Best Compact Chainsaw? Stihl vs Milwaukee, Kobalt, DeWalt, Makita, Ryobi ONE+, Craftsman, HART
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- Опубліковано 29 жов 2022
- Battery Pruning Saws/Chainsaws: Milwaukee, Ryobi ONE+, Kobalt, Black & Decker, Craftsman, DeWalt, Makita, HART, Bauer and Stihl. Chainsaws compared for performance using a “chainsaw dyno”, then cutting speed through a 4x4 and Osage Orange (hardwood). The chainsaws are also compared for build construction and quality. I purchased all of the chainsaws and products used for testing the chainsaws to ensure an unbiased review. So, thank you for supporting the channel.
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➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Milwaukee: amzn.to/3Fanmyg
Ryobi ONE+: amzn.to/3VSNcg2
Kobalt: amzn.to/3eWzdFw
Black & Decker: amzn.to/3TPg6Mh
Craftsman: amzn.to/3Fckhhe
DeWalt: amzn.to/3N6Sjp2
Makita: amzn.to/3DlrdWP
SHQDD: amzn.to/3TrsqT4
HART: Available at Walmart
Bauer: Available at Harbor Freight
Stihl GTA 26: Available from multiple retailers online
Stihl PS 70 Hand Saw: Available from multiple retailers online
DeWalt Reciprocating Saw: amzn.to/3eUrJ5T
Videography Equipment:
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera: amzn.to/2YdXvPw
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: amzn.to/34d3DLE
Go Pro Bundle: amzn.to/3Ca0ZVN
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC - Навчання та стиль
I love the introduction of "control" tools like the hand saw and reciprocating saw. It really helps put more niche tools in perspective.
It's really nice to see what you can get away with using if you already have some of those tools. I loaned my gas powered chainsaw out to a buddy and it hasn't worked since, so I've been using my reciprocating saw to cut firewood. If you've already got a tool, realizing you can make that work by just spending $5 on a new saw blade instead of $200 on a new tool is a pretty good deal.
I thought I could get away with a sawzall instead of a chainsaw... Fixed that lack of judgement quickly after cutting a few medium logs for firewood! Control tools is a great idea
I use a pruning blade on my sawzall and it has a very aggressive set of teeth. It works great for pruning anything under a couple inches. I wouldn’t rule out a sawzall for light pruning if you don’t have room for another tool in your garage. Just get a pruning blade. But of course, who doesn’t want to play with a chainsaw?
I’ve been using a sawzall too, and I’m just tired of the vibration. So I’ve been looking to see if a mini would be worth it, in the battery selection I have.
I address this in a top level comment that will certainly be buried but reciprocating saws with pruning blades work much better if rather than just pushing down on them, you use them like a saw. Otherwise they have lots of trouble clearing the swarf, especially on any cut larger than the saw length on your reciprocating saw and this greatly increases the time and work needed to cut something because all of the sawdust is packing itself into the teeth of the saw, keeping them from acting on the uncut wood. But I routinely use a 12" pruning blade to cut up 4" - 8" branches/logs with my reciprocating saw this way.
With winter coming up, I'd love to see window plastic or other options for insulation treatment tested. Also been curious if it really even works
Hi Mason!
If your talking about the plastic insulation,where you outline the window with double -sided tape and shrink the plastic over the window, they work great. I used the product 30 years ago, over our leaky College apt windows…..no question it works!
Greetings from SoCal😎
@@ruftime I've used the 3m and snow king in the past. The tape that comes with it seems to be a weak point and the snow king developed sagging over the season. Glad to hear from others I wasn't wasting my time!
Can you put a link to the type of material you guys are talking about? I have an infrared camera and am looking for something my self. If no link, just a brand name will do.
Yeah it definitely helps keep the heat in but I agree the tape is the weak point
@@Mason-hs9oz yes, 3m was what I’d use back then and 3M Adhesives/tapes are always my first choice in my Businesses, if available and “reasonably” priced. Surface preparation is key, with a final wipe with Isopropyl Alcohol before applying tape.
I have the Milwaukee saw. As a landscaper I use it constantly. It’s extremely agile for cutting brush or tree trimming smaller lower branches. It’s almost impossible to make the chain shake off the bar which is very good for cutting smaller stuff that would normally toss a chain off a regular chainsaw. If I take my time and don’t put too much pressure it will cut through 5” oak. Battery lasts a very good amount of time with the 6 amp. I’ve been running the tool hard for over 2 years.
Thank you for your "on the job" input. Does it have any issues with kickback?
@@Apollyon67 if you’re making an undercut with the top of the bar then it kicks back very easily. I usually only cut with the bottom of the bar on this saw. Occasionally I’ll cut with the top of the bar a little on this saw but it does
Skip and jump like crazy. Cutting with the bottom of the bar it’s very comfortable and easy to use.
@@erike7297 Thank you. That helps a lot. I appreciate your reply!
@@erike7297 I'm all in with Milwaukee tools so I've been thinking about getting this chainsaw. Thanks for your review, as I would likely be using it for similar situations.
I mainly use Milwaukee for most of my power tools and while more costly, you normally get what you pay for.
