Electric Chain Saws

(Page 2 of 2)

October/November 2005
Story and Photos by Neil Soderstrom 
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Priced at about $230, the Husqvarna 316 is virtually identical to the Jonsered 2116E — both companies are subsidiaries of the Electrolux Group.

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Remington 625-01. The largest of several Remington models marketed to the cost-conscious consumer, this 9-pound, 10-ounce, 12-amp saw offers a surprising 3.5 horsepower for its weight and low $100 price. It’s the lightest of the three saws tested.

Almost all chain saw manufacturers specify standard chain-and-bar oil with high viscosity (stickiness), but Remington instead recommends standard SAE-30 motor oil for chain lubrication in temperatures between 30 and 75 degrees. However, because the oil is gravity-fed, the oil tank must be emptied after each work session; otherwise, it will drain onto your storage surface. This saw seems less solid than the Stihl and Husqvarna, yet it appears sturdy enough for modest amounts of work each year.

The 625-01 costs about $100; smaller Remington electrics can cost as little as $50.

Appropriate Cord Gauges

Maximum cord length is dictated by a saw’s amperage rating. Most outdoor circuits are 15-amp, and cords lose amperage the longer they run from the source. Under load, saw motors overheat unless the cord is of sufficient gauge and shortness to maintain sufficient amperage. Saws rated in the 7- to 12-amp range can work at distances up to 150 feet, with a specified cord. Outdoor-rated cords are round-jacketed and stamped with a suffix of “W” or “W-A,” for Wet or Wet-Applications, as in SJTW or SJTW-A.

See the Image Gallery for the cord gauges and allowable lengths suggested by the manufacturers of the three saws tested, assuming grounded, three-wire, 15-amp circuits (except as noted).

Resources

Manufacturers 

Husqvarna Forest & Garden 

Jonsered 

Remington 

Stihl 

Professional Logging Equipment

Bailey’s 

Neil Soderstrom is the author of Chainsaw Savvy: Cutting, Sharpening, Troubleshooting. He lives in Wingdale, N.Y.

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Comments

  • ecofreako 6/23/2007 10:09:41 AM

    Good article. I thought I could add something interesting: because
    I found myself drawn to home-heating by a woodstove to get off
    'natural gas' fossil fuel heating last winter, (in northrn B.C.
    Can. the winter occupies a large part of the year) I also then
    couldn't justify feeding the stove with wood cut used with the
    energy of gas chainsaws. So after some searching online, I found
    you could buy little rechargeable (portable) electric chainsaws.
    Really little! My "ryobi" brand has a 10" blade. Yes, I did get
    through the winter exclusivly with woodheat using this tool...for
    felling a couple dozen standing dead forest trees, and "bucking"
    them into smaller pieces to carry home in a hikers backpack. You
    can (and should) use canola vegetable oil for the 'bar and chain'
    oil instead of the dirty fossil-fuel kind, too! It gels up when
    really really cold out, but with some agitation with a stick it
    loosens to fluid again. I must say that after the bulk of winter
    was complte, I got to try out an old one-man cross-cut saw (really
    big, like six feet) and will probably opt for this over the
    rechareable saw as it saves time overall, like not having to carry
    out and change the several battery packs I needed to have the
    electricity for significant cut-time. I hope someone/s read this
    message to realise the inspirational possibilies of heating without
    the 'aid' of fossil fuels!

  • SHANNON McGraw 7/24/2006 12:00:00 AM

    I use my lightweight electric chain saw around the house and the
    gas powered one out in the woods. They both serve their purpose. I
    like the fact that I don't have to keep gas mixed up for the
    electric saw.

  • joe50 7/24/2006 12:00:00 AM

    hi i agree i have both elc and gas i use gass at hunting cabin
    and elc i have genator or care on 4x4 with power inverter both have
    place power invert plugs into 12v and is light. and dose not flood
    or break pull cord but can have its own proublems too. so i see
    both as very usful

  • Ben Richey 6/27/2006 12:00:00 AM

    Most electric chain saws are designed for use in the workshop to
    cut timbers and larger boards which are too big for a table saw.
    One very important safety consideration with electric chain saws is
    that chain saw safety chaps will not stop the chain, due to the
    electric motor's higher torque. They need to be handled with due
    respect.

  • CATHERINE McGurk 4/18/2006 12:00:00 AM

    An electric chain saw would have been no good when we needed it
    the most after Hurricane Isabel knocked out power for up to 2
    weeks. Driveways and roads were blocked with fallen trees. Thank
    goodness for gas power!

  • THOMAS TOWNSEND 12/16/2005 12:00:00 AM

    The biggest problem or drawback of an Electric saw is the fact
    that I have yet to find an electrical outlet in the woods. I use a
    reciprocating saw at the house and it works just fine for the small
    household needs.

  • joe50 11/16/2005 12:00:00 AM

    on elec chain saws dose chain have safty fiture to help keep it
    on saw

  • joe50 11/16/2005 12:00:00 AM

    i have had some close calls with gsa chain saws chain comming
    off bar how hard is it to adjust chain on elc one

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