Features of choosing an electric chain saw for wood: types, how to choose a chain saw, care rules

An electric chain saw is a tool that is used in economic activities, for example, for cutting down unnecessary trees or for performing construction work. Although electric chain saws are inferior to gasoline saws in terms of performance and efficiency, such devices have advantages in price and weight, and in addition, they do not have harmful emissions.

Electric saws are very popular for home use, and for this reason, manufacturers provide us with a huge range of similar products. To buy the right tool, you need to know how to choose a power saw with all the necessary characteristics.

Electric or petrol model

To understand which of these options is more suitable for a particular owner, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each model . A gasoline saw is a more autonomous version of the tool, since it can work without a source of electricity. Also, the saw models in question have other important features that will be useful for every buyer to know:

The electric version of the chain saw requires less physical effort compared to its gasoline counterpart. Due to the presence of an engine, the owner of such a model must have certain skills and techniques for working with this tool. If we talk about a unit operating from an electrical outlet, then the user is not required to have special knowledge.
An electric saw is safer than its gasoline counterpart, since it does not emit exhaust gases during operation. Therefore, it can be used not only outdoors, but also indoors. The petrol model is limited in this regard. Working with it in a confined space can cause a lot of inconvenience to all people nearby.
A gasoline saw requires regular purchase of fuel, and this increases its operating costs by an order of magnitude. On top of that, the retail price of gasoline saws is significantly higher than the cost of electric ones.
An electric saw is easier to handle due to its lighter weight, and is also convenient because it creates significantly less noise compared to a gasoline saw.

History [edit | edit code]

In 1830, German physiologist Bernard Hein invented the first osteotome, which used a cutting chain. It used cutting links shaped like the teeth of a hacksaw. The key structural elements of the saw (chainsaw and bar) were created at the end of the 19th century; Since the 1920s, the gasoline internal combustion engine began to be actively used. The practical use of the “saw set” has been going on since the beginning of the 20th century, and various types of drives were used: pneumatic, steam, mechanical and others.

Currently, according to their application, saws are divided into professional and amateur.

Electric chain saw: purpose, types

An electric saw will be useful to every owner who often or occasionally has to do woodworking. It can be used for sawing small logs, boards and slats, as well as for large-scale carpentry work. In fact, an electric chain saw is a compromise between a garden and construction tool when considering its functionality. Of course, it will be ineffective when building a house. It can bring tangible benefits primarily when carrying out sanitary and molding pruning, making furniture and preparing firewood.

Features of using electric saws

The main reason why many owners choose electric chainsaws is their high durability. They can serve for many years , however, for this you will have to follow certain rules. Every owner should find out before purchasing an electric saw about its “weak point” - this tool is very sensitive to voltage changes. Therefore, it is precisely because of overloads that these saws most often fail.

The design of the electric motor with which the electric chain saw is equipped is such that the armature located inside is rigidly connected to the gearbox. It follows from this that any overload can with a high degree of probability cause engine failure.
Typically, overloads occur due to insufficient sharpness of the tool. But if you constantly monitor the condition of the teeth and sharpen them in a timely manner, then such a problem can be avoided.
Excessive load on the engine can be caused by a voltage drop in the network, which, as statistics show, happens quite often in country houses. This inevitably leads to an increase in engine temperature. It’s good if the saw is equipped with automatic overheating protection. But even this can cause a lot of inconvenience to the owner, because a tool that constantly switches off will not be able to get the job done quickly.
Professional saws are much more expensive than amateur saws. But this is compensated by their service life, which is twice as long for a professional tool.
Due to their design, electric saws need to be lubricated regularly. If at a certain moment this is delayed, the engine may fail. Therefore, the owner must regularly monitor the oil level and add it if necessary. You can understand that there is enough oil in the engine experimentally - at the moment the chain accelerates, a strip of microscopic drops will appear on the working surface. If after some time you stop observing it, you need to worry and urgently check the oil level.
The reliability of the tool depends on the quality of the lubricant used. It is best to use special oils for chain saws. They are made from plant components and have special additives in the form of polymers. These compounds have the best quality characteristics and are very economical.
Regardless of the type of electrical appliance used, safety rules must be followed. One of them says: the tool must be kept away from open water. Therefore, under no circumstances should you use an electric saw in the rain or near open water.

