Project Farm electric saw shoot-out

[JKNW]

Which is the biggest and baddest/longest bar?

Seems like stock 20" is all the bigger any of them offer. Milwaukee claims 70cc power from their dual battery 18v saw, but something tells me there's a reason it comes with a 20" .325 chain.

 

[hacskaroly]

Seems like stock 20" is all the bigger any of them offer.

It is and the longer ones are typically running .325 chain while the smaller bars are 3/8 pico, 3/8 lp or 1/4 pico chains. Any battery powered chainsaws out there with 3/8 chain was modified by the owner. The new Stihl MSA 300 is no exception, almost the equivalent of a MS 271, both generally have 18" or 20" bars running .325 chain.

Apparently Husqvarna has a better electric saw than what they have out now, in a vault, still needing to develop a battery that will make it worth it.

 

[JKNW]

The Milwaukee top handle comes with Speedcut Nano .325LP which IMO is a great match for the small electrics. The Echo top handle is offered with it as well. Cuts smooth and it doesn't put a huge load on the saw.

 

[sawfun]

I believe the 82v commercial Greenworks is supposed to run up to a 28" bar.

 

[MarcS]

I used to carry a small saw on the tractor with me to clean up small stuff as needed. On a whim I bought a Ryobi 40v top handle last year and I am amazed at the torque. Can bury the 12” bar on it and it just keeps pulling. Sure it’s a little Mickey Mouse but it’s serving it’s purpose very well.

 

[FergusonTO35]

My biggest gripe with cordless tools in general is that most of them look and feel cheaply made compared to gas or plug in electric counterparts. When I had a part time job at a shop that was a Stihl dealer, all the battery stuff looked like flimsy throwaway to me. The Milwaukee and Dewalt stuff at the same store looked alot more respectable, although still not great. I have yet to see an actual Makita OPE dealer around here since they buried Dolmar, so I can't comment on theirs.

 

[Philbert]

I have yet to see an actual Makita OPE dealer around here since they buried Dolmar, so I can't comment on theirs.

Several Makita OPE products on display at many Home Depots.

There is a range of quality levels, among brands and models, as there is with many products.

Philbert

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

I have yet to see an actual Makita OPE dealer around here since they buried Dolmar, so I can't comment on theirs.

I get the impression Makita made a major business mistake by exiting the gas powered tools business.

And, Home Depot greatly scaled back their offerings of Makita & DeWalt OPE, in favor of the two brands owned by that Asian conglomerate TTi.

 

[ZERO]