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Chainsaw Buying Guide

Posted by Katy | Toolstop on 1st Nov 2022

Toolstop's complete guide to chainsaws. Find out everything you need to know about chiansaws, interesting facts and our top picks in this guide.

Chainsaw Buying Guide

The Complete Guide to Chainsaws

Chainsaws 101 - Everything You Need to Know

What is a chainsaw? - A petrol, electric or battery operated saw with a set of teeth attached to a rotating chain and bar.

Chainsaws offer a fast and efficient way of cutting wood and logs in many outdoor situations. Typical applications include:

  • Tree felling
  • Chopping logs for firewood
  • Garden clearups
  • Clearing up fallen trees after a storm

We'll tell you about some of our favourites in this guide.

Did you know...

Chainsaws were originally invented to help aid in childbirth?

Thankfully, they have special tools for that now...

Chainsaws

Chainsaws


Things to Consider When Buying a Chainsaw

What will you be using it for?

  • 🙋‍♂ Chopping small logs for firewood
  • 🙋‍♂ I'm a tree surgeon
  • 🙋‍♂ Occasional garden clearups

Some chainsaws are only intended for use by trained professionals e.g. tree surgeons.

All of these factors will play a massive influence into which chainsaw is best suited to you and the applications you will be using it for. If you only intend to chop the occasional log for firewood, you don't need a ridiculously expensive or powerful model.

Whereas, if you are a professional by trade, making regular cuts over long periods, you should opt for a more industrial model with more power.

 

Will you have access to a mains socket? and if so, is it close enough that the cable will stretch?

If you answered no to either of these questions, you'd need to opt for a petrol or battery operated chainsaw. The benefit of these being that you can use them anytime, any where, without the limitations and risks of trailing cables.

These models are also a great option for working at height.

Petrol, Electric or Cordless Chainsaw?

Electric Chainsaws

Pros:

  • Often lighter in weight than petrol and cordless models; no need to humph around heavy battery packs or fuel
  • Quiet operation
  • Low maintenance
  • Often cheaper than cordless and petrol operated models

Cons:

  • Cable limitations; may not stretch far enough and comes with safety risks
  • Not as powerful as petrol models

Cordless Chainsaws

Pros:

  • Quiet operation
  • Low maintenance
  • Cordless freedom; can be used where mains power isn't available
  • Can be used with your existing power tool battery platform
  • Most environmentally friendly option as they do not generate any emissions and do not require a mains supply

Cons:

  • Batteries can be heavy and may run out of charge quickly if cutting large logs
  • Not as powerful as petrol models
  • Batteries are expensive if you do not already own some on that brands platform

Petrol Chainsaws

Pros:

  • Most powerful option
  • Best for professional use
  • Portable
  • Fast and effortless cutting

Cons:

  • Heavy and noisy
  • Require maintenance
  • Petrol is expensive
  • Maintenance is expensive

It used to be that electric/mains powered chainsaws were more powerful than battery operated. However, with more developed technology, there really isn't much of a difference between the two now-a-days.

Petrol models are the most powerful of the lot. This makes them more suitable for professional and demanding jobs where power is at the forefront, e.g. tree surgeons.

When shopping for a petrol chainsaw, look out for engine size. Engine size is measured in cc (cubic capacity) and can be found on our product specifications. The larger the cc, the more powerful the chainsaw.

Pole Chainsaws

Pole chainsaws have an extendable pole which allows you to cut hard to reach branches without the need for a ladder. They are also safer to use in these scenarios than standard models.

Bar Length

Bar length refers to the length of the cutting bar and is usally measured in cm. The longer the bar, the bigger diameter logs you can cut in a single pass.

Petrol models usually have longer bars than electric/cordless models as they are intended for heavier duty use.

Our Top Picks

Makita DUC254

  • All time bestseller
  • Ideal for tree surgeons
  • Brushless motor
  • Chain speed: 0 - 24m/sec
  • Bar size: 25cm

Dewalt DCM575

  • Brushless motor
  • Same runtime as a corded model
  • Chain speed: 15m/sec
  • Bar size: 40cm
  • 130 cuts per charge

Bosch UniversalChain35

  • Powerful 1800W motor
  • Lightweight at 4.2kg
  • Chain speed: 12m/sec
  • Bar size: 35cm
  • 300mm max cutting length

Stihl MSA 120 C-B

  • Quiet operation
  • Lightweight and superbly balanced
  • Energy efficient motor
  • Bar size: 30cm

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