Video description

After watching the following video, it will become clear how to choose a saw:

Table No. 2. Chain saws with an excellent quality-price combination.

Place	Name	Options
Place	Name	Power characteristic, W	Working part	Weight, kg	Frame	Flaws	Advantages
1	Makita UC3541A	1800	Tire 35 cm, pitch – standard, tension occurs without a key	4,7	Ergonomic, comfortable	Not the best chain	There is an emergency “stop” for the chain and an anti-vibration function
2	Bosch AKE 35-19 S	1900	Chain length sufficient for private work – 0.35 m	4,3	Lightweight, easy to maintain	Non-metallic chain clamp	There is emergency braking of the engine and chain
3	Makita UC4041A	1800	Tire – 0.4 m	4,7	The handle is rubberized	—	Safety level: there is a brake, low weight with a wide chain
4	STIHL MSE 190 C-BQ	1900	Chain 35 cm or 40 cm (depending on the selected configuration), there is a high-quality tension system	4,5	Reliable, high-quality assembly	High price	Long four-meter cord, efficient lubrication system

Which chain saw for wood to choose

The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing a power tool is its operating conditions. Stores today offer many options for electric chain saws, the cost of which can vary from 2 to 25 thousand rubles. Often the price is an indicator of the quality of the instrument. It is not recommended to buy the cheapest chain saws from an unknown manufacturer, especially in random places, because such devices, as a rule, do not last long. But this does not mean that you need to pay tens of thousands of rubles for a professional model, all of whose capabilities you are unlikely to use.

When deciding whether it is better for you to choose a household or a professional tool, you must understand that these two options differ from each other in service life and maximum duration of continuous operation. If you need a tool to work no more than 3-4 hours a day, then feel free to choose a household chain saw. Most instruments belonging to this class have a short duration of continuous operation, which does not exceed several minutes. To ensure that you are making the right choice, we recommend that you consider the following points when comparing different options:

Engine position. This key element of the electric saw can be installed transversely or longitudinally. Models with longitudinal placement are more preferable, since in this case you can work with the tool in any plane. This way you have a truly versatile tool at your disposal. Such saws are much more expensive, however, we advise you to overpay, because the price of such saws is not much higher than the cost of a tool with a transverse engine, but their advantages are noticeable.
Engine power. Remember that the dimensions, weight and price of the tool directly depend on this indicator. If you are looking for a saw that you will use only from time to time to cut boards in the countryside, then we do not recommend buying a heavy-duty unit. At the same time, it is necessary to correctly calculate this indicator - it must be with a reserve in case of possible overloads. Try to choose a model that has a large enough power reserve. Then you will be sure that during operation the tool will be able to withstand significant fluctuations in the network without receiving damage. This is especially true for owners who need a saw for use in their summer cottage.
Maximum current. It occurs only when the saw is started. To prevent it from having a negative impact on the operation of the tool, we recommend choosing models with soft start. They initially have not only a higher safety margin, but also a longer service life.
When working with an electric saw, remember that this is a rather traumatic tool. Therefore, you must be concerned about protecting both yourself and your loved ones from harm. In this case, you will need a locking system, which is present in many modern models.
The problem of overheating of electric saws is relevant for many owners. To solve this problem, manufacturers have recently begun to equip the tool with a special thermal relay, which de-energizes the saw when the engine reaches a critical temperature.
The danger that can come from a chain saw can be associated with the moment when the switched on tool begins to contact the work surface. At this time, a phenomenon called a reverse strike occurs, the consequences of which can be unpredictable. To protect yourself from possible troubles, it is best to choose models with a chain brake function. If the tool starts to slip out of your hands, you just need to press the small shield located below, after which the chain will stop moving.
An important characteristic that must be taken into account when choosing a tool is the presence of a chain tension system. It must include a wing - a large nut that secures the tire. The chain is adjusted by loosening the thumb, which makes it possible to move the bar.
Modern high-quality electric saws necessarily have an automatic lubrication system, which is represented by a pump that starts working simultaneously with the engine. It is the pump that ensures the supply of oil from the tank through the holes and its uniform distribution over the cutting surface.

