[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Ryobi and Greenworks both get a lot of oily feedbacks
Has to be some truth to it moreso than notso , i figure.

The more you investigate and look, the smaller the field gets .
If this next saw is likely to be the one you will use the least out of them all, the WEN might be all right.
Its cheaper for the reasons we both know
If it's likely to get the most use - buy the Echo or EGO and don't look back

i think SkiL is a new player on battery chainsaws, but it looks primarily copied off an EGO even on the battery technology.
Just lowered to 40volt
Would trust SkiL to be good in the same way as I would DeWalt , by brand.

[ponyakr]

"...If it's likely to get the most use - buy the Echo or EGO and don't look back..."


The best price I've found for the Echo is $340. Unless I come into some unexpected cash, I'm not gonna spend that much on my next saw.

Not gonna spend much over $200, max.

The EGO CS-1401 is $249 @ Lowes. IF I can get 20% off with my Lowes credit card, that will pay the tax, plus about another 10%. So, that makes my cost just under $225. If the 20% deal won't work, maybe the 10% vet discount will work. That will make my cost just under $250. Can't see spending any more than that, for what I need.

Of the saws that Lowes shows, it now looks like I have narrowed it down to 3 choices.

(1) The cheap WEN

(2) Take a chance on the Skil

(3) Pay well over $200 for the EGO CS-1401

Wish there were more reviews of the Skil. Hey, for all I know, the WEN MAY be as good as the Skil.

Not in a hurry. Will probably wait to see how the Kobalt recall replacement works, then make a decision.

Might be able to get part of the price of a saw, for Christmas presents. I have always put the word out that if anybody wants to get me something for Christmas, PLEASE make it cash ! I HATE it when people spend decent money on some ridiculous present that I neither need nor want.

BUT, some people think that giving cash is too impersonal. I think it's MUCH more personal & thoughtful to give cash, so that the person can spend it on something they really want, rather than having to thank them for buying something they don't need, want, or like.

Well, back to chainsaws. Don't know if I've even mentioned this one. Probably have. Not gonna look to see. But I just ran across a Hart saw again, which reminded me that Wal Mart sells the Hart 40v saw, for $188 + tax. Found a video which shows that the Hart seems to cut good. BUT, it does not have a brake, & it does not have tool-less chain tensioning. One guy forgot about his on-board tool & it dropped out. He accidentally found it the next day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN59GP978cA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtqf9bqFfH0&t=158s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EfoX8JVpJw

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Here are some of the chain speed numbers - just for knowing/comparing.

EGO 18" 56v = 30.2 mps or 99 feet per sec {11,000 rpm motor shaft}

Echo 16" 58v = 22.5 mps or 74 feet per sec

EGO 14" & 16" 56v = 20 mps or 66 feet {6800 rpm motor shaft}

WEN 16" 40v = 15 mps or 49 feet

Data/Specs are from www.gardentoolscenter.com

They have good prices but terrible shipping to offset that.
I had forgotten that is where i was getting most of the specs from.
They have more detailed/inclusive specs than most sites.

Kobalt chain speed specs might have been on Kobalt website, i have to go dig it back up but it was in the lower'ish 20's mps iirc, on the 18" 80v.

Craftsman 12" 20v = 25.2 mps or 82 feet
(from Craftsman website)

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Wish there were more reviews of the Skil. Hey, for all I know, the WEN MAY be as good as the Skil.

Amazon seems to have the most reviews for the SkiL, so far.
All of them either give a 4 or a 5 , no lowballers.
Mostly saying its quiet and powerful and smooth.

Time is on your side and you have a good arsenal already too.
Too bad Kobalt didn't put chain brake on the 14" 40volt, they could have sold at least 2 more of them. haha

Don't forget about the better weatherproof factor on the "bottom battery" saws also.

Cash = Universal Gift Certificate
the best gift money can buy

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Got the 5Ah EGo Battery replacement today.
2.5 Ah = 2.8 pounds
5.0 Ah = 4.6 pounds

and
brought an 18" EGo home just to see what its all about - they had them in stock on the shelves. Not planning to cut anything with it, just check it out good and a few dry runs.

