Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I haven't done much looking but I don't have much need for one other than once in a while to cut average size chunks of wood.  I see that Milwaukee has a 16".  I figure I need a 16-18".  I'm just looking right now and don't really have need to buy yet. 

I've used gas, elecric and hydraulic and I lean towards gas since the cord never gets in the way and you don't need to be close to an outlet.

Electric is light and relatively quiet. You are limited by the electric circuit. I forget the exact mumber but the maximum you can draw fro a 115V 15A circuit is about 1.5 HP. It doesn't matter what the "peak" power is, thats just a way for the sales types to lie to you. Pulling the cable around is a pain.

Hydraulic is somewhere between gas and electric as far as convenience, you have two hoses going back to the gas or diesel engine/pump but the actual cutting unit is small and light for the power it has. If the hose is reasonalbly long then the saw itself is quiet and the noise maker is somewhere else.

I don't know what you mean by "average" wood, everyone has different trees. Do you really need 18"? A blade will cut up to 2 1/2 times its length so if most of your wood is 12", a smaller 12" balade will be more suited to your usage pattern. A bigger blade requires more power just to make it move so for the same sized engine you get more cutting power  with a shorter bar. On the other hand if you really need an 18" blade then electric will be woefully underpowered.

Ajace,
I have a Remington, about $80, and a Stihl 017, about $160. I know people say the 017 is just a Walmart saw, but I like it. Kind of easy to start, very light, cuts well, and I can get support at the dealer. I have not used the Remington in the six years I have owned the 017. My 017 does not have the quick adjust bar, and the engines might be different now, but I like mine. Maybe Echo or Shindiawa makes something like it that people like better.

I understand Stihl's are just about the best.  I believe some woods are harder to cut through, such as oak.  I really don't need an 18", a 16" would probably be plenty.  I would like sharpening of the chain to be easy.  I am interested in the Echo Pro attachment series, so I can add attachments as I need them.  I am wondering what kind of work I can do with the chain saw accessory Echo and Stihl makes.  You all have me thinking I want gas, but don't want to go over $200.  

MissSnowshoveler wrote:
LMFAO in the Husq add, at the lumberjack guy in the midst of 18" wide + timbers, hoistin' the Husq electric!!!!!  

Sorry I have been gone so long. I realise that B&D is not your color but they made electric lawn and garden equipment. Mabie they will have something for you. If not, I would go with the Stihl.

Black and Decker is my color, I like orange.  They make pole prunners, but I don't see chain saws listed.  I think since they do so well with their other equipment, they might have a nice chain saw pop out of the factory.