Electric chain saw recommendations?

chuckoliver · Post by **chuckoliver** » Wed May 01, 2013 3:41 pm

I do wood turning and think an electric chain saw would be handier to use for an occasional bowl blank prep than firing up the gas saw. I have read some reviews of small saws available at HD and Lowes for under $100. The reviews said the saws didn't run very long. Stihl and Makita have 16" saws that cost in the $300-550 range. That's more than I want to spend.

Can anybody recommend a 16" saw in the $150-200 range that has reasonable power and durability? I won't be felling trees, but I want to be able to cross cut and rip a log 16-20" in dia without bogging down the saw or killing it.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Wed May 01, 2013 3:54 pm

Harbor Freight has a 14" electric for about $55.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed May 01, 2013 4:04 pm

Electric Chain Saws die for one main reason. Too much resistance causing heat that cooks the motor.

I have a 14" electric chain saw this is on it's second blade soon to be changed that has cut 28" diameter tree with no problem at all.

My neighbor watch me cutting the tree and bought one at three times the price and power. I told him he would burn it up in within weeks. Guess what he did.

The secret is amp draw. A saw that requires 12 amps or more can't be run on an extension cord longer than 50 feet if it is 12 gauge wire. If it is smaller gauge it will burn up.

What you must do is find a saw that has an amp draw that can easily be met using the length extension cord you will need to get to the wood to cut.

What happens to almost all the electric saws sold at Home Depot is they used 10-15 amps and the customer connects them to a 100 foot extension cord of 14 guage wire. They burn up almost instantly, the customer brings them back to home depot saying they are a piece of junk that instantly burned up.

My saw runs on a 100 feet of number 10 guage wire and only requires less than 8 amps to start with.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Wed May 01, 2013 4:20 pm

WORX 14-Amp 16-in Corded Electric Chain Saw for less than $100.00

I got this one a few months back so I could trim my logs for bowl turning without waking up the entire neighborhood. I was worred that it wouldn't be up to the task but it does the job beyond my expectations. I cut 16" logs both to size as well as down the length of the log to split it in half. It works just as well as my $400 Stihl 18" gas powered saw.

rdavidp · Post by **rdavidp** » Wed May 01, 2013 4:45 pm

fredsheldon wrote:WORX 14-Amp 16-in Corded Electric Chain Saw for less than $100.00

I got this one a few months back so I could trim my logs for bowl turning without waking up the entire neighborhood. I was worred that it wouldn't be up to the task but it does the job beyond my expectations. I cut 16" logs both to size as well as down the length of the log to split it in half. It works just as well as my $400 Stihl 18" gas powered saw.

What is your secret? It got mine to cut off four 6"x8" slabs three inches thick of maple and it will not cut anymore. I even changed the cutting chain, and that will not cut through.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Wed May 01, 2013 7:48 pm

rdavidp wrote:What is your secret? It got mine to cut off four 6"x8" slabs three inches thick of maple and it will not cut anymore. I even changed the cutting chain, and that will not cut through.

Do you have a chain sharpner. You MUST keep it sharp or it will not cut. I sharpen mine after every use and it cuts like cutting thru butter.

joshh · Post by **joshh** » Wed May 01, 2013 10:28 pm

If you decide on the HF model, I can email you a coupon for $49.

tomsalwasser · Post by **tomsalwasser** » Thu May 02, 2013 6:15 am

rdavidp wrote:What is your secret? It got mine to cut off four 6"x8" slabs three inches thick of maple and it will not cut anymore. I even changed the cutting chain, and that will not cut through.

Make sure you keep the bar and chain oil reservoir topped up.

A friend moved to a townhouse and gave me his electric chain saw similar to this one but much older: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Remington-16- ... w/12176552

I didn't use it for years, thought it was a joke, until I finally tried it. I like it a lot now, although it's used mostly for branches around the yard. One time I had to cut some logs into firewood length and it did a great job. I had just purchased a new chain for it. It's a real chainsaw that just happens to have an electric motor.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Thu May 02, 2013 1:18 pm

I guess I've never really understood the point of an electric chainsaw (?) - why would I lug around an extension cord for an inferior saw rather than just use a gas-powered chainsaw? I have a Husky with a 20" bar that is a total workhorse...just have to not leave it full of old mix, make sure the bar oil stays topped off, and as noted, always keep my chain sharpened (the latter two are true of electric saws as well). They make lots of smaller versions as well for folks who want it just for limbing or cutting up smaller stuff.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu May 02, 2013 2:10 pm

An electric chainsaw is lighter, quieter and can be used indoors.