Are cordless chainsaws any good?

X2

 

Are you using E-0 fuel?

Critical for small engines, particularly ones used irregularly, like homeowner use.

 

I hadn't heard of it until I went to buy the Husqvarna. Of course, it's conveniently placed right next to the chain oil at Farm and Fleet.

I thought it might be for suckers, but I'm so happy with the performance that I think it's worth the premium price. Heck, I'd pay it just to save me from dicking around with mixing my own.

 

Shit. Nothing is ever easy. Went to Lowe's to pick up some pre mix. They had 2 different kinds, 50:1 and 40:1. Came home and consulted the manual and it says -

Up to 20 hours use - 20:1
After 20 hours use - 25:1

 

Every chainsaw drips bar oil. I have a DeWalt 12" cordless chainsaw, it's very handy. I'm more likely to use it around the yard than my Echo 18" gas saw. I notice the power company uses cordless ones for their routine tree trimming, and last year they had to cut some tree limbs that a storm knocked onto my neighbor's power line. The crew said they liked using cordless chainsaws.

 

NOT TRUE -- I have 3 Stihl's and none leak oil. Two of these belonged to my Father-in-law and when he had then -- they leaked -come to find out he was not keeping the bar-oil cap tight enough.

 

I did say "drip", not leak. The lubricated chain will seep and leave a drip.

 

Chainsaw caps. When I cut with the son in law sometimes I need to get a screwdriver to loosen the oil or gas caps. I think he uses 5 uga duga's instead of just 2. Feels like an impact gun has been used.

 

picked up the kobalt 40v pole saw this weekend, to accompany the kobalt 40v hedge trimmer I already had. Very pleased with its performance. 8" bar, ran through 30-40 cuts without issue. Next up, the 40v blower i think.

 

I use a Milwaukee M12 Hackzall with a pruning blade when I'm camping. Total game changer for off grid camping.

 

My Stihl(s) do not "seep" or "drip" . I would hope you are using "bar and chain oil" in your saw This oil has a "sticky" agent added to it when manufactured , so it does not fly off (or drip/seep) when used running or sitting on the shelf or floor

 

I’ve been eyeing one of those for small tasks, I find that sawzalls with that pruning blade are the tool of choice for cutting roots out of the way when doing any kind of post hole or small trench digging! I just hate not having the M18 version and constantly needing to run an extension out to the worksite.

 

Imma go look at a MS170 tomorrow. Hopefully they have one with a 16" bar.

 

Yeah, I have been heavily invested in the M18 platform, but I recently bought the best cordless tool on earth, the M12 pop rivet gun. My god that thing is insane for working on aluminum boats, snowmobiles... So I decided to step into the M12 platform too. I actually bought the Hackzall primarily because it was a cheap way to get a 2nd battery and now I have no idea how I lived without it. I've used it so much it's just awesome.

 

I too have that pop riveter and a few drill /drivers and Bluetooth speaker on the M12 platform. I just recently got the M12 portable inflator. I keep the M18 stuff in the shop, and the M12 in the house for smaller projects, that way I don’t need to walk 50 yards to my shop every time I need a household grade tool. I love that all of the chargers accommodate both variations!

 

I run a tree farm and we only buy Husky for gas saws. No issues with starting. That’s more likely a fuel/ethanol issue not a saw issue.
With that being said, I DO plan on buying a Makita cordless battery saw to use for limbing and cutting brush. My neighbor has a Milwaukee cordless chainsaw as well and I have been impressed by it.

 

Is that some kind of sharpening rig on the 562xp?

 

It is indeed. Can set all the angles for the chain being used and swap out files for whichever size is needed. Can fully sharpen a saw in about 7-10 minutes. (Flush cutting stumps at the end of a tree season is hell on chains with all the shale in the ground around here.

 

I'm still rocking my McCulloch Mac110. As far as gas saws go it's the wrong colour, not powerful and awful to work on so I got it for free. Gave it a full tune up and it's needed nothing else 7+ years on. Funny thing is it's actually lighter than most battery powered saws.

Since then battery saws have gotten quite good. I don't have any battery powered tools so I'm not sure I'll go that route. I have a two stroke outboard as well so I always have a can of 50:1 fuel around.