Thread: Petrol vs cordless chainsaws

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!

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

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.

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.

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

A decent mid range product IME

Originally Posted by johntins

...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.

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.

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.