Petrol vs cordless chainsaws

[TheEntertainer]

Looking at the new cordless battery powered chainsaws., no cords, no 2 stroke, no smell and less noise, easy start...

But how close do they get in performance compared too the petrol powered ones.

Would you buy one?

[Vern]

There was a huge thread on this not long ago.
Yes i would buy one

[Tins]

Looking at the new cordless battery powered chainsaws., no cords, no 2 stroke, no smell and less noise, easy start...

But how close do they get in performance compared too the petrol powered ones.

Would you buy one?

Provided there is a facility for charging from your car then absolutely I would have one. Get two batteries. Oh, get a good one, not a Bunnings special.

[Eevo]

10-14inch go battery
16inch+ go petrol
24inch+ use detcord

[AK83]

Looking at the new cordless battery powered chainsaws., no cords, no 2 stroke, no smell and less noise, easy start...

But how close do they get in performance compared too the petrol powered ones.

Would you buy one?

No comparison in terms of performance!

But yes! .. for sure get one .. depending on what you want it for.

If you were an arborist, you'd have to try one out to see if it works for 'ya.

Got my dad a AEG 50-something(54v I think) volt full sized brush cutter and it's perfect for him.
Mind you he has 2 acres to trim back too. Battery lasts at least an hour which is more than enough for him(he's 80+).
But there's no starting issue(at over 80 he has no strength to start a petrol trimmer), and it powers through his bush block.
Going by that(which I've used as well of course), I'd say a proper full sized high voltage cordless chainsaw would be very useful.

On a personal note, my only use for a chainsaw is mainly for camping firewood.
For that I chose a Ryobi 18v(One +) cordless.
Already have a few other One+ tools, so it was a natural choice. Batteries galore, mainly their 4AHr types.
It's slow, but makes no noise.. whereas everyone else is making a racket in the bush .. and you go bush to get away from the racket of the big smoke!
While it's slow(er) compared to even a baby petrol saw, it still does the job. We've hacked 12" plus hardwood(all dry tho) .. and you just have to be mindful that it's going to take longer .. but it does the job.
The last time, we cut slices/wedges out of a fallen redgum(about 2 metes in diameter) but only to the point where an axe or splitter would hack the rest with one blow.
And you can get a nice 12v charger for the Ryobi One+ system too. I got it mainly for the chainsaw, but it's still a handy charger to have for the other tools if it ever came to it.
(if you're a lazy bugger like me, then you use the car charger if you're working on stuff near the car, rather than walk the 15m back to the house to charge a battery!)
The other things I like about the battery powered saw is that it's a lot safer to teach the kids to use a chainsaw too .. (12-15yo's) so the length of time it takes doesn't really matter, as they have a ball all chopping up the timber for the fire! [wink11]
And following on from that, it's very easy to use one handed(and hence much safer than a petrol powered one).
The other week I had to (finally!) chop down a tree growing on the side of my house. Been putting it off for about a year now, as it's one of those too hard jobs that you always put off.
I waited mainly to time it so that there was absolutely no wind on the day. Tree about 4 meters tall, and I could only get up by about a meter to get as high as I could to chop it in as small pieces as possible .. and not have it fall and destroy the pailing fence too!
So one handedly I had to hold the top most of the trunk that I could reach and the other hand gently trimming enough timber(down low) so that as it gently fell, I could direct the top, 2m or so that I was cutting off towards a safe area.
in the end I trimmed only so much that it hardly even fell, and it was more like that it floated down as the timber softened and bent slowly(like a shock absorber damping effect).
There's no way I could have one handedly operated a petrol saw like that. (well, I'm not game too)
The tree was about 10" in dia, so it took longer than even a small petrol saw .. but I was glad that I only had a battery powered saw.
Took an hour to do the entire tree(about 10 cuts to keep the job manageable) and cut it down to a short stump in the ground now .. and the 4Ah battery still had plenty of juice to go!

Would I buy one .. no! .. but only coz I already have one [tonguewink]

ps. the only annoyance with the Ryobi 18v One+ model is that if you use it for camping, you have to be sure you securely position it in an upright manner or it leaks oil(chain oil) out of somewhere.
If it tips, or is laid to rest on it's side, you get oil everywhere. But it doesn't come out of the cap!(I'll have to look into it one day).

