Electric Chain Saws

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Neil's electric saw
Neil's electric saw "emits no exhaust and requires no maintenance other than refilling the chain-oil reservoir and sharpening the chain."
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The Remington 625-01 electric saw features a hole and hitch on the back handle that prevents the extension cord from pulling out.
The Remington 625-01 electric saw features a hole and hitch on the back handle that prevents the extension cord from pulling out.
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The three electric saws we tested cover a wide range of prices and features.
The three electric saws we tested cover a wide range of prices and features.
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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.
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.
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Cord gauges and allowable lengths suggested by the manufacturers of the three saws tested, assuming grounded, three-wire, 15-amp circuits (except as noted).
Cord gauges and allowable lengths suggested by the manufacturers of the three saws tested, assuming grounded, three-wire, 15-amp circuits (except as noted).

In 1997, I traded my two gas chain saws for an electric model, and I’ve never regretted it. My electric saw emits no exhaust and requires no maintenance other than refilling the chain-oil reservoir and sharpening the chain. With just a flip of the switch, my electric saw shuts off, providing welcome silence while I reposition logs. Also, unlike a gas-powered saw, my electric always starts.

In contrast, long after using my gas-powered saws, I could still smell the exhaust in my nostrils. To keep a gas saw running well, you must dispose of stale fuel, mix fresh gas with engine oil, adjust carburetor settings, and occasionally replace a faulty spark plug or a broken starter cord. Besides, unused fuel left in a saw for a season or two tends to gum up, which can damage the carburetor. Also, gas saws generally weigh up to 2 pounds more than comparably powered electrics.

Electric saws have drawbacks too, most notably the limited work space imposed by the length of their cords. Dragging and repositioning a power cord can be bothersome, as well. What’s more, temperatures below 40 degrees dramatically reduce cord pliability.

The chain of an electric saw travels slower than that of a gas saw. This means you will need to be a bit more patient with an electric as its chain works its way through wood. Of course, after a power outage, you will have to wait until the power returns to do any work with the electric saw.

Although the power cord makes electric saws less appropriate than gas saws for the felling and limbing of large trees, electrics are great for bucking logs for firewood, as well as for cutting landscape timbers and notching logs for log building.

  • Published on Oct 1, 2005
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