Does anyone have experience or recommendations for electric chainsaws? I recently had an ICD (pacemaker) implanted and they recommend not using a gas powered chainsaw
Electric chainsaws
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I thing it is a magnetic issue. Not sure that an electric saw will resolve that. It seems the issue is if you get the saw within 6 inches of your ICD. (broken link removed to http://www.4hcm.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-17855.html)
MrWhoopee
Minister of Fire
I have a Poulan Pro 18 in. which I used for a couple of years before I got my Husqvarna 61. I bought it because of the good reviews and have not been disappointed. IIRC I paid less than $100 including shipping. Electrics produce a surprising amount of power (mine claims 4hp) for their weight. I cut some oak rounds over 2' diameter with it. If it wasn't for the extension cord, it would be my weapon of choice still. I keep my 14 in. Homelite right by my splitter for finishing those stringy, hard-to-separate splits.
How much do you plan to cut? If you heat your home with wood, and cut most or all of it yourself, I recommend a pellet or gas or coal stove.
KaptJaq
Minister of Fire
I used an electric for the first time today, a Bosch AKE 40-19 S (40 cm bar, 1,900 watts) and was pleasently surprised at the power/weight ratio. The bar is about 16 inches and I spent a few hours bucking downed trees at my FILs. It did a great job. Limitations are the cord (can only wander soooo far) and no bar oil reminder. There is a viewable indicator but I forget to look. On my gas saws I check the oil when I fill the gas.
KaptJaq
KaptJaq
I just had a neighbor switch over to coal. Their research found it to be the cheapest fuel. But they had to do the building permit hoops.
I have an old Milwaukee 16" electric...have to watch the oiler too. And a Makita model #UC120D battery cordless chainsaw for pruning only. 4 1/2" bar. Strictly for limbing but surprising power. Also orchard supply catalogues make chainsaws that run off tractor PTO power. OESCO.com
From my personal use experience, electric is awfully slow going. But theres a certain use efficiency that gas doesnt offer.
I have an old Milwaukee 16" electric...have to watch the oiler too. And a Makita model #UC120D battery cordless chainsaw for pruning only. 4 1/2" bar. Strictly for limbing but surprising power. Also orchard supply catalogues make chainsaws that run off tractor PTO power. OESCO.com
From my personal use experience, electric is awfully slow going. But theres a certain use efficiency that gas doesnt offer.
Have an older corded Milwaukee that I got on sealed bid auction for $15 about 15yrs ago.
I'll use it on trees I'm limbing from a ladder around the yard because of the chain brake and light maneuverability(wish I had a cord clamp for it though)
Never bothered to buck any logs with it, but with a sharp chain it'll cut decent
Note: chaps are not effective at stopping an electric saw(if you're into wearing them)
Had a contractor, with a pacemaker, doing some work at the power plant come back and tell us his DR told him had an "event" on one of the days he was working at the plant - we weren't running and he was nowhere near any of the normal HV feeders. Not sure if it was actually the magnetism or not, but I've had credit cards wiped after doing a vessel closeout on a generator stator - my wallet stayed in my hardhat with all other foreign materials there after - sucked getting stuck bumming cash in Scotland for a few days
I'll use it on trees I'm limbing from a ladder around the yard because of the chain brake and light maneuverability(wish I had a cord clamp for it though)
Never bothered to buck any logs with it, but with a sharp chain it'll cut decent
Note: chaps are not effective at stopping an electric saw(if you're into wearing them)
Had a contractor, with a pacemaker, doing some work at the power plant come back and tell us his DR told him had an "event" on one of the days he was working at the plant - we weren't running and he was nowhere near any of the normal HV feeders. Not sure if it was actually the magnetism or not, but I've had credit cards wiped after doing a vessel closeout on a generator stator - my wallet stayed in my hardhat with all other foreign materials there after - sucked getting stuck bumming cash in Scotland for a few days
I like an electric for trimming overlong pieces and other uses around the homestead. Great if you want to cut on Sunday mornings too. Lots of torque to weight, however, sometimes a little ass helps drop the saw through the wood and also resists kickback.
I use the OREGON PowerNow CS250E6 40V Lithium battery saw.
I use it for cutting anything up to 8" dia and it is great for limbing and trimming.
Doesn't blast through the bigger rounds, just knaws its way through. Not short of torque, just top end power.
In fact, it is now the saw I use most. My wife can use it and so it gets alot of use.
I got it with the Endurance Battery Pack which was a significant extra cost but has proven to be well worth it.
Found a bunch of extra uses, like trimming 2x4 and 4x4 when doing outside carpentry projects.
All in all, it has proven to be a usefull addition to the tool chest.
No gas to mix, no smell, no noise. Always starts (with battery charged).
I have 2 ,a small one 12" bar that came with a 12' pole for limbing. It actually works pretty good on it's own for chopping up smaller limbs. I also have the biggest one craftsman makes, think its an 18". Good strong saw with a very sharp chain ,really eats through the wood. these saws are quieter than gas but not silent. THey are light weight and very easy to start.
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I have 2 ,a small one 12" bar that came with a 12' pole for limbing. It actually works pretty good one it own for chopping up smaller limbs. I also have the biggest one craftsman makes, think its an 18". Good strong saw with a very sharp chain ,really eats through the wood. these saws are quieter than gas but not silent. THey are light weight and very easy to start.
And don't forget, there's no idle, no mixing or fueling.
Stihl MSE 140. 14 inch bar, works great. Same type chain brake as a gas saw, holds more oil with a see thru window. Never had any problems with it for as long as I've owned it since new. About 3 years I'd guess. Just the right amount of oil, plenty of power. I keep the chain sharp with a hand file as needed. I wouldn't overload any electric motor with a dull chain.
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