[Tombie]

With the Ryobi One+ set - add a Recip saw ($99) and cut all the firewood you like with almost no effort.

[Vern]

Cordless chainsaw experiences and recommendations? (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/239531-cordless-chainsaw-experiences-recommendations.html)

[AK83]

With the Ryobi One+ set - add a Recip saw ($99) and cut all the firewood you like with almost no effort.

:D

(EDIT: Haven't) Got one! .. never thought to take it with us.
They're much weaker with hard wood tho, so I stopped trying with it.
It literally stops if you push it hard with (say) redgum. Chainsaw must obviously have lower gearing as it doesn't feel as weak(by comparison) ..

but still a good option to have.

EDIT: I confused reciprocating with circular .. oops!
I do have a cheapie Ozito type reciprocating saw .. other than the odd pruning job, it's pretty weak.

[bob10]

I have a Stihl arborist battery chain saw. Does the job it's meant to do very well. I recommend two batteries.

[gusthedog]

AK83, please don't use any chainsaw one handed! Good way to get a free ride to hospital if you get any kickback at all. [emoji106]

[Homestar]

Yep, got one - love it for what I need now - to cut up small amounts of firewood for a campfire. Bought the 36 volt Ryobi (they do an 18 volt version too). Cuts better than I though, very happy. Easy to keep in the car - no petrol smells, but still leaks a bit of chain oil like most do. Runs a standard bar and chain so spares are easy to come by anywhere.

if you're collecting a seasons firewood for home, probably not. [biggrin]

[TheEntertainer]

Did a bit of googling, it looks like the EGO gets good reviews and is backed by a 5 year warranty. Price is not that bad either at just under $500!

[trout1105]

I bought an electric chainsaw, Not a cordless But a plug in type that I bought 8-10 years ago Just for splitting a beast when doing a farm kill.
It has since done a mountain of other work, Clearing fence lines, Trimming and notching strainer posts etc.
It is on its second Bar and I am not sure how many chains it has worn out over the years and it is still going.
The Only problem with it is that I need to cart around a small genset and an extension cord around to use it, These cordless units sound like the Bees Knees and I will have to look into getting one [thumbsupbig]

[Tins]

I bought a cute little Stihl 2 stroke for about $230. Came in a bag thing. has a good warranty. Starts easily. Sits in the car forgotten. Then, when I need it, broom, cut, put away.

I love my cordless stuff. But my system is Milwaukee, and they don't do a chainsaw ( yet ). Makita do.

Point is, do you have other cordless tools? Because the biggest cost is, and will always be, batteries. Go with a system that gives you tools that you will use, and go with a system that has a reputation for continuing to support older tools. Those brands ( I'm generalising,and know that these brands don't always offer chainsaws) include Dewalt, Hilti, Makita, Milwaukee, and maybe a couple more.

I would be suspicious, and do some research, before I bought Ryobi ( once a good brand ) Westco, .... No, actually I'm not going to continue, you need to do your research. You won't get support from so many brands that used to be good names, so, as Tombie said elsewhere, caveat emptor.

[Homestar]

Ryobi may not be a trade quality tool, but they are backed very well by Bunnings. For the 2 or 3 tines a year I use mine, it does the job well. I agree about getting something with a battery you'll use in something else as they are bloody expensive. My next purchase will be the Ryobi electric lawn mower so that's one of the reasons I went the way I did. :)

[Tombie]

I thump my Ryobi One gear and touch wood, no issues yet.

A decent mid range product IME

[rick130]

...and they don't do a chainsaw ( yet ). Makita do.




Makita's petrol saws are excellent, with the pro grade stuff made in Germany.
They bought Dolmar in 1991, and Dolmar's history in chainsaws pre dates Stihl.
Dolmar/Makita are very bit as good as the big two and sometimes better, so Makita have excellent engineering skills to call on with their cordless stuff.

[d@rk51d3]

Got the Ryobi 36v polesaw at work, and it's a rippa.
Dad went and got the 18v version, and she's a good'un too.

Very tempted to go the chainsaw too.

[trout1105]

The only problem with cordless gear is that a lot of the time when you go to use them the bloody things need charging, Or the power runs out just before you have finished the job.
I take a little 22' petrol chainsaw away with me when I go bush with a spare chain + spark plug and so far it hasn't let me down, The cordless units look very good But I hate having to recharge too much stuff and as I don't use the chainsaw that often the petrol jobbie suits my purpose better.

