buying a chainsaw - outdoor power buddy€¦ · the outdoorpowerbuddy.com guide to buying a...

Buying a Chainsaw

by Martin Cole

An outdoorpowerbuddy.com buyers' guide

The outdoorpowerbuddy.com guide to buying a chainsaw

Table of Contents

Legalities................................................................3

Introduction...........................................................4

Gas powered chainsaws..........................................6Pros, cons, key features................................................................................................................................7

Best uses ......................................................................................................................................................9

Corded electric chainsaws......................................11Pros, cons, key features.............................................................................................................................. 11

Best uses .................................................................................................................................................... 13

Cordless chainsaws................................................15Pros, cons, key features..............................................................................................................................15

Best uses .................................................................................................................................................... 16

Conclusions........................................................... 18

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LegalitiesThe author and publisher of both this guide - “Buying a Chainsaw: an outdoorpowerbuddy.com buyers' guide” - and the accompanying website materials at www.outdoorpowerbuddy.com (together, “the guidance”) have used their best efforts in preparing the guidance. The author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the guidance. The information contained in the guidance is strictly for educational purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in the guidance, you are taking full responsibility for your actions.

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IntroductionWhen buying a chainsaw you need to give some careful thought to what you are going to need the saw to do because, to a large extent, the intended uses for your saw will dictate the kind of saw you need.

Once you have a general idea of the kind of saw that will suit you, you need to think about particular features that you do or don't want, or that for you are essentials or maybe just 'nice to haves'.

Once you've been through this process, you'll be in a position to rule in or out individual chainsaw models and so create the shortlist from which you can choose your ideal saw.

This guide will put a little flesh on the bones of that simple process and help you find the perfect chainsaw.

There are three basic types of chainsaw:

• Gasoline or petrol powered (gas powered from here on)




• Electric - powered from an electricity source with power cord (corded electric)

• Cordless electric– powered by battery (cordless).

We'll look in turn at each of these different types of chainsaw and consider:

• the pros, cons and key features of each type of saw

• the uses to which each type of chainsaw is best suited.




Gas powered chainsaws

Gas powered chainsaws are for the toughest and most demanding jobs.

They generate the most power, they can be used anywhere and they can be used for prolonged periods.

These are the saws used by tree professionals, whether arborists or those cutting




lumber. So this gives you a clue as to their best uses.

Pros, cons, key features

Gas powered chainsaws are go-anywhere machines, they are not limited by electric cords or battery life. The higher grade models are designed for frequent and prolonged use and for dealing with large trees.

They are powered by two cycle engines,usually between 33 and 80 cc and have chains and guide bars between 12 and 30 inches long.

Gas powered chainsaws are great if you need power and portability and you are likely to use the saw frequently.

On the downside, they can be heavy, noisy and difficult to start. They need you to mix gas and oil each time you refuel and there is a fair bit of maintenance involved in keeping them running as required.

If you are considering buying a gas powered chainsaw, look out for these features:


Gas powered chainsaws can be heavy, noisy and difficult to start.



• Low emission engine – good for the environment and good for you,

• Easy start mechanism – some saws have electric starts, some have compression

release systems that allow you to pull the recoil cord more easily,

• Anti-vibration measures – too much vibration causes fatigue and can cause long

term injury after prolonged use,

• Safety measures – look for inertia chain brakes that stop the chains turning

immediately the throttle is released. Also look for anti-kick-back handles,

• Automatic bar oiling,

• Bar size – the greater the diameter of the trees or logs you intend to cut, the

longer sized bar you'll need. The usual reckoning is that a saw will cut wood with a diameter up to twice the length of the cutting bar.

You'll find most of these feature on a saw like the Husqvarna 450, which is a great all round gas powered chainsaw.


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/husqvarna-450-review/



Best uses

A gas powered chainsaw will suit you if:

• You need to cut down or log

mature trees, especially hardwoods,

• You are likely to need to use

your chainsaw fairly regularly,

• You are strong enough to

handle the extra weight of a gas powered model and the effort of pulling the recoil starting cord,

• You don’t mind having to mix up oil and gas to fuel the chainsaw,

• You are comfortable with maintaining the chainsaw,

• You need a chainsaw that you can use for extended periods and/or outside the

range of electric power,




• You don’t mind the noise or there are no noise limitations where you'll work.

You'll find more on gas powered chainsaws at:

How to buy the best gas chainsaw, on outdoorpowerbuddy.com.