[ponyakr]

Yeah, that's right. Since so many guys badmouth Harbor Freight tools, I thought I'd check out some reviews of the Atlas 40v saw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F37q_ijDS_I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoa1QHePE3I

Looks like the saw is $120 + tax. Then they sell 2 different batts & 2 different chargers. Saw ad says you get $30 off, if you buy the saw, plus a batt & charger, all at the same time.

https://www.harborfreight.com/40v-li...nly-56938.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/40v-li...0aAhjBEALw_wcB

https://www.harborfreight.com/search...1826&q=battery

https://www.harborfreight.com/online...ebanner__15off

If I'm doin the math right, if I buy tomorrow, I can buy the 40v saw, the big batt, & the standard charger for just under $200. So, is the Atlas better than the WEN ? Is it better than the Skil ? Will HF have an even better deal on this saw/batt/charger combo, between now & Christmas ? How long will HF sell Atlas ? Who can answer these questions ?

https://toolcraze.net/harbor-freight...20Tool%20Craze

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwauke...03/daily8.html

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Can't help on those Harbor questions.
I have a lot of stuff from Harbor - maybe 25-30% of my stuff came from Harbor.
But i wouldn't put my chainsaw money into Harbor, unless it was like the old days when they would have top name brand clearance power tools or top name brand remanufactured, just my view on it.

None of the heavy load type electric tools i have bought there have fared as well as i felt they should. Low to medium load range has been okay though.

[straycat]

I'll stick with my local dealers and pay a little more. It's hard to beat Lowes and the big boxes. 16" Dewalt chainsaw with brushless motor replaced McCulloch, Greenworks snowblower has replaced 20 year old Toro except for the deepest snowfalls which isn't often anymore.Lightweight items like trimmers I'll consider Harbor freight. Gone battery powered with everything except Stihl leaf blower which refuses to die. My latest investment is a Kobalt lawn mower. Battery power has sure improved and that brushless motor. I guess it's the future, just look at the car manufacturers. I'll never give up my fossil fueled Pontiacs.

[ponyakr]

" I'll stick with my local dealers and pay a little more. It's hard to beat Lowes and the big boxes..."

Not sure I understand that. Are you calling Lowes one of your local dealers ? OR. are you saying you don't buy at Lowes, but rather buy at some small local Mom & Pop shop ?

The biggest store in our local town is Wal Mart. I could order in a saw, & pick up there. The only Mom & Pop shop in our town that sells saws is the local Stihl dealer. The Stihl is way out of my price range.

Closest Lowes is about a 40 minute drive. Home Depot & the next closest Lowes is an hour's drive. Closest Harbor Freight is about 45 minutes. I suppose these would be considered my "local dealers". But, many times they don't have what I need, in stock. So, I can buy from the same company, online, just not directly from the "local" store. Could have the item shipped to the store & pick it up there. But, if it's already paid for, I'm just wasting a trip, if the item ships free directly to my home.

Hey, if I had plenty of money, I'd try to find some nice local people to buy from, & buy the best. But, my wife & I are on SS & what's left of her little 401 K, since the virus took a chunk of it. That's why I'm lookin for a low priced saw. Had rather be racing & hire somebody to deal with the trees. But hey, it IS what it IS.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by straycat

I'll never give up my fossil fueled Pontiacs.

Preach it Reverend !!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Had rather be racing & hire somebody to deal with the trees. But hey, it IS what it IS.

Amen, Mr.Pontiac Lumberjack
My project is going to take probably 2-3 winters of lumberjacking

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Here's some more Kobalt and EGo news for any following.

Got all 3 saws out and played around with them some and compared things overall.
14" EGo
18" EGo
18" Kobalt

First and Foremost
I must have imagined or dreamed that i saw the Kobalt 18" 80v had a chain speed of around the low 20's mps.

The 18" EGO is 30 mps /99 feet per second
Then the Big Kobalt 80v HAS to be 30+ mps /105+ feet per second
Kobalt is just a little faster, and a little louder.

The 80V Kobalts are Awesome
You could cut somebody's house down with one of them no problem.
All of us who got sale prices on them did Very Well on bang for the buck.

But the EGo saws are higher quality construction, way more balanced, more comfortable in my hands, and more compact units.

When i pick up an EGo with one hand on just the front bar, it stays level.
The Kobalt tips the bar towards me about 45* angle.

Saw staying level could be an added safety bonus somewhere down the road.