Advantages and disadvantages of power tools

The volume of surfaces processed by a chain saw directly depends on its level. A professional electric saw is used for long-term work and can replace a chain saw with a combustion engine. The cordless type of electric saws of the middle, professional class will make it possible to carry out work away from the power grid, without requiring fuel.

The purchase of any unit should be thought out and carefully weighed. The technical condition of the tool must be at the proper level in order to perform quality work. With a small volume, an electric chain saw for wood may not recoup the investment.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the main elements:

The quality of the oil pump - it must be reliable, capable of pumping different types of oil into the system. It is worth paying attention to the viscosity and warranty period.
The gearbox of budget models is often made of plastic. It is worth asking whether it will be possible to replace it and how much it will cost financially.
The size of the chain must be selected according to the chassis; the cutting element tends to often stretch and break. It is also necessary to pay attention to the tension mechanism.

Compliance with the conditions and thoughtful steps will make it possible to purchase a durable and reliable electric saw.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.

Rotating chains as a cutting tool are used in various types of saws. The cutting speed depends on several factors - engine power, chain rotation speed, and the length of the saw bar.

Petrol or electric motors are used to drive hand saws; diesel engines are practically never used. This is due to their massiveness and problems with starting at low temperatures.

Chainsaws with electric motors and chainsaws have different motors.

The saw part is the same in design. The chains can be used in gasoline and electric saws. The chain pitch and length must match. Saw chains are produced in 0.325 and 0.375 inch pitches. In order not to confuse them when purchasing, the second type is marked with the number 3/8.

Features of care

The main activities that you should regularly carry out from the moment you purchase a power saw are to maintain an oil level sufficient for the tool to operate effectively and the chain to be sharp. If your model does not have an automatic pump, then the saw bar is lowered into a bucket of oil after each job.

It is also necessary to promptly check the reliability of fastening of parts and the serviceability of electrical wiring. If the instrument behaves obediently in your hands , then this is a clear sign that everything is in order with it. A normally functioning electric saw does not require physical effort. However, in any case, you must maintain it in working condition - after finishing work, wash the chain, clean it of scorch and put it in a box.

Equipment

Together with the electric saw, the buyer receives:

Tire.
Chain.
A screwdriver key for tensioning the chain (for models with a key tensioner).
Operating instructions.

An example of a complete set of an electric chain saw from Champion; in addition, a plastic container for storing oil is supplied with the tool.

Storage Features

It often happens that for the winter the instrument is sent for storage in an unheated room. It is not recommended to do this with an electric saw, since due to condensation accumulated inside the tool, a short circuit may occur even during the first uses. This can be avoided by letting the instrument sit for several days in a warm, dry room in the spring.

to handle battery models very carefully If the temperature at the place where they are stored rises to 50 degrees Celsius, this may result in their failure. You should also ensure that the instrument is protected from direct sunlight.

Video description

The next video will present another version of the review of electric saws:
Table No. 5. Electric saws with a longitudinally mounted motor.

Place	Name	Options
Place	Name	Power indicator	Chain	Weight in kilograms	Extra options	Flaws	Advantages
1	Sturm CC9922	2200	Width – almost 0.41 m	5,4	The device is protected from dust and moisture getting inside	Short cable	Convenient chain speed regulator, air cooling
2	"Oasis" ES-22	2200	Chain width – 0.4 m	5,2	Ergonomics	Small oil tank	Safe double braking system and activation block
3	Makita UC4550A	2000	Long chain with 62 links, total size - 0.45 m	5,7	Chain speed – 14 meters per second	Large mass	The cable is additionally insulated; you can easily replace the carbon brushes by removing the plastic covers
4	Elitech EP 2200/16	2200	Chain width – 40 cm	5,4	There are two rubberized handles	Short electrical cable	You can securely fix the extension cord, there is a trigger lock

Tekhmann CSE rip saw - very easy to use Source grizzly-tool.com.ua

Briefly about the main thing

An electric chain saw may have a battery or a cord for operation from the mains.

When choosing a power saw, the main user parameters remain size, weight, and availability of functional safety.

Among the foreign manufacturers of electric saws, the most notable are Makita, Bosch, and Husqvarna; among the domestic ones, Energomash, Zenit, and Interskol.

A transverse saw motor can make it cheaper, while a longitudinally mounted one makes it easier to use.

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