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bobrok
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2015 03:19pm - Edited by: bobrok
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My old Homelite XL was beyond repair so I'm looking at a replacement.
Since my chainsaw needs are minimal, maybe a half-dozen times a year to cut firewood or take down a dead tree, it's been suggested that I get one of these.
The reasoning behind this is that I wouldn't have those small gas engine problems associated with infrequent use.
From this perspective I like the idea, but I wonder if there would be enough power in a battery operated saw to cut denser or bigger trunks (looking at a 16") or to free a bound up chain without burning up the motor.
So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with these.
An alternative might be to buy an inexpensive Poulan or some such thing, treat it with kid gloves, and if it breaks I won't be out hundreds of dollars.
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Steve961
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2015 04:20pm
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While I don't have a battery powered one, I do have an electric. It's the WORX WG303.1 16" chainsaw. I was having trouble with my STIHL gas chainsaw due to a rotator cuff injury and its very infrequent use which made it harder to start. It works great with my Honda eU2000i generator, and I no longer have to worry about maintaining two gas powered tools. In addition, my Honda generator is much easier to start than my chainsaw ever was.
The WORX is only $94 on Amazon has has great reviews.
WORX WG303.1 16-Inch Chain Saw
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 29 Sep 2015 04:27pm
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I have tried a Ryobi 18 volt lithium battery chain saw. I had hopes it would be adequate for whatever cutting might have to be done when you find a tree down across the forest trail you are on in a 4x4. I was disappointed. The chain moves slow compared to a gas saw and just does not have much power.
I main reason folks have problems with small gas engine powered equipment is the gas and the fact that most of them are left with fuel inside when left to sit unused for months at a time. I do two things that has solved that problem for me. One, I use gas with no ethanol at all. Two, I empty the tank and run the engine dry every time I am finished and not certain when I'll use the saw again.
For the saw I carry in the truck at all times the gas and oil tanks are left empty. In the storage box along with the saw I keep a quart can of the no alcohol gas and oil premix stuff you can buy. It keeps almost forever. I also carry a small bottle of chain oil. If I need the saw on the trail it is easy to fuel and oil it. Once home I drain all the fluids and run dry so it is ready the next time. That saw gets used maybe once or twice a year. Since I started that regimen 4 years ago it has given no problems. Neither has the other saw I use as my work saw.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 10:16am
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I was afraid you, or someone, was going to say that exact thing about the battery saws. I just don't see how an electric motor is ever going to compare to a gas, at least in chain saws.
I wouldn't really mind having another gas powered tool. I do run 91 octane non ethanol in my small engines, and I do run them dry. And I've also used the premix in chainsaws.
But isn't there a difference between just running a gas engine dry and draining the carb, etc? I know my EU2000i requires, and has a very convenient method of draining the bowl.
I don't know if things like my saw and my 2 cycle jet pump need to have this done. If I were more comfortable in my knowledge of this I'd have no hesitation to buy a gas chain saw.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 10:38am
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Not quite an electric chain saw but I've used my DeWalt 20V Sawsall to cut up branches and even knock down small trees when I didn't feel like getting out my big husky chainsaw.
As far as cheap Gas Chainsaws... Poulan is a basic "consumer product" and I see a lot of them available as "refurbs" for cheap... An indicator ? I can tell you though from my own experience DO NOT TOUCH McCulloch, well unless you need to practice some extreme "Drunken Sailor Talk".
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bobrok
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 10:47am - Edited by: bobrok
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Quoting: Steve961 While I don't have a battery powered one, I do have an electric
I've burned up the motors in two electric saws already. Granted, they can be horsed to do some heavy duty work (I've taken down 50-60 foot tall, 18"+ diameter trees with my old Craftsman 12" - 14" electrics.)
That was at home, with a 120 volt outlet handy. I've tried my electric up at camp, but it's inconvenient to drag my generator all over the forest.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 01:55pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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As a guy who grew up in a small logging town, I wouldn't be caught dead with an electric chain saw. In fact, Stihl is my preferred saw. I carry an 026 with me on my quad and will now carry it in my Kawasaki Mule. For those of you who don't have ethanol free gas, try airport gas. If that isn't an option, Home Depot has small (looks like quarts) of mixed gas, ie 50:1 OR 40:1, its alcohol free and smells just like racing gas. I bought one of those containers so I have a small container to carry gas in my quad/side by side and also use it for my blower. It smells just like special racing fuel. Its high octane also. So you could use the std fuel but before long term storage, run some of this through it before putting it away.
To find alcohol free gas if you don't have a small municipal airport, go to http://www.pure-gas.org.
This is the stuff I been using from Home Depot. I have not bought it by the 6 pk, just so far, 2 bottles. Nice metal containers, great for small gas container out on the trail. Makes good power too. I swear, it IS racing fuel. We raced motocross for 8 yrs and I know the smell of race gas when I smell it. This is race gas.
Get rid of alcohol gas and get rid of lots of trouble in the spring. I have a local ethanol free supplier and have filled up my race jugs ( qty 5 of the 5 gallon Scribner Plastic jugs) with this high octane alcohol free gas.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 04:58pm
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Problem is those cans of premix are, what, 40-50 oz. and my local guy gets $9 per can. Can't buy them online; illegal to ship.
For someone like me with minimal use I don't mind, but if yer takin' down winter firewood it'd almost be cheaper to buy the wood.
<JK>
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 05:19pm - Edited by: MtnDon
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32 ounce. 5.96 @ Lowes, 4.95 when buying 6.
Yes it is much more than std pump gas, but saws love it. The idea above about using reg gas / oil and then planning ahead so you run a tank of this "designer" fuel before parking the saw is a great idea.