When i hold one with Both hands, the EGo is more distributed weight.
The Kobalt feels like ALL the weight is in your front hand and about 0 on the rear.

Didn't notice any difference in power whether using the 2.5 or 5.0 battery in either of the EGo saws (revving / top speeding).
{what i mean is per saw - the 18" is a lot faster speed @ 11,000 rpm vs. 6,800 rpm}
A youtube video spoke of better power with 5Ah , but that might be something that happens more as the charge gets low.
He was also comparing a 2.0 Ah Gen1 battery without a fuel gauge.
This 2.5 Ah battery is Gen2 with a fuel gauge.
5.0 Ah is also Gen2 with a fuel gauge.

Can swap a 16"Bar/Chain kit onto the 14" saw, and vice-versa.
Would have to double-check but pretty sure the 18" can swap down to 16 or 14.

The 18" 56v EGo has made a helluva impression and i have some more thinking to think about. lol
Knowing for sure now i have 1 Saw 14" and 1 Hedger both EGo 56v ,
the unity is also a factor in it and having total battery interchange on all 3 if i swapped the 18" Kobalt.

The 18" EGo is about 2" shorter in overall length than the Kobalt
You can make it as light as only 12.2 lbs with the 2.5 battery.
That is almost 5 pounds lighter than the Kobalt.
But still an 18" saw with high chain speed.
5 lbs lighter might come in handy on some types of work.
It is 14 lbs with the 5.0 battery vs. 17 lbs on the Kobalt with 5.0

The 18" EGo is only about 1 lb heavier than the 14" EGo
That has amazed me. Considering the higher powered motor and bigger bar/chain.
Has the capacity to run with the big Kobalt 80v.
I don't think it will go neck and neck all the way, but close to it.

The 80v Kobalt hits its top speed a blink faster than the 56v EGo.
I hate to let the Kobalt go, it will depend mainly if my deal man can make me another deal one more time.
And buy another eBay/Lowes coupon too
I'm tired of spending money

I re-weighed them all just sitting the saws on the scales instead of holding them and doing the math.

18" Kobalt 80v with 5.0 batt = 17 lbs

18" EGo 56v with 2.5 batt = 12.2 lbs
""""""""""""""with 5.0 batt = 14 lbs

14" EGo 56v with 2.5 batt = 11.2 lbs
""""""""""""""with 5.0 batt = 13 lbs

[ponyakr]

We had a couple of trees blow down, from the edge of the woods, just North of our house. The top of one of 'em was across our dirt road/driveway. I'd cut just enuff to clear the road. This week, we cut up the rest of it & threw/pushed it back into the edge of the treeline.

The other tree was down, a little farther to the West. Late this afternoon, TJ & I cut it up & moved it back out of the field. We used the Kobalt 12" saw & 8" pole saw, limb loppers, & of course, the Kioti.

This 2nd tree was forked near the bottom. So it had 2 stems, nearly the same size. Don't know how tall it was. maybe 40' or so. Didn't measure the diameter. Guessing at the biggest cut may have been 8", not over 10". I may measure it tomorrow. Anyhow, the little 12" Kobalt had no problem with it whatsoever.

Since the tree was laying on top of some other trees/bushes, it looked like it would probably roll back towards me, when I made the 1st low cut. So, I took off some of the lower limbs, & used the loader bucket to hold 'em up, while I made the cuts. Then used the Kioti/bucket to pull 'em away from the bushes, for further processing.

I usually just cut a tree enuff so that I can push it off the trail. But, since this tree was basically in our "yard", I cut off the limbs & cut the stems into small sections we could pick up.

[ponyakr]

We picked up all the limbs & threw 'em out of the field, back into the edge of the treeline/bushes. The whole thing took just over an hour. Used 3 bars of battery power on the 12" Kobalt. That's the most cuts & the most power used with it, in one session.

Just to the West of where we were working there was a bush with some "Christmas berries" on it. They're usually around from late fall 'til after New Years, IIRC.

TJ's horse was watching the action. But, as the sun went down behind the trees, he grew impatient & let out a few "hee-haws", to let TJ know it was time for his supper.

[ponyakr]

TJ let me in on the next trail clearing project she has for us. She put it off because it will require about a mile on foot, carrying whatever tools we need.

