(Dis)Advantages to using battery powered chainsaws

[Jenbirdee]

I have a Ryobi 18v 12-inch chainsaw with a toolless chain adjustment. It worked great until the chain was well used and it stretched out. Then the toolless adjustment could not tighten the chain enough to keep it on the bar. I was very disappointed with it at that time. However, there is a simple fix to remove the stops on the toolless tightener which allows you to once again properly tighten the chain and prevent it from derailing. That one easy fix allowed me to continue to use an older, but still good, chain instead of having to buy a new one all the time. My rating on that Ryobi went from 3 stars before the fix to 5 stars once I implemented the fix.

Chains should not fall off bar track if your chain tightener is working properly.

If you have the same Ryobi chainsaw model I have, I can send you instructions on the easy fix. It really makes a world of difference.

I’ll check to see what my model number is. I have 2 identical

 

[gtaus]

I’ll check to see what my model number is. I have 2 identical

I would be more than happy to help if I can.

 

[fuzzi]

I personally don't know of anyone who has bought a new battery powered chainsaw ever wanting to go back to using a gas chainsaw. That being said, if you make your living slinging a chainsaw, you still need the gas chainsaws for longer bar lengths and for longer run times. The only disadvantage to my 40v chainsaw is my limited run time on a battery. But now I have 3 batteries and can work as much as one hour cutting time. That's more than I usually need. Most of my chainsaw jobs are like maybe only 15 minutes.



The reciprocating saw is one of my main go- to outdoor tools. I keep a long pruning blade on my reciprocating saw and use it to cut branches all the time. Works good for cutting most branches up to around 3-4 inches. Don't even need the chainsaw for most trimming.

And, of course, you can use the reciprocating saw for lots and lots of jobs around the house. I swap out a demolition blade on the saw for use in breaking down pallets to salvage wood. Many times I need to cut a rust old bolt and a metal blade on the reciprocating saw does the trick. There is just so much you can do with a good reciprocating saw. It's a great tool to have.

Like you have already found out, once you are into a battery platform, it's best to get the other tools that share the same batteries.

It's all your fault, I now have a reciprocating saw.



What blades would you recommend for cutting wood and small trees/branches?

 

[gtaus]

It's all your fault, I now have a reciprocating saw.



What blades would you recommend for cutting wood and small trees/branches?

If you want to cut lumber, you can get a wood blade, maybe 6 inches long, and that will work for just about anything.

If you want to cut lumber with nails in it, you need a demolition blade which is a combination of wood/metal teeth. I use a demolition blade on my reciprocating saw when I break down some of my pallets. I use a 9 inch demo blade for most of my stuff. But, I am currently looking at getting some 12 inch demo blades because recently I needed a longer demo blade on a project I was doing.

For cutting small trees and branches that you know don't have any metal, such as nails, in them, I use a 9 or 12 inch pruning blade. The pruning blades really cut through tree branches in no time. Many times, for small jobs, I just use the reciprocating saw with the pruning blade and leave my chainsaw in the garage.

If I need to cut metal, then a good 6 inch metal blade usually does the job for me.

The good news is that you can usually find reciprocating saw blade kits that contain all these type of blades. Buying them in a kit can save you lots of money.

Of course, not all blades are made to the same quality. And blades are consumables, they wear out and need to be replaced. Sometimes all I need is an inexpensive blade for a one time job, other times it makes more sense to pay extra for a better-quality blade that lasts much longer and saves you time and money in the longer run.

Anyways, the reciprocating saw is one of the main tools I use all the time, for all kinds of things, because I can easily swap out the blades for the project I am working on. Shoot me a response after you have had your saw for some time and tell me if it was a good purchase for you.

 

[fuzzi]

If you want to cut lumber, you can get a wood blade, maybe 6 inches long, and that will work for just about anything.

If you want to cut lumber with nails in it, you need a demolition blade which is a combination of wood/metal teeth. I use a demolition blade on my reciprocating saw when I break down some of my pallets. I use a 9 inch demo blade for most of my stuff. But, I am currently looking at getting some 12 inch demo blades because recently I needed a longer demo blade on a project I was doing.

For cutting small trees and branches that you know don't have any metal, such as nails, in them, I use a 9 or 12 inch pruning blade. The pruning blades really cut through tree branches in no time. Many times, for small jobs, I just use the reciprocating saw with the pruning blade and leave my chainsaw in the garage.

If I need to cut metal, then a good 6 inch metal blade usually does the job for me.

The good news is that you can usually find reciprocating saw blade kits that contain all these type of blades. Buying them in a kit can save you lots of money.

Of course, not all blades are made to the same quality. And blades are consumables, they wear out and need to be replaced. Sometimes all I need is an inexpensive blade for a one time job, other times it makes more sense to pay extra for a better-quality blade that lasts much longer and saves you time and money in the longer run.

Anyways, the reciprocating saw is one of the main tools I use all the time, for all kinds of things, because I can easily swap out the blades for the project I am working on. Shoot me a response after you have had your saw for some time and tell me if it was a good purchase for you.

Thanks for the info!

And thanks to eBay...

 

[fuzzi]

The good news is that you can usually find reciprocating saw blade kits that contain all these type of blades. Buying them in a kit can save you lots of money.

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-El...eciprocating+saw+blades&qid=1681069889&sr=8-2

 

[gtaus]

Like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-El...eciprocating+saw+blades&qid=1681069889&sr=8-2

Exactly. You get a good variety of blades to use, plus you get some kind of storage case or roll up pouch with that kit. Just about all the brands offer reciprocating blade kits, and they all should be interchangeable with saws from other brands. I look for the special holiday sales events when I need new blades. At any rate, you usually save lots of money by purchasing the blades in a multi kit like that. Afterwards, if you find you typically need more of one kind of blade, you can either buy them one at a time or buy them in a multi pack of just that blade.

If you keep your reciprocating saw blades in a tool bag, then the storage case or roll up pouches are really nice to keep your blades organized.

Truth be told, I bought into the Ryobi system almost 20 years ago. Over the years, I have purchased many tools and tool kits with multi tools. Over that time, I have managed to acquire 4 Ryobi reciprocating saws in my collection. In the garage, I have one saw with a pruning blade, one saw with a metal blade, one saw with a demolition blade, and one reciprocating saw in my "road bag" with a case full of various blades. I don't go on the road without one of my reciprocating saws and a storge pouch full of blades.

 

[sdm111]

Thanks for the info!

And thanks to eBay...
View attachment 3461426

Good brand choice

 

[fuzzi]

Good brand choice

I started with a Milwaukee cordless drill, chosen after reading a bunch of reviews.

 

[Hayden Goseek]

Let me see if I can pump some life back into this thread.