The Makita having a higher sprocket speed falls in line w its intended use. It’s an arborist saw that is usually run in a tree sometimes w one hand. So you wouldn’t be pushing down with as much force as say a felling saw. The design and specs of the Makita is conducive to what its intended use it.
Thanks for sharing.
Also, you could mention that Makita has "high torque" mode. To activate it, you should push power button for 3-5 sec till the orange indicator lights up.
Edit. If i'm not wrong, "high torque" mode deactivates high current protection, so be careful when sawing large logs
@@WGP402 see. Should’ve read the manual. It’s great for wood sculpting too.
@@ProjectFarm Hey @Project Farm, I have invented a 100% clean energy electricity generator, potentially perpetual, how can I contact you??
@@d.k9097 no you havent
As an arborist, the chain type, tooth shape, and tooth count are almost as important as the tool itself. I’d love to have been able to see the difference on the chains and if you’d sharpened them after each use or anything. Great content thank you for your commitment!
Excellent points!
@@flat-earther Funny stuff.
@@flat-earther Won't waste my time. I came here to compare saws not for threadjacking.
You are welcome!
@M. S.
I don't really know anything about chainsaws so your comment got me thinking, could you replace the chain with another one that is the same total length and gear pitch so that is fits on the saw but has different tooth profiles that are better or worse for certain tasks? That is honestly something I have never thought of before. And if you can replace the chain with other types or designs, what are a couple brands you recommend looking at?
I am taking out a small(ish) tree soon and so this video got me thinking about getting a small portable chainsaw just to aid in cutting it all up for disposal. Now your comment got me thinking about the chains and possibilities there.
Ill most likely get the Kobalt simply because I have two of their drills and while the chainsaw won't get much use beyond this project it will be nice gaining a spare battery for my drills, or saving money on the aw and getting tool only and being able to use the batteries I already have.
Great video - if I might make a suggestion… for the sawzall, I’d really recommend using a “pruning” blade in the saw instead of the normal demo blade. They’re quite inexpensive, but work wonders for the type of tests you have here. To be honest, it’s what I use for most of my smaller pruning requirements.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Exactly, Diablo has a carbide-tipped pruning blade that is a far better choice for pruning as well as cutting roots in soil which is an application no chainsaw it suited for.
Pruning blade would be way better then a demo blade, and would’ve been better in this application.
I just found the pruning blade, and use it almost exclusively.
Yeah those things rip through brush, can't believe he didn't use one for comparison.
How is it that you've done more for consumers in your UA-cam career than Consumer Reports has done in decades? Love your work!
Thanks!
I'm a new subscriber for this exact realization!
This channel is great, but it's not CR. He's testing one of each tool. CR tests several with ongoing testing for longevity and user reports. It's rigorous, but it isn't exciting. Science usually isn't all that exciting.
@@grantcivyt that may be true but it's been proven they are extremely biased
@@A_barrel Aren't we all?
I have the dewalt 12 inch with the larger battery (5 amp hr?) didn’t expect too much from it but have been very impressed! I use it for trail maintenance and limbing firewood where my husky 388 Xp is too big. The saw never leaves my quad and has become my go to for maintaining my 84 acre wood lot. The battery life is better than expected and I usually get better than 80 plus cuts through hard dead 4 inch limbs! I have used it for 2 full years and don’t regret buying it for a second
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah. I really believe you count your "cuts" and it never occurred to you to get a "limbing saw" between that "too big" Pusquvarna and that "pruning saw" you're forever "limbing" 4" branches with on that "tree farm".
If your "tree farm" of "hardwoods" needs that much dead wood limbing "maintenance" you should consider doing some "maintenance" with something along the lines of a "cordless" Caterpillar D6T. Start at the edges and "limb" toward the center. At ground level.
I have the dewalt as well. It does the job!
Excellent video as always! I just happen to be in the market for a compact chainsaw. This is was perfect timing! Thanks Project Farm!
Perfect! Hope this video helps!
I've had the kobalt for a couple years. Light duty, just cutting fire wood and a couple white pines that fell. I swapped out to a 18" oregon bar last year after a big pine fell. Works great, so I left it on. I can cut an entire 80 foot pine up with 3 4ah batteries.
Ryobi 40V brushless 14" bar. I've cut many cords over the years.
So what one will you be buying.
I have both the Milwaukee 16" chainsaw as well as this 6" Hatchet. Both are great tools! For fun one day I wanted to see if the little Hatchet could run the big 16" bar, rediculous I know, but it did it! Cut through a dried 14" poplar log! Not as quickly as the big saw mind you but it has great power!
Superb work, as always. This was what my dad asked for Xmas last year, while he said that he just wanted some 50 USD generic no brand electric saw, I got him the Milwaukee one you featured here. After almost a year of every other week sporadic use, it’s been perfect, and for trimming desert trees like desert ironwood, mesquite, palo verde, and some varied citrus, it’s great, and makes super quick use of them.
Thanks! Glad to hear!
