Sell Gas and Buy Battery Chainsaw?

mwemaxxowner · Nov 13, 2020

I had a nice Stihl chainsaw that was stolen. I replaced it with a Ryobi 40v brushless saw since I already had a few 40v tools. I didn't use a chainsaw enough to justify spending the coin on another Stihl. I got it secondhand at a very good deal.

It's no replacement for a stout 2 stroke saw for felling trees, but for pruning, working up brush or small trees that have been pushed over or something, it's great. I like being able to just pull the trigger, make my cut, then set it down as I drag whatever I've just trimmed off to the pile or the edge of the road (and not having to listen to it idle or shut it off and fire it up over and over.) There are a lot of situations where the electric is nice. I've worked up a lot of stuff with mine. It's only a 14" bar, now they have a 16" I'd like to get.

I worked all this up with my battery saw. Several old very mature leland cypresses that were pushed over when clearing for my driveway.

I also have a TON of smaller trees and shrubs on my property that were overgrown and unkempt. I had to clear out some overgrown areas to put my fence in the back yard. I had a lot of shrubs around the pool that were overgrown, and had produced offspring that had grown up out of place. I used this to remove several of those. For stuff like that using the battery powered saw has been really nice and convenient.

I'm not sure how an 18v would be but being a Makita I'm sure it's not junk.

CobyRupert · Nov 13, 2020

Do you have trees and storms?
You might only need a battery saw for some light trimming and “homeowner” uses now and then, but when that storm knocks the power out for 5 days and drops that big oak across the driveway...
I don’t know your situation, but sometimes I buy insurance from an agent, and sometimes my “insurance” sits unused in my garage.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Nov 14, 2020

CobyRupert said:
Do you have trees and storms?
You might only need a battery saw for some light trimming and “homeowner” uses now and then, but when that storm knocks the power out for 5 days and drops that big oak across the driveway...
I don’t know your situation, but sometimes I buy insurance from an agent, and sometimes my “insurance” sits unused in my garage.

I do have trees but don’t have to worry about them falling across my driveway to get out. I would push them out of the way first with the tractor. I don’t have very many trees in the front of the house.

This would be replacing my trimming saw for a battery powered saw. Mine is 25cc, it’s said the batter Makita saws is equivalent to a 30cc saw.

The battery saw is actually heavier, it weights 10 1/2lbs where my current saw is around 8lbs, not a big difference but would be noticeable trimming higher up. I think a pole saw would be a better fit for what I need really at the house. I think I’ll just buy a plug in cheap pole saw for $80 and be done with it.

rademamj1 · Nov 15, 2020

I have two Makita chainsaws that I have used during last 3 years. I have used them mainly for trimming trees and occasional cutting of logs to firewood. Both have 14" bars. Each saw has two primary 18V batteries, with two backup batteries. Very reliable saws.

However, all lithium batteries do loose their charge over time, even during time that your not using them. I recommend every 2 months putting a full charge on the batteries to avoid permanent damage.

sixdogs · Nov 15, 2020

rademamj1 said:
I have two Makita chainsaws that I have used during last 3 years. I have used them mainly for trimming trees and occasional cutting of logs to firewood. Both have 14" bars. Each saw has two primary 18V batteries, with two backup batteries. Very reliable saws.

However, all lithium batteries do loose their charge over time, even during time that your not using them. I recommend every 2 months putting a full charge on the batteries to avoid permanent damage.

Can you tell more about them? I'm thinking of buying a Makita like yours and wonder how well it cuts and what it feels like in use? How effective is it at cutting and how much power does it have? How long does it cut before you need to recharge? Anything you could offer would be helpful.

Industrial Toys · Nov 15, 2020

High winds just went through here. Did a reky (sp?) of the property. Lady friend says take Oregon Battery saw. Elected to take gas saw sitting there, ready to go. Just didn't feel, like messing around with second rate saw, if I really needed it. Still think, battery saws are OK, for some tasks. Still very lame, in performance comparison.

Rustyiron · Nov 15, 2020

Yes, a battery saw for certain saw tasks like carrying one in the vehicle on a particularly windy day to make your destination. I know of a few that have them at the ready at their sawmill where a quick cut might be needed. But I seriously question if a pair of batteries is equal to a tank of fuel. That's the comparison I'd like to know. I used a Milwaukee saw the other day to trim up some timbers for transport, the instant power was impressive but for the majority of my needs, (heck my short bars are 20") I'll always have my gas saws. I'd think for the average suburban homeowner a battery saw would be fine.

Industrial Toys · Nov 15, 2020

When you have all manner of saws, you just notice what you reach for, in certain situations.

I have not yet seen a larger battery saw. Something with the larger chain. So far, just dinky saws.

John_Mc · Nov 15, 2020

rademamj1 said:
However, all lithium batteries do loose their charge over time, even during time that your not using them. I recommend every 2 months putting a full charge on the batteries to avoid permanent damage.

NO! The best way to store lithium batteries is around half charge. They really don't like to spend a lot of time at 0-20% charge or at 80-100% charge. If you are not going to be using a lithium battery for an extended period, don;t charge them all the way up, or if they are fully charged, use them a bit to partially discharge them.