Cordless mini chainsaws - ?

[scooby1]

I bought my first chain saw 50 years ago, a Stihl 041AV, which I still have, to deal with the Dutch Elm problem on the farm, logging, fencing, etc. I now have 2 of those and a smaller "Husky" and I also have a petrol pole saw which is quite handy. I'm no expert but have plenty of experience of using the things.

A couple of years ago I bought a 6" battery mini saw when the Head gardener said that she wanted something cutting which was too big for her hand saw. I bought a mini battery chain saw and was amazed at how useful it was. In fact I earned lots of Brownie points from the Lady. But eventually it packed up working and I assumed that I had burnt the motor out. And so I was told that I had to buy another one, which I did. But I eventually I burnt that one out as well !!!

I have been invited to put forward ideas for a Christmas present from She Who Must Be Obeyed and so I have been looking at those mini saws again. I see that there are some with brushless motors. I know nothing about that type and wondered if they are a better motor than ones with brushes. And if anyone is kind enough to advise or recommend which one to buy it would be very much appreciated.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I see that there are some with brushless motors. I know nothing about that type and wondered if they are a better motor than ones with brushes.

Brushless, are a big step-up, in reliability, compact power, and efficiency. Instead of a commutator, and carbon brushes, doing the switching. The switching is done electronically, with the motor driven by phases, and detecting the position of rotation of the motor. Control can be much more precise, and much less waste heat is generated.

 

[scooby1]

Thank you very much @Harry Bloomfield. Those comments are really helpful and much appreciated.

 

[Stivino]

I recently bought some battery powered garden tools to use in place of my petrol tools. I figured it would would save me having to keep petrol in the shed, mix two stroke, etc.
I bought three items of the same brand, that way only one battery and charger is needed. It's worth choosing your brand carefully because the batteries might not be interchangeable across different brands, so in a way you might be tied in to the first brand you buy.
I chose to go with WORX.

 

[scooby1]

I recently bought some battery powered garden tools to use in place of my petrol tools. I figured it would would save me having to keep petrol in the shed, mix two stroke, etc.
I bought three items of the same brand, that way only one battery and charger is needed. It's worth choosing your brand carefully because the batteries might not be interchangeable across different brands, so in a way you might be tied in to the first brand you buy.
I chose to go with WORX.

Thank you very much @Stivino. That was very helpful. I do have cordless drill and screwdriver and so I'll have a look at what options (if any) I have with regard to same batteries, charger etc. I had a look at your WORX link and only found one brushless saw and that is a bit pricey. But thanks anyway, I do appreciate your help.

 

[Stivino]

All of the bigger ones seem to be brushless. Of the smaller ones, the only one I can see which is brushless is £150, but it does come with the battery and charger. WG325e

 

[scooby1]

Thank you @Stivino. She has sent me this link : https://share.google/g1qKOzeAZepPaIhQA It's brushless with 2 batteries and the charger and 2 chains which are probably the same length as the ones that I have with my old mini saws. I like the fact that it has got an oiler on it as well. My 2 saws that are busted didn't have that and I used to have to squirt oil on the chain using an oil can.

 

[foxhole]

Would think keeping chain sharp is biggest problem with a tiny chain saw , do they have lubrication?

 

[Deluks]

My 2 saws that are busted didn't have that and I used to have to squirt oil on the chain using an oil can.

No wonder they burnt out.

What existing batteries have you got?

 

[scooby1]

Would think keeping chain sharp is biggest problem with a tiny chain saw , do they have lubrication?

Thank you @foxhole. Sharpening the chain is the same as a bigger saw, you just have to buy smaller files. My first saws didn't have any lubrication on the bar and so I used to keep squirting a bit on with an oil can but that wasn't very satisfactory if you were up a tree with quite a few bits to cut off.

 

[scooby1]

No wonder they burnt out.

What existing batteries have you got?

Thank you @Deluks. I've got 18V batteries for my DeWalt screwdriver & drill. I looked at one of th busted saws today and they are 26V Lithium batteries. Do all batteries have the same fixing points so that those with the same voltage could be swapped ?

 

[foxhole]

Thank you @Deluks. I've got 18V batteries for my DeWalt screwdriver & drill. I looked at one of th busted saws today and they are 26V Lithium batteries. Do all batteries have the same fixing points so that those with the same voltage could be swapped ?

No

 

[SFK]

How about a reciprocating saw?

Amazon.co.uk

(Use good quality blades, ie Bosch)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Professional-2608650676-Sabre-S1531L/dp/B0009W868C/ref=asc_df_B0009W868C?

 

[scooby1]

No

Thankyou @foxhole.

 

[scooby1]

How about a reciprocating saw?

Amazon.co.uk

(Use good quality blades, ie Bosch)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Professional-2608650676-Sabre-S1531L/dp/B0009W868C/ref=asc_df_B0009W868C?

Thankyou @SFK. To be honest I hadn't thought about one of those. But if you were up a ladder cutting a branch and needed to nick it underneath to make sure that you left a clean cut and that the bark didn't run back beyond the cut it would be a bit difficult I think.