Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 23
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default CHORDLESS CHAINSAWS? Any suggestions?

    Advice and comments sought on a CHORDLESS CHAINSAWS.

    You comments based on personal experience would be greatly appreciated. It will for cutting very dense woods up to about to 250 mm diam. (not firewood). Most are very pricey I see.


    The Stihl MSA 160 T (light small quiet & powerful) looks good ... as does a Dewalt and Makita.



    Thanks Euge

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    The only one I have used is the Stihl you refer to above.
    They use a teeny weeny chain and they do fair rip through wood.
    In hard wood you will have to sharpen often - I'm talking about after every battery change.
    Battery wise the saw I was using had the 180 battery and the claimed 40 minutes operating time was never achieved (maybe when light pruning) and I only ever got about half that .
    If you are working in really hard wood I'd be getting the 300 battery.

    At the same time I used the electric I was also using a MS211 with a carving bar and the same tiny chain and have to say the 160T matched the MS211 for most cuts.
    Because of its light weight I would have loved to keep using the 160 but unfortunately I had to use a saw continuously for many hours a day carving so had to use the 211.
    Back to milling at last
    Very sore arms and shoulders by the end of the day.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Thanks Bob, that's just the sort of info I was hoping for.

    The Stihl 160 seems to have plenty of oomph … The narrow 6 mm chain would use less power cut quicker and for longer. But I guess the downside is that it may require more frequent sharpening, maybe its shouldn't matter .. except chain length may. Re sharpening after every battery charge is unappealing but may be typical of all of them. Stihl are specialists in chainsaws, and Ive only ever bought and used them in past (all petrol ones).


    One guy complained of chain oil leaks (something I experienced with a petrol model but I blame myself for that).

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Nsw
    Age
    64
    Posts
    1,357

    Default

    I just bought the 36volt Makita one as I have plenty of their batteries already. Haven’t taken it out of the box yet but reviews are impressive
    i was prompted to buy it as I just went away camping with a mate who had the 18v Milwaukee one and I was impressed at how well it went easily cutting 200diameter dry logs for firewood.

    Personally I would go Makita, Milwaukee etc as it opens up the opportunity of many other power tools once you have the batteries whereas you are limited with the Stihl for options

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Euge View Post
    But I guess the downside is that it may require more frequent sharpening, maybe its shouldn't matter .. except chain length may. Re sharpening after every battery charge is unappealing but may be typical of all of them.
    Could you get a carbide chain for it?

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    Could you get a carbide chain for it?
    Never heard of carbide tipped chainsaw chains

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Beardy View Post
    I just bought the 36volt Makita one as I have plenty of their batteries already. Haven’t taken it out of the box yet but reviews are impressive
    i was prompted to buy it as I just went away camping with a mate who had the 18v Milwaukee one and I was impressed at how well it went easily cutting 200diameter dry logs for firewood.

    Personally I would go Makita, Milwaukee etc as it opens up the opportunity of many other power tools once you have the batteries whereas you are limited with the Stihl for options
    Thanks Beardy,

    Your experience and suggestions / reasons for the Makita (who also make fine electric tools) are good ones.
    Reviews are good for Makita .... but Milwaukee or Dewalt?
    Most makes offer other tools you can run off same batteries.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Thanks mate

    Yes, they do exist ... maybe not for the small, thin chain of the 160.T .. but I will inquire after I have decided.
    I'm not in a hurry... just exploring options presently.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    193

    Default

    This vid might be of interest

    YouTube

  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Sth. Island, Oz.
    Age
    64
    Posts
    754

    Default

    In cordless c/saws, there's Stihl's MSA200, & then there's the rest. Stihl's brushless saw is extremely well-designed, powerful (in comparison to cordless alternatives) & has a specially designed bar & chain setup specific to that saw to extract max benefit. As a package, Stihl's little saw is for all intents & purposes unmatched.

    I've used 36v Bosch versions for many years, and tried Milwaukee's & DeWalt's latest offerings. Get the Stihl.

