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New Woodturning Helper: Electric Chainsaw

David Wyke

David Wyke

Joined
Nov 22, 2023
Messages
454
Likes
3,598
Location
Morganton, NC
I have been looking to add an electric chainsaw to the shop, for times when I only need to make a few cuts and not have to runs the gas saw in the shop. I didn’t want battery powered and had read several reviews on this saw. I’ve looked at it several times at Tractor Supply and found the same saw online about $15 cheaper than TSC. TSC matched the price so I bought it.
I decided to try it out today so if I didn’t like it I could return it and get my money back. I made about eight cuts on the “Maple growth impersonating a burl”, and buried the 18” bar several times. I was very impressed with the power and the cut of this saw and think it was well worth the money, $105. It has a built in sharpener but not sure how good it works, so need to try that out.
I have three gas chainsaws that get a lot of use and this electric one will not be used often but will come in handy for a quick cut inside the shop or just cutting a quick bowl blank. The wife is happy since I don’t smell like “ Essence of Stihl”when I enter the house!!

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I have only one saw which I rarely use and it is that saw. Never been sorry about the purchase. Have had it for about 4 years now with no problems. I admit that it "throws a lot of oil", but I don't have anything to compare that with considering I don't have any other saw. However, growing up I was exposed to many gas powered saws that were comparable to the performance of the Oregon 18 inch.
 
Is that the Oregon CS1500? (If I recall the model number.) I bought it based on reports from this blog. My biggest task so far was cutting up a neighbor's standing silver maple clump, a half dozen 30ft trunks about 6-7" diameter. Start to finish, it did the job darn near as well as a good gas saw. Best $100 tool I've ever bought. Watch the chain slack during break in. But it's very easy to snug up the extra slack.
 
Steve Tiedman said:
Is that the Oregon CS1500? (If I recall the model number.) I bought it based on reports from this blog. My biggest task so far was cutting up a neighbor's standing silver maple clump, a half dozen 30ft trunks about 6-7" diameter. Start to finish, it did the job darn near as well as a good gas saw. Best $100 tool I've ever bought. Watch the chain slack during break in. But it's very easy to snug up the extra slack.
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I think it is the CS1500.
 
Jay Peterson said:
I have only one saw which I rarely use and it is that saw. Never been sorry about the purchase. Have had it for about 4 years now with no problems. I admit that it "throws a lot of oil", but I don't have anything to compare that with considering I don't have any other saw. However, growing up I was exposed to many gas powered saws that were comparable to the performance of the Oregon 18 inch.
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I have over 80 acres of trees so I always have trees down that need to be removed. Currently cleaning up around 100 pine trees downed during the hurricane, so always needing a chainsaw. It’ll be next winter before I get all the downed trees cut and moved.
 
My wife bought something like this (different brand) without my input. I haven't tried it in the shop yet, but it works great on small logs/branches destined for the fireplace. Most of these are around $50. Had I been involved in the decision, I would have opted for the Oregon. There is an advantage to the cordless, though.

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Many new chainsaws cut wonderfully until the chain gets dull. Best thing is to sharpen often, before the chain gets terribly dull. I keep at least on spare chain on hand for every saw. (three gas Stihls, one corded electric Stihl, one battery powered Milwaulkee, and two pole saws. When I I’m cutting and don’t have time to sharpen simply change the chain.

I use to sharpen in the field with a file but it’s a lot easier to sharpen in the shop with a good electric sharpener.

One chainsaw hint for those who cut in the woods or otherwise away from the shop: carry an extra bar and chain. If the bar gets pinched in a tree simply unfasten the saw from the stuck bar and install the spare bar to cut away the problem. Learn to use plastic wedges to avoid pinching.

JKJ
 
John K Jordan said:
Many new chainsaws cut wonderfully until the chain gets dull. Best thing is to sharpen often, before the chain gets terribly dull. I keep at least on spare chain on hand for every saw. (three gas Stihls, one corded electric Stihl, one battery powered Milwaulkee, and two pole saws. When I I’m cutting and don’t have time to sharpen simply change the chain.