[bsperka]

The only problem with cordless gear is that a lot of the time when you go to use them the bloody things need charging, Or the power runs out just before you have finished the job.
I take a little 22' petrol chainsaw away with me when I go bush with a spare chain + spark plug and so far it hasn't let me down, The cordless units look very good But I hate having to recharge too much stuff and as I don't use the chainsaw that often the petrol jobbie suits my purpose better.
Where do you store a 22 foot (22') chainsaw? [emoji15] Didn't even know you could get them that big!!![emoji10] Got to love the old imperial system ...

[Homestar]

Where do you store a 22 foot (22') chainsaw? [emoji15] Didn't even know you could get them that big!!![emoji10] Got to love the old imperial system ...

Could be why he doesn't use it very often. ;)

[trout1105]

Where do you store a 22 foot (22') chainsaw? https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/05/208.jpg Didn't even know you could get them that big!!!https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/05/209.jpg Got to love the old imperial system ... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/misc/progress.gif



22", Ya happy now [tonguewink]
One faulty keystroke and the peanut gallery explodes into action [bigwhistle]

[Tote]

Here's an 18' chainsaw.....

123776

Regards,
Tote

[bsperka]

Here's an 18' chainsaw.....

123776

Regards,
Tote
Cool!!! 2 man job though; I'd hate to be the front man on that one.

[DoubleChevron]

Cool!!! 2 man job though; I'd hate to be the front man on that one.

It's probably safer than you would think. Because the nose of the bar is covered. In theory it should never kick back. I sure never want to be the front man on one though!

[AK83]

...

A decent mid range product IME+

+1

I don't thump them(as such), but my cordless drill gets a bit of abuse.
It's struggles with 6mm steel plate, but then again so did my brother-in-laws Makita .. and only the 240v Bosch cut it like it pine! :D

As for kick, I've never felt it with the Ryobi One +(yet). and due to the quite slow speed of the chain, if it ever did kick, it'd be more of a gentle one, and most likely the shock would(or could) have you finger off the trigger and hence the chain immediately stops.
For that reason, both brother and I felt confident that it's safe for 12yo's to use it with care(and a degree of safety too).
And same with the one handed trick .. good control over the speed of the chain, so much so that to lightly trim a smidge at a time, and not just hack the whole lot in a flash(like a petrol model would in the hands of a hack! :D) .. makes awkwardly located trees/branches, with the probability of them falling and squashing the fence a lot more manageable.

[Robmacca]

Provided there is a facility for charging from your car then absolutely I would have one. Get two batteries. Oh, get a good one, not a Bunnings special.

I actually bought one of the 36v Ozito Battery Chainsaws & blowers when they were selling them out @ Bunnings. Had it for about a year or so and given it a good work out & I gotta say I've got no complaints yet. I've cut Hardwood with it and that was no troubles to it. There's no comparison to good petrol version, but no noise; no fuel smell and the Chain been really good too. My only complaint about it is the Chain-oil seems to leak even when not in use. Not a biggy but I just empty it back into the container until next time I use it.....

[Gordie]

My only complaint about it is the Chain-oil seems to leak even when not in use. Not a biggy but I just empty it back into the container until next time I use it.....
Most of my chainsaws have leaked oil when not in use...and my most recent you-beaut-Husqvarna did the same from new...so I did some research and found that it is a common thing. One solution that I have tried with some success...is that after use, and again after the saw has cooled down...to undo and re tighten the tank cap...which equalises the pressure inside the oil tank and stops the oil being forced out the oiler by the pressure in the tank.

[TheEntertainer]

Is that thing real,
Any thoughts on the victa?

[BMKal]

AK83, please don't use any chainsaw one handed! Good way to get a free ride to hospital if you get any kickback at all. [emoji106]

Unless of course you are using an arborist's chainsaw - which is designed to be used one handed. [wink11]

[ozscott]

We had a saw with a slightly longer and deeper blade to the one pictured above but with a motor twice the size. I believe it's in a museum now. My father and his dad used it to make a mess of the Dandenongs in the day. I recall it running when I was a pup...seriously dangerous beast.

