Posted: 4/28/2012 8:44:57 PM EDT
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This will be my first chainsaw purchase and I figured I would see what you think.
Is one better than the other (gas or electric)? Why? Is there a preferable company or product that you would recommend? What is a benefit of either? Right now I have now preference and I know little about them. I am interested in making a more knowledgeable purchase. Btw, I am not a professional nor will I be using this saw for extensive use. Primarily, I will be processing some logs and cutting some trees and branches around my home (nothing “heavy duty”). |
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In before someone tells you to buy a stihl. I've used both. Small gas engines that you don't use often are a pain, but gas is more powerful and you don't have a tail. Last year I bought an Echo Worx electric chainsaw from Home Depot. For my uses, it's great. But I don't go beyond my back yard and don't cut trees bigger than 12". ETA: correction, it's a worx http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-202488903/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=electric+chainsaw&storeId=10051 |
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i guess it depends on what you mean by logs? This. Anything bigger around than your wrist, and I wouldn't fool with an electric. I haven't used one except for one time, but it was truly a frustrating experience. Anything I need to do with a chainsaw, gets done with one of my uncle's Stihl saws. Husqvarna makes good saws too, but the ones at the big box stores are re-branded, made in China crap. Get some training and chaps, very easy to hurt yourself with a chainsaw, and minor injuries while running a chainsaw are rare. |
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Quoted:
Btw, I am not a professional nor will I be using this saw for extensive use. Primarily, I will be processing some logs and cutting some trees and branches around my home (nothing “heavy duty”). Several years ago, one of my relatives bought this electric model, also for homeowner use. It's held up really well. Both of us have been impressed with the size of the trees it'll handle - you can completely bury the bar in a trunk, and it still keeps cutting. Used with a beefy extension cord, it should serve your purpose just fine. |
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Gas.
Electric works well if it is a better quality unit, but the limitation of a cord can be a PITA, and especially after a storm. Head over to www.arboristsite.com Register, and say hello in the chainsaw section. It's the Arfcom of chainsaws, and the gang is plenty helpfull if folks ask. As far as a good gas saw for homeowners, stick with what a local dealer sells, and not the Box stores. Box stores are shit for support after the sale, the saws are not set up and tuned properly to start with, and as a newbie you'll be needing plenty of info and advice that the zit faced dept. flunkie at the box store wont have. Stihl, and Husqvarna both are solid in thier homeowner line, as is Echo for the most part. Pick the dealer and go with whatever he sells in the 40-50cc homeowner lineup and you should do fine. |
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Electric would have lower vibration and noise but you give up portability.
Also consider that one of the times you may really need the chainsaw after a big snow/ice storm the power is likely to be out at well. I'd suggest you go gas. Personally I don't think you'll need a Stihl but if you can afford one then go for it. |
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Also consider that one of the times you may really need the chainsaw after a big snow/ice storm the power is likely to be out at well. If you're the kind of person with enough foresight to plan for snow/ice storms, you probably also have enough foresight to own a generator. 
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Quoted: Quoted: Btw, I am not a professional nor will I be using this saw for extensive use. Primarily, I will be processing some logs and cutting some trees and branches around my home (nothing "heavy duty”). Several years ago, one of my relatives bought this electric model, also for homeowner use. It's held up really well. Both of us have been impressed with the size of the trees it'll handle - you can completely bury the bar in a trunk, and it still keeps cutting. Used with a beefy extension cord, it should serve your purpose just fine. 4 Hp in electrical power is roughly 3 kW. At 120 volts, that is 25 amperes. Now, they will cut hackberry trees but when buried in mesquite, they cut slow. Good two stroke chainsaws maintain chain speed at torque peak, universal motor electric saws have torque peak at near stall. |
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Buy a Stihl, you will have a reliable saw for years. Yep they cost a little more but you will also be saving time...no cussing and kicking rocks trying to get the "damn chainsaw running".
IF you use gasoline with ethanol in it (not sure you can even get gas without it) you should use Marine Sta-Bil or store your small engines empty. The ethanol causes o-rings to disintegrate and varnishes everything else. Friend of mine has a small engine repair shop and he absolutely loves the fact that every gas station around puts ethanol in their unleaded fuel. His business has tripled since the addition of ethanol. He does inform his customers of the ethanol issue, he is a stand up guy. |
| Everything that I have heard about the new made in USA Husqvarna's is that they are total crap. The older Swiss ones are great saws. You can get a great deal on a refurb 435 from http://www.vminnovations.com/Product_5048/Husqvarna-435-16-Inch-40-9cc-Refurbished-Chainsaw.html, I just bought one and its great, took down a 15" across tree with it today. word of caution: use the highest octane gas you can get in a chainsaw, and always empty them when your done. |