I have the Ego because I already have their blower. so I have two batteries which is nice.

The saw works ok but you have to go slow as it bogs down easily. It can cut if you are patient. I have gas Stihls but if I'm just doing a little work the electric is handy.

Oh, you still need chain oil , so not without some potential mess.

I have Ridgid cordless batteries and power tools, so I also have a Ridgid 12" cordless chainsaw which I am pleased with.

I confess to have not read the entire thread, but I really like my DeWalt 20V chainsaw. I bought it because I have several other DeWalt tools that use the same battery. But it preforms well and glad I have it.

My son bought me the Ego because I already had a few of their tools: damned impressive to me. I traded out the 4mah battery for the smallest I had, a 2.0 job, and it got 13 of the 12" diameter rounds on a douglas fir first go round. So I figure with the real battery, I'd cut a full sized tree into small rounds easy/peasy. Been cutting alder and it just works great. (of course, I've got several batterys now which can and do outlast me)

Project farm has a great review of battery operated chainsaw tools, skip to 23:31 to avoid the details and cut to the chase: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6FM_08066I

I'd go with the Dewalt or the Ego today, but by tomorrow, someone might have a better one. Like to see what you choose to go with Para.

quote:

I'd go with the Dewalt or the Ego today, but by tomorrow, someone might have a better one.

Dewalt makes some nice stuff, but not cheap.

But like StorminNormin said:
Pretty much once you get one battery powered item, you are tethered to that brand for other items since the batteries are expensive and interchangeable.
You don't want multiple battery systems.

If you are thinking about battery mower or weed eater or blower, get the saw of the same maker. I have aryoninand I’m happy with it. If I were to start over I’d probably go Ego because of the mower.

What about going to pawn shops and taking what they have?

Since it has been a minute, went back and re-read the OP. A few thoughts come to mind:

A battery powered saw may require less maintenance than a gas powered saw (probably will).

Suitability may depend on how fast you need it to be ready. If you need it to sit unused for two, three, or four years, then be immediately ready when you want it, you may need to research and deal with some battery maintenance on whatever saw you choose. They may require a periodic charge, or even a full discharge, then charge cycle. They may not, I dunno, but I’d research that.

I know next to nothing* about electric chainsaws, but my experience with cordless tools is that by the time the battery dies and you need a replacement, the industry has moved on and replacement batteries are so darned expensive that it makes more sense to buy a new set of tools with the current voltage batteries. This issue may or may not happen with chainsaw batteries. Started with a 9.6v Makita set that was great. Then 12v something, next came 18v Milwaukee, and finally 20v Dewalt. Not sure what will be next, may stick with and add to the Dewalt.

As far as bar length, 16” to 18” is a pretty good size for a saw. On the ranch we have a couple of MS-250s and an MS-362 (I think, it replaced a Husky 261). The MS-250s have 16” bars and get a ton of use. The MS-362 has a 2?” (24, 26, 28, not sure, would have to go look). You can run an MS-250 hard all day in whatever orientation you need to and not get too much complaining from your back, shoulders, or elbows at the end of the day. The bigger saw tends to only be used when needed, and generally one tries to use it on horizontal logs where you can cut as much as possible from the top down, letting the log support the saw and just guiding it. With a smaller saw you can cut diameters up to almost double the bar length, though it may take a little more work.

*The one time I used an electric chainsaw, it was on a construction project cutting some beams. The old farmer (and hangar tenant) said he’d bring a chainsaw and I was surprised when he showed up with an electric. It looked old, janky, and much used. Didn’t notice the brand. Given the ancient forklift and tree farmer that he brought to assist on the project and how they (sometimes) worked, I didn’t expect much. Picking it up, I was surprised by how light it was for it’s size and my already low expectations ratcheted down another notch. Now, there wasn’t a ton of cutting, but that saw just worked. I was impressed. I didn’t rush out and buy one (ag labor can be hard enough on gas powered chainsaws, not sure what they’d do to electrics), but you won’t hear me arguing against them based on what I’ve seen.

I have this one and am very happy with it. Without the battery it goes for about $190. Not bad but it's the batteries that get you. A long lasting flex battery costs almost as much as the saw.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D...ed_asin_title_2&th=1

I am already invested in the Harbor Freight Bauer line of tools. Their 10" saw was $80 and has done what I needed to do. Mainly trimming and pruning. It wouldn't be my first choice to tackle a 12" tree, but it would get the job done.

