Chainsaws
Electric chainsaws make light work of cutting logs, pruning back heavy limbs, and tidying overgrown ground without the noise and upkeep of petrol.
If you're cutting firewood in the yard, trimming back trees round a property, or sorting storm damage without dragging out a full petrol setup, electric chainsaws are the sensible shout. You've got battery chainsaw models for easy movement, corded chainsaw options for steady run time, and petrol chainsaw choices when the job is bigger and further out. Pick the right bar length and power for the timber you're cutting, and you'll save time, effort, and a lot of messing about.
What Are Electric Chainsaws Used For?
- Cutting firewood in the garden or yard is where an electric chainsaw really earns its keep, especially when you need clean, repeat cuts through logs without the noise and starting hassle of petrol.
- Pruning back thick branches and taking down overgrown limbs is easier with a chainsaw for pruning that is lighter in the hands and easier to control up and down the garden.
- Breaking down fence posts, sleepers, and rough timber on outdoor jobs suits a timber cutting chainsaw when you need more speed than a handsaw and less faff than dragging out mains saw benches.
- Clearing storm debris and fallen branches around drives, gardens, and site boundaries is a good fit for battery chainsaw models, particularly where you need freedom to move without trailing leads.
- Handling regular domestic and light trade grounds work suits corded chainsaw models when you are close to power and want steady cutting without watching battery levels.
Who Uses These Chainsaws?
- Landscapers use electric chainsaws for pruning, sectioning down small trees, and clearing timber quickly without the extra weight and engine upkeep of petrol kit.
- Grounds maintenance teams reach for a battery chainsaw when moving round larger gardens, schools, and managed sites where dragging a lead is more trouble than it is worth.
- Property maintenance crews use corded chainsaw models for regular garden jobs, cutting back overgrowth, and chopping up waste timber near sheds, workshops, and outbuildings.
- Homeowners and estate teams doing firewood prep swear by a chainsaw for firewood that starts straight away, runs cleaner than petrol, and does not sit unused between seasons with fuel issues.
- Gardeners and arb teams doing lighter pruning work go for smaller saws with shorter bars because they are easier to handle when working through branches all day.
Choosing the Right Electric Chainsaw
Match the saw to the timber and the way you work. Go too big and it gets tiring. Go too small and you'll fight it all day.
1. Battery, Corded or Petrol
If you're working round a garden and want easy starts with no lead, a battery chainsaw makes the most sense. If you're cutting near the house or workshop for longer periods, a corded chainsaw gives you constant run time. If you're out on larger plots or cutting heavier timber well away from power, petrol still has its place.
2. Bar Length
For pruning and general garden maintenance, stick to a shorter bar that stays easier to control. For a chainsaw for firewood or sectioning thicker logs, move up to a longer bar so you're not forcing the cut or having to work from both sides all the time.
3. Weight and Balance
If you're carrying the saw round a property or using it above waist height for branches, keep the weight sensible. A heavier saw might cut bigger timber, but for repeated pruning jobs it soon starts dragging on your arms and accuracy.
4. Chain Speed and Tensioning
If you're using the saw regularly, look at how easy it is to tension the chain and keep it running right. Tool free systems are handy for quick checks, but whatever you buy, a loose chain and a dry bar will ruin cutting performance fast.
The Basics: Understanding Chainsaws
The main thing to understand is not just power. It is how the drive type, bar length, and chain setup match the timber you are actually cutting.
1. Electric, Battery and Petrol Drive Types
Electric chainsaws cover three main types. Corded saws give steady power for jobs near a socket. Battery saws give you freedom to move round the garden without a lead. Petrol saws are for bigger, heavier cutting where you need longer run time and more outright grunt.
2. Bar Length and Cutting Capacity
The bar length affects the size of timber you can cut safely and cleanly. Shorter bars suit pruning and smaller branches because they are easier to handle. Longer bars are better for firewood, thicker trunks, and larger sections of timber, but they add weight and need more control.
3. Chain Oil and Tension Matter
However the saw is powered, the chain still needs lubrication and the right tension. Keep oil in it and keep the chain set properly, and the saw cuts faster, runs cooler, and puts less strain on the motor and bar.
Chainsaw Accessories That Save Time and Hassle
A few proper add ons keep your chainsaw cutting cleanly and stop small problems turning into a wasted afternoon.
1. Chain Oil
Do not run a saw dry. Proper chain oil keeps the bar and chain cool and stops premature wear when you are halfway through a pile of logs and wondering why the cut has gone slow and smoky.
2. Spare Chains
A spare chain is worth having in the van or shed because one strike on hidden grit, old wire, or a dirty log can blunt the fitted chain quicker than you think.
3. Battery and Charger
For any battery chainsaw, an extra battery is the difference between finishing the stack and standing about waiting. If you cut regularly, one pack is rarely enough.
4. Sharpening Kit
A sharpening kit keeps the chain biting properly instead of forcing the saw through timber. That means cleaner cuts, less strain on the motor, and far less frustration.
