Electric Chainsaw

[hennessy1]

I'm in the market for an electric chainsaw. It will be for moderate to heavy work load. Atleast a 16in. Ive looked on lowes and homedepot but the ones they have i've seen the reviews and they seem to not last after a few uses or even initial use. My price range is no more then 500 but lower is better any and all help is appreciated thank you.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What are you using it for? Heating your home with wood, tree maintenance, heating home and selling wood on the side?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Electric for only tree maintenance.

You need the portability and power of a gas other words.

 

[hennessy1]

Ya tree maintenance. These are just some trees left over from the nor easter snow storm from last october I wanted to clear out.

 

[WackyDan]

You aren't going to get an electric with a 16" bar and if you can it will suck.

Your budget is $500 for a chainsaw you will use for maintenance only? Head down to the closest Northern Tool or Harbor Freight - or any store like those. Typically you can find factory refurbed saws for cheap that will last for quite a few seasons if you properly store them... and you'll only pay $150 for an 18"... Shit... I paid that for a 20" Homelite that I've had for 6 years now.

 

[LTC8K6]

Moderate to heavy work will require a real chain saw with a name that starts with S or H and runs on fossil fuel.

 

[hennessy1]

Any models or brands to look for? I have a harbor frieght near by.

 

[hennessy1]

Most of the models I saw at lowes, home depot, and sears had poor reviews on their sites and amazon. Some didn't even work for 2hrs.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Husqvarna or Stihl for heavy work

Poulan will work on the smaller stuff.

I have a McColloch that was given to me; no problems with it. Worked well for hurricane debris from Andrew.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Sorry call me biased. I'm only recommending one brand of saw. Stihl. I paid $380 for my Stihl chainsaw. I've heated my house all winter, used it to for tree maintenance, and also have enough wood for all of next winter and I'm gonna sell a couple cords for extra cash. The chainsaw has paid itself off 4-5x already. Here's my oak wood pile and I've added more since then.

 

[maidaa]

http://www.oregonpowernowtools.com/

 

[NutBucket]

I would check out Makita if you're attached to electric. The ones you get at Home Depot will almost certainly disappoint for anything more than light duty work.

 

[JulesMaximus]

For $500 you could just buy a decent gas powered chainsaw.

 

[natto fire]

With that budget, I would look for a used Stihl myself. Husqvarna comes close, but IMO Stihl hands down makes the best saws. I'm probably biased too, as that is what we used on our saw crew.

Then again, I also wouldn't drop $500 on a saw if I only had a few trees to clear out. Any particular reason you wanted electric? Do you know anyone that has a saw already and can let you borrow it?

 

[compman25]

http://www.oregonpowernowtools.com/

If you're dead set on electric this is the brand I would buy. But I'd still say get a Stihl or Husqvarna and use gas over electric.

 

[BudAshes]

Why exactly do you want it to be electric?

 

[JCH13]

Stihl FTMFW. My family has used the same Stihl 16" chainsaw for 10 years to do tree maintenance. Still looks like it's brand new and runs like a champ.

For $500 you could probably get everything you need, including armored chaps. They help with the 'not severing your femoral artery' thing.

 

[hennessy1]

I didnt want to spend more then 500 i was looking at the 100 and less but those looked like crap so i upped it. Unfortunatly I do not know anyone who has one to lend. I wanted electric just because I can skip the gas oil and air filters.

 

[weadjust]

Husqvarna 16-Inch 40.9cc 2.2hp Gas Powered Chainsaw (Refurbished) $149.99 inc. shipping. I bought one and it was like new. Decent saw. Good prices also on bigger saws.

http://www.vminnovations.com/Browse_560/Chainsaws.html?sort=&show=12&page=1&manuf=185

 

[LTC8K6]

I didnt want to spend more then 500 i was looking at the 100 and less but those looked like crap so i upped it. Unfortunatly I do not know anyone who has one to lend. I wanted electric just because I can skip the gas oil and air filters.

You can buy the fuel premixed in small cans if you don't want the mess and fuss. The AF is no big deal at all. All of the saws will need bar/chain oil regularly during use.

http://www.amazon.com/Arnold-Corp-01.../dp/B0014Y3TTK

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=1331756338355

Those are 6 quart packs.

 

[Gillbot]

Moderate to heavy work will require a real chain saw with a name that starts with S or H and runs on fossil fuel.

This, though I don't agree with the brand.

Any models or brands to look for? I have a harbor frieght near by.

NO, not Harbor Freight. Get a real saw, try craigslist.
See here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2190247&highlight=chainsaw

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Yeah but, with an electric, you can carve ice!

 

[hennessy1]

I did go to the harbor freight they had nothing there. I had another local store and they had a good deal for me on this saw.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MSE220.html

I am kind of dead set against the gas ones. I appreciate the help and push in that direct I see where you are going with the price/performance and use.

Any opinions on the one I listed?

 

[Squisher]

 

[natto fire]

I did go to the harbor freight they had nothing there. I had another local store and they had a good deal for me on this saw.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MSE220.html

I am kind of dead set against the gas ones. I appreciate the help and push in that direct I see where you are going with the price/performance and use.

Any opinions on the one I listed?

I was going to say that Stihl also makes electrics as well. Not sure how far you are going to need to get away from the plug, but a good way to destroy your investment is to use cheap extension cords. The recommended cords on that web page are probably implying a well built cord (not harbor freight junk) and only ONE cord. I highly advise against daisy chaining cords, but if it must be done, 10 gauge or bigger. (for 50 foot) Have you measured/roughed how long from a plug you are going to need to be?

Using undersized wires will work, but you will be stressing the electric motor as well as creating a potential fire hazard.

As mentioned above, you will still need bar and chain oil.