Electric saws

[blackrose]

Are there any electric saws which will cut through smallish logs? I've got a load of odd size logs and I was really struggling with the bowsaw yesterday.

 

All I can find at Screwfix are reciprocating saws.

 

Amazon has this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker-KS890ECN-Scorpion-Saw/dp/B00032II4A/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

Edited November 4, 2012 by blackrose

[nbfiresprite]

Are there any electric saws which will cut through smallish logs? I've got a load of odd size logs and I was really struggling with the bowsaw yesterday.

 

All I can find at Screwfix are reciprocating saws.

 

Amazon has this one: http://www.amazon.co...stp_s2_edpp_url

 

I have one of these Black & Decker Scorpion Multifunction Saw - 400W Had it for a number of years. Mostly used now for cutting logs in either Saw or jigsaw mode. On offer at Argos at the moment, £34.99 instead of £59.99

 

Edited November 4, 2012 by nbfiresprite

[David Schweizer]

A properly cut and set Logging saw (often referred to as an American cross cut saw) will cut through logs like butter, unfortunately most so called bow saws sold these days are simply not up to the job.

 

Look for a saw with a blade that has has ranks of three or four teeth with a deeper recess between them, this prevents the sawdust, which will be wet from sap, from clogging the teeth.

 

Here is an illustation of the different types of several logging saw tooth profiles. The first one is really for the removal of small branches, but the rest will all work well on logs. My preferred one is the Great American Tooth style, which was probably invented by Disston of America.

 

 

I only know of one company company in the UK that still makes them - Thomas Flinn of Sheffield. I was at their workshop ealier this year, and can vouch for the quality of their products, but being hand made the are not cheap. This saw will set you back about £75, ironicly most of tem are sold to American customers!

 

 

http://www.flinn-garlick-saws.co.uk/acatalog/Specialised_Products.html

 

 

.

Edited November 4, 2012 by David Schweizer

[bottle]

Do you want an "electric chainsaw", just google it.

 

You will need one with a decent sized motor (2000 watt) and the ability to power it.

[Taslim]

Great info from D.S. Thanks.

 

For logging I would go for a petrol chain saw. Cheap second hand ones readily available . I go with 'vintage' Husqvanas.

 

I've used electric saws restoring oak timber frame buildings and the Jonsered was tops but I don't know if it is still available. Built for dainty work it is tough enough to do some rough.

 

Look at Makita UC3520A @ about £110. Good value for money and parts readly available. It's a bit noisy. Or Bosh AKE-4019S @ about £150. Again good product support.

 

If you are in the mood to throw the cat another goldfish the Husqvava 321L @ about £220 is a useful 'rough' saw that, with the right chain, can do dainty stuff.

[GUMPY]

I use a petrol chainsaw, £69 from ebay, at present its in Spain where the BIL has been using it to prune his olive grove and has yet to bring it back

[smileypete]

Are there any electric saws which will cut through smallish logs? I've got a load of odd size logs and I was really struggling with the bowsaw yesterday.

 

All I can find at Screwfix are reciprocating saws.

 

Amazon has this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker-KS890ECN-Scorpion-Saw/dp/B00032II4A/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

How new/decent is the blade? Also how long is the bowsaw? As David says, for green wood there's a different blade (raker tooth) that works better. Amazon/marketplace have a 36" Bahco for £14ish at the moment:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-EBS36-Economy-Bowsaw-36-inch/dp/B000Y8HQWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352032591&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B0001IX724/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I used to split logs as long as poss with a maul and then cut the split pieces down to stove length, much easier that way.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited November 4, 2012 by smileypete

[blackrose]

Do you want an "electric chainsaw", just google it.

 

You will need one with a decent sized motor (2000 watt) and the ability to power it.

 

No, I already have a petrol chainsaw. I hang big logs horizontally over a low wall in the garden, with the short end of the log held by a loop of rope and a 3ft stake in the ground. Then I just chop from the long end of the log.

 

I got the idea from seeing this.

 

 

But that only works with the longer logs because the wall is about 15" wide and even with the long logs I am left with logs 18" long.

 

Perhaps I should just buy one of these?

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rocwood-Loggers-Safety-Saw-Horse/dp/B002UXNLT2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1352035699&sr=8-6

 

Do they fit any chainsaw? Edit: I've just read they fit chainsaws with a minimum bar length of 14" so I've ordered one. (Please don't tell me they're crap!)

 

How new/decent is the blade? Also how long is the bowsaw? As David says, for green wood there's a different blade (raker tooth) that works better. Amazon/marketplace have a 36" Bahco for £14ish at the moment:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-EBS36-Economy-Bowsaw-36-inch/dp/B000Y8HQWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352032591&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B0001IX724/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I used to split logs as long as poss with a maul and then cut the split pieces down to stove length, much easier that way.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

 

It's a fairly new bowsaw from Screwfix - about 20" long. The problem I have with any handsaw is that I don't have any way of holding the log firmly.

 

I use a wood grenade to split big logs and it's fine. I think a maul is probably better - less bending down to pick the thing up.

Edited November 4, 2012 by blackrose

[smileypete]

It's a fairly new bowsaw from Screwfix - about 20" long. The problem I have with any handsaw is that I don't have any way of holding the log firmly.

With a 36" long saw I found it easy enough to put the log on a stump then hold underfoot while cutting, not the ideal way but works OK. Screwfix saw might not have the best blade either.

 

Suppose some sort of home make log saw horse would be the ideal:

 

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

[Guest]

I use a petrol chainsaw, £69 from ebay, at present its in Spain where the BIL has been using it to prune his olive grove and has yet to bring it back

 

Yes - why is it when you own something like a pressure washer, electric/chain saw and the like you suddenly become everybody's best friend and your kit spends more time in other peoples possession than your own...

[Chagall]

these are brilliant and very safe! Black and Decker Alligator Lopper ....will cut up to 6" diameter

 

 

[blackrose]

It looks like a good bit of design, but all the specs I've seen says it has a max cutting diameter of 100mm - that's more like 4".

[Chagall]

It looks like a good bit of design, but all the specs I've seen says it has a max cutting diameter of 100mm - that's more like 4".

 

well thats the specs but I've used it successfully on 6" logs, it depends on the log. The jaws will open wide enough but if its a tough log it will spit it further down the saw blade so it might need a couple of bites on some. The beauty is that you can lean a log against a surface, or hang it over an edge, and then pick it up with the jaws, press the handle button to cut it.

[George94]

Bahco makes two main types of blade, the 23 and the (standard) 51, both available in various lengths.

 

The 23 is for green wood, and the 51 for dry. All you need is a bow saw, and both blades. Here is a good deal for blades:

 

My link

 

No need to pay silly money for these things. When a blade gets blunt, either throw it away or sharpen it.

[IainW]

I treated myself to a Stihl Cordless Chainsaw. It was £400 (£200 for saw and £200 for 36v battery).

 

It's great because i can store it in the boat with no petrol problems and it can cut about 10" logs which is perfect for our stove. It can cut for about 30 minutes then needs about 30 minutes recharge which is just about the time is takes to chop the logs that have been cut.

 

I definitely struggle to justify the price though, as this is one of the first proper cordless chainsaws i suppose the first buyers pay more. Hopefully they can get the battery prices down in the future so they can compete with petrol ones. A second battery would be nice!

[DaveC]

A second battery would be nice!

 

At £175 that is the dearest battery I've seen for a cordless tool.

 

http://www.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/STIHL-Cordless-Power-System/Batteries-and-Chargers/21718-1592/AP-160-Battery.aspx

 

Still looks useful though.

 

Dave