Chainsaw for light work - electric or petrol

cathy427

Need to get a chainsaw for some light garden work - stuff like branches that were overgrown into the neighbours that we took down and now need to chop. Other bits like that. Nothing terribly big. Around 4 to 5 inches round for most stuff.

Used a chainsaw for light firewood growing (over 25 yrs ago) and appreciate the dangers. Have a log holder.

Would you go electric or petrol.

Electric

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/titan-ttl758chn-2000w-230v-electric-40cm-chainsaw/719fg

Petrol

https://www.coopsuperstores.ie/products/mcculloch-35cc-14-petrol-chainsaw-1772674

T-Maxx

4 to 5 inches diameter you mean?

cathy427

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121656350#Comment_121656350

Sorry yes.

About that in diameter on average.

T-Maxx

Well that's chainsaw size definitely. As for electric vs petrol I'd say if it's for occasional use, you have an outside socket and can reach the work area easily enough with an extension lead then electric is easier and cleaner and quieter.

Doe Tiden

What about battery?

cathy427

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121673072#Comment_121673072

They seem to be a lot more expensive.

After that don't know in terms of cutting power or how long a charge would last. Most of them do seem to come with two batteries so could have one re charging when using other one.

If cutting power was ok then I suppose cost is main issue.

10-10-20

I'm not a fan of the battery concept for many of these as the batteries might only get occasional use and then stay in a state of low or full charge for an extended duration... you would be lucky to see past 3 or 4 years with some of the batteries out there. On the other hand, if you have other household tools such as drills and pumps using the same battery type, then it might work better for you, but the problem then is vendor lock-in or the battery type being retired.

I ended up needing a chainsaw for occasional use recently, I had a cheap electric/mains one which did me fine for around 7 years before it let the magic smoke out. I shopped around and purchased a mid-range Bosch one, but the warehouse couldn't find it in stock in the end and I ended up taking the only remaining option which was a Black and Decker. 🤨

Anyway, I showed the B&D wood last month and within 5 mins I had sparks coming off the motor/commutator. You can get it to work but it's really like a small dog - bark worse than its bite and needs rest-periods.

Anyway my point is that electric is probably better than petrol for occasional use as long as you can get the cable out to the work-site, otherwise think about batteries but bear in mind their limitations.

CelticRambler

For light and definitely for occasional work, I'd recommend the electric option. Nothing more frustrating than trying to molly coddle a two-stroke engine that only gets used a few times a year, need a not-too-old mix of SP95+2.5% oil, and wants to be drained of same when you're finished - assuming you know that you're not going to need it again in the near future. I have two petrol chainsaws and an electric one. The electric has been getting all the action lately, and not just because of "petrol" issues, but also because it's quiet enough to use at any time of the night, and convenient to use indoors too (e.g. when the work is too much for a sabre saw).

As for battery versus corded: when faced with the choice, I decided it was far better to invest in 100m of heavy duty extension cable that'll power any electric motor of my choosing for the foreseeable future rather than pick a piece of garden equipment based primarily on whether or not it's battery was compatible with whatever other thing I might want to buy or use.

Flipperdipper

If it's only for occasional light work why not consider an electric reciprocating saw ? It's far safer and cheaper than a chainsaw and you don't need the chainsaw trousers and boots. Although I have a chainsaw with all the safety gear and training I use the reciprocating saw for any light jobs close to the house. I've cut down small trees and branches up to about 8" dia with a cheap one that I got in ALDI. A bit slower than a chainsaw but a lot safer if you haven't got the training.

blackbox

I have petrol and mains electric. I use the electric for everything except big felling jobs.

Quieter and easier and cheaper to run.

Don't use one without the safety gear.

Rows Grower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121719672#Comment_121719672

I second this.