Chain Saw

Over the years I have owned 4 chain saws.  In the late 70's it was a 16" gas Homelite.  Someone stole it just before I moved to Idaho in 1982.  After the move to Idaho, I found a house to rent with a wood burning stove.  The first year, I cut wood with a bow saw and a 6 ft buck saw.  The second year, I rented a gas saw to cut fire wood.  Year 3, I purchased a 10" Homelite gas saw and the next year updated the bar with a 12" Oregon bar with a bearing tip because the tip of 10" bar was getting too hot.  The saw ran great but required new spark plugs and mixed gas.   I stop regular use of the saw in 1992 when I moved into new house and propane heat.  I started to have problems starting the saw 30 years after purchase and gave up in 2020.  

In 2020, I purchase a 10" Black and Decker 20v  chain saw from True Value Hardware.  It has an Oregon low kickback bar with a bearing tip.  The chain that provides smooth & fast cuts adjustable with a tool free blade tension system.  The tension system is easy to use and provides quick adjustments.  The box includes one 20v max lithium 2.0 ah battery & charger.  The oiling systems is a pump and needs to be pushed with an ungloved thumb.  I pump it 4 times before making a cut and more often if wood is dry.  The saw has a 2 year limited warranty. 

In 2025, I added a 10' Black and Decker 20v pole saw from Home Depot.  The saw has an 8" bar and cuts 6" branches.  The bar is not self oiling and saw comes with oil bottle, wrench and guard to protect chainsaw blade.  

The 10" Black and Decker 20v  chain saw tackled brush and logs less than 6" in diameter easily.  The 8" pole saw make quick work of branches when they are out of reach for the 10" saw.  I can fill the truck with brush before the operator and 3 AH battery runs out of energy.  The saw took on a 14 inch aspen (3 rounds cut before 2 AH battery needed recharged).  The chain oiler on the 10" saw works great just need to remember to pump 3-4 times without a glove before a cut and during big cuts.  

The 8" pole saw requires completely oiling the chain before starting to use and when changing batteries.  Initial tests of the pole saw used a 2 AH battery.  The saw motor seemed to rotate faster than the 10" 20v saw.  Forcing the saw tended to bind the chain and the motor was easily bogged down.  If saw uses its own weight without force it seem to cut better and less binding.  I made about 40 cuts ranging in size from 1/4 to 6" and there was still power left in the battery.  

Thoughts and Hacks

• The chain does not move as fast as a gas saw so the bar of the 20v bounces at the start of the cut.    

• If you notice excessive bouncing check chain sharpness and replace if needed. 

• Cheap replacement chains are available through Amazon from the KAKEI store.   Typical chain will last 3 years. 

8 Inch chain 3/8" LP Pitch .043" Gauge 34 Drive Links

10 Inch chain 3/8" LP Pitch .043" Gauge 40 Drive Links

• The trigger safety switch on the 10" saw is sticky after 2 years.  Workaround is to use finger engage the switch and not thumb but need a better solution.  

The Black and Decker 20v  chain saws could be a dangerous tool because it is a little too fun to operate.  The 20v saws are not for big boy toy owners or for those cutting firewood but I found perfect for my brush and tree work.  Best of all both 20v saw start every time and no saw gas mixing or smell.