I had an electric for years, (about 15 or 20). It finally wore out last year. I think it was a 14 inch. Didn't have a big motor, but it sure was handy for around the house.

Used it mostly for pruning limbs and cutting wood early/late so it wouldn't make the neighbors mad. It wasn't as loud as my two strokes, but still a little noisy. I also used it for remodels, (could go right through a wall - try that with a sawzall in one pass!)

I've got my gas powered ones, but sure miss that electric - it was handy.

I only had one problem with it. When I cut down a tree over 20 foot high or so, the cord tended to get tangled.

I don't know if I'd buy a brand new one, but if I see one at a garage sale, I'm going to buy it.

 

i got a 14"elect. mccullon ,they dont make them any more but its15yrs old, cuts as good as my newer 14"gas Still. Its great when im up a tree, turn on turn off its done, it weights about 10-15lbs i feel safer with the electric in a tree, both do will do the job.Black&Decker has a decent electric.

 

Had one and it sucked!!! Get Gas

 

I picked up one at one of the local Tool sales for 35 bucks. I will admit that it will never replace a gas saw but for smaller, around the house type of things it works great. Just my .02 cents.

 

We have 2 of them at our firehouse specifically for the christmas tree sale. For what they need to do they work pretty well.

 

I have several chain saws. One is electric, a gift. Its a high dollar McCollough. I have never had it out of the box. If your using a saw to cut firewood for camping. Give your kid a bow saw and get yourself a beer. Really though...an electric saw is good for little stuff, if you camp with electric. Beats the smell of 2 stroke gas and chain oil that managed to get spilled.

 

> anyone have an electric chainsaw

Yes, I use them to cut firewood or trim downed trees when I do not want to use my gas saw. Especially when I do not want to go to all the trouble of filling and emptying my saw.

> work with a 1500 watt power inverter to use in the woods

It might, that is about 10 amps 120v?

You can buy refurb ones for about $50 from NorthernTools.com

Since you will be alone in the woods and probably are not going to be carrying all the safety gear you should wear, even using an electric saw, can I suggest something else? Because a minor chainsaw injury (kind of like a minor gunshot wound - there isnt one) alone in the woods might kill you.

A sawzall.

With a pruning blade, I use 10-14 inch ones, not only can you cut firewood, you can even take down fairly big trees. Just takes a bit longer.

I use a 9 amp saw from Sears and it has been a very good tool. Whenever I have a tree job with a 120v available I bring it to cut all the branches off the tree tops because it is much safer, faster, and easier to use then any of my chain saws.

They have 18 volt ones that with a car charger and extra battery will cost about $100 from Northern Tools or Harbor Freight. For you, that might be the best deal. No 120V or gasoline needed, plus, you can bring it farther into the woods than a corded saw without tripping over stuff or worry about it in the rain. I imagine they do not have 1/2 the power of a 120v version, but, it is portable.

 

I have an el cheapo (Walmart $34). I have never used it on wood, strictly for cutting through rib bones when butchering, works pretty good on that (melting fat acts as a lubricant so I don't use bar oil). For just around the home I can see where it would be fine for pruning and cutting up fallen branches. Would never want to attempt to cut a load of firewood with it though.

 

I got a new one on E-bay shipped to my door for less than $30. It's a Craftsman. While its not 1/1000th of my Stihl 360 Pro, it is a handy little saw for cutting small stuff when I don't want to haul out the big guy. I have wood heat in my barn, so sometimes we cut up pallets or smaller stuff to fit in the wood burner with it. At $30, it was well worth the investment.

 

i was thinking of buying one off ebay for $30, before i spent $70 for one at the hardware store i think i would try a refurbished 16" gas poulan from a guy on ebay that has them for $80

 

One point to make about the smaller electrics: make sure to buy a file small enough for the blades. I've found the files they stock for the chains saws are usually too big to fit the teeth. Any saw needs to be sharp to work right.

I never thought about butchering with one.. Prime rib and hamburger at the same time!

 

I checked my 14" electric McCoullogh, it is rated at 10 amps 120v. 2.5 Horsepower. BTW: Make sure whatever electric saw you buy has a chain brake and automatic oiler. A lot of older or cheaper saws do not.

One thing to consider: electric polesaw (again - get one with an automatic oiler). That way you get a small light 10" chainsaw, plus, a pole for around the house trimming. The only bad thing is they usually do not have a chain brake, but, it is pretty hard to get in trouble with a 1.5 HP saw with a 10" bar. Saw can be removed easily from the pole, it is just a clamp, and it probably will draw a lot less amps then the 2.5 HP.

Refurbs from northerntools are $99.

 

I wouldnt worry about finding the right size file. I find spending $5 for a sharpening is easier than doing it myself.

Here in this part of Texas we get all nervous when it comes to butchering with chainsaws. The masacre movie thing really happened.

 

Ted Nugent just cut his leg with in chainsaw requiring 40 stitches.

 

Bought an electricat Menards for under $60 works good around the house. Cuts fairly large branches. Since I have no long term need for a chainsaw I did not buy gas.