Chainsaw Review: Comparing types of chainsaws
Written by drbob on August 6, 2011 – 11:00 am -Chainsaws can make quick work of cutting firewood, cleaning up fallen limbs and trees, cutting framing timbers or carving wood. Gas chainsaws continue to take the lion's share of the market, but as recent reviews demonstrate, electric chainsaws keep winning converts. They're quieter, easier to start, use and maintain, and pollute less. Cordless chainsaws are available too, but they're less powerful than corded models; reviewers recommend them primarily for cutting smaller branches. Thanks to new safety features, chainsaws are much safer to use than they used to be, although experts still recommend that you wear protective gear. Consumer-grade chainsaws now come with anti-kickback chains, and nearly all incorporate additional features such as... more
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What To Look For When Buying Chainsaws
Written by drbob on August 6, 2011 – 10:29 am -Types of chainsaws Each type of chainsaw has advantages and drawbacks, and if you cut a lot of wood, you may end up with two or three saws for different situations. Experts urge using an electric chainsaw if you can, because electric saws are quieter, lighter, cleaner, and easier to use and maintain. • Electric chainsaws are the only type that can be safely used indoors -- for carving in a workshop, for example -- and electric models vibrate less than gas models. On the other hand, you can't use a corded electric chainsaw in wet weather or more than 150 feet from an outlet. In fact, most models have a 100-foot limit. • Gas chainsaws cut faster in general, and you can use one anywhere outside, even in the rain or snow. But they're heavier... more
Tags: chainsaw safety, craftsmasn chainsaw, husqvarna chainsaw, husqvarna electric chainsaw, stihl chainsaws
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Chainsaw Buying Guide
Written by drbob on July 16, 2011 – 11:04 am -Chainsaw Basics How was the chainsaw invented? One interesting story is that the first chainsaw was designed and used in the 1830s by a German orthopedist for cutting bone. The operator turned the handle of a sprocket wheel, which moved the chain around a guiding blade. In the 1920s two-person, heavy gas-powered chainsaws with long bars were being patented. By the 1950s several manufacturers offered gas chainsaws that could be operated by one person. A chainsaw consists simply of a power source, a guide bar and a cutting chain. Today's chainsaws come in cordless and electric models as well as gas units. And they're not just logging tools anymore. Many homeowners use chainsaws to cut down unwanted trees, prune large limbs and prepare firewood... more
Tags: husqvarna chainsaw, stihl chainsaws
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Husqvarna 455 Rancher gas chainsaw review
Written by drbob on May 14, 2011 – 12:25 am -The Husqvarna 455 Rancher will meet the needs of the biggest and most demanding homeowner wood cutting chores. It applies Husqvarna's professional saw technology to this residential version. The 455 Rancher replaces Husqvarna's well-received 55 gas chain saw. The Husqvarna 455 Rancher, with its 3.4-hp X-Torq engine, is a hefty machine, weighing in at almost 13 pounds before attaching the bar and filling the fuel tank. It's big and powerful because it's meant for big jobs. We tested a model with a 20-inch bar. The 455 Rancher features air injection, a low vibration system and easy-start technology. It has a combined choke and stop control. The Husqvarna 455 Rancher starts without too much trouble, with three or four pulls of the cord when cold.... more
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Chain saw safety tips
Written by drbob on April 4, 2011 – 6:05 pm -Peter Sawchuk, Consumer Reports' outdoor-power equipment expert, tells you how to safely use a chain saw. Tips for safer sawing Modern chain saws are built with safety in mind, but that doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen Quick-acting brakes and safer chains and chain bars are the major features that make today's chain saws (available to subscribers) a bit less risky. While saws aren't required to have those features, many gas-powered saws and a growing number of electrics (Ratings are available to subscribers) now include them. Nonetheless, about 36,000 related injuries and 20 deaths each year underscore how critical it is to treat any chain saw with respect. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, kickback—where the tip... more
