Chainsaws....

[85_Ranger4x4]

The Milwaukee saw is pretty cool and people seem to like it. I would buy one if it wasn't so big - why they did not start with a top handle model is beyond me... DeWalt and Makita both have top handle saws that are very compact. The ideal battery powered saw for me would be a top handle Milwaukee with about a 12" bar. Perfect to throw in the tool box, cut up campfire wood, limbing or clearing fallen trees from the trail. The current Milwaukee saw is just too big for that purpose.

I think they're potentially a good deal if you have other cordless tools of that same brand AND several large batteries... they will burn through batteries. If you're going to cut a lot, you probably need a couple 12ah batteries, plus the saw and a charger... that's easily $600+. The difference between that and a $200 gas saw will buy a LOT of gas...

I have a customer that picked up a little Stihl cordless for trimming at the local JD dealer. I forget the price, I think it was around $350-400. He wrote his check and was getting ready to leave "do you need a battery and charger too?" "oh, yeah" so he gets that too and goes home. A month later he gets a bill for the battery and charger, brings the total up to $650. For a little 12" saw.

He wasn't a very happy camper. And to add to his dismay it is a special chain so he is stuck going back there for bars and chains. I am an Oregon dealer and they offer NOTHING for it.

 

[91stranger]

As much as I like stihl I wouldn't get their cordless saw... Between all the top brands it seems like milwaulkee or echo had the better battery operated saws. Makitas take 2 batteries so that's twice the problems.... However I think the mikita battery operated miter saw is cool and would be very handy. My miter saws are not on a stand so I always have to set it up on a work bench or stand whenever I need it. Damn small single car garages..... Need more space for all my toys....

I priced some of the battery saws and they get $500+ pretty easy, especially if you want 2 GOOD batteries which most of us would want 2 batteries.

 

[Shran]

$300 for a battery powered saw, tool only is not out of line, IF (big IF) you have other tools that share the same battery. I will probably buy a Milwaukee if they come out with one that's more compact - I already have a bunch of M18 tools and a bunch of batteries... and I am a sucker for cool chainsaws.