Chainsaw electric or petrol?

[shedhead]

I will need to get myself a chainsaw soon around the £100 mark. I do not mind admitting that i am a bit unsure at handling a saw like this, but it is getting that needs must if i want cheep wood.
Can i get your ideas on what is best a Petrol or an Electric chainsaw.
We might as well do this with a Poll. Can you also give your reasons for your choice please, as this will help me and others that might need to buy one soon.

 

[colin macdiarmid]

Electric chainsaw, you can use in your workshop and no toxic fumes, its nice and quiet, does not annoy neighbours etc, the chain stops automatically, ie does not run on.

Petrol certainaly more power, noisey, cannot use in confined spaces because of exhaust fumes, chain is inclined to run on, plus side is you can stick it in the boot of your car and cut wood anywhere

 

[maltrout512]

Petrol, I have two. A little one at 12" bar and a big saw at 24" bar. Don't need the use for one in the workshop so electric is a no for me , bandsaw does that side of it. Always have had Stihl saws. Dr Stihl was the pioneer of the two stroke engine chain saw.

You asked on advise on using a chain saw, well having being brought up using one, the now "thing" is to go on a course. DO IT. You will learn a lot and for a small ish cost it will be cheeper than having an accident , and you get a peace of paper saying that you can use a chain saw.

I have taken down trees which other traders have walked away from, they would not do the job. To dangerous, to close to the house, to big. Well I'm still here. Care first, not just to you but the third party and surroundings. (use your machine in harmony, if your not you will end up with a problem.) Chainsaws bite back big time if pushed by the wrong person.

 

[jasonB]

I've got 24 & 16" petrol and a 16" electric.

If its just for chopping up large lumps that are too big to get on or under the bandsaw then go for the electric, you can happily start it up on a sunday morning if you fancy a bit of turning without anoying next door, and as said the blade stops the moment you let go of the trigger.

The only disadvantage will be that you will have to restrict your source of wood to lumps that can be collected and lifted into a car/trailer but if you catch treefellers at the right time they are happy to cut into 10-14" dia stuff 3ft lengths which are managable.

Jason

 

[PowerTool]

I've got a Makita DCS 7301 - 18" guide bar,but have recently been looking at getting a 24" bar and chain as well.
The advantage is that they are completely portable - recently bought a large lump of ash tree from e-bay (2'+ in diameter,6' long) which has been stored at a mates transport yard,and I can go and cut it up when I want (and don't have all the sawdust and shavings to bag up.. :wink: )
Mate of mine has a chainsaw (possibly Ryobi) that he bought from B&Q for under £100 - most of what he's been doing is felling silver birch,so it's been big enough and good enough for that.

And as said,NEVER underestimate training and safety - and be aware that a full set of chainsaw safety equipment is more than your budget for a saw

Andrew

 

[TEP]

I can only echo the above comments about safety with these tools.

I use a Stihl 017 14" bar, Stihl 044 25" bar with a ripping chain and Logosol Timberjig. I also have a cheap electric saw which very seldom sees the light of day.

If you have reasonably considerate neighbours I would stick with petrol if you are only having one saw. If only for the convenience of taking it with you if you get timber away from home. If you find you are doing a lot of cutting at home then is the time to see if it warrants going electric as well.

This is only my opinion, and it really depends one each others circumstances.

Touch wood I've got good neighbours and I try to keep my big cutting sessions to 6 - 8 times a year, but often I will be sawing for 2 - 3 days each time.

 

[Inspector]

http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/node3099.a ... pid=83008#

I have a Husqvarna electric in the same family as the link above. Great saw for around home, but if you want to use it inside remember the chain oil sprays off the tip and lubes the walls and floor beyond the piece you're cutting. :roll: :lol:

 

[Vulthoom]

I have a Bosch electric which, apart from starting it a couple of times to make sure its still working, I have never used.

Still waiting to get a pair of CS trousers and gloves which as mentioned will cost the same as the saw.

Don't skimp on the safety gear - a pair of chainsaw trousers is not like a suit of armour but could mean
the difference between a bad gash and an amputation.

Looking back, I wish I had gone for a petrol now as they are more powerful and of course portable.

Oh yes, and shedhead, hope you are ready for the big game this afternoon :wink:

All together... "Hail Hail, the Celts are here..."

