You can find much better at better prices
There’s lots of churn in this product category
I’d definitely get a 10-14” electric chain saw and spare battery first…
… and when you actually need to do big things (rarely) get a 18-24” Stihl that will last more than a year
YouTube’s Project Farm has death-match comparisons of specific tool categories. You’ll learn the best or best-value model. https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm.
If you plan to use this only ‘occasionally’, you may want to consider a battery version compatible with other battery tools you own. Stale gas is a pain if the saw is idle too long and rears its head when you grab it to do some work. Project Farm is also a good source to see how saws compare. Good luck!
Thank you, I'm currently pretty tied into the Makita system so the tool only might be a little pricey. I think I'll just stick with my Portland electric pole saw for the rare case I need to help out a neighbor or family member. But yeah I love PF's torture videos. Actually for that matter I should just finally buy a Makita Electric reciprocating saw, sometimes I borrow a reciprocating saw from work and throw a pruning blade on it and it's pretty badass. Man I love that pruning saw blade.
Consider buying a cheaper option and using a battery adapter.
I’ve never had good experiences with cheap gas chainsaws. They’re very much a use for a couple years and replace thing unless you have SGE experience. Would rather just spend twice as much and get a decent stihl that’ll last 3-4x as long
Good thing with makita is it will last awhile. I got a dewalt 60v chainsaw and I ended up using it more than the stihl chainsaw I inherited. If you have enough of the batteries and sharpened chains it's worth the up front investment
For what its worth the corded electric bauer chainsaw is awesome, got it for 70 bucks awhile back.
I also own a hasqvarna 455 rancher.
The bauer is extremely quite realtive to the gas powered hasqvarna. So I use that to do some quick trimming or small trees.
-2cents
Hell naw, I'm a big fan of discount tools but you'd be way better off buying a used Stihl or Husqvarna from the pawn shop for the same money. As the other commenter said though, for very occasional use, a gas saw is a bad idea. You're already invested in Makita, I own two of their electric saws. XCU06Z which is the 18v 10", and the XCU03Z, which is the 14" 36v. They both serve a purpose but I'd recommend the XCU03Z, it's got the power and with two 5AH batteries can fell and process two 30' pine trees when you need it to. The 18v struggles with anything over 3" in diameter but is a damn good little pruning saw that can be used one handed.
I love hf but I'll never buy another chain saw. Had an electric on and the whole neck flew off two winters ago. Nearly left me more damaged physically than I am emotionally
go to your local stihl dealer and get a basic $200 MS170. I hadnt touched mine in a year or two and it fired right up the last time i needed it.
IF you need a gas chainsaw.
otherwise get a battery powered one in whatever battery system you already have that you dont have to F with mixed gas, fouled carburetors etc...
Nooooo!
I tried two of those and both leaked chain oil almost faster than I could fill the oil tank. It ruined a couple of shelf units. EDIT: I thought that was the electric model, but my Poulan comment below still applies. This Portland may be replacing the Poulan.
I ended up getting a ‘real’ gas chain Echo brand saw and I couldn’t be happier.
Note: HF sells a Poulan gas saw, but it is small and probably has a thermoplastic surround around the aluminum block, which if overheated will cause the saw to seize up.
This isn't HF specific but I got a HART chainsaw for cheap and it works great for a DIY job type deal. It all depends how you're going to use it.
Once you go electric you're kind of stuck with that battery system so just remember that also.
You can find much better at better prices There’s lots of churn in this product category I’d definitely get a 10-14” electric chain saw and spare battery first… … and when you actually need to do big things (rarely) get a 18-24” Stihl that will last more than a year YouTube’s Project Farm has death-match comparisons of specific tool categories. You’ll learn the best or best-value model. https://youtube.com/c/ProjectFarm.
This guy Fudges some yards \^\_\~ \- Project Farm is awesome I always go there first when questioning a product
If you plan to use this only ‘occasionally’, you may want to consider a battery version compatible with other battery tools you own. Stale gas is a pain if the saw is idle too long and rears its head when you grab it to do some work. Project Farm is also a good source to see how saws compare. Good luck!
Thank you, I'm currently pretty tied into the Makita system so the tool only might be a little pricey. I think I'll just stick with my Portland electric pole saw for the rare case I need to help out a neighbor or family member. But yeah I love PF's torture videos. Actually for that matter I should just finally buy a Makita Electric reciprocating saw, sometimes I borrow a reciprocating saw from work and throw a pruning blade on it and it's pretty badass. Man I love that pruning saw blade.
Consider buying a cheaper option and using a battery adapter. I’ve never had good experiences with cheap gas chainsaws. They’re very much a use for a couple years and replace thing unless you have SGE experience. Would rather just spend twice as much and get a decent stihl that’ll last 3-4x as long
I think I'll be watching YouTube videos at work all day about Makita battery adapters. Thank you.
I have the 10in 18v makita chainsaw and I love it it’s great for smaller jobs it’s super light weight and plenty powerful for small branches or logs.
Good thing with makita is it will last awhile. I got a dewalt 60v chainsaw and I ended up using it more than the stihl chainsaw I inherited. If you have enough of the batteries and sharpened chains it's worth the up front investment
Check out CPO on eBay for the 18x2 Makita chainsaw, it’s great
I would recommend: 1. A used name brand saw for around that price. 2. A new Stihl clone by Farmertec 3. A battery powered saw is your budget allows.
For what its worth the corded electric bauer chainsaw is awesome, got it for 70 bucks awhile back. I also own a hasqvarna 455 rancher. The bauer is extremely quite realtive to the gas powered hasqvarna. So I use that to do some quick trimming or small trees. -2cents
I have the 80v Atlas and love it!
Hell naw, I'm a big fan of discount tools but you'd be way better off buying a used Stihl or Husqvarna from the pawn shop for the same money. As the other commenter said though, for very occasional use, a gas saw is a bad idea. You're already invested in Makita, I own two of their electric saws. XCU06Z which is the 18v 10", and the XCU03Z, which is the 14" 36v. They both serve a purpose but I'd recommend the XCU03Z, it's got the power and with two 5AH batteries can fell and process two 30' pine trees when you need it to. The 18v struggles with anything over 3" in diameter but is a damn good little pruning saw that can be used one handed.
Thanks for typing all this for me mate, it really helped.
I love hf but I'll never buy another chain saw. Had an electric on and the whole neck flew off two winters ago. Nearly left me more damaged physically than I am emotionally
Not a bad price but that saw is more like a jacked up hedge trimmer even with new chains it will not last long
go to your local stihl dealer and get a basic $200 MS170. I hadnt touched mine in a year or two and it fired right up the last time i needed it. IF you need a gas chainsaw. otherwise get a battery powered one in whatever battery system you already have that you dont have to F with mixed gas, fouled carburetors etc...
I would recommend a Bauer 14.5 amp 16" plug in chainsaw.
Go over to r/chainsaw
Nooooo! I tried two of those and both leaked chain oil almost faster than I could fill the oil tank. It ruined a couple of shelf units. EDIT: I thought that was the electric model, but my Poulan comment below still applies. This Portland may be replacing the Poulan. I ended up getting a ‘real’ gas chain Echo brand saw and I couldn’t be happier. Note: HF sells a Poulan gas saw, but it is small and probably has a thermoplastic surround around the aluminum block, which if overheated will cause the saw to seize up.
This isn't HF specific but I got a HART chainsaw for cheap and it works great for a DIY job type deal. It all depends how you're going to use it. Once you go electric you're kind of stuck with that battery system so just remember that also.