The no name ones are surprisingly good, just have to avoid pushing them too hard as they save money by avoiding things like thermal shut down switches 😁
@@freedomofmotion I love the m18 fuel milwaukee sawzall though. It packs enough punch to throw you off a ladder if it binds up.
@@freedomofmotion yeah, I was expecting it to overheat and shut down or the battery not lasting through the job and played it safe w the Milwaukee. While I know it’s a bit more of an improbable concern, I’m still weary of any high density battery that doesn’t come from a bigger manufacturer with some semblance of QC process for those things.
I bought a Ferrex plug in chainsaw last year and because of ease of use I'll never go back to gas unless the circumstances warrant it.
I have the the little Milwaukee tool, it's awesome! We used one at my friends house. When he moved in, the whole yard almost a half acre of volunteer trees and overgrowth was just insane, we cut at the base, never missed a beat. Some of the trees were a foot in diameter, yeah, he also had his gas powered chainsaws but for most of it I used the little one because it was so light and easier to use in the confined jungle. I kept commenting how nice it was and he bought me one for helping him.
Sounds like you've got a wealthy friend!
I'm in the market for a battery saw for clearing the thin strawberry guava nonsense on my property when it's not quite worth it to fire up the gas saw.
@@Mike-sy6oy He's not wealthy, I think he just felt guilty that I was there for about 10 days helping.
@@armadilllo even better then! Sounds like a down right solid friend! Keep them around for sure. Hard to come by these days
I also have the M12 hatchet tool and it really makes work quick and easy, it is a little underpowered for my applications but it's not that big of an issue for me considering how light and nimble it is.
were you able to cut the 12" wide tree trunks with this Milwaukee saw?
Wonderful comparison, as always. If I hadn't already ordered a mini chainsaw from Amazon this spring, I would have been tempted by these. There was no brand name on the one I got. It just says "mini chainsaw" on the casing. It came with a four inch blade, two chains, a battery, a charger, complete instructions, and a very nice zippered case, all for a little less than $50. It has become my substitute for pruning thicker stuff, like the thumb thickness branches and stems in my garden, but in a pinch, I also cut right through a 4 X 4 with it. One of the most useful tools I have. I can cut off pretty large tree branches, and the chop them up with ease. It is so lightweight I can cut things overhead with no problems, and I am 82 years old.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Great review as always. They make a pruning blade for reciprocating saw that really works great much faster especially on green wood. Perfect for cutting roots out of footing holes when you don’t want to get dirt in your bar. Try one ,my guys like them so much they use them where ever there’s not nails.
Pruning blade,,, 100% agree !
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I just used my M12 minisaw the other day for pruning and absolutely loved it! Its a perfect in-between of a larger chainsaw and pruning shears. Plus not having to pull start it is a plus as well. You can cut what you need then put it down to pull the cut branches out and then pick it back up and continue cutting.
Thanks for sharing.
Cut proof gloves are a must for the m12. It can jump on you be careful. Cut proof gloves saved me a hospital trip!
@@robludwigsen7831 that's why it has the loop handguard on the front of the motor. Unfortunately it doesn't protect as designed if you're holding the front of it, or stabilizing the branch with your other hand.
I wonder if they make a little belt holster for it?
You could make a kydex holster for it I bet!
The idea of using reciprocating saw was a stroke of genius and a nice comparison. Nice to show that in a pinch/emergency it can act as a multi-tasking tool.
Thanks!
The M18 Hackzall with a carbide pruning blade. Faster, longer battery life, no oil, no oil mess, no chain to tighten, the blade can run in the dirt to cut flush to the ground, on and on and on better. And it can do more.
I also feel safer running a reciprocating saw than a chainsaw. Around my house we have a rule: no one runs a chainsaw alone; another adult must be present to assist in case of emergency. No such rule with the fucksaw; I think I might give myself a nasty scratch with it but I don't think it would accidentally sever a tibia before I managed to let go of the trigger.
Sawzalls are just that. It saws all. I mostly use mine to cut roots for stump removal as a landscaper.
Loved this test!!! I have a Stihl MS880, MS170, and the Milwaukee. While every one of my chainsaws have fairly specific uses, my absolute first go to saw for medium to light cutting is the Milwaukee. The Milwaukee with it's light weight, pretty good cutting ability, battery compatibility with my other Milwaukee tools and automatic chain oiler makes it a pleasure to use. I NEVER go in the woods without my Milwaukee. I must say though, I was thoroughly impressed with the larger Kobalt chainsaw and I will most definitely be scooping one up to add to my selection after seeing it's capacity for work! Sometimes you just don't want to have to deal with a noisy 2-stroke to do some work 😎 . Thanks again for an awesome and informative test!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
Id love to see a video testing popular oil filters oil filtering ability. All other reviews just break them down and don’t look at how the oil actually filters oil. You could maybe add particulates of different sizes to pre filtered oil and look at how the filter did with each particle size. Love your stuff!!
Search his channel, he has done it. I belive that WIX was the best. Edit ( I know WIX one the air filter contest)
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
@@ACoustaDC - I personally won't use WIX oil filters. In 35 years of changing oil, I've had _one_ oil filter spin itself loose. WIX. It may filter great, but there's something missing in their ability to hold.