The higher octane fuel causes a small engine to run a little cooler. Usually a good thing unless you are sawing in deeply cold weather. So it is good in some ways to buy premium pump gas and mix with a premium synthetic oil.
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rmak
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 08:09pm
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I got a little Craftsman battery powered saw. It works OK, particularly when I have to go up a ladder to cut a limb. It's light and shuts off instantly which to me seems safer than my Stihl. Not a whole lot of power and the battery drains fast, but it was cheap and is handy for certain applications. Not for big lumber though bobrok.
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littlehouseontheprarie
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 08:17pm
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I bought a Ryobi and hated it.The battery would not last and the power was weak.
I suggest not buying one.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 30 Sep 2015 09:00pm
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Quoting: bobrok Problem is those cans of premix are, what, 40-50 oz. and my local guy gets $9 per can. Can't buy them online; illegal to ship. For someone like me with minimal use I don't mind, but if yer takin' down winter firewood it'd almost be cheaper to buy the wood. <JK>
I was saying use conventional gas, but at the end of the season, make sure you have emptied the tank of the ethanol fuel, then run the Home Depot race gas in it before winterizing. I wasn't suggesting using the canned gas exclusively. I do on my blower, but I just use it to blow out my garage and driveway from time to time.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 1 Oct 2015 05:23am
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Quoting: bobrok My old Homelite XL was beyond repair
Whud you do?
Had my Super XL since '76
The thing won't quit.
Anyhoot, yes, empty it out 'tween long spells of none use.
Bat powered? elect?
No way...it's embarrassing
When I grow up, I'm gettin' a Stihl.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 1 Oct 2015 06:34pm
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech I was saying use conventional gas, but at the end of the season, make sure you have emptied the tank of the ethanol fuel, then run the Home Depot race gas in it before winterizing
Ok, now I get it. Good idea.
And I think the fat lady has sung and I'm going for a gas powered saw. Don't know which one yet and I appreciate all the advice above.
For now I can borrow my b-i-l's Craftsman gas powered. Hard to start but once warmed up it runs well and just purrs like a kitten if I set it down.
Craftsman, anyone?
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rmak
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# Posted: 1 Oct 2015 11:17pm
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Just a comment about gasoline. I buy pre mixed 100% gasoline for all my 2 cycle power tools. It's rather expensive, about $7 a quart, but pump gas with ethanol has eaten away the guts of quite a few of my power tools over the years. Once the gas lines break down the gunk gets into the carbs and it becomes a nightmare to repair, not worth repairing or repairable. I can keep the pure gas mix in my saw, trimmers, blower, etc. all winter with no ill effects just like in the old days.
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LoonWhisperer
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 01:43pm
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I'm also a big fan of the premix. I buy the Stihl brand. Sure it's spendy but my Stihl saw and Echo trimmer love it. As rmak says, just fill and forget.
For small branches etc, I get good mileage out of my 18v Ryobi reciprocating saw. I found spending the extra on a good wood blade made a big difference.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 03:39pm - Edited by: bobrok
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What's the difference between using premix and buying non-ethanol 91 octane and adding stabilizer and 2 cycle oil?
Convention would have that the pre-mix is better than mixing your own, but why?
Better ingredients?
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FishHog
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 04:23pm
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Quoting: bobrok What's the difference between using premix and buying non-ethanol 91 octane and adding stabilizer and 2 cycle oil?Convention would have that the pre-mix is better than mixing your own, but why?
I don't believe there is any. I do exactly that and have had good luck.
the only difference is convenience, and the fact that non-ethanol fuels can be hard to find some places.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 04:30pm
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Quoting: bobrok What's the difference between using premix and buying non-ethanol 91 octane and adding stabilizer and 2 cycle oil?Convention would have that the pre-mix is better than mixing your own, but why? Better ingredients
I buy ethanol free 92 octane and mix it myself, but have purchased 2 pre mix cans of fuel and I can tell you its better fuel. Its a race gas, you can smell it. I wouldn't say the price difference would justify it. I bought my little cans just so I can pack some saw gas out on the trail in my quad (now side by side) for field work.
If one doesn't have access to this ethanol free fuel, run the ethanol stuff, but before long term storage, run some of Home Depots canned gas in it before you put it up for the winter, ie run good fuel in cab and fill tank.
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 04:58pm - Edited by: NorthRick
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Doesn't that pre-mix stuff come in metal containers? In my experience that makes a huge difference on storage life of fuel. The volatile components of gasoline permeate through plastic jugs over time. They play a role in the overall octane rating of the gas. If they are gone, your 89 octane ain't 89 anymore, which will damage the engine if you use it.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 07:47pm - Edited by: bobrok
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech before long term storage, run some of Home Depots canned gas in it before you put it up for the winter, ie run good fuel in cab and fill tank
So you advise putting 2 cycle motors up for the winter with a full tank of the good stuff, not empty?
And for 4 cycle, like the EU2000i?
EDIT: Sorry to go o/t on this chainsaw discussion, but since I'm o/p I'm good with it. Hope mods are, too.
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rmak
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# Posted: 2 Oct 2015 08:00pm
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I can't find any ethanol pure gasoline around these parts. If I could, I surely would mix my own.
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Brknarow
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2015 11:27am - Edited by: Brknarow
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Thanks, guys. This is a great post. I plan on going off grid within two years and, being infirm, I'm looking into everyone's triumphs and failures. This site has been my favorite for several years now.
My plan, and I'm oversimplifying my full intent, is to use what I refer to as workhorse devices to make my life flow more easily: Cheap chest freezer for all refrigeration needs, wood stove for all heating needs, etc.
I see now I need a transportable generator set up that I can easily disconnect from the gen/verter solar system and move to where I'll need it. I'll add this to my list and start puzzling out the most efficient way to work it.
It's precarious on the shoulders of giants, but I'm certainly glad you're there.
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