Who’s got one they are happy with?
It will be for firewood and out here in the wilderness of Montana what passes for firewood are poplars and pines and firs, nothing really hard.
I like the idea of pulling on a switch and going to work, no gas, oil, stink and less noise.
Lee
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Replies
Dad has a Craftsman electric. Cuts great, and very convenient. No smoke, less noise, cooler. Not too macho though, need lots of smoke and noise for that. Relatively silent. Has held up real well.
I have a 14" electric that I use around the house to cut falls and take down treees and trim.
we like it.
the cord can be a pain, but we don't use it that often and i don't have to fool with the gas etc.
still need bar oil (obvious)
I would definately considere it if you have convient electric.
but i don't know about duribility if your cutting long time. I usually never go more than an hour from start to finish.
paid about $50 for it
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
bobl-
What manufacturer?
sleeps till noon but before it's dark...
b'stid, made me get out of my chairMcCollouck electromatic (spelled rong of courser)
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Thanks guys,I'm surprised how satisfied some of you are with fairly cheap saws, I've been looking at the 16", 13 amp Makita. It's $179. I probably need to block 4 to 5 cords a year and am thinking the more expensive saw would perform better. Maybe I should look more closely at the cheaper ones.Lee
Have had both a Crftsmn and Remington elec CS, gave both away as almost useless to me, and I do not give away many tools <G> A sharp hand bucking saw is faster than an electric CS IMO.
BTW: "block 4 to 5 cords a year" with an electric??? 3.5 cu in or bigger gas saw would be a LOT less work.
Of course you have heard the old joke about the old German who said he could only cut 3 cords of wood in a day with his saw and was totally tired. Companion told him he usually could do 10 cords in a day, that low output was probably bad technique, and offered to show his cutting technique. FIrst words out of the German when the companion started the saw was 'wut that noise!!"
We had a Homelite electric for a while.
It probably lasted roughly 4 hours before the switch quit.
We bypassed the switch (Not a good idea, I know) and the motor quit.
Real underpowered piece of junk.
I have a Remington electric that is on the end of an extendable pole. That thing is handy; saves me climbing or dragging out a ladder. It is cheaply made and I am surprised it has lasted the four years I have had it. I would replace it with the same if... I will replace it with the same when it dies. It can't do what my Stihl can but the Stihl can't do what that little electric jobby does either. For the money, it really is great.
I've got a Remington 14" that primarily gets used to cut up 4x4 oak pallet skids. I've also taken down some fairly good sized trees with it. The cord is a pain, but for what I need it for, it's served well. Cost about $45.
Birth, school, work, death.....................
I have an old Craftsman that has really held up pretty well.
They do have advantages if you just want to trim something up quick or use it in a shop.
I checked into the Stihl electrics and they were about $500! Sure was outta my ballpark.
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A while ago, I bought a Poulan electric for cutting grooves and things in ICF blocks for wires and pipes. Maybe it lasted for twenty minutes of cutting time, maybe not. It drew its cooling air from the front of the machine - Duhh!
Ron
My company bought a Stihl electric for cutting glu lams and heavy timber post and beam material. Expensive yes, but it runs rings around gas saws for this particular kind of work. Smooth running and therefore excellent for accurate cutting. I usually score the cut line with a chisel or striking knife and then cut 1/16" back from the line, tune it up with planer and/or belt sander.
The Stihl is the best quality I've seen and is so rugged it will probably last for decades. It's up to each user to decide what price/quality ratio works for what they're planning to do.
Lignum est bonum.
Milwaukee makes one, and it's serious enough to have a five year warranty.
At 13 amps you'll need to be careful about voltage drop over long extension runs, so consider a 12ga cord.
Remington pole saw, cant beat it for the price, got it at the big orange box, even use it for cutting PT 6x6's and OAK limbs. I wouldn't try to cut 4 cords of wood with it but it sure is handy.
I used an electric saw to clear my lot in NH. Cut down about 20 trees with it. About 2-3 cords worth of hardwood and several pines. Largest tree was about 18" dia. Only went through a couple of chains. I was amazed at how well it worked. Couple local guys gave me a hard time about it but when they showed up with their gas saws 1 would start and the other the chain was so dull that the electric was faster. They couldn't beleive how well it cut either. Ran it for several hours on numerous occasions.
This was my dads saw and he has a generator that he uses to run it when away from the house. He hates messing with gas powered saws, doesn't use them enough to justify the trouble. He had the generator for emergencys so he figured an electric would be a good way to go. Seems to have been a good idea. Tom
Douglasville, GA
Re: "I used an electric saw to clear my lot in NH."Do you remember the brand and/or model. Sounds like the tool to look into. As an electrician it has poetic beauty to break out an electric saw.
Yeah, I'd like that brand name too.Lee
I will have to call my dad. I know it was nothing special though. May have been a craftsman. I will check and get back to you.Tom
Douglasville, GA
My Milwaukie is about 20 years old and other than replacing brushes a couple of time and numerous chains, it's been a pretty good tool. I don't cut firewood with it; use it mostly for demo and close-to-the-house pruning, but it gets a lot of use.
In my construction millwright days, we used the Stihl electrics and they were real workhorses.
For cutting firewood, I'd be leery of a cheapie.
The saw I have been using is a crafstman 16" 3.5 hp according o my father. He didn't have the model number at hand but I could get it next week if anyone is interested. I'll be flying up to cut down a few more trees and get my permits. Septic approval came through today so ground breaking ceremonies can begin soon!!!!
Tom
Douglasville, GA
Yep, model # if you have it. Thanks.
sleeps till noon but before it's dark...
I have been using a electric Milwaulkee to cut out floor plates at doorways after wall panels are raised for 20 plus years and for occassional firewood cutting after the Stihls have downed it and "chuncked it to 6-8 ft pieces. Still works fine. Just had the coard replaced and bought a new bar and chain. "Quiet" and doesn't need someone with a fire extingisher standing around as on US Army Corps of Eng. jobs.
Hey, thanks to everyone for the input. I've decided to go with gas, the Husky 142. It's a Homeowner/part time rated saw that seems right for what I need. It seems the electric motors have a tough time with generating enough torque, running nearly continiously and being light enough to heft around. At least this way I won't be sweatin' the cord and by buying a better quality saw the frustrations with gas saws will be fewer. Does beer taste better with the smell of 2 cycle and sawdust all over us? I'll let you know.Lee
Ya, Lee, couldn't see you cutting firewood with an electric for very long.
I went and bought an older model Craftsman 16" electric yesterday with the 2 year replacement warranty.
Seems limbs are always needing trimmed and I can really test the machine pretty good over 2 years.
Maybe I'll report in later on after I've test driven it a few miles.
sleeps till noon but before it's dark...
Not cheap but Husqvarna makes a very nice one, the 316 electric.
http://www.portable-electric-power-generators.com/l_husqvarna_316_electric_chainsaw_chain_saw.htm
Never could find a price listed for it.
Edit: further research disclosed; they are on nationwide back order.
We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.
Edited 9/20/2005 11:17 pm ET by intrepidcat