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Electric Chainsaw or Sawzall?
- Thread starter stwm
- Start date
Liking this idea. Brand? Was worried about wearing one out..
I've had a Dewalt for over 10 years. Unless you have a bunch of other cordless tools that swap battery packs I'd go cord.
cul4u01
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I like the Milwaukee M18 cordless circular saw or the "wrecker" blade sawzall.
The Hilti stuff for the tough jobs.
I like a corded handheld circular saw this purpose. You can do all the work in one spot so you don't need the portability of a cordless saw.
However, depending on the type of wood and how thick the boards are, you might try propping them up on a rock and hitting them with a 3 pound hammer or maul. If they split into useful size pieces this method would probably be faster than any kind of cutting, and for firewood you don't need straight edges or equal sized pieces.
However, depending on the type of wood and how thick the boards are, you might try propping them up on a rock and hitting them with a 3 pound hammer or maul. If they split into useful size pieces this method would probably be faster than any kind of cutting, and for firewood you don't need straight edges or equal sized pieces.
cul4u01
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That be true, did that when we were kids, with a sledgehammer, worked like a charm, and fast as hell too.
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I use a gas chainsaw. Mostly because they are loud, obnoxious, smelly and make a huge mess just like me. Actually, I collect them from the 50's to present. No need to break one out, just fun. I have several at 139cc and just under. Until you run them if you can, please don't judge
The chainsaw is the most satisfying power tool I know of for all the reasons you mentioned.
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And making rooster tails of chips.
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Nothing like a gas sucking chainsaw! Get a weight you can handle for as long as you need. If your planning on running an Alaskan mill or something then you need a big un. I use a Stihl 362 and is awesome. Screw the electric. Get yourself a chop saw of something you can use for other task otherwise. Sawzalls are great but not for generating firewood. Electric chainsaw might work for trimming trees if you live urban and just need to make occasional trimming to satisfy HOA's etc. but i personally wouldnt own one period. For a few hundred bucks you can get a gas powered chainsaw but you wont have precise trimming of lumber for construction needs but just depends on what you want to use it for primarily and secondary. I do have a chop saw and keep a trash can underneath for wood scrap. Thats what I start my wood stove with. Also a good Kukri like a 20" AK works great to break up pieces into kindle.
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Stihl makes a great saw, but I've been running this 40cc Echo for a while now and I love it. Lighter than the Stihl too. If you're just cutting wood, you could probably even get a 30cc with a 14" bar for like $200 and be set. It'll take small trees if needed too. Auntie just sent me a 17" 33oz ASTK intended for splitting kindling, and boy does it ever. I could only imagine an 18-20" AK 
nevertheless it is on my endless list. Ndog, what length/weight AK would you recommend for the task, which could be used by anyone competent with a larger blade or hand axe? Thinking something to bring up to a cabin used by many.
nevertheless it is on my endless list. Ndog, what length/weight AK would you recommend for the task, which could be used by anyone competent with a larger blade or hand axe? Thinking something to bring up to a cabin used by many.
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Stihl makes a great saw, but I've been running this 40cc Echo for a while now and I love it. Lighter than the Stihl too. If you're just cutting wood, you could probably even get a 30cc with a 14" bar for like $200 and be set. It'll take small trees if needed too. Auntie just sent me a 17" 33oz ASTK intended for splitting kindling, and boy does it ever. I could only imagine an 18-20" AK
Ah There it is! I responded to your question last night and as i was hitting the send button my computer decided to do its random crash thing. Any way here goes again. Time for new puter. I have a circuit board ripped out of a notebook with all the plastic removed, cd rom, display etc and whats left of it after I repaired it is nailed to a stump in my living room. Thats what im using for a puter now. I think something is overheating with all the dog hair on it so it randomly shuts down. PITA! I myself like the 20" AK. Big heavy one is best for chopping. I even use it for kindling the wood stove because of it weight. All you have to do is let gravity do its thang for the most part and guide it on the way down. I forget the weight but its a Lachhu made one. I also have an old Bhakta Super Khukri 20" which is chiruwa and it is awesome as well. I prefer traditional handles to chiruwa mostly because of the shock transmission and that is a real thing to consider if you use it for extended periods. Bhakta does know how to make a chiruwa handle tho. Hard to tell the difference sometimes. Anywaz since you already have an ASTK and such id get the heaviest 20" you can find to fill the monster chopping gap! Heres mine. If I can dig up the specs ill edit this post but i better hit send before my puter takes a power lunch!
My 20" Lachhu AK. Love it! Its 42 ounces.
One on the left is a Bhakta Super AK. Both of them on the left is a toss up! I love them both. The next one on the right is an 18" Bura AK and it is awesome too but just a bit lighter. Love that one too. Heck I love all of them. Kumar CAK next then Bura 12" then Dhan Bahadur. I dont know man! I love em all. I got another Bura not pic'd? Old pic I guess. They all got their place in my splintered wooden heart
Heres the Bahkta 20". Its 49 ounces.
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Thanks dog! Here I was thinkin I'd never buy a "user" khuk anywhere near 40oz, and yet now I need one lol that 20" Lachuu is my fav of the bunch, followed by the Bura 12". I mean look at the grain on that handle...
RayseM
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This is a job that I would not hesitate to use a SAWZALL. Assuming you are cutting boards of all sizes and shapes and conditions and occasionally throw in some tree branches - for these reasons:
1) You don't really need more than a foot or a leg to secure the work safely.
2) No matter what the size or shape or condition you can cut the board/stick to size. This can be challenging with a circular saw and especially with a miter saw.
3) No need to worry about rocks and nails.
4) The SAWZALLs are very unlikely to kick back in any work - unlike with a circular saw or trying to cut irregular shapes on a miter saw.
5) Your hands never need to be close to the work.
6) You can buy demo blades or more specific wood cutting blades AND tree limb blades which make quick work of wet green branches etc. AND you can buy blades of different lengths. Lots more variety for the stack of wood in front of you and pretty easy and quick to change blades out for optimal cutting.
7) Less noisy, smoky and otherwise requires so much less maintenance than a chain saw.
Having said all that - in my shop I use my miter saw or the band saw - but - I am cutting up scraps of pine or cherry or mahogany and not old pallets or the like. Have fun.
Ray
1) You don't really need more than a foot or a leg to secure the work safely.
2) No matter what the size or shape or condition you can cut the board/stick to size. This can be challenging with a circular saw and especially with a miter saw.
3) No need to worry about rocks and nails.
4) The SAWZALLs are very unlikely to kick back in any work - unlike with a circular saw or trying to cut irregular shapes on a miter saw.
5) Your hands never need to be close to the work.
6) You can buy demo blades or more specific wood cutting blades AND tree limb blades which make quick work of wet green branches etc. AND you can buy blades of different lengths. Lots more variety for the stack of wood in front of you and pretty easy and quick to change blades out for optimal cutting.
7) Less noisy, smoky and otherwise requires so much less maintenance than a chain saw.
Having said all that - in my shop I use my miter saw or the band saw - but - I am cutting up scraps of pine or cherry or mahogany and not old pallets or the like.
Have fun.Ray