Ok. So this may be a silly question that I could not find much on, so decided to ask here. The main question is exactly that. Is there a difference between a chainsaw chain used on a gas, electric, or battery powered chainsaw. For this example, I would say that I do know that the link count, gauge, and chain size would have to be the same. I am just asking as I was online and HomeDepot Canada has bar and chain combos listed for an electric saw. Thank you.
Difference Between Gas And Electric Chainsaw Chains?
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Most electric/battery saws I've laid hands on (other than big 220v commercial ones) use 3/8" lp chain, the same as many smaller gas saws.
Bar mount pattern and drive link counts would vary by manufacturer and usage just like gas saws do.
The specifics of the chain size have more to do with matching the power output of the saw than what powers it.
Bar mount pattern and drive link counts would vary by manufacturer and usage just like gas saws do.
The specifics of the chain size have more to do with matching the power output of the saw than what powers it.
Ok, thank you. I was just mainly wondering if the electric saw chains were built differently and possibly break/come apart during usage if used on a gas powered saw. I also just saw some used ones locally cheap that I missed out on as I was unsure. I did not ask then as they were already gone.
some may be not built differently, but may be designed differently. as for cutting teeth. for example, older elec vs newer and batts. in general, you have to know the specs of the chain and the requirements of the gas saw. if they match, no problem. should service well, all things considered. I don't use batt chain saws, but I do have an older Craftsman electric. it came with a chain that made it run very bumpity! PITA to use. so it dint get used much. sat stashed away in shop. recently, I decided to look back into it, could it be a good performer? motor great, power great, bar great... chain, not so great! so I ended up with a Stihl chain saw chain. think it is a 3/8ths pico. 54 links.
just yesterday, I finally got around to testing it out. performed perfectly. it runs and cuts as good as my lil Echo CS-271... which is a real hornet
of a saw. couldn't be happier, and now since I scrounge around in my neighborhood and often see small diam oak on side of road... it will be a 'go to' saw for quick cuts, etc. I think it can handle with reasonable efficiency up to 12" trunks or limbs. I use a lot of firewood for a southern urban resident. best advice is to just stop by a good arborist shop. they can further advise you.electric, 110-v
Huskybill
Addicted to ArboristSite
I purchased a 20v battery powered black n Decker for the misses. It’s kind of backwards I don’t think it holds bar oil. It comes with a squirt bottle unless I’m missing something. She wants to trim every living green thing in the yard. Her and my son took a course for trimming fruit trees at the local highschool. Nothing is safe now. I purchased extra batteries and a drill that takes the same batteries too.
some may be not built differently, but may be designed differently. as for cutting teeth. for example, older elec vs newer and batts. in general, you have to know the specs of the chain and the requirements of the gas saw. if they match, no problem. should service well, all things considered. I don't use batt chain saws, but I do have an older Craftsman electric. it came with a chain that made it run very bumpity! PITA to use. so it dint get used much. sat stashed away in shop. recently, I decided to look back into it, could it be a good performer? motor great, power great, bar great... chain, not so great! so I ended up with a Stihl chain saw chain. think it is a 3/8ths pico. 54 links.
just yesterday, I finally got around to testing it out. performed perfectly. it runs and cuts as good as my lil Echo CS-271... which is a real hornet
electric, 110-v
View attachment 699031
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Is that kindling you are cutting?
Is that kindling you are cutting?
no! firewood I split from a very large trunk and chunks... used the elec saw to fell it. down here in Texas... our elec saws are quite big! powerful. thanks for axeing....
12 inch diameter logs--Big SAW and the biggest cord plugs I ever seen-220 volt?--David
Some of the 110 volt corded electric saws make as much power as 40cc gas saws, having a cord is a pita but power isn't an issue.
My uncle uses one doing house renovations, its pretty fast and handy plus you don't want to run a gas saw in a customers house.
The bars/chains are the same on both electric and gas saws, if you want to be picky the depth gauges should be set different to match the rpm/power out put of which ever saw you have but they will cut ok out of the box.
My uncle uses one doing house renovations, its pretty fast and handy plus you don't want to run a gas saw in a customers house.
The bars/chains are the same on both electric and gas saws, if you want to be picky the depth gauges should be set different to match the rpm/power out put of which ever saw you have but they will cut ok out of the box.
I just **** canned a bunch of bars intended for electric saws. All were without sprocket nose and showed severe nose wear from the gas saw they were mounted on. So, that tells me there is a difference.
Long time ago I mounted a 12” on a Mac tophandle and noticed sparks coming off the nose when making cuts. [emoji2960] Bar turned to trash in ten minutes of use.
Bore cuts are definitely out.
Long time ago I mounted a 12” on a Mac tophandle and noticed sparks coming off the nose when making cuts. [emoji2960] Bar turned to trash in ten minutes of use.