It is really amazing how many options there are now with the addition of Hart, Kobalt, and Craftsman being updated and expanding. A great time to get great tools at great prices.
HD start their presale on ridgid batteries 20v 4 amp two for $99
Thanks for the feedback.
Agreed, I just got the V20 Craftsman kit and I never thought I would own an oscillating saw that doubles as a corner sander.
Awesome. For my work, trimming problem tree branches is an occasional necessity. Mostly under five inch size. I use a reciprocating saw with a blade called a “branch blade”. It is an aggressively cut blade that mimics a standard tooth pattern on most hand held pruning saws. I wonder if that kind of blade would have changed your times with the reciprocating saw used.
These comparison videos, are probably the most comprehensive and thorough videos, on any subject, that I've ever seen. That is extremely impressive, by itself.
Thanks!
Really like the addition of the control items. Had bought the ryobi pruning saw for my mom and had pretty low expectations but it worked really well. Seeing how versatile Sawzall can be it be nice to do a video comparing "specialized" blades to standard blades. Ie is a "pruning" blade really that much better than a good wood blade. Do the specialized demo blades really hold up better than a wood with nails blade
Thanks!
@@ProjectFarm I'd love to see a video with follow-ups to good viewer feedback. You could probably fit a few of them together in one round-up video. "Viewer Feedback Highlights" or "Your Comments Answered".
Best part of Sunday is getting to watch new project farm
Thank you very much!
Another great video. Been watching you for the past couple of years and you’re always the first source I consult if I need a new tool and don’t know what to look for. I notice you haven’t done a video on bench grinders (as I’m currently looking at some). Would love to see a bench grinder video!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I always appreciate your tool tests! Thanks! Maybe do a follow-up discussing available replacement chains and performance with a properly sharpened chain.
I bought the Milwaukee about a week ago and I can confirm it is an absolute beast considering it's size and weight!!!
M12 or M18?
Thanks for the feedback.
@@Cory.Robson 12
Would love a comparison between aviation snips. Grat content as always!
Thank you for the video idea!
I like the idea of testing the power tools with a hand tool and the sawzall. I've used a mini sawzall to cut tree roots - it's not the best tool for that job. A chainsaw may have worked better, but as soon as it hits dirt, it would've dulled the chain. So maybe the best tool was the sawzall???
Another great video! Thanks for your hard work.
Love the channel. You've helped inform a number of my purchases. I'd love to see a best headlamp comparison or a hard hat comparison
I have the DeWalt one and love it. I carry it with me when clearing and grooming snowmobile trails. I find it perfect for that application. Works well and is fairly light to carry when trudging through snow. It's been a great buy for me.
Thank you for your comment.
I've been thinking about one of these mini saws and already have Dewalt batteries/tools.
How long have you owned it and what's the general sized trees/branches that you're cutting?
Thanks for sharing.
@@glenj.taylor2938 Generally cutting limbs/branches/ 3-5” in size. Works really well for that application for me. I generally use it with a 5AH battery. Owned it a little over a year.
@@glenj.taylor2938 My father has one and I still use a big, gas powered, Jonsered chainsaw (even though I have tons of battery powered DeWalt tools). When my dad needs help cutting down dead branches in his trees, I no longer bother bringing my Jonsered. I would not use it to cut down trees wider than five-six inches, though.
@@Peccs91 I have the same saw and use it with the DeWalt 5 amp battery too. How many cuts per charge on your 5 amp battery do you get cutting 3-5 inch stuff?
A test i’d like to see is best countersink drill bits, i’ve had a lot break on me and others where the flutes clog constantly and you have to keep cleaning them out. I’d also be interested in seeing mini gas powered chainsaws and how they compare to the battery powered, they can be very handy. Great video as always!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
@@ProjectFarm I agree. Would you also include a countersink like CRL provides….. as a glazier doing storefronts and working with a lot of aluminum I feel as if this is the best one.
I actually base my purchases off of your shows lol.
Excellent review--very helpful and well thought out methodology with no nonsense presentation. Thank you.
My pleasure!
I have the 12" Kobalt saw, purchased in the fall of 2022 - I was amazed at how fast it cuts - it was a great addition to my 24 volt Kobalt tool system - the spare/replacement batteries are very reasonably priced - Lowes has developed an excellent 24 volt (store brand) system of tools.
Thanks for sharing.
Well done, Kobalt! That was an unexpected result.
I thought it was going to do good, but not THAT good! Very impressive 👏👍
That is an excellent rig for testing downward force, Todd. Got some fantastic creativity over there at Project Farm! 🐺🔧
Like the trimmer cord brand test one needs to do with chains for these.
I haven’t gone wrong with Kobalt!
I use all kobalt tools and I have the bigger 40v lineup and it's the 14 inch bar and it absolutely shreds the trees in my back yard
Thanks!
Always great content. Really curious what tests you would come up with for Best Toilet Paper. Maybe for April 1st?
Thank you for the video idea!
Bbbrrruuuhhh
@Sharkatron they are designed for pruners. Instead of using shears you can use these
Non
Lol time for some brown fingers!