My weapon of choice is a Husky 350 as a powerful small to mid sized. I have also used 67-70 c.C XP's but hardly a camping saw.

If a cordless saw was much smaller than the Husqy I would consider it. Having said that if you go with a group in cold weather and want a big fire every night you can't go past a petrol saw with a good sharp chain...

Cheers

[AndyG]

How do you drop start an electric one 🤔😱, only joking, love my 100cc husky with short blade, devours red gum. But a bit much as you get older. appreciate the thread, never considered them before. Bought a silky saw to save weight

[AndyG]

posted in error wheres the delete button

[rick130]

How do you drop start an electric one 🤔😱

Bwahahaha, you'll have the OH&S crowd all over you if you aren't careful. [bigwhistle]

[weeds]

I keen to see and electric chain saw in action.......like cutting up a decent hardwood tree that has been dead for years for a 1/2 doz Campers

I always volunteer my petrol, it's never failed me however the fumes makes it difficult for transport inside the defer

[Eevo]

I always volunteer my petrol, it's never failed me however the fumes makes it difficult for transport inside the defer

plenty of gaps between panels to allow airflow.

[gusthedog]

Get a sealed box.

[bob10]

Here's an 18' chainsaw.....

123776

Regards,
Tote
Used for cutting slabs off a tree with the proper jig, I believe.

[Wraithe]

I bought an electric chainsaw, Not a cordless But a plug in type that I bought 8-10 years ago Just for splitting a beast when doing a farm kill.
It has since done a mountain of other work, Clearing fence lines, Trimming and notching strainer posts etc.
It is on its second Bar and I am not sure how many chains it has worn out over the years and it is still going.
The Only problem with it is that I need to cart around a small genset and an extension cord around to use it, These cordless units sound like the Bees Knees and I will have to look into getting one [thumbsupbig]

Hi trout1105,

What size bar is on your chainsaw? and how do you find it with fat around the chain?
I have an 18inch McCulloch for the same job but an electric might just be the answer(Honestly never thought of using one).. PS I use on Heifers...


Back to thread itself:
The only thing I'd be concerned with, in a cordless or electric saw, is the type of timber your cutting...

I have an 18 inch cheapy for pruning small limbs or using along fence when doing a check of the fences, but if I come across any branches that are too big then I need the Stihl..
I only have Marri and Jarrah to deal with but even with a Stihl 066 Magnum and 30 inch bar, its too small at times...
If you could get an Electric one with an 18inch bar and the power to go with it, then I would jump at the chance...
Mind you, a 10 inch bar cordless would be good in a box in the back of the bus, for camping...

In regards to leaking, I find its mostly the build up of oil in the bar, around where the feed hole is(saw dust will hold quite a lot too)... It accumulates and then leaks out when you stop...
De-pressurizing the oil tank is probably a good idea, but some times I have come across seals in the oil feed mechanism that are the culprit... Its why I got the 066, a friend had nothing but trouble and went back to dealer so many times he gave up and then gave it to me and said "its never been any good, use it for parts"... I sealed the feed pump and then gave it a proper tune, never missed a beat in the last 10 years and I've cut slabs with it and trunk sizes up to 5ft diameter...

[trout1105]

What size bar is on your chainsaw? and how do you find it with fat around the chain?

I fill the chain oil reservoir with cooking oil before I use it for that job and the fat really isn't a problem.
It is a good idea not to have a ute or a tractor in the line of fire from the meat bone and FAT etc. that flies out of the front of the chainsaw when doing this job, It is a real pain to clean off.
The blade is a 22" and has quite a bit of "Guts" to it even though it is an Ozito or similar, I cant remember off hand I will go out to the shed and have a squiz tomorrow for you.
Like the cordless units it starts every time with absolute ease and it stops instantly if you take your finger off the trigger.

It is still a pain in the arse to clean after use just the same as any other chainsaw, As you would be no doubt aware of But there is no exhaust or Oil contamination on the cut and it is so much quieter to use.
I bought mine at Bunnings years ago and I can't remember how much it was But I do remember that it was Bloody cheap for what I got.