Bore cuts are definitely out.
Most all of the ones I've seen have sprocket nose bars.
At one time they may have had hard nose bars but if you buy one on line or at a hardware store now they have sprocket nose bars. They're the exact same bar as my gas 25cc top handle takes.
At one time they may have had hard nose bars but if you buy one on line or at a hardware store now they have sprocket nose bars. They're the exact same bar as my gas 25cc top handle takes.
ColdNorCal
ArboristSite Member
My SunJoe 14inch has a nose sprocket. Very useful to have an electric. Property has steep terrain and sometimes its easier to drag large branches in a flat are near the barn and have at it with the electric.
Ken Morgen, I'd be more then happy to take that size kindling from ya
Ken Morgen, I'd be more then happy to take that size kindling from ya
I bought a 20V DeWalt for small stuff around the house where I can curt it with the electric quicker than I can start a gas saw.
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I've had and run plenty of different electric saws. The old Milwaukee and Stihl mse220 both run regular 3/8 chisel chain as they have the torque for it. In fact the mse220 had as much torque as my 044 when both ran the same 20" bar and chain. The difference was the chain speed of the gas saw being much faster. Most others like the mse180 I had use 3/8 low profile. The higher the amp, the more noticable power. I have an old 3 phase Stihl E30 that can run up to a 48" bar. Mine is 220v, others 460v I don't have 3 phase so I've never cut with that 48 lb. monster. It makes an 090g seem light even though the E30 is much more compact.
I run a Makita twin 18v (36v) battery saw with 16" bar and it cuts great. I like it better than my Husky 36. I'd say it cuts with the mse180.
I run a Makita twin 18v (36v) battery saw with 16" bar and it cuts great. I like it better than my Husky 36. I'd say it cuts with the mse180.
RandyMac
Stiff Member
I bought a 40v Ryobi for the GF, it cuts pretty well, way better than the ms170 it replaced.
Short answer is 'No'.
Saw chain is designed for saws up to a certain level of power, and bars up to a certain length (Oregon shares this info in their 'Maintenance and Safety Manual' , under each chain's specs)
http://en.oregonproducts.com/pro/pdf/maintenance_manual/ms_manual.pdf
Smaller pitch chains generally have thinner tie straps, smaller rivets, etc., and can break if used on a high power saw, just like smaller diameter rope is not suitable for heavy lifting, or when used in really long lengths.
There are probably some torque differences between corded electric, battery, and gas (2-cycle) saws that would show up under laboratory testing, but the basic chain attributes: pitch, gauge, drive link count apply to all three.
*That said, some chain manufacturers have been developing chains specifically geared for the battery powered saw market, to optimize efficiency, and the amount of cutting that can be done on a single charge. These narrow kerf, and low profile designs will probably also find their way to small cc gas saws, pole saws, etc., for the same reason.
Philbert
12 inch diameter logs--Big SAW and the biggest cord plugs I ever seen-220 volt?--David
220v/440v model. has an A/B switch when u need to amp up... but bit of a killer on the montly elec bill! uh-huh!!
my elec is quite a nice item! I have had it for nearly 40 years... if not longer. bot new. not too much fun back then to use. came with a bump-pity chain. so recently got it out and upped the chain. it runs a stihl chain now. cuts real nice, real smooth... quite nice. fast, too. 12-13 sec 18" cookies no prob!!! oh!... and had the armatures/windings redone for the 220/440 option over at the local alternator/elect motor repair center. they can do anything when it comes to elec motors...
oh!... and had the armatures/windings redone for the 220/440 option over at the local alternator/elect motor repair center. they can do anything when it comes to elec motors...
from my experience there can be. not so much that a elec saw must run one type, or a bat another...per se. an elec may fit a gas saw, and as I know first had a gas saw fits the elec just fine. given all the rite specs r considered. length, type, picco chain, for example etc.
for example, the original chain on the elec craftsman has some funny shaped teeth, heights etc. imo, it was quite unpleasant to use. hence, remains in near mint condition. but now it cuts nicely. with a keen sense of authority. I like it! don't use it too much, but I like it and I like to use it when I do. but it runs a 52" I think or thereabouts chain. [no, not bar!-lol] stihl. once it was fit as to length... it was a winner.
so I would have to say from my experience... there has been at least in the past a difference. in that, what came on my sears saw... I have never seen on any other saw.
my 2-cents on the subject.
My SunJoe 14inch has a nose sprocket. Very useful to have an electric. Property has steep terrain and sometimes its easier to drag large branches in a flat are near the barn and have at it with the electric. Ken Morgen, I'd be more then happy to take that size kindling from ya
firewood to me. this is kindling to me...
