I grew up on a chainsaw. And an axe. So… I’m biased.
But… I can go out to the log pile in -20C, with the saw, a small jerry of premixed gas and a jug of bar oil… and cut all morning. Maybe till afternoon coffee. Usually I’d bag out before the saw did.
In -20C, with a duffel full of batteries that’ll all have to be trickle charged afterward?
I don’t think so.
Temperature plays a big roll in how long battery operated tools can last. You get more run time in warm weather than in cold weather. Then you have the issue of progressively shorter run times as the battery ages.
ReplyDeleteelectrics are ok if you just use it for the occasional use, they are handy. for serious cutting you can't beat gas.
ReplyDeleteElectric chainsaws have their it's just not EVERY place, as people like Gavin Newsolini have mandated to the 29M people in California. This is a guy who's probably never even pumped his own gas, and he's telling us what's best for us.
ReplyDeleteElectric chainsaws are good for light pruning and maybe chunking out a deadfall limb for the fireplace. You can also get started earlier in the day without pissing off the neighbors, as they're more quiet. That's about as far as they go.
I have a Black & Decker 20V batt-op hedge trimmer that I bought at a yard sale a while back for five bucks. That's another one I'll put on the "OK" list. It works quite well, and handles a larger than normal hedgerow on one battery. The other upside of it is that by the time no batteries are available for it anymore, it'll be worn out anyway, and it's wearing about as well as a corded electric trimmer.
As I said, Newsolini outlawed ALL gas engine-powered implements of less than 20HP last year. That's EVERYTHING... Even GENERATORS! They have to be either solar or propane. Sad thing is, most residents of CA didn't even hear about this until they went to buy a new mower, weedeater, or whatever, and were greeted by an aisle full of UNBELIEVEABLY CHEAP, CHINESE CRAP. The mowers are ALREADY showing up on the yard sale circuit, inoperative, of course. These things are so cheap! They look like those toy mowers given to a kid so he could be "just like Dad." The leaf blowers... My FARTS have more velocity than one of those pathetic things! All Newsom did was to create a black market for gas-powered implements being brought in from outside the state. Then again, Newsom doesn't know anything BUT stupid.
I cut a lot of firewood, and I finally bought one of those electric chainsaws two years ago. I found that I can cut the same amount of firewood with one battery, as I can with one tankful of gas and oil in a regular chainsaw. I was pleasantly surprised by that.
ReplyDeleteCL
The cordless electric chainsaw works about as well as I do at sub-zero temperatures (that's Fahrenheit for you heathens and Hottentots), but a cordless electric drill with a spare battery can't be beat. Especially when you're out in the pasture mending board fence.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with battery powered chainsaws, lawnmowers, etc. is the safety of the batteries. My chainsaws and power equipment reside in an unheated shed. Do I leave the batteries in the shed knowing that the temperature extremes will rapidly degrade the battery life? Or do I take them in the house knowing that lithium ion batteries tend to spontaneously combust? I suppose a fireproof battery storage box would work, but for now I'll stick with gas and extension cords.
ReplyDeleteFor hoe moaner jobs, battery powered is good enough. You don't have to get your carb rebuild every year from it setting with ethanol fuel killing yer seals and gaskets. I know, but most don't know to drain the tank, then run it till it dies.
ReplyDeleteFor real work, gas is the way.
We cut, age, split and burn on average 4 cords a year of pine and love my trusty gas powered Stihl saw. Its a keeper. DG
ReplyDeleteI once had a Milwaukee Tool WIRED electric. It weighed as much as a petroleum powered unit, RAN like a SEWING MACHINE, had a 16 inch bar and cut like a gasoline powered unit. The oil reservoir was CAST ALUMINUM. Thing was a TANK.
ReplyDeleteI do regret selling it. Probably more of a collectors item these days. It would keep up with a gas unit I'm sure... Had a 20 ft. long cord and of course, you could use extension cords to expand the range.
You could NOT take it to "The Woods"... unless you drag along a generator. At that point, take the gas powered chain saw.
Otherwise, it was a beast.
Plug in electric saws, if the cord can reach the work, are sooo much easier and lower maintenance than gas.
ReplyDeleteI had a pulling (poulan) pro for a few years. POS. I found that when I needed a saw, it wouldn't start. Usually the carb. I have a corded electric that does what I need to do. I have a couple sharp axes. Last time the crappy chainsaw let me down, I got the job done with an ax.
ReplyDeleteI love my Ego electric pole saw but all I use it for it trimming the palm trees and the hedges (with the hedge trimmer attachment). 15 minutes and I'm done.
ReplyDeleteASM826, however, still cuts his own firewood to heat his house. I expect he feels the same as you, although I don't expect many days at -20C in North Carolina ...