[Wraithe]

I fill the chain oil reservoir with cooking oil before I use it for that job and the fat really isn't a problem.
It is a good idea not to have a ute or a tractor in the line of fire from the meat bone and FAT etc. that flies out of the front of the chainsaw when doing this job, It is a real pain to clean off.
The blade is a 22" and has quite a bit of "Guts" to it even though it is an Ozito or similar, I cant remember off hand I will go out to the shed and have a squiz tomorrow for you.
Like the cordless units it starts every time with absolute ease and it stops instantly if you take your finger off the trigger.

It is still a pain in the arse to clean after use just the same as any other chainsaw, As you would be no doubt aware of But there is no exhaust or Oil contamination on the cut and it is so much quieter to use.
I bought mine at Bunnings years ago and I can't remember how much it was But I do remember that it was Bloody cheap for what I got.

Thats a good size bar...

Cooking oil is different, I dont use anything as there is enough lubricant in the Carcass..
When you go to clean up, a big tub of hot water that the bar will fit in, soak it well.. Usually takes a couple of cuppas and a few stories, then into it with a hard bristle hand brush with detergent... Your cooking oil over the bar afterwards would mean its ready for next killer...(or do what Lazy bones does sometimes and let it set overnight then peel off)
I think I may just have to get an electric for carcass work...

I was told to try a reciprocating saw when cutting in halves but I dont think the blade would last long, especially if it twisted like when you loose the backline...

Anyway, thank you, gives me a few things to think about,,,

[TheEntertainer]

Well, looks like the minimum cost for a brushless with two batteries is $900 for a decent bit of gear. Petrol you can get for around $400. Them add fuel and servicing.

Or will the sthil, or husky 236 @ 249 do just a good a job

[trout1105]

Or will the sthil, or husky 236 @ 249 do just a good a job https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/misc/progress.gif



An $80 special from eBay would probably do just as good a job I suppose.
It depends on how often you need to use a chainsaw that would probably decide how much you are willing to pay for one.
As I don't use a chainsaw very much at all these days I would probably just pick up a cheap Chinese saw to carry around just in case I needed it if I didn't already have a plug in and a perfectly good husky in the shed.
Lets face it $900 is a lot of money to spend if you are only going to make casual use of something when there are heaps of cheaper options out there.

[Tins]

Where do you store a 22 foot (22') chainsaw? [emoji15] Didn't even know you could get them that big!!![emoji10] Got to love the old imperial system ....

Who do you get to stand at the other end...

[ozscott]

I recall buying a Homelite as a fill in saw . Cheapie. It was awful. Chain brake didn't seem sensitive enough for kick back protection and it didn't like to start nor cut straight. Maybe I got a dud. It vibrated like crazy for a small saw too. Cheapies are no doubt bettrr 20 years later so for just camping I would get a Poulon or Homelite etc on special. For much more I would spring for a good brand of saw. I have used a 55cc Jonsered for cutting up long dead hardwood and it was good too although prefer Husky.

Cheers

[DiscoMick]

I bought a Stihl but a Ryobi electric is on the wish list as we have several Ryobi tools and batteries.

[Gordie]

I have a Husky which I expect will see me out...and I love it. I also have a cheapie, which has been a great little saw. In my experience, if you are going to use a saw for hour upon hour and work the heck out of it...you need a decent 'brand' one. If you are going to prune the occasional tree or use one to cut some campfire firewood...then you would be wasting a lot of money by buying an expensive 'brand' one over a cheapie.

[Wraithe]

Had a paddock BBQ this arvo... These are types of firewood logs you dont tackle with a small hardware sold chainsaw and definitely forget the electrics...

Sadly these logs had rot in them from being used as a tank stand for 30 years... Still they made the tractor do rear wheel wheelies...

[mrb505]

I've had a little green Ozito 38cc ? chainsaw for a few years now and it's been so good I hardly use my 68cc Dolmar now as the Ozito is so light and fits behind the seat.
Cut up this tree, that was blown over a few years ago, with it recently only stringy but did it no worries.

[TheEntertainer]

So I ended up buying a Stihl 180 Mini Boss.

Took it out on the weekend and dropped 11 trees to make room for the 7 x 4 shed and veranda total 7 x 8. Worked like a dream.

So why did I end up going for a petrol.

1.) Cost, $400 vs $1000 (with 2 batteries)

And that is about it. still would have loved the brush less, but out of my budget range.