    As far as I'm aware, Wolfram Carbide tipped chains are only available in st'd 3/8" Picco configuration: i.e. for larger gasoline powered saws. The Wolfram in the tips will effectively preclude not only domestic (owner) chain maintenance & sharpening, but the majority of commercial sharpening agencies too. It requires specialist, expensive diamond impregnated sharpening discs to restore the requisite 30 degree edge in the teeth.

    Also, Wolfram/Tungsten is notoriously hard & at times brittle too, meaning that it's just about as intolerant of stone/s dirt etc. as conventional vanadium steel teeth will be. Just much more difficult & expensive to maintain at any long-term modicum of true sharpness.

    I'd recommend getting at least AP300 batteries for the saw, being a reasonable 6.0 AH capacity. Better still, maybe a pair or so of AP300S's which @ 7.2 AH will offer that little longer charge life between battery exchange/recharge.
    Sycophant to nobody!

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ratbag View Post
    In cordless c/saws, there's Stihl's MSA200, & then there's the rest. Stihl's brushless saw is extremely well-designed, powerful (in comparison to cordless alternatives) & has a specially designed bar & chain setup specific to that saw to extract max benefit. As a package, Stihl's little saw is for all intents & purposes unmatched.

    I've used 36v Bosch versions for many years, and tried Milwaukee's & DeWalt's latest offerings. Get the Stihl.

    As far as I'm aware, Wolfram Carbide tipped chains are only available in st'd 3/8" Picco configuration: i.e. for larger gasoline powered saws. The Wolfram in the tips will effectively preclude not only domestic (owner) chain maintenance & sharpening, but the majority of commercial sharpening agencies too. It requires specialist, expensive diamond impregnated sharpening discs to restore the requisite 30 degree edge in the teeth.

    Also, Wolfram/Tungsten is notoriously hard & at times brittle too, meaning that it's just about as intolerant of stone/s dirt etc. as conventional vanadium steel teeth will be. Just much more difficult & expensive to maintain at any long-term modicum of true sharpness.

    I'd recommend getting at least AP300 batteries for the saw, being a reasonable 6.0 AH capacity. Better still, maybe a pair or so of AP300S's which @ 7.2 AH will offer that little longer charge life between battery exchange/recharge.
    Thanks Ratbag,

    What a great definitive and strong comments about type, model and chain..... and based on hands on experience! But I have no doubt its a top saw.
    BUT this top of the range Stihl is probably more than I need, and so the price of $850-$900 probably not easily justified. A smaller lighter model would do.
    In all cases its the batteries & charger that seem to represent half the cost. That's the way it is with Li-ion batteries.

    Any comments on the smaller Stihl 160 T?

    Thanks again, Euge

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Nsw
    Age
    64
    Posts
    1,357

    Default

    Euge this is the saw I bought and a comparison to give you some perspective to petrol saws
    I already have two stihl saws but the ease of battery is appealing at times
    Makita know a bit about chainsaws, they bought out the German saw company Poulan and rebadged them for their own.
    You can buy the twin battery 36 volt Makita skin for just over $300 so they are pretty cheap if you are already set up with batteries

    YouTube

  15. #14
    Mobyturns's Avatar
    Mobyturns is offline In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    "Brownsville" Nth QLD
    Age
    66
    Posts
    4,413

    Default

    "Chordless" chainsaws, you mean you can get ones that stay in tune or play chords?

    I want a John Paul James model!
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Warragul Vic
    Posts
    1,093

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mobyturns View Post
    "Chordless" chainsaws, you mean you can get ones that stay in tune or play chords?

    I want a John Paul James model!
    Yes, I noticed that but decided to leave it ... then, once posted it cant be changed anyway ... as an occassional strummer I kinda like the error, and couldn' live with a chordless model.

    I wonder what key they are tuned to?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Chainsaws
    By Charl in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 8th January 2014, 10:09 PM
  2. Chainsaws
    By pmcgee in forum ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE TOOLS
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 15th September 2012, 07:04 PM
  3. Chainsaws
    By Black Cat in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORK
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 18th June 2009, 06:44 AM
  4. Chainsaws
    By DarrylF in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 17th April 2007, 07:00 PM
  5. Chainsaws
    By Gordon Steele in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 24th May 2000, 09:15 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •