Electric Chainsaw

[LTC8K6]

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?

If I had to go electric, it would be a Stihl or a Husqvarna. I have nothing but good things to say about my Husqvarna chain saw.

 

[hennessy1]

I did not know that about the cords. Good to know though thank you. I believe one of them is of proper gauge is about 100 feet which is fine. Shop threw in some free oil.

 

[LTC8K6]

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


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

Old McCullochs are great. New ones not so much. The brand has been bouncing around.

The brand has been in Taiwanese hands recently and is now part of Husqvarna group.

 

[natto fire]

I did not know that about the cords. Good to know though thank you. I believe one of them is of proper gauge is about 100 feet which is fine. Shop threw in some free oil.

Yeah 15 amps is a pretty serious load to be hooking to extension cords, and having undersized wires will excessively heat up the motor and wires which snowballs the problem.

 

[Gillbot]

Old McCullochs are great. New ones not so much. The brand has been bouncing around.

The brand has been in Taiwanese hands recently and is now part of Husqvarna group.

Most things "older" are better overall though. "They don't build 'em like they used to" really holds true for most things anymore.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Electric chain saws work fine for maint. and cleanup if used properly and you follow a few simple rules.

1. Use a single heavy guage industrial grade cord
2. Get a good brand name saw
3. Make sure to ALWAYS keep the reservior full of chain oil and oil the chain often, this is important with all chain saws but especially so with electrics.
4. On larger limbs and logs work slow and let the saw cool down often. This is where must people go wrong, even the best electric saws CAN NOT handle the stress and heat of continous heavy cutting.


Most people that have bad experiences with electric saws are those who have previously used gas saws and expect the electric saw to stand up to the same punishment and continous use that a good gas saw will and thats just not going to happen.

If you are expecting to fell large trees and cut them up into fire wood on a regular basis then an electric saw is not the tool for the job.

 

[hennessy1]

Thank you all for your help. I purchased the saw today and it works great no issues what so ever. I'll finish up this weekend hopefully.

 

[heymrdj]

For those looking for a big extension cord to use with them at a later time, this is what we'd use when i worked summers with maintenance. 10/3 100'. I think they make a 150' with 8g.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_67702-66906-UTP711935_4294821869+4294761168_4294937087_?productId=3191731&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_200_4294821869%2B4294761168_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=20.0

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I'd rather spend a couple hours every year doing routine maintenance on a gas chainsaw than use an extension cord every time I use it. I can see electric on some stuff like hedge trimmers or something that is to be used close to the house. Chainsaws are not meant for electric. You never know when you might need a chainsaw.