Should have known better

**orraloon** · 8th February 2007, 10:29 AM

Hi there,
I have done a dumb thing! I purchased a G#C electric chainsaw. I wanted it to cut turning blanks and an electric is less noise for the meighbours than cranking up the petrol saw. They are also not too expensive so off I trot to Bunnies. There were about 5 models in the 16" range and I made my choice due to it being the most robust looking on the shelf. They all looked to have too much plastic in the working parts, like plastic chain tensioning doo-hickies. the one I picked was the last of the older models with a traditional screw chain tensioner. Gave it a try on a 12" log. It cut the wood like it was bread. I am thinking this thing ROCKS! I cut about 6 blanks gave it a wipe down and put it to bed. A few days later I an cutting a few more from the same log and after about 6 cuts the chain stops turning but motor still turning. I take off the bar and clean out the groove and try again. Chain is geting oil so that is not the problem. Chain spins but when cut is started chain stops, must be in the clutch but unlike a petrol saw the clutch can not be got at without taking the whole machine apart. I will be asking a refund.
Well can any of you recomend a good electric chainsaw.

Very glum today,

John

**SPIRIT** · 8th February 2007, 10:37 AM

thats a hedge trimmer get a petrol one
its the same as running a lawn mower playing music how often are you going to use it any way

**BobL** · 8th February 2007, 11:34 AM

I was in a similar position a few weeks back, ie wanted to cut up a few blocks of interesting stuff I had collected in the last year or so . . .

[so dragged out my ancient (35?) year old McCulloch which was absolutely filth and chokka with oily sawdust from it's last use by BIL about 10 years ago. After a quick cleanup and much starter cord pulling it wouldn't start . . ]

. . . . . so [with the excuse to SWMBO of considering the neighbors] I decided to go and look at the new ones at the big green, red and white store. Looked at both the electric and petrol models but was dismayed by the shoddy flimsiness of the offerings. Also went to a real chainsaw store but the $$$ needed for something solid suggested I should revisit the Mac.

[ So . . . spent a hot saturday arvo disassembling and cleaning the old Mac and sharpening the chain. It fired on about the 5th pull and has been churning through stuff since then.]

Spirit is right - it's loud but as long as you don't make too many big all day out events with the petrol ones you should be OK.

**Big Shed** · 8th February 2007, 12:09 PM

I must have got a good one! About three years ago I had a Poulan chainsaw that expired and had a heap of firewood to cut. So offf I trot to Bunnies and found a GMC electric one for $99. Thing has never missed a beat since (touch wood

). I have since bought a 16" Stihl petrol model for cutting in the forest and it does a mighty job, but also cost $659, so a slight difference in price. I still use the GMC electric to cut the 4ft logs I cut in the forest to 1ft logs for the fire, it is lighter and quieter and does a mighty job.

I might add that little tool has cut about 12cube of firewood and various other jobs so far.

Horses for courses.

**MurrayD99** · 8th February 2007, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by BobL

[so dragged out my ancient (35?) year old McCulloch which was absolutely filth and chokka with oily sawdust .............. It fired on about the 5th pull and has been churning through stuff since then.]

Spirit is right - it's loud but as long as you don't make too many big all day out events with the petrol ones you should be OK.

ProMac 700 perhaps. Absolutely ripper.... King of Saws...

**martrix** · 8th February 2007, 02:00 PM

Doh! Definitely get a refund or maybe exchange it and get the Mchulloch. I have been using this on a portable saw mill to slice up 12" Redgum. I've done 2 logs so far and it hasn't missed a beat.

It also has a good manual and I think they still have them for $159.

Do you think you were pushing it?

**derekcohen** · 8th February 2007, 04:21 PM

I have the GMC. It is a 3 HP machine and extremely powerful. So far - over 12 months - it has done all I asked and I cannot say a bad word about it. To date it has cut down trees and sliced up tree trunks, roughed out shapes and crosscut salvage rafters.

If yours is faulty, just send it back.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**orraloon** · 8th February 2007, 08:55 PM

Hi,
Thanks to all for the feedback. perhaps I just got a dud.

Martrix
I may take you're advice on a mac. I had seen you're thread on the mill and it may have planted the idea of an electrec chainsaw. I am well used with the petrol kind as I gather my own firewood. All the electric saws in Bunnies just looked sort of fragile irrespective of brand.

I will report back on developments when I get a refund and try something else.

Not given up yet

John

**buzsaw** · 9th February 2007, 10:45 AM

Hi John,

Sthil also do an electric chainsaw, I have never tried one but the brush cutters and blower vacs are great. I have these sthil producst and am very happy with them.

Cheers,

Buz.

**orraloon** · 10th February 2007, 10:57 PM

Hi,
I took the saw back to Bunnies and they gave me the money back. No drama or questions so no complaint on the service. I had a look at the rest of the range but still think they all have too much plastic in the working parts. Will have to check out some of the more up market brands.

John

**martrix** · 11th February 2007, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by orraloon

Hi,
I took the saw back to Bunnies and they gave me the money back. No drama or questions so no complaint on the service. I had a look at the rest of the range but still think they all have too much plastic in the working parts. Will have to check out some of the more up market brands.

John

Fair enough.
IMHO, its either the Mchulloch, or if you go upmarket......., Husky or Stihl. Dont go in between.

**Iain** · 11th February 2007, 10:25 AM

My Sachs Dolmar is close on 25 years old and still going strong, pretty much bullet proof.
How about the B&D alligator (I think it's called) never tried one but they look interesting
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f41/thats-chainsaw-chainsaw-35598

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