Electric Chainsaw

[wizer]

If I'm going to be getting all these logs I've been promised then I'll need a method to knock them down into bowl sized bits. After reading thisthread, I have decided to buy an electric chainsaw. My bandsaw will only saw 140mm and probably won't have the guts for proper log sawing. At the moment I don't actually have any neighbours, but I will eventually. But the main reason I have decided on electric is my back. I assume the electric chainsaws are lighter, but not only that, the motion of holding a pertrol saw in one hand and pulling the starter with the other is quite dangerous for someone with a spinal condition.

Anyway. I wondered if anyone can make a reccomendation? There are some cheap ones on ebay?

 

[boysie39]

Tom , I bought one in Aldi about 8/10mnts ago and have used it quite a lot on 9"or 10" logs with out any problems. There is also a 3yr gaurentee with it . Only problem is your confined to a power source. But worth the money in my view. REgards Boysie.

 

[dickm]

From bitter experience (see my other thread about replacing an Electramac ) electric saws are excellent for cross grain cutting, but you need to be careful cutting along the grain. Not sure why, but there seems to be much greater chance of the chain catching and this causing the main internal gear to strip, since they appear always to be plastic. Certainly this is the case with the cheaper saws (Bosch, B&D, Maculloch - I've done the test on two of these makes!) If you go for the Husqvarna, as recommended by Chisel (Pete) , they have electronic protection for the motor which will probably avoid this problem.
Not yet tried it, but it's possible that a ripper chain would be better for cutting along the grain.
Still trying to get new gearwheel for the Electramac. Not sure whether it is good or bad that the UK agents seem to be Husqvarna. Either this means Macs might improve in quality, or Huskys will get worse, since both companies seem to be part of Electrolux.

 

[colin macdiarmid]

I bought a ryobi new of ebay went on fire second time I used it, ebay buyer said he offered no gaurantee and ryobi would not cover it as I bought it of ebay, so bad experience there, I now have the small Husq petrol garden saw think its a 137, which I've found okay, I've cut etc 16" red oak with it, I also just recently got the spear and jackson electric chainsaw from argos and no complaints there either, hope this helps

 

[RobertMP]

My local B & Q had some in the clearance section for garden equipment when I was there today. Black and decker ones for £36 and £46 and Bosch for £55. Don't know if other branches will have similar. Tempted but no use to me so I kept walking

 

[Paul.J]

Tom.
I have the Stihl electric,Ebay bargain for me :shock: which i have found to be really good so far.
It cuts cross and with the grain with very little effort.Just keep the chain sharp,makes life a lot easier.
I was told by a tree surgeon i know,and a chainsaw repair place that the Stihl and Husqys have metal gears etc inside. :?
More expensive but worth it.

 

[tekno.mage]

Very happy with a second-hand Makita electric chainsaw passed on to us by a friend who'd bought it and then very rarely used it. Electric chainsaws are lighter and so much simpler to start They also benefit from lack of smelly fumes. As has already been mentioned you definitely need to keep the chain good and sharp!

tekno.mage

 

[wizer]

Thanks everyone. That's lucky, I was looking at buying a Ryobi on eBay. I'll steer clear.

I'm on a bit of a budget so maybe I'll wait til I can afford a quality brand.

 

[Paul.J]

Tom.
When i first started getting logs i was just splitting them with my small axe and large wedges,you neen loads of wedges varying thicknesses, and a lump hammer.
Some logs would split easy others were a pain,and did give me back ache.
Mainly i think because of all the bending over,and using the concrete floor as my bench.
If you can get something that would be strong and at an height to suit you than splitting them should be ok.
But the chainsaw,and bandsaw does make it a lot easier :roll:

 

[wizer]

I can't or rather shouldn't do that with my spinal problems.

I do have a Triton SuperJaw and am considering getting a set of log jaws for it.

For the time being I'll have to get by with begging some help from Blister and also the current owner of the wood

 

[cambournepete]

Can I be boring please?

If you want to hire a chainsaw you need certificates and safety gear (face shield, ear defenders, proper trousers etc) before they'll let you see a chainsaw.
If you want to buy one you don't need anything.

Be careful out there!

Having said that I have a cheap B&D chainsaw I use occasionally that works OK.

Pete

 

[johnny.t.]

I've had a makita electric for 10 years and its still going strong! I used it to keep two hungry woodburners going(thats heating 2 houses) for 9 of those 10, its had countless blades on and I've not even had to put new brushes in the motor. Really couldn't recommend anything more highly,its by far the best power tool I've ever bought 8)

JT

 

[johnf]

If you have a bad back get a friend to do it for you share the wood as payment

 

[user 5053]

An electric chainsaw is probably the best investbent you will make as a woodturner. We have a Makita and spare chains are only about £10 although you can get quite a long time out of one with a sharpening tool.

 

[wizer]

An electric chainsaw is probably the best investbent you will make as a woodturner. We have a Makita and spare chains are only about £10 although you can get quite a long time out of one with a sharpening tool.

 

[Lightweeder]

Was also thinking of buying an electric chainsaw. Presumably I need to buy a sharpener t the same time. Are they expensive?

 

[tekno.mage]

Was also thinking of buying an electric chainsaw. Presumably I need to buy a sharpener t the same time. Are they expensive?

You sharpen the chain with an appropriate size chainsaw file - these are very inexpensive to buy but don't last very long! You can also get a jig to use with the files - I'm not sure how much these are now (bought ours a while back) but I would have thought around £15 - £25 for a jig and a couple of quid each for the files.

tekno.mage[/i]

 

[johnny.t.]

Was also thinking of buying an electric chainsaw. Presumably I need to buy a sharpener t the same time. Are they expensive?

No they're not http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/4/product-Chainsaw-File-and-Holder-22855.htm

JT

 

[Bodrighy]

If you have a Dremel you can get jigs to fit them but don't know if they are any good. Bit wary of power sharpening myself.

Pete

 

[dickm]

Oregon make (made?) a 12v electric chain sharpener, and it makes a FAR better job of sharpening than I've ever managed with a file, in about 2 minutes flat for a 16" chain. And because it's 12v, you can use it in the field off a car battery. The Dremel looks like basically the same idea.