I purchased a WORX chainsaw 3 or 4 years ago. Though I don't use it a lot, the battery still holds a good charge when I do use it. Really handy is the no tool adjustable chain tensioner and on-board auto oiler. I give it big thumbs up!
Thanks for sharing!
Glad to see kobalt represented! I am a huge makita fan for my carpentry tools but I have a bunch of kobalt tools that have never let me down using some of them daily on the job site. Tough to beat for the price. Hoping for more xtr tools in the future which is their high end lineup
I honestly never understood why so many love Makita tools. They always seemed behind on technology, not as good as other brands, especially for the prices they charge and most importantly, the color. I’m sorry but I hope the guy who picked that color of blue ended up in prison for it. I still can’t get over that and it creeps me out and looks like toddler toys when I walk past their section at the Depotz. Kobalt blue is what they should’ve did in the first place. Blue can be good on a tool, too bad Makita had the worst designer of the industry.
Thanks for sharing!
Can’t stand makita
I like that you split it into two categories!
Thank you!! I wish I could have found more in the small pruning saw category.
I would love a round up of which brands have outperformed the others through all of your videos. That way it would make it easier to make a decision on which battery set to invest in.
I watched a lot of videos and Milwaukee seems to be in top three for everything and their batteries came out on top during his battery test. I purchase all Milwaukee battery powered tools and anything corded I get dewalt
Literally all of my kobalt tools are badass, I use them more than my Dewalts honestly. 500 bucks got me a massive amount of tools and batteries and they're great quality, especially for the price
I'd wager the top brands are typically Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt for the most part. Kobalt is typically a great option for cheaper/"store brand" as well.
Top 3 are usually Milwaukee at the top and DeWalt/Makita trading blows for the number 2 spot.
I have the Kobalt 24v max Brushless chainsaw and I use it solely for carving ice, along with a corded Brushed Craftsman. The Kobalt does fairly well, but these batteries don't like being in a freezer or outside in the fridged cold unless they are being used. The Stihl and Milwaukee handhelds look like I might give one a try for finer detail. Thank you for the best informative product/tool rating videos on UA-cam. I hope they are treating you well. God Bless! (PS I use a single 24v Max 6ah battery and it can do about .5 to .75 of a fully carved ice block. Two batteries would defiantly finish one carved block.)
Hi Todd, Great presentation as always. Here in Canada, shopping for a cordless chainsaw can sometimes be a head scratcher since the prices for the full kit for #1 Kobalt and #2 DeWalt can be similar.
Outstanding product testing and review as always!
Thank you very much!!!
Ah, this is a video I've been waiting for. My dad has shoulder mobility issues so has trouble with regular back & forth saws but still likes to garden & prune. So I'm now in the market for something like this.
Thanks for sharing!
Excellent and thorough review, as always. You might note, however, that throughout the video the 10" Ryobi was noted on all of your printouts as being an 8" saw (which I just bought to augment the 6 or 7 other chainsaws I currently own and was hoping to see reviewed).
Thanks! Thanks for the constructive feedback.
Really nice videos!!!! I love to check things before buying and your videos do help a ton. One idea for a video, what about double edge razors for safety razors? there are a ton online, are quite cheap and there are a lot of opinions, but no real tests I can check see.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I always like your videos, but I like them even more when the tools I already own are the clear winners in your tests. 😂
Thanks for sharing.
I work seasonally at a Christmas tree farm and last year we picked up the Milwaukee hatchet and it was honestly a life changer for the job, I would absolutely recommend one to replace a plug in electric saw
Thanks for the suggestion.
I have the DeWalt 12" and I find it works quite well if I sharpen the chain even when new. It's quite dull for some reason. Also using bar oil makes a big difference in speed and torque. It does leak quite a bit so I had to get a lined bag for the chainsaw to keep oil from draining onto my storage container bed.
I have the Ryobi 10 inch chain saw. I been very pleased with this saw. Have used it quite a lot over 5 years I have owned it. What I like is being able to operate it with one hand when pruning limbs from a ladder. I recently bought the Ryobi 12 inch chain saw. It is a better saw, but to heavy for one hand use.
Thanks for the feedback.
Wow, great content! I really appreciate how much hard work you put into every video! I would love to see a video testing surge protecter power strips.
Heck yeah. I have several. I have a thermal camera. One gives off so much heat, that I wont use it any longer.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Project farm...the reason I love Sunday's. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into every one of your videos. Impressive and informative as always Todd!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I like the design considerations of your test rigs, good job
I got my mom a Kobalt chainsaw for Christmas last year. She loves and and has used it a lot. It's a good saw and pretty impressive.
Thanks for sharing!
The Squid! 🤣I couldn't think of a better name for that. I chuckled every time you said it.
I think you gave the best comparison possible for all of the saws, with the exception of the reciprocating saw. It looked like the shoe wasn't placed firmly against the wood resulting in a lot of that power being transferred into your hands rather than into the wood. I recently used a Black and Decker reciprocating saw to cut down some trees and found that it was slow with a lot of vibration if I tried to hold it like a chainsaw, but worked much better if I applied firm pressure forward to hold the shoe against the log. It was a lot faster than using my Fiskar hand saw that looks almost identical to that Stihl model.
