If we consider tools for woodworking, then chain saws are one of the most popular. This is due to their compactness, performance and low price for consumables. Only a gear endless chain interacts with a tree, its resource is high, and only periodic sharpening is required for maintenance.
How to make a choice
Among chain saws, there are two varieties - electric and gasoline. The latter drives the saw chain using a two-stroke gasoline engine, which has air cooling and a maximum power of 5 kW. Electric models have power up to 2.5 kW.
When comparing fuel consumption and electricity for gasoline and electric devices, the cost of sawing one cubic meter of material is not very different. But to determine which is better - a chainsaw or an electric saw, it is necessary taking into account a set of characteristics. Only the cost of electricity and fuel cannot be taken into account. No less important factors are the cost of maintenance, maintainability, ease of use and the cost of the unit. All this, no doubt, affects the choice.
Which unit is better considering the device? Gasoline saw
One of the main components of the chainsaw is a high-speed engine, which can produce up to 14,000 revolutions per minute. Its volume usually varies from 40 to 60 cm 3 . The main feature of this engine is that gasoline must be mixed with oil before refueling the tank. If you pour gasoline in its pure form, the engine will fail after a few seconds after starting.
Starting is carried out by a manual starter. The handle has an anti-vibration mechanism and inertial protection. If the saw chain becomes jammed, the equipment may be thrown back, which increases the risk of injury to the operator. When in contact with a hand, a safety arc stops the engine and reduces the likelihood of chain damage. The latter can be represented by one of several types. Classification by step, which is the distance between the lower teeth, is often used for selection. They mesh with the drive sprocket.
Conclusion
The chain typically has a thickness ranging from 1.3 to 1.6 mm. For semi-professional and household models, a value within 1.45 mm will be sufficient. If you plan to cut down the forest, you should choose a professional model, in which the thickness of the chain varies from 1.5 to 1.6 mm.
Electric saw device
When deciding what is better - a chainsaw or an electric saw, you should pay attention to the device of the latter. The saw headset in it is similar to a chainsaw, but in the first there is usually no clutch, instead a soft start button is provided. In many cases, this is not enough.
Manufacturers tried to create more powerful electric saws, but the attempts were unsuccessful. This increases the mass of the engine, as well as the consumption of electricity, which negatively affects the usability of the tool and its cost. Electric saws usually have a protective arc, which works on the same principle as the gasoline counterpart. The oil pump is also provided by the device. Electric saws usually have pumps of the same model as chainsaws. They provide chain lubrication. The oil flow rate will depend on the speed of the chain.
If you do not want to face the need for frequent replacement of tires and chains, you should take into account the main mistake of users - in a chainsaw oil is poured into the pump tank when refueling. Some consumers believe that on electric saws, the tire and chain wear out more quickly due to low revs. If the oil is filled in a timely manner, the resource of the saw set will be the same in both cases. The speed will only affect performance.
Performance and Power Choice
Quite often, consumers decide what is best - a chainsaw or an electric saw. It is important to consider performance and power. As mentioned above, the power of the electric saw motor is rarely more than 2.5 kW, while for a chainsaw this value can reach 6 kW. But the 2.5 kW electric saw cannot compare in performance with the gasoline counterpart in power. This is due to the fact that the electric saw at an average load only works for 40 minutes. After that, the tool must be turned off for 20 minutes to cool the engine.
When working with a chainsaw, you will not encounter such a problem. Professional and semi-professional devices do not require stops and are able to work for 8 hours in a row with almost no stop. You only need time to refuel with oil and fuel. But it only takes a few minutes. It is important to take into account the fact that oil is also poured into the electric saw.
Chain selection
If you still cannot decide for yourself what is better - a chainsaw or an electric saw, it is worth paying attention to the speed of the chain. At a chainsaw, they are 30% higher. The productivity will increase by the same amount. Productivity will increase even more when you consider the possibility of movement of a person on a construction site and along a log or board with a chainsaw. In the case of an electric saw, this will be much more difficult due to the presence of a cable. When comparing options of the same power, the performance of a gasoline unit will be slightly higher.
