Thread: Battery Chainsaws

Never used them, but on talking to shop about them, they advised the battery doesn't last long. I too was thinking of that one off cut here and there whilst travelling, the battery would probably do the job. But then I thought, if I didn't want to be heard, then perhaps I shouldn't be doing it in the first place

The run time of 35 minutes on the Stihl is for northern hemisphere softer woods - I expect it would only be 2/3rd of that for Aussie hardwoods.
If you are using it in town why not use a corded model?

Originally Posted by BobL

The run time of 35 minutes on the Stihl is for northern hemisphere softer woods - I expect it would only be 2/3rd of that for Aussie hardwoods.
If you are using it in town why not use a corded model?

I have several corded ones at home, no place to plug in out on the road. Keeping the gas one in the car is also stinky.

I have considered making a battery of 100 1.2 volt NiCad cells for the 120 volt corded one. The AC - DC motors like DC power.

50 x 5 x 12 Volt Sub-C 1500 mAh NiCd Batteries in a Pack (ideal for battery pack assembly)

Originally Posted by Paul39

I have several corded ones at home, no place to plug in out on the road. . . . .

You didn't mention a need to use them on the road you said.

. . . . . I would like to be more discreet than using my Stihl 029 on a Sunday morning in town.

Originally Posted by BobL

You didn't mention a need to use them on the road you said....

actually he did in the previous sentence

Originally Posted by Paul39

... Sometimes there are chunks beside the road that are a bit much for a bow saw...

I have several corded ones at home, no place to plug in out on the road. Keeping the gas one in the car is also stinky.

I have considered making a battery of 100 1.2 volt NiCad cells for the 120 volt corded one. The AC - DC motors like DC power.

may not be the answer you're seeking, but whats wrong with using an axe? No need for any other power source as you're it.

cheers,
Dean.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

actually he did in the previous sentence

Blind as a bat SWMBO says often, I do need new glasses, I only have one lens that half works, might see if the local footy club needs an ump.

Originally Posted by spray-tech

may not be the answer you're seeking, but whats wrong with using an axe? No need for any other power source as you're it.

cheers,
Dean.

Unlike these guys: http://images.nationalgeographic.com...49_600x450.jpg

I'm not man enough to use an ax.

The bow saw is more efficient. I may stick with that. The expensive Swedish blades are amazing.

Originally Posted by BobL

Blind as a bat SWMBO says often, I do need new glasses, I only have one lens that half works, might see if the local footy club needs an ump.

Feel free to umpire the next West Coast Eagles game Bob L, they need the help
back on topic, I was invited to a Stihl open day and played with their new one. As Bob said they are tested and designed around softwoods. But I will say I wouldn't mind one in the Cruiser when out four wheel driving or camping. I reckon I would only need 20 minutes to get a tree off the track

I bought it: Ryobi One+ 18-Volt Cordless Lithium-ion Chainsaw-P543 at The Home Depot

Charged the battery and off around the neighborhood. When I turned it on I was impressed with how quiet it was, and appalled at how slow the chain ran. First cut was about a 5 inch fresh walnut, about 40 seconds.

If I tried to cut something without having the branch against the body of the saw the bar bounced around and would not start a cut. If I put the body of the saw against the timber and cut it did fine.

I stopped at four piles of wood and cut up about half of the pieces to 4 - 6 feet long. Just before the car (Kia Pride Hatchback) was full to the top the saw just quit cutting. No slowing down, just quit.

I was about used up, 29 deg. C out, car was down on the springs, & saw battery used up. It all came out even.

I came home put the battery in the charger, had some water and a rest, unloaded the car and grabbed the charged battery and finished up the last pile.

There is a double size battery available, and a bunch of other drills, saws, etc. that work with this battery and charger system.

I think if I come up to a 16 inch log on the side of the road it will cut two pieces off with the small battery.

I had looked at this one also: Amazon.com: Black & Decker CCS818 18-Volt Cordless Electric Chain Saw: Patio, Lawn & Garden

It had an 8 inch bar and an 8 hour charger.

The Ryobi and B & D were the only ones in town I could hold in my hand.

I have a bunch of tree trimming to do from a ladder and I can manage the Ryobi one handed.

It came with a 30 day satisfaction guarantee, and a 3 year warranty. I have not read the fine print yet.

So far I am pleased.

Originally Posted by Paul39

.
.
.
If I tried to cut something without having the branch against the body of the saw the bar bounced around and would not start a cut. If I put the body of the saw against the timber and cut it did fine.
I stopped at four piles of wood and cut up about half of the pieces to 4 - 6 feet long. Just before the car (Kia Pride Hatchback) was full to the top the saw just quit cutting. No slowing down, just quit.

That's what Li Ion batteries do - one minute they're working then they are not.

I was about used up - 29 deg. C out, car was down on the springs, & saw battery used up. It all came out even.

Low temperatures are tough on batteries as it does not enable the chemical reactions to take place at the usual rate.
It will be interesting to see how much cutting you will be able to do in summer.

So far I am pleased.

For $119 you can't really go wrong.
The trick will be keeping the chain sharp and the rakers set correctly.
Most chainsaws brought to me to look at because "it's not cutting like it used to" are because the rakers are set too high. The usual gauges provided by the manufacturers are overcautious because they are worried about kickback but those in the know can keep the chain cutting until the cutter teeth are almost filed away. This is a whole afternoon's discussion for another time.

BTW it's OK for electric saws to rev slowly as this is where they have their max torque. This is also potentially dangerous because it means that unlike petrol powered saws they will not stall when they strike chainsaw chaps and they will chew straight thru them. Well, maybe not the battery powered saw but the corded ones do.

29c is about 84.2f

oops did not see the - sorry.

Originally Posted by Pagie

29c is about 84.2f

oops did not see the - sorry.

I was about used up - 29 deg. C out, car was down on the springs, & saw battery used up. It all came out even.

I used a - when I shoulda used a comma. It was 84 deg. F or 29 Deg. C.

I used to visit an upcountry thai village. Logging has been banned in Thailand since 1998 I think.
There is still a black market thing happening.
One evening in the outskirts of the village two guys roll up next door with a 240 volt homebuilt electric chain saw. they climbed up to the steeet wires on a bamboo ladder and used big car jumper style dog clips to connect to the street wires.
They then proceeded to cut down a tree in the neighboring property. Very quiet. The crudest machine. Obviously no chain brake.
They also showed me a 12 volt version that they ran off a car battery.
Their engineering skills where better than their logging skils as the tree fell and got hung up on another tree. They just climbed up on the bamboo ladder and jumped when the tree got un hung.
The cheeky buggers had unbeknownst to me connected after my meter. So I paid for the power they used.
Maybe you should have a crack at making your own. Or get 12v to 240 volt inverter for your car and plug in a 240 volt electric chainsaw on a long lead?
Regards Whitworth