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Chainsaw maintenance
Written by drbob on April 3, 2011 – 10:12 pm -How to keep your saw cutting With fall yard cleanup work approaching, you'll be happy to know that today's chainsaws are better and safer than ever. But if you don't properly maintain your saw, you might need to replace it or pay a pro to repair it. The simple steps we've included here will keep most any chain saw running reliably for years. Note that most of the tips here are for plug-in electric saws. The engine-maintenance tips apply only to gasoline-powered saws. For a saw that's sat for more than a season • Inspect the entire saw for loose parts, cracks, and other problems. • Make sure the chain brake (the guard bar just in front of the top handle) stops the chain as soon as you push it forward. If it doesn't, get it repaired by a dealer. • Check... more
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Husqvarna 445 18-Inch 45.7cc Gas Powered Chain Saw
Written by drbob on December 9, 2010 – 5:42 pm -New powerful all-round saw for people who value professional qualities in a saw. The X-Torq® engine means lower fuel consumption and reduced emission levels. Auto return stop switch and visible fuel level makes the saw easier to handle. Equipped with Smart Start® and fuel pump to ensure easy starts every time. Air Purge removes air from carburetor and fuel system for easy starting. Air Injection Centrifugal air cleaning system removes larger dust and debris particles before reaching the air filter. This results in reduced air filter cleanings and improved engine life. Air Injection Centrifugal air cleaning system removes larger dust and debris particles before reaching the air filter. This results in reduced air filter cleanings and improved... more
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Husqvarna 240E Selected the Best Top-quality Gas Chainsaw
Written by drbob on November 25, 2010 – 12:22 am -If you need a chainsaw for a big home project or for lots of firewood, you need a more powerful saw that's less fatiguing to use. In this price class, reviewers highly rate the Husqvarna 240 e-series. It combines easystartup and good safety features with automatic oiling, tool-free chain adjustment and an anti-vibration handle, which helps minimize hand fatigue. The Husqvarna 240 e-series is covered by a two-year warranty. The 240 e-series is a fairly new Husqvarna chainsaw and features new engine technology that is designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It also has Smart Start technology for easy starting, tool-free chain tensioning, an inertia-activated chain brake and a vibration-dampening system, including anti-vibration handles,... more
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Husqvarna 316E Judged the Best Electric Chainsaw
Written by drbob on November 25, 2010 – 12:18 am -For quieter performance and less maintenance, experts recommend an electric chainsaw -- but you'll have to do your cutting within 100 feet of an outlet. For regular use cutting firewood, reviews recommend the Husqvarna316E; its in-line design makes it the quietest corded electric chainsaw we saw tested, and it cuts quickly for an electric model. Safety features include an automatic chain brake and anti-vibration handle. The warranty is for two years. Reviewers consistently name the Husqvarna 316E the best electric chainsaw for frequent use. It's not only quieter than gas chainsaws, but also quieter than most electric models. Its anti-vibration handle makes the Husqvarna 316 a good choice for long or frequent cutting sessions, and its array... more
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Best Budget Electric Chainsaw: Craftsman 34118
Written by drbob on November 25, 2010 – 12:11 am -If you don't want to deal with storing and using gasoline, and if you can do your work within 100 feet of an outlet, critics recommend an electric chainsaw. The Craftsman 34118 costs less than most electric chainsaws; it… features tool-free tension adjustment, an inertia chain brake and automatic chain oiling. However, there's no anti-vibration handle, and it can get tiring to use for big jobs. User reviews for this saw are overwhelmingly positive. Note that this Craftsman saw is made by Poulan for Craftsman and is nearly identical to the Poulan Pro 400E CRBB (*Est. $85), which lacks the Craftsman's tool-free chain tensioning. The Craftsman chainsaw has a one-year warranty. Reviewers recommend the 13-amp, 4-horsepower Craftsman 34118 with... more
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