Husqvarna 450


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/how-to-buy-the-best-gas-chainsaw-what-features-do-you-need-for-your-sawing-needs/



Corded electric chainsawsCorded electric chainsaws need a ready electric power source available, so (unless used with a generator) they cannot be used outside the range of extension cord – usually a maximum of 150 feet.

For that reason, they are more typically used by home gardeners or for preparing firewood that has been brought to the source of power.


The great advantage of corded electric chainsaws is that they are always ready and can be started at the flick of a switch.

There is no need to mix fuel and oil, maintain spark plugs or carburettors or charge batteries.

Apart from making sure that the chain and bar remain oiled, there is very little to do to keep an electric chainsaw ready for action.

Although you won't find an electric saw to match the professional grade gas saws, they can also be surprisingly powerful.




The best of them, such as the Makita UC3530A, (pictured below) are more than adequate for most home owner uses.

They are also significantly less noisy (and less smelly) than gas powered chainsaws.

The great disadvantage of these saws is, of course, the restriction placed upon the user by the need to plug the saw into an electric power source. You also need to 'manage' the cord as you work, to make sure you don't cut or trip over it.

Nevertheless, if you are close to a power source, this kind of saw can be used for reasonably long periods and, unlike gas saws, can also be used inside. So if you want a


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/makita-chainsaw-uc3530a/



saw for craftwork or you have the facilities for preparing lumber under cover, this kind of saw will suit you well.

Look out for the following features in a corded electric chainsaw:

• Tool-less chain tensioner,

• Automatic bar oiler,

• Smooth start – this allows the chain speed to build up gradually rather than start

abruptly,

• Slip clutch – disengages the power to the chain if it becomes stuck or snagged,

• Current limiter – prevents electrical overload if the chain snags.

Best uses

A corded eclectric chainsaw will suit you if:

• You don’t need to cut down lots of large trees or use a saw for long periods at a

time or on a very regular basis,

• You prefer a low maintenance tool,




• You need to cut small to medium trees, shrubs and logs,

• You can work near a power outlet (i.e. within reach of an extension cord or

generator),

• You may need to work indoors,

• You want a quiet chainsaw.

You'll find more on corded electric chainsaws at:

How to buy the best electric chainsaw at Outdoorpowerbuddy.com


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/electric-chainsaw/



Cordless chainsawsCordless chainsaws operate on rechargeable batteries. They offer convenience and portability but performance can vary considerably between models.


In some ways, cordless chainsaws combine the best features of both gas chainsaws and electric saws.

Like gas powered saws, they can be used anywhere and they are not hampered by cord management issues. Like electric chainsaws, they are quiet, virtually maintenance free and can be used indoors and out.

The main disadvantage of cordless chainsaws relates to battery life. With the

exception of the extremely impressive Oregon PowerNow series of cordless saws (pictured), most machines of this type will not cut for longer than 30 minutes to an


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/oregon-chainsaw-review-the-oregon-powernow-cs250e-cordless-chainsaw/



hour.

This makes them generally unsuitable for more demanding cutting work (again Oregon PowerNow excepted).

Key points to look out for with cordless chainsaws are:

• First and foremost, the battery. Look for a lithium-ion battery with a large number of cells for greater power and longer battery life,

• Avoid Ni-Cad batteries unless you only need the saw for occasional light pruning jobs,

• Tool-less chain tensioning,

• Automatic bar oiler,

• Safety features, such as slip clutch and anti-kick-back handle.

Best uses

A cordless chainsaw will suit you if:

• You want to work outside the range of a power source but don't want a gas powered saw,


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/oregon-chainsaw-review-the-oregon-powernow-cs250e-cordless-chainsaw/



• You want a saw that is relatively maintenance free,

• You want a quiet saw,

• You don't need to use the saw for prolonged periods.

•

You'll find more on corded electric chainsaws at:

How to buy the best cordless chainsaw at Outdoorpowerbuddy.com.

Black and Decker cordless chainsaw


http://outdoorpowerbuddy.com/chainsaws/cordless-chainsaw/



ConclusionsHopefully, this guide will have helped you gain a clear picture of which particular type of chainsaw might be right for you, as well as which chainsaw features are most important to to you.

Your next steps are to think about your budget and to begin to research the individual models in you chosen category.

Head on over to the chainsaws section at Outdoorpowerbuddy.com, where we feature the best in class models in full detail.








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