Choose the Right Chainsaw for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right saw for the timber and location.
| Your Job | Chainsaw Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning branches and general garden tidy ups | Small battery chainsaw | Short bar, lighter weight, easy handling, no lead to drag round shrubs and trees |
| Cutting firewood near the house or workshop | Corded chainsaw | Steady power, no battery downtime, ideal for repeated log cutting close to mains power |
| Clearing storm debris round larger gardens or boundaries | Battery chainsaw | Good mobility, quick starts, no extension lead, handy for moving between cuts |
| Breaking down thicker logs and heavier timber | Larger electric or petrol chainsaw | Longer bar, stronger cutting performance, better suited to bigger diameter timber |
| Occasional low cost garden jobs | Cheap chainsaw or entry level corded saw | Simple setup, lower spend, best for lighter branches and infrequent use rather than constant heavy cutting |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying too much bar length for light garden work makes the saw harder to control and more tiring to use. For pruning and small branch work, a shorter bar is usually the better tool.
- Choosing a cheap chainsaw for regular firewood cutting often ends in slow cuts, overheating, and short working life. If you cut timber often, spend for the workload rather than just the ticket price.
- Running without enough chain oil is a fast way to damage the bar and chain. Always check the oil level before you start, especially on longer cutting sessions.
- Letting the chain go slack ruins cutting performance and can become a safety problem. Check tension little and often, particularly on a new chain as it beds in.
- Using a corded chainsaw too far from power sounds obvious, but it still catches people out. If the job is spread round a large garden, a battery chainsaw is usually the less frustrating option.
Battery Chainsaw vs Corded Chainsaw vs Petrol Chainsaw
Battery Chainsaw
Best when you need to move freely round the garden, boundary, or property without trailing a lead. It is the handiest option for pruning, lighter timber cutting, and quick reactive jobs, but run time depends on the battery you use.
Corded Chainsaw
A good fit for home use and steady cutting near the house, garage, or workshop. You get constant power without charging breaks, but the lead limits reach and can get in the way if you are moving through dense planting or larger areas.
Petrol Chainsaw
This is the one for heavier cutting, larger timber, and work well away from power. It gives you more outright performance and longer running potential, but it comes with more weight, more noise, and more maintenance.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the Chain Sharp
A sharp chain pulls itself into the cut. A blunt one makes you force the saw, heats everything up, and leaves rough dusty waste instead of proper chips.
Check Oil Before Every Use
Chain oil is not optional. Top it up before each session and keep an eye on use during longer cuts so the bar and chain stay lubricated properly.
Watch Chain Tension
Chains loosen with use, especially when new. Check tension regularly so the chain runs correctly on the bar and does not spoil cutting speed or safety.
Clean Out Chips and Debris
After use, clear packed sawdust from the cover, sprocket area, and bar groove. Leaving it clogged up holds moisture, adds wear, and makes the saw run rough next time out.
Store It Dry and Safe
Keep the chainsaw somewhere dry with the bar cover fitted. On battery models, store packs charged sensibly and out of damp sheds if you want decent life from them.
Why Shop for Electric Chainsaws at ITS?
Whether you need a compact chainsaw for pruning, a solid chainsaw for firewood, or a larger saw for tougher timber cutting, we stock the full range. That means battery chainsaw, corded chainsaw, and petrol chainsaw options from proper trade trusted brands, all in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Electric Chainsaw FAQs
What are the different types of chainsaws?
There are three main types. A corded chainsaw runs from mains power and suits jobs close to the house or workshop. A battery chainsaw gives you more freedom round the garden without a lead. A petrol chainsaw is better for larger plots, thicker timber, and heavier cutting where you need longer run time and more power.
Which is better for home use: an electric, battery or petrol chainsaw?
For most home users, electric chainsaws are the easier choice. If you are cutting near a socket and want steady run time, go corded. If you want to move round the garden freely, go battery. Petrol is usually more saw than most homeowners need unless you are regularly cutting larger timber or working well away from power.
What bar length chainsaw do I need for cutting firewood and branches?
For general branches and lighter garden work, a shorter bar is easier to handle and usually all you need. For cutting firewood and chunkier logs, step up to a longer bar so the saw can get through the timber cleanly without struggling. Buy for the biggest timber you cut most often, not the biggest bit you might cut once a year.
Are electric chainsaws powerful enough for timber cutting?
Yes, for a lot of timber cutting they are. A decent electric chainsaw will comfortably handle logs, branches, fence posts, and general garden timber. If you are regularly cutting very thick hardwood or doing heavier land work all day, petrol still has the edge, but electric models are more than capable for most domestic and light trade jobs.
What size chainsaw is best for pruning and garden maintenance?
A smaller garden chainsaw with a shorter bar is usually the better bet. It is lighter, easier to control, and less tiring when you are trimming branches, clearing overgrowth, and working around shrubs and tight spaces. Bigger saws are useful, but they can be awkward for fine garden work.
Do electric chainsaws need chain oil and regular tensioning?
Yes, absolutely. Being electric does not change the chain and bar requirements. You still need chain oil for lubrication, and you still need to check tension regularly. Ignore either one and the saw will cut poorly, wear faster, and become less safe to use.
How long does a battery chainsaw run on a full charge?
It depends on the battery size, motor efficiency, and what timber you are cutting. Light pruning lasts far longer than repeated cuts through thick logs. In real use, one battery is fine for smaller jobs, but if you are cutting firewood or clearing a lot of branches, a spare pack is the sensible move.
What safety features should I look for when buying a chainsaw?
Look for a reliable chain brake, trigger lock off, proper hand guards, and a saw that feels balanced in use. Tool free tensioning can help with quick checks, but the basics matter more. Good control, clear visibility of the cut, and easy maintenance all help keep the saw safer on the job.