Very very happy with the stihl

[weeds]

So I ended up buying a Stihl 180 Mini Boss.

Took it out on the weekend and dropped 11 trees to make room for the 7 x 4 shed and veranda total 7 x 8. Worked like a dream.

So why did I end up going for a petrol.

1.) Cost, $400 vs $1000 (with 2 batteries)

And that is about it. still would have loved the brush less, but out of my budget range.

Very very happy with the stihl

Do you reckon two batteries would have cut the 11 trees??

I'm keen to see an electric in action....

went camping a while ago and a guy had a decent cordless but doesn't used it on felled timber.....therefore could help with firewood. Firewood is the main reason I carry a chainsaw.....green timber doesn't make a god fire.

[Gordie]

Put petrol in...pull the chord and they go...and they go and go and have grunt. I know batteries have come a long way....but I still don't really like the idea of them...they get less and less efficient over time and eventually need replacing.....every battery I have ever owned, including for cars, phones, tools etc does the same. If I could find a diesel motor for my phone...I would probably use it!!![bigsmile]

[Homestar]

Do you reckon two batteries would have cut the 11 trees??

I'm keen to see an electric in action....

went camping a while ago and a guy had a decent cordless but doesn't used it on felled timber.....therefore could help with firewood. Firewood is the main reason I carry a chainsaw.....green timber doesn't make a god fire.

Dropped 11 trees - easy on one battery, but cut them all up - no. A petrol unit is ideal for what was done there, but mine will cut a load of dry firewood on 1 battery easy as - but it is a 36 volt version. The 18 volt versions still do well for small amounts. I don't think there's one right saw for all occasions - for what I need now, the electric is perfect. When I used to have an open fire, and do fencing I had 3 Stihl petrol saws - an 066, an 038 and an 039. Sold them when I moved to the city and my little electric is perfect now. :)

I'll take it to Winter Wombat if anyone wants to try it out or see what it can - and can't do. :)

[TheEntertainer]

I don't recon I would have got the job done in 2-3 hours with a brush less, unless I had 4 batteries... guessing!

I ran two tanks of petrol through and chopped them all up, sitting nicely thank to the kids in the drying shed.

The other plus is the weight, the petrol is 3-4 kg lighter than the the electric, they are great until you put the 6 amp/h battery in.

For camping and around the house go electric as you can probably get away with one standard battery, and recharge it when you have time.

fyi a 6amp/h battery just by itself is well over the $300 mark.

[Vern]

All depends completely what you want it for. Camping, battery powered is perfect, no fuel to carry, QUIET!. Cutting firewood and dropping trees, petrol wins.
I am like homestar, i have 3 petrol saws (sold the 4th), but i will probably sell one and replace it with a battery one just for camping! No ones like to hear a 2 stroke being rung out whilst trying to take in the serenity

[loanrangie]

All depends completely what you want it for. Camping, battery powered is perfect, no fuel to carry, QUIET!. Cutting firewood and dropping trees, petrol wins.
I am like homestar, i have 3 petrol saws (sold the 4th), but i will probably sell one and replace it with a battery one just for camping! No ones like to hear a 2 stroke being rung out whilst trying to take in the serenity

I dont know, nothing screams out your in the bush more than a 2 stroke saw going flat out [biggrin].

[350RRC]

I dont know, nothing screams out your in the bush more than a 2 stroke saw going flat out [biggrin].

Especially to the rangers when you're in a National Park. [biggrin]

cheers, DL

[Vern]

I dont know, nothing screams out your in the bush more than a 2 stroke saw going flat out [biggrin].
Typical city slicker response!😊

[loanrangie]

Typical city slicker response!😊
Tongue in cheek of course .