Another thought after reading some of the posts.
By the time you buy a chicom saw and batteries you will be into it as much as a small stihl. I have six or eight of them. I bought a ms170 a few years back. For around $160. If you use the qts of VP pre mix fuel or similar you will not have carb issues and this little saw will out preform these chicom elect saws ten fold with little to no maintenance. So my advice is skip the whole elect deal if in the market for a saw. Ymmv.

quote:

Suitability may depend on how fast you need it to be ready. If you need it to sit unused for two, three, or four years, then be immediately ready when you want it, you may need to research and deal with some battery maintenance on whatever saw you choose. They may require a periodic charge, or even a full discharge, then charge cycle. They may not, I dunno, but I’d research that.

Let a two stroke engine sit 2-3-4 years without being used and see what happens, you'll never get it to start, todays fuels will eat the rubber internals up, ask me how I know. ORC is correct you need to use a stabilized fuel and pre mixed is good for 2 strokes

Even with stabilizer in them, you sit that long and you'll be having it cleaned up before it will run with long durations of storage on any engine.

OTOH, my electric is always ready since I use the batteries for blower, edger, trimmer, hedge trimmer, which is why the suggestion is that you get the model that you already have batteries for on other things.

I recommend Stihl.

Since going to the non E canned premixed fuel I have had no issues with them starting after prolonged non use/storage. Zero!

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Let a two stroke engine sit 2-3-4 years without being used and see what happens, you'll never get it to start, todays fuels will eat the rubber internals up, ask me how I know.

I have two Husky saws. A rancher, and a 555 (as I needed a longer bar because my low back ain't what it used to be). Either, or both, have sat for several years at a time and have always started and ran fine. Yeah, it may take a few pulls, but they'll fire up and run just fine.

I've not been a big believer in the new fuel destroying equipment myth as it has just not been my experience. Could it happen? I suppose so, but I haven't seen it.

To be fair, though, for the past few years I've put nothing but premium ethanol free fuel in my small stuff. But, even before that, I saw no problems.

I did recently buy a Husky electric to toss in the truck for "just in cases". Haven't had the chance to work it much, but it got great reviews.

quote:

Originally posted by k5blazer:
I recommend Stihl.

I agree, I have three. Buy the biggest you can afford.

Thanks for all the suggestions. As I've said, gas-powered is out, rentals are out.

That leaves corded and cordless electric.

I like the idea of a corded saw, no batteries to charge, no running out of juice. Consistent voltage. I'd be cutting trees only on my property, so extension cords will do what I need. The only downside, it seems to me, is working in the rain or in standing water. Yes, I know- breakers, grounding, I'd be alright. Still...

So, that leaves battery-operated. The wife has a small leafblower, a Kobalt. I looked at Lowe's website for Kobalt saws and that's more than I'm willing to pay.

The same goes for Stihl and DeWalt and others. Maybe I should just buy a corded saw. For example, this Black&Decker with a 16" bar for 85 bucks. https://www.homedepot.com/p/BL...ler-CS1216/205646116

I don't know. I've managed to get the part of the tree that was laying down in my yard processed. All the leaves and little stuff out to the curb for pickup, and the trunk cut up for firewood. Cherry. Nice hardwood.

The main part of the trunk is lying in the woods. I've got some time to get it cut up and split for drying.

Anyway, thanks again.

Keep an eye on the Kobalt stuff. If they reset the outdoor power equipment area, they may sell the display model at a steep discount.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
...Maybe I should just buy a corded saw. For example, this Black&Decker with a 16" bar for 85 bucks. ...

This is the answer. You will know pretty quick if it is going to work for you. If not, just take it back.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Let a two stroke engine sit 2-3-4 years without being used and see what happens, you'll never get it to start, todays fuels will eat the rubber internals up, ..

Depends upon how old it is. Newer 2- and 4-stroke small engines have been fabricated with modern rubber-/plastic-eating ethanol-polluted fuels in mind, so it's not a problem anymore.

I never had the problem, but I never left my gas-powered tools sit idle with fuel in them that long.

I no longer worry about it because I don't buy ethanol-polluted fuel for my small engines anymore.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Even with stabilizer in them, ...

Yeah, no stabilizer will stop ethanol-polluted fuel from eventually phase-separating under the right conditions. The alcohol absorbs moisture, the right weather conditions occur, and *bang*: Phase-separation.

Moral of the story: Don't use ethanol-polluted fuel in your small engines.