Despite that one issue, I think this was a great comparison of the miniature electric chainsaws. I especially appreciate how you tried to account for the wildly different chain speed and torque (essentially gearing) of the saws. It's clear that neither high torque nor high speed are necessarily best. Fatigue is definitely an issue. I would want something that doesn't require much downward force, but is also a bit forgiving if I get impatient and push a bit too hard. It seems the Black and Decker would require too much force but the Makita might require too light of a touch. The mid-range speeds like the DeWalt and Kobalt seemed like a good middle ground.
The Squid is already sold out on Amazon. The Project Farm effect in action!
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, keeping the show against the wood on a reciprocating saw is a must.
I really like that you included both a handsaw and a reciprocating saw in these tests. Those are both tools that I currently use for the task of cutting small limbs. I've been curious if it'd be worth it to buy a dedicated saw for cutting small limbs and I can see that it is.
Thanks for the feedback.
I’ve used a few of these and own the Ryobi. The chain plays a giant role in the saws performance. On the Ryobi chain the takers are set super conservative. The chain almost doesn’t cut due to the raker height. Taking a few file strokes off the rakers really wakes the saw up and lets it cut. The slow chain speed isn’t such an issue then and the torque lets it pull the chain with the teeth digging in and cutting.
Pretty hard to try to even out all the different chains though, and even harder to tune each saw/chain combo for best performance.
I bought Ryobi cause I have the batteries for my other tools.
I love the videos. I come here for product research often. Thanks!
Thanks and you are welcome!
I am considering a saw right now and I appreciate your content, very comprehensive testing. I think based on this since I am already bought into the m12 battery that is what I would get on the small saw, interesting about the kobalt, it performed really well in testing!
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
I have the M12 Milwaukee. I had a tree limb at close to the max capability for my saw come off a decent sized tree and was darn glad to have it. It worked great. I have two others larger DeWalt and an old Craftsman 19.2 and they both work well also with the obvious nod to the DeWalt. But, the Craftsman is perfect for off roading where trees fall across the road and since it is so old, I don't care and it gets abused but continues to work fine... It's important to remember it is basically a Ryobi. NOW, if someone could figure out hot to create a case that at least contained remaining bar oil they would make a fortune on any of them. Intrinsically, the bar oil has to get out to do its job. They all suck. I try to put JUST ENOUGH to get a job done and monitor it closely... Still always makes a mess.
Damn... I figured my Kobalt might make top 3, but certainly didn't expect the win!! It's a great saw to toss in the truck with a few batteries to hit the back country for camping... great for clearing felled trees across the trail, and makes quick work of firewood.
Thanks for the feedback!
Great review, thanks for making it. It will definitely help choose which hand saw I will be purchasing.
Thanks and you are welcome! Glad to hear!
Great video! Some saws I'd like to see tested include the 18V version of the Milwaukee pruning saw with the 8" bar, the Ego 12" saw, and the Worx brushless 5" saw (WG325). I actually just bought the Worx, but it kept overheating, so I'm returning it, which brings to mind another factor you could test, to see how long they can operate before overheating. It didn't take much to overheat the Worx. Also, testing oil leakage during storage would be helpful as well. I heard the Dewalt leaks, and they recommend storing it without oil. But one cool thing about the Worx is that the oiler is manual. The action of moving the bar guard up activates an oil pump. If more saws like these had manual pump lubricators, we wouldn't have leaking saws although my 18" Ego saw doesn't leak oil, so I don't know. Oh, also Dewalt, Ryobi and Kobalt also have smaller pruning saws, so I'd be curious how they compare as well (though mainly the Dewalt).
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great comparisons! Silky makes probably the best hand saws around. Maybe that should be another good test
I'd love this test! I can already envision the creative jigs that Todd would come up with
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
It’s always a good day when Project Farm posts!!
Always
Thank you very much!
I have recently been shopping around for a compact battery powered chainsaw to replace my lopping shears. I have looked at a Worx brand, Ryobi, and Crafstman due to the current battery systems I use, but looks as though I need to take a look at the Kobalt. Thanks for sharing your findings...I truly enjoy you YT channel.
Thanks and glad to hear!
Love how you get right to the meat of the topic without extraneous chatter and annoying music. Your comparison videos are very helpful- thanks!
Thanks and you are welcome!
i'd love to see a portable air compressor review like the wireless Milwaukee, dewalt, and wired ones for homeowners . Love your channel 🙂
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
They're generally overkill for tire inflation, where the tankless inflators (he's reviewed previously) are sufficient. They're more useful for trim carpenters who don't need to plug in a compressor on a job site.
@Pah Tryk: If you are just doing stuff around the home consider getting a portable air tank. Home depot sells an all aluminum one made in America. Handy in the extreme-ous! (You can get about 50-75 shots in an 18 gauge air brad nailer from a 5 gallon tank. They make 10 gallon ones, too.) I used one before I even had a compressor as I'd fill it at a gas station that had free air.
