Battery chainsaw

[Dave Shepard]

I want the M18 pole saw. Not sure I need it, but I want it. 

[Dave Shepard]

I added dual West Coast dogs to my M18 top handle.
I guess I need to brush up on photo posting.

[Old Greenhorn]

It's better without the photo Dave I have a picture in my head of that little saw and dogs that are half the length of the bar.

[Dave Shepard]

It's not that bad. Not sure what I'm doing wrong re picture posting, however. 

[lxskllr]

Quick and dirty way to add pics is to click the [Reply] button, select [Add Files] button below the reply box, and navigate to the picture. That won't go in any gallery, and makes it hard to search for future reference, but it gets it in the thread. It can sort of be done from the quick reply box at the thread bottom, but that just takes you to the normal reply box via confusing redirect, so just click [Reply] in the first place.

[barbender]

 I had a Stihl 500i I bought used. It had those West Coast dogs on it, I'm sure they're great on big timber with thick bark but for me they were ridiculous. And they cost you about 2" of bar length. I sold that saw anyways, awesome saw but kind of an odd size for my use. 

 I find myself reaching for the Husky 562 all the time. 

 So I sold my Stihl 261 was well. Then I bought a brand new Husky 562. Haven't even started it yet.

 I can see myself grabbing this cordless Milwaukee all the time now though.

 All of that said, I REALLY want to see Dave's WCS dogged Milwaukee😂

[Dave Shepard]

Some modification required for the outside dog.

[Ginger Squirrel]

I have a Ryobi 18v saw for smaller jobs, bought it since I already am in that platform and was downing the tree in my front yard. I was putting it through large limbs that were bigger than what it was really meant for, and going through batteries fast, but it got the job done.

Wanted something more powerful as I also have a homestead property now and also got a wood stove at home so will be doing more cutting. After some research I went with Greenworks 80v.  It's a really good saw, no issues at all and never feel limited by it's power. My only complaint is you need a special tool to adjust the chain, I never remember to bring it with me. The Ryobi is tooless.

We don't have any of the fancy hardwood trees the south has like oak, which I presume are harder to cut, we mostly have pine, birch and poplar, and it cuts through those like butter. One of the things that made me go with Greenworks is the higher voltage which in theory should mean more power and also they have quite a lot of tools in general including a 2 stage snow blower.  Bought it a few years ago and it's a beast. Feels like using a gas one, but without the need to mess with carbs and stuff. 

I never really feel limited by battery duration either, usually I will want a small break before the battery dies, even if it's just to stop to take a quick sip of water or wipe sweat off.  When I stop I check the battery and if I'm down to 1 bar (still lot of power left at that point) I will swap it out anyway and put it on the charger and swap in a new one. I never run into a situation where I'm mid cut and it dies on me.

I kind of like the idea of electric from a self sufficiency point of view as I can charge the batteries with solar. When I'm out on my off grid property electricity is basically free.

[WV Sawmiller]

   I bought a 20V Braun 10" battery saw from HF a couple months ago because I have that battery system with a lot of tools. I have been using it for cutting stickers and an occasional short  board that would otherwise go in the scrap pile.

    Today I got out and picked up some firewood I had cut earlier and there were a few tops and big ash and locust limbs and such that still needed cutting. I was surprised and very pleased at how well and how fast it cut through solid 6" ash and such. 

    It is a very light weight little saw and I first joked about it being a toy but I'm not so cynical right now. There are no tools required to remove or tighten the chain so that is handy. I will see if my opinion changes in the months/years ahead but at this stage I am very will pleased at the price, quality, design and functionality.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well Howard, the first battery saw I had was given to me by a neighbor who was moving back to the city. I thought it a toy too. In fact, I bet a lot of 'us here' had the same thought. But I carried it in the buggy on Mushroom logging forays in case I needed to cut myself out of a bind. It was handy for that. I have also used it aound the yard and it's dang handy to cut something quick in the shop in the winter time.
 Bill has about 5 of them in all sizes, all Milwaukee's. A few months ago he parked one at the mill and I began using it for hacking slabs. All our slabs get cut to 36" for the OWB and racked. I used to prefer my 350 or his 550 for this work, but I have to admit that battery saw is great. First, I don't have to start it for every slab, I just pick it up and cut, then put it down. Second, there is little chance of any of the other guys 'borrowing it' for bucking logs. We can buck mill logs with it, but then it becomes more work to me and I go for the gas. The ONLY downside I see is that I keep forgetting to check the oil. I am getting batter, but I am still poor at it. When I fill the gas saw I always do the oil too. That is as automatic as pulling your fly down before you pee, well for me anyway. We keep a charger at the mill. So when I shut down for the day, I unplug the blower, plug in the  charger, and load in the battery. So I always have ti ready to go when I will. One battery does just fine for most sessions unless we buck a log or two. They don't like to be run too hard and heat up, then shut down. It's a safety for the battery.
 
 Yes, they do have a place as far as I can see and will be around for a while into the future I suspect. But I will say I hate sharpening them with those tiny files.

[barbender]

I need to learn more about the new Milwaukee, it uses 2 batteries and they're advertising it as competing with 60 or 70cc gas. I don't know what bar and chain cutting system it uses or anything. 

