 times per year that I need a chainsaw. Generally I wait until some needs build up and rent one for a day at the end of the year. Besides hating to spend money on renting ($55 / day) there's also the convenience issue of not having it available when I want/need it, having to drive to pickup and dropoff (22 mi round-trip), limited time, etc.

As little as I use one I'm not sure gas is the best option (though I am considering that and a bottle of seafoam). I have numerous long cords, but they can be a pain. Considering the Ryobi 18v from HD ($102 for saw, charger, batts). There are others from Makita, Sawmate, etc, but they're in the $250 and up category. Also thought about cordless recip, but these are $250 and up as well.

Most of what I'm doing involves dwarf ornamental trees and fruit trees. No trunks larger than about 6" ever need to be felled. Most use is limbing live and felled trees.

Any thoughts on the Ryobi? Does it have enough power (slower cutting, but acceptable)? Why no chain break? Push-button oiling a pain?

Thank,

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Comments (7)

hippy
20 years ago
Leave the Ryobi on the shelf. You would be lucky to get $10.00 worth of cutting out of a Ryobi anything.

Have you thought about a Reciprocating saw? You can get a DeWalt DC385K with a 1 hour charger, 18V battery for around $180.00. Using a 9 inch blade a six inch limb should be no problem. Besides using it for limbing. You can use it for tons of other projects around the house.

{{gwi:318356}}
ohmyrakinback
20 years ago
In my own opinion,the only half way decent cordless tool is a drill.Ive tried a few different cordless tools ,and must say Im not impressed with any of them.Run time is short,especially in cold weather.And usually you can buy a whole new tool for what a new battery cost. Ive never used a cordless chainsaw,but Im gonna say it would be useless.To be honest,you would be better off buying a good quality bow saw for about $35.Theres several gas chainsaws that can be bought new for around $100-150.And for all you would be cutting,would probably last you a lifetime.Doug
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castoff
20 years ago
The suggestion by Hippy is a good one providing you will find many other uses for the recipro saw during the year. If not, then I would stay away from cordless because batteries don't last forever and the cost of replacement batteries is a huge bone of contention with all tool users.

If you absolutely want to have a chain saw, then my suggestion would be to buy Stihl's electric chainsaw. It will last you for many, many years. Parts will always be available for it because Stihl is famous for this and you won't have the issues with gasoline that come with a saw using a gas engine.

BTW, my dad owned a Stihl electric chainsaw and loved it.
johndeere_gt275
20 years ago
I use corded recip saw on small limbs, etc when doing firewood, using 12" 6tpi blade. it works well. I prefer a cord, 120v is bigger than any battery voltage... :-)
polkapete
20 years ago
Hi, JSF!
My good fortune is that I have a 12 volt Makita cordless chain saw, a Sears "Professional" reciprocating saw, and a Sears "EX" or whatever it is 19.2 volt reciprocating saw and use them for attacking the forest. I would suspect that the Sears EX could do what you need, Sears sells the best pruning blades, they have an extra long one. These saws have done a lot of work, the "Professional" one is on its second set of batteries and is about shot. The batteries give out about the same time I do, so the system has worked well for me. The Sears EX does just fine pruning trees. The best part is that it was under $100 and works just fine. One caution -- when the tool gets warm to the touch, it's time to give it a rest. That way you will have long life from cheap tools. Good luck with your cutting.
lather
18 years ago
Borrowed the neighbor's Ryobi. Fully charged cut down a 60 foot 8" pine. Then cut off branches and cut it into 6-10 foot lengths. Then the battery died. Recharged about 6 hours. Then cut about 20 saplings and knocked off their branches. Recharged then next day cut about 20 more saplings and 4 dead trees. This weekend I'll take it up in my larger trees and cut off some overhanging limbs. I wouldn't do that with my 18" husqi. I love this thing. I can't think of another tool to beat the convenience of having a super lightweight chainsaw I can use at a moments notice! I'm even thinking about buying one so the neighbor can have his back.
scaly
18 years ago
I have gas and electric chain saws as well as a sears reciprocating 120V saw. I have a limb cutting blade on the reciprocating saw. The only tree I cut with it is the 4" Christmas tree trunk and I'm not very impressed.
So I would not recommend the reciprocating saw. I'm not very impressed with the electric chainsaw eigther. I use it occasionally if I have a few small things to cut and don't want to fire up the gas one. But for what you're doing it will probably be ok.
Gas powered chainsaw is the best. More power, faster blade speed quicker cuts.