Review of the SKIL 40-volt 14-in Brushless Cordless Electric Chainsaw 2.5 Ah
My house is on an acre of land with many (way too many) large pine trees and other tree species in both backyards, and for many years I used a craftsman’s 16-inch corded chainsaw suitable for general maintenance, including logging some relatively large trees. However, about three months ago, during a violent storm, a lightning bolt hit a very old, large red oak tree just behind my property, and a large branch broke in the middle of the tree. This main branch has three other big branches. To use a corded chainsaw, I needed three 100-inch extension cords to reach the tree … this was a pain in what you knew. Also, the extension cord of that length couldn’t get full power from the saw. Even with a sharp chain, it took 35 minutes to cut a very durable red oak with a diameter of 10 inches. And since much of the work was supposed to be done in larger diameter sections up to 14 inches or more, there was no way for a corded saw to work.
So I started looking at cordless electric saws and wanted a 14 to 16 inch saw. I have some Ryobi 18V One + tools and 3 4Ah batteries, but Ryobi only offers a 12 inch saw on the One + system. I’ve read a lot of good reviews about ego saws (you can read our review here), but they’re a bit more than I wanted to spend, so my choices both fell to the same priced Ryobi 40v 14 inch or skill 14 inch, I chose the skill, and I’m glad I did. This saw meets and exceeds my needs so far. Light, solid and well-balanced, Euler works well, doesn’t seem to use much oil and is comfortable to use. I didn’t know what to expect from a battery-powered saw, so the life of the included 2.5Ah battery surprised me (in a good way) given the very durable oak that tears like butter. But I wanted extra working time, so I got a 5Ah battery. This not only significantly increases working hours, but also seems to provide a little more power without adding noticeable weight. And it loads fast. Some owners are dissatisfied with the chain loosening or the saw stopping in the middle, but when the new chain gets hot after the first few uses, the chain stretches and slacks, requiring some cuts to be tightened. To ensure that the saw works efficiently and effectively and maximizes battery performance / life, do not force the saw to cut like a gas saw. This will almost certainly stop it and probably cause damage. This saw is fun to use, is reasonably priced for light to moderate work, and is recommended for those who need a slightly better saw if needed. Some of the main branches of this oak tree were nearly 20 inches in diameter, and the saw was able to pass through without problems.
Pros:
To be honest, I don’t know how to get back to the gas chainsaw after sawing with this. It’s convenient, it’s agile and still have not run into a job it could not handle. It’s quiet, so I use it in the front yard without disturbing my neighbors. The Skil saw is also cheap comparable to for instance the Ego saws, and a good choice for anyone doing lighter to medium work.
Cons:
There are very few cons that I can think of after using the SKIL Electric Chainsaw. One is that it goes through a lot of bar oil, but I think too much is better than too little. A more serious one is that it seems like the tensioner is easily broken when doing upward cuts, this is unsafe as the chain can easily come off if it fails.
Model number:
#CS4562B-10
