After spending most of Saturday chopping up logs with a brute of a petrol chainsaw borrowed from the outlaws I decided I want one of my own.

But I live on an estate where the houses are fairly close and the petrol one is soooo bloody noisy, ears were ringing and only put earplugs in on the second tank of gas, neighbous also made a few comments, one of which is puting in his own log burner so is sympathetic.

So to be kind to my neighbours I was thinking I would get an electric one, with the added bonus that I can actually use it in the garage and dont have to fluff around with petrol etc. The one we were using lasted 2 tanks of gas then just gave up, and i cant be bothered with this hassle either.

I know any self respecting tree surgeon would turn his nose up at an electric but for what I want it for (chopping up logs 3-4 times a year) it seems sensible.

was thinking of getting the Husqvarna 321 EL (2000W) which is one of the most powerful electric models I can find (except the STIHL 2.2kW ones which are £4-£500).

so any one used this model? problem is I cant find anywhere with it in stock!

Buy earplugs for your neighbours. It’s cheaper…..

Are you getting logs delivered or whole tree trunks? Because if it’s just logs why not use an axe? Quick, simple, butch… and a fraction of the cost/annoyance of a chainsaw.

Definitely better off with a petrol chainsaw.

When the Zombie Apocalypse happens there won’t be any power to charge an electric chainsaw, but you’ll be able to syphon enough fuel from the abandoned cars to keep a petrol one going for years.

Has to be petrol IMO, its a chainsaw, not a hairdryer.

Same situation as you – bought a 321 a couple of years ago for logging up at home and it’s been brilliant. Light, reliable, quiet – I use petrol down the woods, yes, but the 321 is the weapon of choice for logging up at home.

EDIT: Got mine from here http://chainsawspecialists.co.uk/acatalog/Husqvarna_321el_chainsaw.html

£39 from Aldi’s and it’s done tonnes of wood with no problem.

There really is no need to use a petrol chainsaw unless:

– you are sawing through large diameter trunks / boughs, or
– you are working away from a power supply.

As a teenager I sawed up 100s (no, probably 1000s) tons of timber. We occasionally used my fathers larger petrol saw if working on the beach away from power, but for the vast, vast majority of wood cut up we used a small Skil, then Makita electric saw. Easily do upto 12″ thick wood with a decent bar.

Recently bought a new saw and went for the McCullough made B&Q own brand. More wattage and bar length for similar money to the branded versions.

There is no need to be macho and get a petrol saw for the sake of it. Far less fatigue using an electric saw, and arguably safer due to the lower weight being wielded.

arguably safer

this is something I havnt been able to decide on, lower weight yes, but a dangly cable to trip over, and cut through?

Chainsawing is all about concentration…

My father told me (at about 14?) if the chain is moving YOU CONCENTRATE.

If you can’t concentrate on where the chain is and where the cable is, then perhaps chainsawing isn’t for you?

Bit like using an electric mower – make sure the chord is flicked out in a straight line behind you. Check with every cut – it’s habit forming, move to a new cut, check or flick the chord out behind

As you will be focused on what is happening in front of you:
a) you should notice if the chord is in front of you / in the vidinity of the chain
b) it shouldn’t be there if you’re paying attention between cuts

What ever kind of saw you get, get some ppe. After 10 years in arboriculture, ive seen enough accidents and had enough close calls to always kit up, even for ten minutes of cutting. Keep yer chain sharp too.

Get a proper chainsaw helmet, will barely be able to hear the saw or your neighbours.

Learn how to sharpen the chain and see if you get through the job quicker and quieter rather than flat-out burning your way through the logs.

Husqvarna can be funny over warranty on internet sales, so may be what makes it difficult to find what you are after.

I would always go for petrol, but I am a commercial user. Newer saws have increasing regs to reduce emissions, vibe and noise – so a newer saw may be more refined if the outlaws machine is older. And lastly, buy something you can get parts for; next week, next month, next year, as long as you keep the saw. We still get parts for 20 year old Husqvarna 254XP’s.

you’ll end up like this…
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHuJGhe4oGw&feature=player_embedded[/video]

flumewelck

+1

My Aldi/Lidl saw did this lot last year and is still going strong

“
arguably safer

this is something I havnt been able to decide on, lower weight yes, but a dangly cable to trip over, and cut through? “

I’d be more worried about cutting an arm or leg off before worrying about cutting through the cable! I’m sure an electric is just as effective as a petrol at this.

Efco petrol, great little chainsaws. Compatible with stihl bars chain etc. Love my one!!

gotta stihl saw myself last year to replace my old johnson its gotta be said modern petrol saw’s are so much better than the older ones i used in my early teens with my dad saying that i use mine regular as have to cut down and log tree’s when im not offshore or wheel building my mum and sister both have wood burners at there’s too and its normally down to me to log for them 🙁 then saying that i try to split all but the worsed of it with an axe

I use a Bosch lecky one, for anything up to 10 inches in diameter. No problem.

Mates give me the macho nonsense about not being petrol but who cares. We left school a while ago….

just to throw another variable into the pot for you, how about a reciprocating saw? easy to swap blades out, pretty light…

Del -1, tut tut tut

I tried a Bosch electric one recently and am a convert – a bit like driving a diesel car – lots of power without all that revving up and noise and general 2 stroke mess.
Wont do my big trunks, but does everything else.
Its just such a more serene, much lower fuss experience – and perfect for stealth trimming too – as it doesnt announce its activity for half a mile in all directions like a petrol one.

Flymo woodshark 2200. It’s made by Husqvarna anyway.

http://www.shop.flymo.co.uk/images/mediator/397/oipl2006_v030000002.pdf

Fantastic, keep it sharp. Hot knife butter etc. I’ve cut up 18″ logs at the limit of the bar. No probs. – Why use petrol?

B+Q electric one here…. chopped and shaped 26 railway sleepers with it.
Original chain went blunt quite quickly- but B+Q changed it without a problem.