Headset comparison. Reviews
If you want to know which is better - a chainsaw or an electric saw, consumer reviews should be read about this. Buyers express an opinion on the saw headset. Gasoline and electric saws have identical headsets with equal pitch and tooth profile chains, however, the tire length and the number of teeth on the chains are different. Chainsaws are usually equipped with tires from 35 cm to 1 m, which depends on the power of the motor. But on electric saws tires up to 0.6 m are installed.
According to consumers, this parameter is as very important as it may seem. It will be correct to compare saws of the same power, and tires longer than 0.5 m are rarely found in chainsaws with motors up to 3 kW. In this regard, buyers note that the instruments are approximately equal in this parameter. In the conditions of logging, where saws with meter tires are needed, electrical equipment is not used, therefore, a comparison is inappropriate here.
Cost selection
Compare, which is better - a chainsaw or an electric saw also taking into account the price. But value does not play a decisive role. Performance will be more important. However, if this factor still matters to you, then you can compare semi-professional models. For example, "Calm-180" on a gasoline engine and an electric saw brand Makita uc4020a. Their power is equal to 1.5 and 1.8 kW, respectively. For a power saw, the price will be almost 40% lower compared to a gasoline device.
Comparison on the complexity of operation and maintenance
We continue to compare units. Which is better - a chainsaw or an electric saw? At the same time, it is still necessary to take into account the complexity of operation and preparation for work. Using the tool, you will realize that electric saws are easier to prepare for the process. You only need to install the saw headset, add oil to the tank and plug in the power outlet. And if you have a high-quality model, it should have a quick-clamping device with which you can not only tighten the chain, but also replace it in a matter of seconds.
If you cannot decide what to choose - a chainsaw or an electric saw, it is worth considering that the first is more complicated with the preparation for work. Professional and semi-professional units have the usual clamps on the nuts, which simply can not be dismantled without a key. The chain will need to be tightened with a screwdriver or an Allen key. It will take much longer, but the settings will be guaranteed to hold tight.
For a chainsaw, you can prepare the mixture in a few minutes. Gasoline and oil can be mixed using a special graduated container. Proportions and quantity can be any. One tank refueling is usually enough for 50 minutes of operation. Thus, if you cook about 3 liters of fuel in the morning, you will be provided with it for the whole day. The mixture should not be procured for future use, because with prolonged storage its properties deteriorate.
Comparison on the comfort of operation
When visiting a store, quite often consumers decide what to choose - a chainsaw or an electric saw. You may also encounter such a question. The choice should also be made on the basis of operating comfort. For example, an electric model will not require a fuel mixture to operate. In order to start sawing, you only need to insert the plug into the outlet and use the start button. But if the chainsaws are well balanced and comfortable to hold, things are more complicated with electric saws.
The power cable may interfere quite noticeably. Such devices can also be in one of two varieties of the location of the engine - transverse or longitudinal. The latter is distinguished by the location of the axis of rotation of the motor shaft along the tire. Such devices have a small width, but they are quite long. They are well balanced, but your mobility will be limited by the availability of cable.
Transverse saws are shorter, but the motor housing protrudes to the left, which upsets the balance. As a result, the operator is forced to exert certain efforts, keeping the tire in the cutting line. The level of fatigue during prolonged work will increase, despite the fact that the effort is small. But the inconvenience of the cable in such models will be felt less.
Testimonials regarding reliability
If you want to buy a chainsaw or electric saw, which is better, which is more reliable, you should first find out. Consumers believe that an electric motor is simple, easy and understandable, but gasoline is more reliable. The design of the internal combustion engine is such that reliability and endurance are higher in all respects. It has high speeds and, in addition, wear-resistant, durable materials are used for manufacturing, which allow you to work in particularly difficult conditions.
Reviews about chainsaws or power saws quite often allow consumers to make the right choice. Having studied the opinions of customers, you can find out that gasoline engines have a more advanced cooling system, as well as protection against overheating. Such systems have an air filter, as well as oil and fuel level sensors. In this regard, the motor resource is increased in comparison with an electric analog of the same power.
If you choose a chainsaw or electric saw for giving, and also want to use it for a long time, you should use the device correctly. If we are talking about an internal combustion engine, then, according to consumers, under normal conditions, he will be ready to last a dozen years, withstanding complex long-term loads that are beyond the power of the electric motor.