Milwaukee and Dewalt both releases some new battery technology last year- tabless and pouch. They are supposed to have much less resistance so they can do more work, with less heat. That is pushing innovation on those platforms with higher draw tools. 

I want to get ahold of a Milwaukee Forge battery (their high power version) to see if it makes my 18v top handle saw even better.

OG, I hear you on sharpening these things, those tiny teeth and files are a challenge.

[Dave Shepard]

The dual battery Milwaukee uses a .325" chain that isn't very aggressive. I've seen some YouTubers change out to a Stihl RS and see 25% reduction in times cutting large cookies in hardwood. I suggested to one of them that if they filed the RS and took the rakers down, they would see even more reduction. He said that was coming up soon in another video. 

[doc henderson]

I like the 0.325.  maybe the original is the micro low kickback chain.  file the rackers it may take more power and increase heat and wear on components.  My battery Stihl has the 1/4-inch Pico.  it can be a little slow.

[Machinebuilder]

I bought the Milwaukee Hatchet last week. Home Depot had it buy the tool and get a 8AH forge battery.

All I can say it WOW. I am working at clearing some brush and small saplings and for the 1" to 4" range I love it.
I also have a knock off of the pruning shears and between the 2 I only need to get the gas saws if I want to take something bigger down.

I have the original 16" saw and its ok for a quick cut but it's not the same as a gas saw of the same size.

[Spike60]

Pulled out my Husky T536ixp for a quick little job this morning. Definitely a handy little thing to have around. Only battery saw I own, and while I will not be "going battery" in a big way, I will always have at least one in the mix. 

After seeing so many of the traditional saw brands go away, it's refreshing to see the explosion of battery saw options. Sets up an interesting competitive framework also. The companies who have been in the saw business all along vs the companies who have their experience founded in electric tools. Who has the advantage here? I suspect that Husky-Stihl-Echo may have an advantage in ergonomics. But motor/battery wise, outfits such as Milwaukee should have the advantage. How do some of you guys who own tools from both sides of that equation feel about it? 

[Old Greenhorn]

I was going to say that the front line chainsaw companies seem to have much higher pricing than the electric tool companies. But we can nix that. I just checked that new Milwaukee dual battery saw and they list it for $900. at HD. Wow.
 I had expected to see one  of these at Bill's anytime now, but he may wait for one of his tool dealers to offer him a deal. Milwaukee does claim it works in the 70cc class of saw. I also note it runs .325x.050 chain which is better than that .047 stuff IMHO.

[Magicman]

I bought the Milwaukee Hatchet last week.

Thank you Dave.  I just bought the Milwaukee Hatchet combo which included the Hatchet, charger, & 6ah battery:


A $537 value priced at $249 and with my military discount, $224. 

I am always concerned when tailgunners are using my MS261 sawing stickers to length.  I feel better already.

[barbender]

I bought the top handle Milwaukee last fall. Then they offer that Hatchet with the Forge battery...dang you Milwaukee!😂

Magic, I know you're very safety conscious already, but I would add from my own experience, the need to stress the importance of not getting your hand close to the chain with these saws. They effectively become one handed saws, which is why I wanted one at the mill. But I've caught myself putting my left hand way too close to the cutting chain a few times when cutting stickers etc. Kinda scared myself, so I thought I'd mention it. 

[Magicman]

Thanks, yup, electric saws don't stop until they stop themselves.  There is no chain brake.  I have a 40v Ryobi that is a beast.

[Dave Shepard]

Home depot had an offer: hatchet, 3 8.0 Forge, and a dual bay super charger for $519.

I got my top handle for $349 with a free 8.0xc last September. 

[Old Greenhorn]

The Milwaukee top handle has a chain brake. This morning at the mill I plugged a freshly charged battery in the saw and it wouldn't run. 'Dang, I thought, don't tell me these things don't like the cold either!" Tooke me a couple of tried and a few seconds to realize the chain brake was on.

[Andries]

The battery on this saw is a bit like me.
The colder it is, the shorter the working life is.

These big boys do a good job in this saw.

It's not a one hander, but it does a good job around the mill and getting smaller birch firewood.

[Rhodemont]

I stopped in the Stihl dealer to pick up a bar for my 039 (it is old but cuts great).  While I was there I looked at the new electric saws.  The MSA 300 I bought last year for my timber project is great for the timbers but it is heavy and no way would live up to my 362 out in the woods .  Something much lighter around the sawmill would be nice rather than firing up my Echo 360 when needed.  The Echo is really great for limbing a downed tree but firing up now and then at the mill is a pain.

[DHansen]

I noted some electric saws have a centrifugal clutch and many do not.  What is the benefit of a clutch on an electric saw?   I also see that some of the newer models have a low bar oil warning light.  I wish my 540iXP had a warning light.  I did run it low once, even after the selling dealer warned me about the issue.  I see the 542iXP have both the bar oil warning light and a clutch.  Any thoughts on the clutch situation?

[Magicman]

I just bought the Milwaukee Hatchet combo

I had some seasoned 24" White Oak firewood that needed lopping back to 18".  Wowser, that Hatchet is a beast !!