Electric Chain Saws?

[CatTwentyTwo]

I've been kicking around the idea of getting one of these saws and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with them? I have a nice Stihl gas saw but it is heavy and really overkill for light pruning work around the house so I'm thinking one of these would come in handy. The biggest tree or limbs that it would be used on would be around 4-5 inches, anything bigger I would go ahead and get the gas saw out. Our local hardware store has a 12" Poulan, a 16" Remington and an 18" Craftsman in stock, I really liked the Poulan due to it's smaller bar and light weight but know nothing of the brand. Does anybody know if this is a good brand or are there other saws with 12" bars that I also should be looking at? Any thoughts or experiences with the electric saws in general would also be appreciated.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

Personally,I don't like electrics,had one can't remember what kind,but dragging the cord out,getting more cord that can handle a longer run,was just to much hassle for me.
I have a good husquvarna saw,and a cheap wally world saw. The cheapo saw is the one I use for light trimming,and roots/junk cutting as it's a cheap-disposable saw. But that's just me.
Happy cutting!
Grub

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I had a 12" Remington. I felt a lot safer using it when on a ladder trimming branches. Light and easy to handle. And if it was dropped or thrown and broke, no biggie - right around 50 bucks.

 

[matt167]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I have a 14" Earthwise that came from Aldi food stores. It has the power but the cord does suck, but it only cost $25 so for the limited use it gets, i dont mind.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I've used a cheap 12" electric chain saw for at least 15 years. Just a cheap Homelite model. It starts when I pull the trigger, the first time, every time, including the first time I use it after it's sat for months. No stale gas. No plugged jets. No gas hazard. No gas or exhaust smells. No whining obnoxious noise. Being small, the cord doesn't have to be super heavy to carry the current of a larger saw. Out of necessity, I have cut down trees larger than its bar length.

My only downside experience was arriving home from a family road trip one Sunday night in late Fall a few years ago to find that an early winter storm of wet snow had brought down two 70' Red Pine trees criss-crossed over the driveway. Unfortunately the storm took out the power. Grumble, grumble. I could have used a gas saw that night instead of my 24" bow saw to at least get the car into the driveway. After 24 hours, the power returned and that 12" electric cut those two trees and a third that fell the next day into firewood lengths without complaint. - Grandad

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I have one, so does my father. works great for the sporadic use here in Florida. I have 4 other gas chain saws in Wisconsin, however they have been collecting dust for a year.

My father uses his to cut firewood in his garage. doesnt "stink up the place" as he says.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

just my two cents on this one, but a few years back i was doing a deck removal for a friend. took my worn out husky to cut the deck up, and for the first time ever it would not start. he brought out an ancient looking electric saw and a heavy duty cord, i was wowed by that electric saw!! not a tool for cutting up firewood, but for general stuff around the yard.....a perfect tool. just make sure to use a cord that can handle the amps.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I had a 14" poulan that worked great until the oiler quit. We done some demo in a large industrial plant that had a BUNCH of schedule 80 12 inch PVC pipe in the ceiling that had to be removed fast. I went to Lowes and bought 2 18" electric poulans to cut this stuff into 10 foot lengths. Well one finally quit when the gears stripped but this was chainsaw abuse to the extreme. I use a Harbor Freight electric saw around the yard and it has held up after cutting up about 30 large pine trees. I have a gas Stihl but if I am with 100' of a receptacle. I reach for the electric....it has never failed to start!

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

Thanks for the great feedback guys, it sounds like a small electric saw will work good for what I would use it for around the house. Saws with 12" bars seem to be a lot harder to find than ones with 14-18" bars but I'm going to see if Lowes or Home Depot doesn't have the 12" Remington that GA_Boater mentioned just to see how the weight and feel compare to the Poulan. I think this is going to be a win-win for me because my wife is getting excited and thinks she will be able to also get some use out of the saw if it is small and light enough.

 

[mscher]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I don't use it much, but I have a older, 14" Remington manual oilier that is very powerful.

Might not be an issue any more, but don't buy one, that does not have automatic chain oiling. It's annoying to have to remember to oil the chain while sawing. The older Remington, you have to press on the oil tank filler cap - did I mention very annoying.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

14" Electric Chain Saw This is the one I now have and I prefer it over the 14" Poulan I had previously. The Poulan's chain oiler was a wick type that would leak out when the saw was stored. The HF has a cam operated piston pump with a large reservoir and a sight gage. Whatever brand you get just remember to keep the chain sharp and don't bog it down.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

Everyday/chore kind of use, pull the cord behind you. Lights out emegency kind of thing, give me a Stihl.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

Or buy a saws all and 12 in blades used these for many years fast enough and had if needed for something else.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I didn't check out the pricing, but, the top one listed would fit the bill. I'm just not an electric saw type of guy..... Weighs only 5.7lbs...

Professional Chain Saws - Tree Service Chainsaws | STIHL USA Mobile

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I didn't check out the pricing, but, the top one listed would fit the bill. I'm just not an electric saw type of guy..... Weighs only 5.7lbs...

Professional Chain Saws - Tree Service Chainsaws | STIHL USA Mobile

What a neat little saw but it lists for $450.00. The $50.00 electrics seem a lot more appropriate for occasional light home owners use.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I'm with Fishing Dude on this one, I've used my saws all with a 12" demo blade for a lot of good size trimming work. Then it's ready for anything else I can think of.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

All I know is I tried my dads electric once on some 4 inch thick branches. If I had used a butter knife it would have been faster. I switched to my bow saw and finished the job... with a huge bicep. LOL

 

[matt167]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

All I know is I tried my dads electric once on some 4 inch thick branches. If I had used a butter knife it would have been faster. I switched to my bow saw and finished the job... with a huge bicep. LOL

probably a dull chain. Most electrics come with a low kickback chain. If it's not good and sharp, it won't cut well

 

[colbyt]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

I rarely endorse products. In this case I must make an exception as the Poulan brand of electric chain saw has made a convert out of me. These are great little around the house saws. I own 2 because I failed to buy the one with the removable pole the first time around. That one only has a 10" bar but that is all you need around the house.

Do note that the chains have a higher pitch and are expensive to replace so keep them out of the dirt.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Electric Chain Saws?

If you don't mind the extension cord and:
1. costs around $50
2. cuts just as fast a similar size gas saw
3. Never have to worry with gas,oil and tuneups
4.Is quiet, won't disturb neighbors or noise ordinance
5. can store in house without worry of gas fumes
6. can be stored forever and still function when needed
Why is it so hard to decide?