[Tins]

Sorry, the thing to remember here is; do you have any other cordless tools?? I sure do, and they are all Milwaulke. However you spell it. They don't do a chainsaw, but they sure do a rattler, and a screw gun etc. Makita do a chainsaw, but their rattler isn't a patch on my 18V red one. So, how many batteries and chargers do I carry? Just in case? I'll bet I need a rattler to change a tyre before I need a saw. Now that I've said that, I'n sure to be wrong. So, I carry my 18V charger and spare batt, the weird 18V screw gun I bought by accident, the brilliant 18V rattler ( amazing, can take off five wheel nuts as fast as you can pull the trigger: Think about it, if you are in a bad recovery situation, with the car in a precarious position, and you need a wheel change ). Then add in the cost. I have a little Stihl MS 170. It is a one hand start, it will easily cut what a cordless will cut, it cost $249, from a dealer, with a two year warranty ( if I use Stihls synth oil ), it's light, it came with a bag, and five litres of fuel lasts it for ages.
If Milwaulke did a saw, I'd definitely consider it. If I had Makita as my tool base I'd consider their saw. But seriously, the cordless world has not caught up with chainsaws yet. I have no doubt they will. But you will still need to remember to charge them. How many of you wind up with flat smartphones?
Something else to remember. If you get stuck, in the snow, with wet things, and cold kids, will a battery help light a fire? 2 stroke will. if you're careful.

Simply food for thought.

[AK83]

..... will a battery help light a fire? 2 stroke will. if you're careful.

...I

it should.
Can't(and won't) confirm that for 'ya, but if you short it out with a very thin wire, the wire should 'light up' so to speak.
Problem is the cordless tool is probably using a LiIon battery and it'll have some kind of protection circuitry to prevent shorting out and stuff.

[Vern]

I have a breaker bar and 27mm socket that works perfectly fine john, doesn't need fuel or charging, my Milwaukee gear stays at home. I also have a stihl 017 (wifes actually), which i have to carry fuel and oil for and put up with the smell. That is the con to it, and that is my argument, no fuel, no smell, no noise! Keep the fellow campers happy.
And if you need 2 stroke to start a fire, i suggest you go back to boy scouts and get some lessons😉😊
If you want to be doing you yearly firewood collection, then get a decent petrol saw, if you want to get a campfire going and without disturbing the serenity, get a battery one.

[350RRC]

Sorry, the thing to remember here is; do you have any other cordless tools?? I sure do, and they are all Milwaulke. However you spell it. They don't do a chainsaw, but they sure do a rattler, and a screw gun etc. Makita do a chainsaw, but their rattler isn't a patch on my 18V red one. So, how many batteries and chargers do I carry? Just in case? I'll bet I need a rattler to change a tyre before I need a saw. Now that I've said that, I'n sure to be wrong. So, I carry my 18V charger and spare batt, the weird 18V screw gun I bought by accident, the brilliant 18V rattler ( amazing, can take off five wheel nuts as fast as you can pull the trigger: Think about it, if you are in a bad recovery situation, with the car in a precarious position, and you need a wheel change ). Then add in the cost. I have a little Stihl MS 170. It is a one hand start, it will easily cut what a cordless will cut, it cost $249, from a dealer, with a two year warranty ( if I use Stihls synth oil ), it's light, it came with a bag, and five litres of fuel lasts it for ages.
If Milwaulke did a saw, I'd definitely consider it. If I had Makita as my tool base I'd consider their saw. But seriously, the cordless world has not caught up with chainsaws yet. I have no doubt they will. But you will still need to remember to charge them. How many of you wind up with flat smartphones?
Something else to remember. If you get stuck, in the snow, with wet things, and cold kids, will a battery help light a fire? 2 stroke will. if you're careful.

Simply food for thought.

Milwaukee and AEG are owned by the same mob. The 18v Li batteries DON'T interchange. Be nice if they did and I could use a Milwaukee rattle gun.

AEG do a couple of electric chainsaws. You can get them as skins as well. Here's one:

AEG 18V Brushless Chainsaw Skin Only | Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-18v-brushless-chainsaw-skin-only_p3381220)

DL

[Geedublya]

Milwaukee and AEG are owned by the same mob. The 18v Li batteries interchange.

AEG do a couple of electric chainsaws. You can get them as skins as well. Here's one:

AEG 18V Brushless Chainsaw Skin Only | Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-18v-brushless-chainsaw-skin-only_p3381220)

Might be worth a look, only $279.

DL

I don't know why you think the batteries are interchangeable because they are very different. Ryobi and AEG are similar though.

[Vern]

Aeg battery looks nothing like my milwaukee batteries unfortunately

[Tins]

Aeg battery looks nothing like my milwaukee batteries unfortunately

Same here.

[350RRC]

Same here.

Yep, sorry guys.