I use to sharpen in the field with a file but it’s a lot easier to sharpen in the shop with a good electric sharpener.

One chainsaw hint for those who cut in the woods or otherwise away from the shop: carry an extra bar and chain. If the bar gets pinched in a tree simply unfasten the saw from the stuck bar and install the spare bar to cut away the problem. Learn to use plastic wedges to avoid pinching.

JKJ
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I hand file and use a sharpener and keep two spare chains for each saw ready. Plus I keep an almost used up chain sharp for those times I have to cut really close to the ground.
I always have two saws, plastic wedges, and a cant with me when cutting ever since I had to walk up a steep hill to get the other saw when I got the first one hung up😂.
 
I agree that a corded electric chainsaw is a very good choice for inside the workshop. Unless you already have a big investment in batteries, a corded electric chainsaw is the most economical option.

However, I'm prompted to make one comment about my corded electric chainsaws. Of my 10 or so chainsaws I consider the corded electric ones to be my most dangerous because they are the slowest to brake and stop. Mine have brushed motors and I think the reason they are slower to brake is that the weight and momentum of their heavy armatures take longer to stop than my piston saws. Not a reason to not use them, but something to be aware of. I just have to remind myself when using them that quieter doesn't necessarily mean safer.

Besides having less power, my battery chainsaws all have brushless motors that have less weigh in their armatures and also an electronic braking circuit that brings them to a stop much faster than my brushed corded electric ones.
 
David Wyke said:
I keep an almost used up chain sharp for those times I have to cut really close to the ground.
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Did you ever try carbide chains? Not especially cheap but good for roots and such. A friend takes his to a shop for sharpening - I found I could sharpen them with a diamond stone in a Dremel.

Neil S said:
Of my 10 or so chainsaws I consider the corded electric ones to be my most dangerous because they are the slowest to brake and stop.
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Yikes, what brand/model of corded?

My Stihl corded electric and cordless electric Milwaukee stop much faster than my four gasoline Stihls. I used both the corded and battery saws today.

JKJ
 
I also have the 16” craftsman electric,been using it going on two years now. I don’t bother with sharpening. Just buy cheap chains from amazon, has been a huge helper in the shop!
 
David Wyke said:
I have been looking to add an electric chainsaw to the shop, for times when I only need to make a few cuts and not have to runs the gas saw in the shop. I didn’t want battery powered and had read several reviews on this saw. I’ve looked at it several times at Tractor Supply and found the same saw online about $15 cheaper than TSC. TSC matched the price so I bought it.
I decided to try it out today so if I didn’t like it I could return it and get my money back. I made about eight cuts on the “Maple growth impersonating a burl”, and buried the 18” bar several times. I was very impressed with the power and the cut of this saw and think it was well worth the money, $105. It has a built in sharpener but not sure how good it works, so need to try that out.
I have three gas chainsaws that get a lot of use and this electric one will not be used often but will come in handy for a quick cut inside the shop or just cutting a quick bowl blank. The wife is happy since I don’t smell like “ Essence of Stihl”when I enter the house!!
Click to expand...
I bought this exact saw (and a heavy-duty 100-foot cord) for about the same price back when Helene dropped huge trees all over my backyard. It cuts like a champ, and the built-in sharpener does work well for me. Mine stops instantly when I release the trigger, but as another poster noted, the chain does develop quite a bit of slack in use. That said, it is super easy to adjust the tension, as well as to take it apart and clean it up after use. Now granted, if I need to make ripping cuts on large, heavy, dense logs, I'll break out the 16" gas Echo I've had for years (or better yet, call my son to come over with his huge Husqvarna!).

But in most situations around the house and in reach of my cord, I have gotten to where I very much resent the noise, the stench and at times troublesome startup of a gas saw, and just reach for the Oregon. For the price of 1 Benjamin, you really can't beat it!
 
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