The Kioti can't get to this spot. The tree is pretty big. From just lookin at the pic, I'd guess it's somewhere between 18" & 24". The 80v Kobalt will cut it. But, it's pretty heavy to tote a mile. And, without the Kioti, I don't wanna mess with the big end. A tree that big can be dangerous. So we'll just leave it hooked to the stump.

It appears that we can use the 12" Kobalt to cut enuff of the top section to open a horse trail. We'll just leave the big section across the main trail, & sorta make a detour around it.

[ponyakr]

4 more pics from the big tree site.

TJ said it was just barely too low for the horse to get under, unless she takes the saddle off.

So, we'll make a detour.

[ponyakr]

"...18" EGo 56v with 2.5 batt = 12.2 lbs
""""""""""""""with 5.0 batt = 14 lbs

14" EGo 56v with 2.5 batt = 11.2 lbs
""""""""""""""with 5.0 batt = 13 lbs..."

Hey, if the 18" EGO is only a lb heavier than the 14", & has near the power of the Kobalt, you may as well get rid of everything else. You can use the 18" for EVERYTHING. Unless you just want more than one saw.

If I had it all to do over again, I'd do it a bit different. But, when I bought the 18" Kobalt, we NEEDED it.

As mentioned, the 12" Kobalt will do MOST of the stuff we'll need to do. The 18" will do the big diameter stuff, when it comes along. But, we need a saw for the medium diameter stuff, like maybe the 10"- 12" stuff. And, we need a smaller saw, so that TJ & I can both have a saw while clearing a trail. It's just a lot handier to have a saw real close by, when you need it. Sometimes I go a little farther up the trail & we work on different sections. So, the 12" will work just fine, for one of our saws.

Most of the time, two 12" saws would work just fine. So, when our new 12" "body" gets here, I may buy another bar/chain & continue using the recalled 12", unless they make me ship it back, or get rid of it some other way. If it should ever keep running, it's pretty easy to just pop the batt loose. I'd use the old one & let TJ use the new one.

Could probably do just fine with two 12" saws. But hey, I guess it's just the hot rodder in me that wants a little more power !

Have thought about buying a little 20v Dewalt 12", as a bare tool. TJ could use the same batt that's in her Dewalt hedge trimmer. They're between $110 & $150 + tax.

https://www.ebay.com/i/332450185721?...brand%3DDEWALT

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools...paign=surfaces


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGp03ca6eDk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0J9gnj3ft4&t=12s

[straycat]

Ponyakr, I live in a township not far from a populated area with the box stores. But I shop the local mom n pop first, Ace and the private store front guys. Lets call them my neighbors. Not trying to be a critic. Having that many trees down would drive me up a wall. Last big one was Sandy.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I'm outside of city limits,
but Lowes- HarborFreight- Tractor Supply- Southern States- Walmart- are all in the same commercial zone and all about 2-3 Miles from my driveway.
That makes stuff a lot easier to deal with.

We don't have a HomeDepot ,,, yet
30 miles up the highway to Greensboro for anything from HD.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Hey, if the 18" EGO is only a lb heavier than the 14", & has near the power of the Kobalt, you may as well get rid of everything else. You can use the 18" for EVERYTHING. Unless you just want more than one saw.

For a 1-Saw person, that would be the hands down winner from A-Z.
If they need A-Z.

I need a second smaller saw for going 20-30 feet up a tree.
And the lighter the better.
If i bought a 14" Bar&Chain swap , and a 2.5 Battery to be 2 pounds lighter up in a tree
- i'd be way over what i paid for the 14" EGo saw.

BUT, with both EGo saws, would have the capacity to turn the 18" saw into a super hell-bent 99 fps 14" Saw by swapping the bar/chain and 2.5 battery from 14" EGo .
Don't know if i will ever need to do that, but the option would be there.

The 14" will probably see 70-80% of the saw hours involved.
If i end up with the 18" EGo - will have two 5.0 batts and one 2.5 batt. of same brand.
Thats a lot of juice whether i'm using a Saw or the Hedger that day.

I won't cry much if they can't cut me some slack to swap over for the 18" EGo, and won't feel "stuck" with the Kobalt 80V.
The 80V Kobalt is a helluva chainsaw and was a helluva price !