Thread: Electric chainsaws

Originally Posted by oldiephred

Ever consider a Sawzall type saw? They have many uses that chain saws don't have and IMHO are safer.

Yes, Oldiephred, I have several reciprocating saws. Good for cutting up to the depth of their stroke, usually just a few inches, but out of their depth on a twelve inch log....

I've been intending to replace my el cheapo Talon electric CS for some time. It's been limping along for a long time now, but just won't die completely.... In anticipation that this would happen sooner than later, some time back I did some research (e.g. on arborist sites and the like) on the best electrics and concluded from what I read that the best were in order:

1. Stihl
2. Husky
3. Makita

The prices for 1 & 2 are about three to four times that of 3 from Bunnings, but I'm not sure if they are three to four times better.

Guess that is partly why I'm limping along with the old Talon, which has become very good value for the money after all the work it has now done....

.....

Originally Posted by oldiephred

Ever consider a Sawzall type saw? They have many uses that chain saws don't have and IMHO are safer.

Yes, but not for cutting all the way through large logs in one pass. The stroke is too short to clear the gullets, similar to deficiencies of scroll saws vs band saws. To use the Sawzall on large logs, I dock the log in a DIY sawbuck ( https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/cha...visited-47976/ ), and rotate it frequently so that it takes only a small bite at a time.

My Sawzall (Black & Decker) has variable speed, so it's a little safer. It also cuts a narrower kerf than a chain saw FWIW.

Back on topic, I've destroyed a few electric chain saws, mostly by forcing them beyond their capacities. Most of them were garage-sale orphans, so there wasn't much financial heartache. I recently acquired some new HomeLite electrics - more than one, to allow marathon sharpening; they offered a veteran's discount. I can't find the manual at the moment, so I don't know if there's an Australian version. But it's my favorite so far. It uses a lot of oil, which helps it to cut. And it has a better bar tension system than all the others.

Cheers,
Joe