Chain saw for turners

friscomike · Post by **friscomike** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:19 am

Howdy,

Today I used a new 16" Poulan with a 100' 14 gauge cord to cut up a 14" thick ash. The ash was felled about two weeks ago.

The tree was cut into about 15 segments, so about 17 cuts all together. The saw and cord remained cool. and the new chain cut through the wood in no time flat. I bought the Poulan after reading several reviews and seeing a video about cutting green wood: http://aroundthewoods.com/firewood.shtml.

Depending on the size of trees you cut and where they are located, the 3.5HP 16" saw is a good size for the shop sporting ease of use and price. I had a big gasoline saw in the past and wasn't sure about buying a small electric 16". I am now 25 years older and very happy with the lighter saw.

Best Regards,
mike

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:48 am

I purchased a 3HP Remington electric today at Westlake's Ace Hardware. I was pleased to see that the saw was assembled in the good ol' USA. I'll get back to you later with my opinion of the saw. It's 11 amps, but the manual only recommends a 14 gauge extension at 100'. Any longer and they recommend 12 gauge. I don't think I'll ever need a longer one. If I do, I'll get a gas saw.

I don't plan on felling any trees, though. I just want to cut up logs that friends give to me.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:41 am

Bruce wrote:I purchased a 3HP Remington electric today at Westlake's Ace Hardware. I was pleased to see that the saw was assembled in the good ol' USA. I'll get back to you later with my opinion of the saw. It's 11 amps, but the manual only recommends a 14 gauge extension at 100'. Any longer and they recommend 12 gauge. I don't think I'll ever need a longer one. If I do, I'll get a gas saw. I don't plan on felling any trees, though. I just want to cut up logs that friends give to me.

Bruce
I can almost say with total certainity that if you use a 100 ft 14 gauge extension with an 11 amp saw, that the saw will have a short life. Perhaps a lot shorter than you desire. Pay careful attention to the temp of the saw, the bring back shelves at Home Depot are filled with burned out saws that were used on too small of extension cords.
Ed

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:26 pm

Bruce wrote:................It's 11 amps, but the manual only recommends a 14 gauge extension at 100'. Any longer and they recommend 12 gauge.................

I know that there was no mention of 16ga cords here, but about the ONLY thing a 16ga cord is good for is lighting. I never use 16ga cords for anything] motor [/B](larger then a small hand drill), anything longer then 10' calls for a minimum of a 12ga cord. I use a 12ga cord for the first 50'; a 10ga cord for lengths up to 100'; and, you can safely get away with up to 150' by joining a 10ga 100' cord with a 12ga 50' cord as long as the 10ga cord is connected to the source and the 12ga cord is connected to the tool. I have successfully* operated my travel trailer (air conditioner, refrigerator/freezer, tv, stereo, lighting and 10gal. hot water tank) using 200' of 10ga cord.

For anything longer, you will be risking your motors and risking a fire. I wood recommend the use of a generator when there is not a source of electricity within 200'. There are some "special" types of extention cord systems, mainly used in construction, that use very heavy cords and allow much longer distances, but it is rare for a home-owner to have this type of system. A generator wood be more cost effective.

The thing about it, is not that you can not use a light weight cord for these tools (they WILL work...short term), but that using a light weight cord shortens the life of the motor, sometimes dramatically (read that as fire)!

YOU WILL NEVER CAUSE A PROBLEM BY USING TOO "BIG" OF A CORD, JUST TOO LONG OR TOO "SMALL" OF A CORD.

*I lived in my travel trailer for a week, under these conditions, with no problems and no over-heated cords.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:18 pm

Geez! A 100 foot 12/3 cord will cost as much as the saw, and a 10/3 way more. But yes, I know it's a good investment for my tools. Anyone know of any quality cords that won't break the bank?

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:22 pm

Bruce wrote:Geez! A 100 foot 12/3 cord will cost as much as the saw, and a 10/3 way more. But yes, I know it's a good investment for my tools. Anyone know of any quality cords that won't break the bank?

Hey Bruce,
I know what you mean; the saw (is it made in the USA?) IS probably cheaper then the cord will be! Making the cord yourself MIGHT be the most economical. You can buy 100' of SOOW 12/2 with ground cable(total of 3 wires) and one male and one female 115v20amp plug (the female one costs the most). These items are available at wholesale electrical supply stores along with Home Depot and Lowe's. Maybe at some Ace or True Value hardware stores as well. You can do the same with a SOOW 10/2 with ground cable for more $$$.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:22 pm

Bruce wrote:Geez! A 100 foot 12/3 cord will cost as much as the saw, and a 10/3 way more. But yes, I know it's a good investment for my tools. Anyone know of any quality cords that won't break the bank?

Hey Bruce,
I know what you mean; the saw (is it made in the USA or just assembled here?) IS probably cheaper then the cord will be! Making the cord yourself MIGHT be the most economical. You can buy 100' (or any length) of SOOW 12/2, with ground, cable (total of 3 wires) and one male and one female 115v20amp plug (the female one costs the most:rolleyes: ). These items are available at wholesale electrical supply stores along with Home Depot and Lowe's. Maybe at some Ace or True Value hardware stores as well. You can do the same with a SOOW 10/2, with ground, cable for more $$$.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:31 pm

I brought a 2 KW Honda generator during our 2004 hurricane season. Only one I could find. It would operate the refegrator, microwave, TV, several lights and 2 fans for sleeping. Once the hurricane season passed, I found that the 2 KW would operate the Shopsmith or a 16" electric chain saw. Since I have a bigger house generator now, I keep the 2 KW to operate my shop equipment if power goes out or I am outside and don't want to drag a power cord.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:01 am

billmayo wrote:I brought a 2 KW Honda generator during our 2004 hurricane season. Only one I could find. It would operate the refegrator, microwave, TV, several lights and 2 fans for sleeping. Once the hurricane season passed, I found that the 2 KW would operate the Shopsmith or a 16" electric chain saw. Since I have a bigger house generator now, I keep the 2 KW to operate my shop equipment if power goes out or I am outside and don't want to drag a power cord.

Hi Bill,

At least that 2K generator is easy to carry around! My 7K is heavy!

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:54 am

Bruce wrote:Geez! A 100 foot 12/3 cord will cost as much as the saw, and a 10/3 way more. But yes, I know it's a good investment for my tools. Anyone know of any quality cords that won't break the bank?

Bruce
Keep your eye peeled. I walked into Lowes about 2 years ago and they had 100ft 12 gauge extensions for $25+. Of course I bought one. Then on the way home I wondered why I didn't buy a couple more. I went back about a week later and they were gone.

I then built a few like Tim suggestted so I have plenty of cord however I have seen the cords on sale from time to time the price is creeping up I think it is near $45 now.

I'm like Tim I have a 10 gauge that I use, then I plug in a 50 ft 12 gauge or I just use a 100 ft 12 gauge. I keep all my 14 gauge and up for Christmas lights. Athough I will admit to using a 14 gauge for my hedge trimmers, about once a year I end up cutting through cord with the trimmers and don't want to ruin a 12 gauge cord. They pull something like 3-5 amps which is just fine for 14 gauge.