Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Don Orr

>I'm sure you will hear various opinions about this topic, but I use an electric chainsaw all the time when roughing out bowl blanks from logs. I don't use it in the basement but I do use it in the garage with no problem. I have an old McCulloch 14" and beat on it pretty hard. I have never noticed any oil spray from the chain but I usually use it outside most of the time. I like the fact you don't have to keep pulling the starter, no fuel or fumes to deal with and much quieter although I do use ear muff protectors anyway. As long as the chain is sharp they do a fair job. You will probably need a way to hold the blank while you trim it. I made a small bench that has an adjustable V-block to hold round stuff, a ratchet web strap to hold longer stuff, and a place with nails driven up through from the bottom that I jam the blank on to knock off corners.(I got the idea from a book I think is called "The Art of the Lathe")

This is just my way and my opinion, so remember you get what you pay for. I'm sure there are lots of other methods and you will find what works for you.

Good luck and stay safe, Don

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

TDaniel

>I use a Husky Electric for a lot of my inside trimming and I wish I had bought it a few years ago. You will have to deal with a litle oil coming off the chain but a curtain or a piece of cardboard behind the area of use will take care of that. As far as the cheap models are concerned, I tried a Sears electric first and gave up on it. Spend the $200 for the Husky and you won't have to look back.

TD

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Andy in Raleigh

>I have a fairly cheap Remington 14" that most people would tell you is a POC but that hasn't been my experience. I have had it for several years and even used it to cut up dozens of trees after Hurricane Fran. When the blade is sharp, I secure the piece being cut well and angle the cut so that I am crossing some grain it does a great job. I have never noticed an oil sling problem, but nearly all of my cutting has been outdoors. I have cut in the garage a couple of times, but it is pretty loud and chips fly over a wider range than you realize when you don't have to clean them all up.

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Bob Lemon - Sacramento CA

>Ken, We recently purchased the Remington 3.5, 16". So far, it has taken everything with the full 16" without stalling. It has a surprising amount of power. It is self oiling and does require quite a bit of oil. It was under $100 at HD. I've heard that Remington makes almost all electric chain saws on the market. Bob

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Scott Thorburn

>Ken, I have the Stihl 180E. I use it all the time the only time I get out my Husky is when I am not near an outlet. It is quiet and has lots of power.

As far as you band saw goes the timber wolf blades are very good blade. I use a 3/8 or 1/2 3tpi skip tooth blade. The problem you are having is not the power of the saw or the blade. The problem is cutting a blank that can tilt. It can be dangerous as well. I solve this by always having support where the blade is cutting. Sometimes this is accomplished by attaching a sled to the wood to prevent any movement.

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Peter Teubel

>Consider getting a bigger motor for your bandsaw. At least 2hp (wired for 220, of course). You'll see a BIG difference.

FWIW, I went thru 3 Remingtons in 6 months. They don't last in my shop...and I was very careful not to stall the 2nd two of them. I'm saving my pennies for a Stihl.

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Andy in Raleigh

>When did you get your Remingtons? I have had really good luck with mine; had it for 10 years or so of occasional use with a few heavy use stints in there; but I wonder if they have gone down hill and I should be looking at something else when it comes time to replace it.

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

Bob Hackett

>I`ve got a Milwaukee that I bought rebuilt from the factory about 10 years ago(I think they still make them).It has all the power it takes to cut anything the 16" bar can handle.

The only real requirement for a good electric is that it have a clutch.If it has a chainbrake then it has a clutch too,if it didn`t the gears would strip.

I went thru 3 or 4 cheap ones(at least 2 Remingtons)before buying the Milwaukee.I wish I had bought it to begin with.

Most of the higher end electrics I`ve seen allow you to adjust the bar oil just like thier gas powered brothers.My Milwaukee doesn`t but I just use heavy weight bar oil.Buy a baking sheet to store it on,it`ll leak when not in use just like it`s brothers.

You`re gonna love being able to use a chainsaw inside the shop,especially when it`s below zero and there`s a blizzard outside.

Mainely,Bob

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish) *LINK*

Randy Privett

>I bought the Remington 3.5 HP as a back up for using inside and to knock down on the noise. So far it's done a great job. I know Overstock.com had them at a really good price, under $50 for a while.

Randy


Monster Tools

below zero and you still have power?

TDaniel

>

Think plastic

TDaniel

>I am told that the new Remingtons/Craftsmans have a plastic drive sprocket that strips easily; perhaps an owner of a newer one can verify this. The Husky has a metal drive sprocket and a chain brake that is very quick acting. I have heard good reports on the Stihl and the Milwaukee also.

mine has metal

Andy in Raleigh

>but as I said earlier, I have had it a while. It's a 2.5 HP 14" model. It also has something else on it that I bet the newer ones don't - "Made in USA" labels on both the motor and the bar.

Most of the time,yes.

Bob Hackett

>It stays below zero quite a bit during Jan/Feb up here.The ground froze deeper than 3 feet last winter and alot of folk`s well lines froze too.

We lose power on a regular basis throughout the year and most folks have a woodstove or some other way to heat the house and cook that doesn`t require electricity.

After my father died my mother took the woodstove out and put in a propane parlor stove that looks like a woodstove with a glass front.We put the old Vermont Castings in our house.It`s running now,burning some red oak flooring I got at the dump,been heating all week with that oak.:^)

Mainely,Bob

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

keith zimmerman, Normal IL

>I use a Remington 14" and it works just fine. I replaced the chain with a good one that can be easily sharpened and that helped a lot.

I use in indoors and out and have never experienced any oil sling at all. It does seep when the saw is not in use, but that is not a problem for me.

keithz

Re: Electric chainsaw Q's (longish)

adrien

>I bought a cheap Remington at Lowes and got what I paid for. I found it too flimsy to use on blocks I'd set up on the lathe. Back to the bandsaw.

Re: Think plastic

Peter Teubel

>I replaced the PLASTIC sprocket in each of my 3 Remingtons. When the first one stripped, I ordered 6 more (they were quite cheap). Went thru all of them eventually.

These saws are ok for the occasional backyard pruning (or occasional trimming of blank), but will not stand up to even moderate daily use.

oops - 16" not 14"

Andy in Raleigh

>