 

[dickm]

Got a couple of cheapish petrol saws and a 110v Macullock electric. Mainly use the electric for cutting up firewood, just because it's quieter, even though both neighbours are deaf
Would really like to get an 18" Husqy or a Stihl, but can't justify the price.

But whatever you get, for heaven's sake get proper protective clothing - at least helmet and leggings.

 

[cornucopia]

I have a petrol sthil ms260 with an 18" bar- i was advised to get this saw whilst on a tree surgery course, it is very noisy and i worry about upsetting my neighbors , i only use it between 1-3pm on weekdays never on the weekend- it runs for perhaps 10 minutes every few days- i looked into getting a electric one recently but sthil do not do an electric model with the equvilant power.

as has been said do a course and always wear all of the kit

 

[Paul.J]

Again i have both,but i voted for electric as this is the one i use the most.
Mainly because i use it inside the shop,and because of the amount of noise you get from the petrol ones.
The petrol is handy if you have to go out and cut some logs up in situ.
But if you have no neighbours to upset i would use the petrol one all the time.

 

[Bodrighy]

I use a petrol (Husqvana)and as I live in the country noise isn't a problem. As I often cut wood in the woods etc this is the only option really. Second the safety cautions.

Pete

 

[shedhead]

Thanks for all your tips on chainsaws. I will take on your advise on PPE. My father-in-law has all the safety gear, he was a tree feller and owned a saw mill before he retired.

I am drawn to an Electric saw for a number of reasons.
Have a lot of elderly neighbours.
I do not need to remove from shed as i bring all wood home to be cut.
Still a bit unsure about petrol ( feirt ) frightened.

Vulthoom. ITS A MUST NOT LOOSE GAME. Celtic not playing at there best just now.
HAIL HAIL THE CELTS ARE HERE :lol:

 

[PAC]

I use a petrol Stihl MS170 with a 14 inch bar. Would be nice to have an electric one too because it can be used inside and is quieter. BUT, I would definitely choose a petrol saw if only one saw was allowed. The big advantage is that you can take it with you into the field. It's also slightly more powerful than the electric version. The petrol ones are loud (you forget how loud when you have ear defenders on) but I try to use it when my neighbours are out (from inside their house it doesn't sound much louder than a lawnmower). When you first use one, it's a little scary but you soon get used to it. I don't have a bandsaw so I octagonalise my green blanks using the chainsaw, mount them on the lathe, use an electric plane to round off even more and finish off with a gouge.

 

[robo hippy]

Well, I have 3 chainsaws, 2 petrol (husky with a 24 inch bar, and Stihl with 36 inch bar, we do have some big trees here), 1 electric (Husky). Since I got a big bandsaw (Laguna 16HD cuts 16 high), I never use the electric saw. It is nice, but you can't push it, you have to let it cut at its own pace, or you will burn it up. I find the big bandsaw better than a gas saw for most blanks. I do have to whittle them down to a size that I can arm wrestle onto the table though.
robo hippy

 

[duncanh]

I have a Bosch electric from B&Q that I use once a month or so.

I went with electric as I only plan on cutting in my garden and I don't want to annoy my neighbours. It's also cleaner to set up and run.
I have safety helmet, boots, gloves and chaps and always wear them but read on another forum that the safety clothes designed to stall petrol saws don't actually work with electric ones as they have too much torque. Any idea about this anyone? I still wear them despite what I've read.

 

[RogerM]

I have a 16" electric Ryobi. I've used it about 4 or 5 times to log small trees and now sparks have started flying out the back. An investigation shows that the brushes are fine but there are soot marks where the windings join the armature - so the motor is on the way out. "2 and 1/2 years old so out of warranty. When it worked it cut quickly and cleanly, just so disappointed that it has failed so quickly.

Ideally I want to stay with electric - any recommendations?

 

[jimi43]

I have a rather radical suggestion but borne of use and versitility.

The B&D ALLIGATOR (mains not cordless) is SUPERB!

I bought one about 5 years ago to cut up some brush that invades my plot and didn't expect much from such a short blade BUT it is incredible. It is also really quite safe....the missus even uses it.

The recommended diameter is about 4" but I have found that I can cut HUGE logs but letting the blade do the cutting on one side gently but surely and then rotating it and cutting again until the whole log is cut. It cuts like a hot knife through butter.

If I had a long enough lead I would be off to Oregon to try it out!!



Jim