Electric vs gas saw comparison?

[John Mc]

How do the newer 36v cordless electric saws stack up power-wise against a Gas saw? I'm guessing from the 14" bar length I see on many of them that the equivalent cutting performance would be something like a 35 or 40 cc gas saw. Does that seem close?

My brother is looking at getting an electric chainsaw. I'm generally not a fan of electric saws for the kind of cutting I do, but it may suit him well: occasional limbs from storm damage clean-up, puttering about on his +/-10 acre lot, maybe occasionally cutting up some firewood from smaller trees (generally 8" or less). He's also likely to leave it sitting idle for extended periods.

If anyone has suggestions on particular brands to consider or avoid, that would also be appreciated. (I have an email in to him asking what brand of 18v cordless tools he is already using).

[DDW_OR]

I have the following

Ryobi 18v - battery - OK for 3 to 10 minute jobs, manual oiler

Homelite 120v - corded - keep at the mill, very good, easy to maintain, and light weight, has auto oiler

Echo 310 - gas mix - very good, easy to start, easy to maintain, and light weight
husqvarna 45 - gas mix - very good, easy to start, easy to maintain
jonsereds 81 - gas mix - VERY Heavy, no compression release, no chain brake

[John Mc]

The one my brother is looking at is the Makita 36v 14" Lithium-Ion Chainsaw. It runs off of two 18v batteries. He already has a few 18v Makita tools, so keeping to the same battery is a plus.

It's going on sale near him for $359 and includes 2 batteries, dual-port charger and a Makita 18v cordless angle grinder.

[DelawhereJoe]

He would be better off going with a Stihl, Husqvarna or Echo battery saw. Those are the top of the line battery saws on the market, dewalt is also making a decent battery saw as well. I believe HolmenTree uses a husky battery saw in his tree service.

[John Mc]

He would be better off going with a Stihl, Husqvarna or Echo battery saw. Those are the top of the line battery saws on the market, dewalt is also making a decent battery saw as well. I believe HolmenTree uses a husky battery saw in his tree service.

I was wondering about that. I thought maybe Makita would be OK, since their gas saws are Dolmar in a different color. But now that I look, it doesn't appear Dolmar makes a cordless electric.

[red]

The Ice Sculpters have used Makita 120v for a long time.  I think it's to new of an item to declare a best cordless chainsaw.  My friend always said the best chainsaw is a sharp chainsaw.

[petefrom bearswamp]

I have had a Dewalt 40v for 3 weeks or so now.
Havent used it a lot but it has plenty of power for limbing and light bucking of firewood.
Dont know about how long the battery will last but have a spare.
It is a little awkward to get used to and the chain brake seems to be set too light as I keep setting the brake when limbing in awkward positions.
I bought it mainly for use around the mill.
Wouldnt you know it Dewalt just came out with a 60 v which has a battery that can also be used on their 20v tools for about the same price as the 40v.

[HolmenTree]

Hey guys.
What ever battery saw you decide on, it's only as good as its chain.
Stihl doesn't have a top handle battery saw available here in North America yet. So I bought the Husqvarna T536Li XP .
Now to my chain comment. I have now converted the Husqvarna with 3/8 LoPro. 043 chain to Stihl's 71PM .043 mini 1/4" chain. Same chain used on the little MS150 and Stihl battery saws.
This little chain cuts faster and extends battery power time.
Best thing you can equip these battery powered saws with. Only Stihl makes these chains and most battery saws can be converted to 1/4" pitch along with using the Stihl 1/4" guide bar.


 

[ranchguy]

Does a lot of good today, but yesterday Home Depot had "EGO 14 in. 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Chainsaw with 2.5Ah Battery" for $180.  It's back to $280 today.  There are a few reviews on YouTube, they look "decent".  Almost got one for light use around the yard.

[mad murdock]

How do you like the chain performance in the cut HT, with the safety link in it?

[John Mc]

How do you like the chain performance in the cut HT, with the safety link in it?

I always thought "safety link" meant one of those big bumper links that all the big box stores come with. I'm not seeing that here. I do see the extra part near the depth gauge that looks a lot like what is on the Oregon LP series chains (and those seem to cut fine for me).

[sawguy21]

I am not a fan of any battery powered saws I have tried. As Pete noted, the brakes were too touchy and any downward pressure stalled the chain and shut the machine off. I have a Ridgid cordless drill, I went that route for the lifetime warranty. Normally I don't worry about that but replacement batteries for it are too DanG expensive.

[John Mc]

HolmenTree - I'm guessing the new 1/4" pitch sprocket must up the tooth count to keep the chain speed up?

Did you have to modify the bar to get it to fit? I'm betting that my brother will want to make that swap as well - though he'll probably wait until he's gotten some wear on what came with whatever saw he gets.

sawguy - I hear what you are saying. I tried to talk him in to a 50cc gas saw, but he's not figuring he'll be using it much, and doesn't want another gas engine sitting idle most of the time.

[HolmenTree]

HolmenTree - I'm guessing the new 1/4" pitch sprocket must up the tooth count to keep the chain speed up?

Did you have to modify the bar to get it to fit? I'm betting that my brother will want to make that swap as well - though he'll probably wait until he's gotten some wear on what came with whatever saw he gets.

Only major modification I did to the 12" Stihl .250 bar was oval out the adjuster pin holes with a round file and drill a couple extra oil holes to line up.
The Husqvarna 536Li xp has an optional 1/4" drive sprocket which I installed. Tooth count is 8 and matches in diameter to the 3/8.
Little chain takes a wee little 1/8" round file.

[petefrom bearswamp]

Made one cut in a 18" Beech log yesterday.
My 40 v dewalt did it just fine as long as I didnt gorilla it.
Did it stall a few times yes but it is ok as far as Im concerned, no pulling or noise.
this is with the supplied chain.
I also made a few cuts in 12 inch Hemlock with no major issues.
It is not a production saw but this is not how I plan to use it.
after getting it used to it Using it vertically the chain brake is not an issue or is the safety switch.

[Magicman]

The topic title asked about a "comparison" and I do not feel that an actual comparison is in order.  They are two different tools with different purposes.  I have a 40v brushless Ryobi that rides with me on the ATV and Golfcar and it is very useful for what it is.  It is also a very useful and safe saw for yard tree trimming, etc.


 
Shown here sawing a Toothache tree, but it is no substitute for a gas powered chainsaw.

[losttheplot]

Comparison video of gas to cordless.
I would not recommend a top handle saw to someone who is going to be cutting on the ground.

https://youtu.be/kAInGckbKeU

[John Mc]

I would not recommend a top handle saw to someone who is going to be cutting on the ground.

Same thing I told my brother, especially since he is inexperienced with chainsaws. Makita makes both a top-handle and a rear handle model, so if he gets the Makita, he's going for the rear handle.

[sawguy21]

I understand it is illegal for anyone covered under British workers compensation to use a top handle on the ground. I tried to discourage anyone but professional tree guys from buying one, they are not designed for one hand operation. There is no control if the saw kicks back and it's too easy to get the free arm in harm's way.