What is the best battery operated chain saw

[Industrial Toys]

When does the true cost of owning a particular cordless tool outweight the extra work of getting out an extension cord? Are we just being brainwashed into "wanting" something else?

 

[George2615]

While we went with HF 40 volt tools because the wife wanted a line trimmer that did not require a BIG JERK to start and the leaf blower is a work horse around the place the Milwaukee M18 line of tools may be what we standardize around.

I hope she wasn't talking about you.

 

[Jchonline]

From several reviews, the Milwaukee M18 chainsaw weight 10.6 or 10.7 pounds with bar & chains, but without the battery and with the bar oil tank empty. With the 12 AH M18 battery, it comes to 14 lbs. Filling the oil tank adds about another 0.4 lbs.

I've always felt the Husqvarna 455 was a bit of a pig for weight compared to it's power. The Husqvarna 450 weighs significantly less, and only loses a little on the power as compared to the 455. The Stihl 250 is similar in power to the Husky 450, but weighs about a pound less. The pro-level saws in that power range for both brands are significantly lighter.

When comparing published weights, remember that most gas chainsaws specified weight is for the powerhead only: no bar and chain, and tanks empty. The weights for the Milwaukee chainsaw above included the bar & chain.

I really like the Milwaukee saw. For me it would be a no-brainer, if I ever decide to own one (rather than just trying out my friend's), since I already have a fair amount invested in the Milwaukee M18 products.

Home Depot is currently showing a sale where you can get the saw with two of their 12 AH batteries for $399. However, this sale special comes without their RapidCharger (actually, without any charger). That's OK if you already have one. If you don't, you can charge it with their regular charger, but it takes longer (the RapidCharger is really nice for the larger battery sizes).

The other key with the Milwaukee is you dont have to use the 12A battery. You can use a 4A which is significantly lighter...if you dont have hours of cutting to do. Most of us dont. I have a slew of different batteries for my Milwaukee tools. I usually take the smallest for the job. Also if my wife needs to use it she can use a lighter battery. This is why I went with the Milwaukee. It has been great so far. It is my GoTo for limbing, and I have a Stihl MS362 and MS241. I still use the 362 for felling and bucking the bigger stuff. I take the 241 if I am going to be out most of the day cutting.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I hope she wasn't talking about you.

I was wondering when someone would volunteer that.

 

[Jchonline]

here's a really good one. https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XCU03Z-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B01MUCQTK4 I'd have to do a lot of searching to find more.. basically, you only get what you pay for.. some people would buy an HF saw, because it's so cheap, if it breaks just throw it out and buy a new one.. another very good one. https://www.amazon.com/Echo-CCS-58V4AH-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless/dp/B019NFPJ12

Not really. You said the Milwaukee catch on fire at a higher rate than other power tools. At least I hope this is what you are stating...because thinking that a manufacturer of any power tool is immune from this is folly. I would like to see some evidence this is the case, and not just a Youtube video of 1 persons tool catching on fire.

The second point is Chinese manufacturing. This might be a discussion for another forum, but you are also misinformed if you think the Chinese can稚 make quality products. The issue is the US parent company wanting the cheapest possible tool made with the lowest quality components. The Chinese dont dictate this...the US company paying them does. So you can blame the US company for asking the Chinese to make it as cheaply as possible. A great example of the capability of quality in China is Apple. Apple has one of the highest hardware quality ratings for technology products in the world. All made in China. Apple engineers and dictates quality components...and the Chinese use them. We pay a premium...but we get what we pay for.

 

[lostcreekranch]

When does the true cost of owning a particular cordless tool outweight the extra work of getting out an extension cord? Are we just being brainwashed into "wanting" something else?

Uh .... when you have no place to plug in your cord?

I use my HF Lynxx 40V chain saw and pole saw hundreds of yards, from nearest outlet, out in our pastures.

I've sold, or given away, all of my corded weed eaters, blowers, hedge trimmers, etc.

 

[LD48750]

When does the true cost of owning a particular cordless tool outweight the extra work of getting out an extension cord? Are we just being brainwashed into "wanting" something else?

When the work you want/need to do is 10' past the total length of your longest two extension cords.

 

[dragoneggs]

When does the true cost of owning a particular cordless tool outweight the extra work of getting out an extension cord? Are we just being brainwashed into "wanting" something else?

Uh .... when you have no place to plug in your cord?

I use my HF Lynxx 40V chain saw and pole saw hundreds of yards, from nearest outlet, out in our pastures.

I've sold, or given away, all of my corded weed eaters, blowers, hedge trimmers, etc.

Or you load your generator in your FEL bucket like I have done. That is a hassle but worked well for my electric pole saw excursions.

 

[newbury]

When does the true cost of owning a particular cordless tool outweight the extra work of getting out an extension cord? Are we just being brainwashed into "wanting" something else?

When the person spending the money decides it's worth it.

 

[sea2summit]

When does the true cost of owning a particular cordless tool outweight the extra work of getting out an extension cord? Are we just being brainwashed into "wanting" something else?

Don’t have a 15A outlet in any of my vehicles and it’s almost half a mile from my the nearest outlet to the far corner of the property so I’d say...