I have the Milwaukee 6” saw here. It’s FANTASTIC totally blew me away with what it can cut and how light it is and the runtime on a 4Ah battery. They make a bigger 18v one now I think. Gonna look into it
Thanks for the feedback.
I agree and I wish he would have tested the 18v milwaukee saw with thr bigger saws. I would have liked to see how it fell
Hey love all the videos. Glad to see this one as well. I haven’t seen a full size electric blower video or mini elec blower video comparison. I know other people have done them but love how you do yours. Or maybe one comparing base model tools to higher model. Ex Milwaukee vs Milwaukee fuel is it worth the price diff. Thx
Thanks for the suggestion.
This has been a nice and informative video. Thank you for taking the time to test these various saws. Now the big test. Changing the saw tooth styles.
Thank you very much!
Excellent comparison, Milwaukee just came out with their M18 Fuel Hatchet 8 in pruning saw. Be interesting to see how this one compares. Great video!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great comparison as usual. The cutting tests are by far the most telling. Definitely like the subjective impressions as well. EG comfort, vibration, ease of use, etc.
Video suggestion: Compare door jam reinforcement kits. Potential test method: Use a log or large sandbag hanging from a rope (two for log) as a pendulm to strike the door.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video as always! Could you do a review of cordless jigsaws? Maybe throw a good corded one in there too just for comparison. A jigsaw is probably my favorite use of a cordless system just due to how often you have to move the cord while cutting weird shapes.
Thanks for including the hand and recip saws for comparison since those are what a lot of us are currently using for these tasks.
You are welcome!
Kobalt really has shown me lately that, as far as budget tools go, they are absolutely at the top when it comes to performance and durability for the cost. I’m def gonna switch my at home tools to kobalt in the near future
Only knock against them is the lineup doesn't have the breadth that Ryobi does. They've gotten to a point where there on the same level as Ridgid and Craftsman. Definitely a higher standing than Bauer, of course.
I switched to kobalt. If it brakes no questions asked they return it for a new one.
@@orijimi tbh, I don’t really think craftsman is all that durable. Atleast not when you compare them to what they used to be. And I’m not really a huge fan of ryobi. Their tools have always kinda been a hit or miss for me. Rigid isn’t too bad tho
@@Trckstr971 Perhaps I should clarify that Kobalt 24V is the largest slice of the power tools I own, I'm not trying to fanboy Ryobi in the slightest, at present I only have 1 tool of theirs, the right angle die grinder. Just trying to make sure people recognize the limitations of the platform. If you were to compare Milwaukee to shopping at Whole Foods, Kobalt is like shopping at Trader Joe's.
Thanks for the feedback.
Notification gang!!
Awesome! Thank you!
Reporting in!
Reporting for Duty!
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Made it!!
Always a great review ty
Thanks and you are welcome!
Look at this absolutely based example of humanity. No sponsors. No product placements. Just a man providing us with information in an effort to help us make educated decisions.
Thanks for watching!
I've got the Stihl one and it works great in tight places, especially where a hand saw cant fit.
that Stihl is very nice to use for vines where pruners and lopers are tool small or you can't get easy access due to the longish handles. a japanese, Silky or Ars, saw is fine too but not always the most adapted. 😽
Thanks for sharing.
A pruning blade for the hardwood would have changed the time on the Sawzall quite a bit. Love the videos! Keep them coming!
Thanks, will do!
I am so glad you made this video. I've been seeing ads for small battery powered chainsaws and was wondering which way to go. Thx
Thanks and you are welcome!
I would love to see a comparison of etching paint/primer for aluminum. You're the man for the job.
Another great video as always Todd. One suggestion though. Obviously as you demonstrated, a reciprocating saw is often a poor substitute for a chain saw being that one of the primary benefits of the chain is constant chip ejection. However, with the proper blade and a bit of technique I believe the gap in performance could be closed considerably. For pruning jobs I've had a lot of good experience with Diablo's carbide tipped pruning blades. They have a longer hooked tooth geometry and a low tpi of only three per inch which results in them having large gullets to resist clogging with cuttings like the Milwaukee Axe you demonstrated. You can see the sawdust clinging to the stub of hardwood after the cut that was trapped in the gullets between the teeth, forcing them to be scraped back and forth and recut until they could squeeze between the kerf of the teeth and the tang of the blade. By this point they had been heated by friction to the point they stuck to the wood. This constant re-cutting and extra friction slowed down the cut considerably. On larger branches that will stay stationary, a back and forth sawing motion of the saw would help to eject a lot of said cuttings that otherwise get stuck between the teeth that are in the cut. Those Diablo blades are also razor sharp so they leave a very clean cut for the tree to quickly heal and minimize the chances of catching some sort of blight. On softer woods I've noticed the cuts to be almost smooth enough to graft to which is extremely impressive to me considering their aggressive tooth design. The carbide tips are nice for long service life and also being able to resist dulling from touching dirt while pruning low to the ground or cutting roots. Here's a link to the blades.
www.diablotools.com/products/DS0903CP
Sorry for typing up a letter, figured you'd appreciate an in depth explanation. Keep the reviews coming and keep the manufacturers honest, Todd. You and the guys at Torque Test Channel are my favorite places on this site.