Some of the 12v ones did, dunno how I got it mixed up. Have edited the original post.

cheers, DL

[Simon]

Just bought the Ryobi 1+ 18v brushless chainsaw, only for camping firewood so hopefully it does the job, will test out in the next few weeks.

Great result today, hard waste day here and on roadside a blower with 4ah battery attached. I have no need for the blower but a spare battery is fine with me.

[TheEntertainer]

Thats a great side way pickup! Well done

[DiscoMick]

Yep, we have several Ryobi tools and batteries with charger, so a little Ryobi electric is sounding good to me. Might be my Christmas present to myself.

[Simon]

Thought I would update after this weekend's trip - we headed into Olney State Forest for a one night camp.

The Ryobi 1+ worked very well. With a fully charged 5Ah battery we first cut a a dozen or so logs (at most ~125mm diameter) to 110 roof length for transport back to camp then cut them up to fire length; see the pic below

125347

After that the battery was still showing 3 of 4 lights. Also it was very quiet, from 20m away it was no noisier than being near to a hair dryer.

As a tool to get wood for the campfire I am very happy with it.

[trout1105]

I bought one of those Ozito 18v cordless chainsaws a couple of days ago, After realising that the battery wasn't included I went back to Bunnings and grabbed a couple of 4ah batteries and a charger.
I gave it a bit of a run tidying up a couple of trees in the backyard I was surprisingly quite impressed with it.
The bar is only an its bitsy little thing But it cut pretty well and was nice and quiet compared to my other 2 strokes and I ran it for about half an hour and it still had 2 out of the 3 lights running on the battery.
I am heading back into Bunnings today to grab a 1/2 inch drive rattle gun that will run off the same batteries and I may grab a grinder and drill while I am there as these also use the same batteries.
The batteries and the tools all come with a 3 year warranty, So if they do happen to kark it then Bunnings isn't a store that is too hard to find anywhere in Aus to get them replaced[thumbsupbig]

[Vern]

So good enough for camping then? I have used the 36v makita and found it great for that. Not sure about an 18v version though?

[trout1105]

So good enough for camping then? I have used the 36v makita and found it great for that. Not sure about an 18v version though?

The 18v jobbie cut through 12'' of dry white gum so it did pretty well and the batteries are Lithium.
For anything other than just cutting a bit of firewood I have my 2 stroke to fall back on if needed.

[trout1105]

I have just finished a 3 week trip and will be heading home today and my little 18v Ozito chainsaw worked flawlessly.
Every 2-3 days I spent 15-20min cutting driftwood and didn't even break into a sweat in 30C+ temperatures, Nice and light, No noise and No exhaust fumes.

[Don 130]

Aldi has one coming up in their specials next Wednesday.

1800W Electric Chainsaw - ALDI Australia (https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-wed-30-august/wednesday-detail-wk35/ps/p/1800w-electric-chainsaw/?pk_campaign=au_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2017-08-24_16-03)

Don.

[gavinwibrow]

Aldi has one coming up in their specials next Wednesday.

1800W Electric Chainsaw - ALDI Australia (https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-wed-30-august/wednesday-detail-wk35/ps/p/1800w-electric-chainsaw/?pk_campaign=au_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2017-08-24_16-03)

Don.

Thanks Don. Could be a good price depending on the cost of batteries. Unfortunately for me I'm all Makita for the time being.

[350RRC]

Aldi has one coming up in their specials next Wednesday.

1800W Electric Chainsaw - ALDI Australia (https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-wed-30-august/wednesday-detail-wk35/ps/p/1800w-electric-chainsaw/?pk_campaign=au_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2017-08-24_16-03)

Don.

I think you'd need a loooong extension cord to cut firewood with that one out camping.

DL

[bee utey]

I think you'd need a loooong extension cord to cut firewood with that one out camping.

DL

My mate has a 3000W inverter and a dual battery system, runs his electric saw just as easily as a winch.

[trout1105]

I have a corded electric chainsaw and it works very well, The downside is that I need to take a genset with me to run it.
The cordless saws are the "Ducks Nuts" as far as electric saws go, Light and easy to operate and even with only a 4ah battery you can cut a heap of wood with it [thumbsupbig]

[350RRC]

My mate has a 3000W inverter and a dual battery system, runs his electric saw just as easily as a winch.

Didn't think of that! [biggrin]

DL