I'm watching these videos trying to figure out the right set of cutting tools to clear large kudzu off trees but at the same time cut runners away from kudzo tap roots before busting out the mattock to remove the tap roots. Any thoughts on the best combo? All these saws seem like options for the place I'm going (riding down a greenway trail & being picked up at the bottom after the work) but then I've seen landscapers suggest that the reciprocating saws are good for cutting partially exposed roots in soil.
recip blades can take the damage from dirt and stones and are cheaper to replace than chainsaw blades. cutting below groundlevel is a fast way to dull or damage your more expensive chain
A test of the best permanent marker for normal use and construction use would be great.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Hey Todd! been a big fan for years. With winter weather coming I thought it might be "cool" to see a video on different types of insulation for putting into shops. i.e. spray foam, great stuff, foam board, minerall wool, fiberglass.
Thanks for being a big fan for years! Thanks for the suggestion.
I love my little Bauer chain saw, and I got the reciprocating saw at the same time. The saw works great for cutting limbs and small volunteer trees, and the recip works great for limbs and roots!
Thanks for sharing.
It's crazy how much thought, time and effort you put into these videos and test. It's also crazy I've watched just about all of them lol
Thanks!
That Kobalt chainsaw had some insane performance, looked like it was cutting through butter
That could be the chain itself more so than the saw.
I had the same tool but in the polesaw configuration and I have to say that I was very impressed with it.
Thanks for the feedback.
Another good and useful video for DIYers as well as Pros. I think I might finally have something for you that you haven't tested yet... How about Tin Snips or Sheet Metal Shears, whatever you want to call them. Folding Camp Saws might be another, Thank you again Todd!
Thanks for the suggestion.
Danged good review. Quick and concise. Very helpful.
Thanks!
If you end up doing a "round 2" on this category I'd like to see Milwaukee's new M18 Hatchet in the line up, it has a 10" bar I believe and would be an apples to apples comparison with the larger 20v tools. Great video as always!
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video. I recently purchased the Kobalt Brushless that you used in this test after looking at many. I managed to find the saw with 4.0 amp battery and charger for $129. That was the no brainer that made the Kobalt the one. For all the small stuff in my back yard, this thing rips and the battery lasts all day also, um, for a couple of hours of hard work. Good to see I made the right choice.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
That's an incredible deal for a kit! I love that Kobalt puts up such a good value, especially if you can grab a sale. I think I paid $120 for my impact and drill driver kit about a year ago but a chainsaw kit for $129 blows that out of the water.
Just want to thank you for your reviews. I've bought a number of items based upon your research. Keep up the great work!
Very interesting review. I think that the hardwood branches are very deceiving as you so get some that seem hard and are easy to cut and suddenly you come across a petrified log almost impossible to cut. Nonetheless I enjoy watching all your videos.
I’ve had 4 cordless chainsaws myself, 2 of which I still have. At one point I also compared a sawzall to my smaller chainsaw and had similar results. It works but very tiring on the push down hand.
Your videos rock, continue sharing the knowledge and experiments. Thanks again.
The biggest issue with battery powered tool reviews is that most of the time it doesn't really matter which is best. If you have a Dewalt battery setup you're not going to get that one Makita or Ryobi tool because you'll need more batteries and chargers for those. It kinda sucks how they lock you in with batteries even though they all use similar cells.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@ProjectFarm It's not a critique on you btw, I love your reviews, it's just that as a small hobbyist it doesn't make sense to switch brands cause of these limitations.
@@Drinkyoghurt Just get Milaukee from the start
@@takoflame4948that depends
I get tools as I need them, I have no loyalty to any brand or any battery platform. That being said all my tools are for home use. These reviews help me get the best tools for what I need them and the frequency that I’ll use them based on cost, So I have a few different battery options and it works out great for me.
@@takoflame4948 100%
Very timely since I have been considering a compact chainsaw for my wife to use pruning our trees. We have several hand saws and while they are convenient and light they are useless in situations with closely tangled limbs where clearance and angle of attack is limited. I hoped for a better performance from the small compacts but at least I have a good starting point. Hopefully this channel is well monetized. One of my first stops when shopping tools and materials.
Thanks for sharing.
There's a new milwaukee 8 inch 18v saw out there now check it out.
A great review... now a year after this review Milwaukee has an M18 hatchet/chainsaw with 8" bar. Hopefully will be able to find one on sale this coming Black Friday. An added bonus: I already have an M18 battery for my Milwaukee impact wrench.
Great review. Thanks.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Would love to see the battery differences on the DeWalt to see if performance increases greatly.
Wah, wah, wah. Haha!
Thanks for the suggestion.
Hey Todd, I was wondering if you’d ever considered testing all the different brands of windshield wiper blades? I know it’s a pretty subjective topic but it’d be interesting to know which ones actually last and which streak right away
ua-cam.com/video/g3S8udUSKtY/v-deo.html
Nice comparison on the different brands of saws.
Thanks for the constructive feedback.
Thank you for good reviews.
You are welcome!