After purchasing a Milwaukee brand saw I could not find an appropriate size file in the four different stores that sold the saw in my area. Finally, after dulling the chain that came with the saw, I purchased another chain. Also, recently purchased a prepaid card. I’ll be looking on Amazon for a file kit.
Echo seems to be a popular brand for chainsaws. I believe Ace sells them. How do you like yours?
I love mine as it is nicely balanced and has enough power to handle everything I have attempted so far up to 10 inch diameter. Haven’t tried anything larger. Mostly cutting small trees that grow up along the edge of fields that are maybe 2 inches diameter. I like that it is not idling or having to restart it as I move the brush out of the way.
Battery life exceeds my arms getting tired. Recharges in 45 minutes. Model 58V. This will be 3rd winter I have had it.
I’ve noticed that it really drains the battery quickly to saw thru a 20" or so larger size diameter log.
Been intending on purchasing the 6 amp Forge battery that Milwaukee has recently put on the market. Supposedly the same power as the 12 amp but much lighter weight. Always was the intent on having two batteries.
Have stacked about 6 chords of firewood. Need a log splitter. Having gone thru the torture of deciding on which chainsaw and prepaid card to purchase, I don’t look forward to the torture of deciding which log splitter to purchase. Research, research and more research! 
The Milwaukee saw is a 3/8 low profile chain, I recommend the Stihl 2-1 as that files the racker and the tooth.
I was not aware that any of the Stihl chains would fit the Milwaukee saw. Probably could get by with using a Stihl file but uncertain. Oregon manufactures most of the chains but don’t know about Stihl. Milwaukee lists the R56 chain. Never have found a replacement bar.
Sorry, should have added more context, that’s the sharpener I use, Stihl 2-1. I haven’t had to replace the chain yet as I prefer gas over battery.
Edit: found the chain https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000H2W40U/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bar product # is:48-09-3001
Well, seems that I was confused.
Except for the noise I prefer gas over anything electric too. In my experience companies can discontinue batteries and then I’m left with tools that are nothing more than heavy paper weights. If corded it can be harmful to an electric motor to repeatedly stall out under load. I burned out the motor on a bandsaw while ripping Osage. However, can’t argue with the convenience of a battery powered chainsaw.
It’s strange to me that it seems that everybody is manufacturing chainsaws, and it seems everybody is manufacturing log splitters, but nobody is manufacturing both chainsaws and log splitters.
That’s why I got Milwaukee, they are a big brand for trades including myself and the company I worked for, if they tried something different with their 18v system people would go nuts. I don’t see how battery can ever replace pro saws, my 50cc husky cuts circles around the Milwaukee.
If Milwaukee ever did something different with their 18v system you would think that they would do similar as Dewalt did when they introduced their 60v system in making it compatible with the 20v stuff. The word is “Flexvolt”. I think I’m right on this.
I’d assume they’d have to but Milwaukee already does have a higher voltage system in place under the Mx line at 72v, they are not compatible.
Did not know that Milwaukee had a 72v battery. Can’t say that I know much about batteries, but I do know that battery technology is constantly being upgraded. I think that as for lithium-ion battery and Li-ion battery, they are the same thing with different names.
I’ve never seen commercial arborists using chaps, so it obviously isn’t required safety equipment for professionals. Kickback in modern chain saws seems to be much less common than with older designs and ones designed for homeowners are especially resistant, at least with Stihl models, partially because of the chains themselves.
The best method to prevent injury is to always try to stand aside the saw so if it suddenly pitches backwards you won’t be there. Always test your footing before beginning a cut. I have a pair of chaps I never used but after cutting firewood for 30 years that keeps a fire going constantly for over 6 months of the year, I’ve never had a saw kick back. Where I’ve almost been hurt is when cutting wood with tension that springs back unpredictably. Only luck has prevented serious injury there.
The most common way people get hurt with power equipment is with a moment of inattention.
Thanks for reminding me that I still have not purchased chaps. Maybe just seeing the high cost of the Stihl chaps keeps me from purchasing. Maybe the myth that using battery power saws negates the usefulness. Whatever the reason is I need to get over it.
Recently I viewed a video where the guy was purposely creating kickback. He commented on how important it was to keep both hands firmly on the saw.
Also seeing a guy getting knocked off a ladder while chain sawing a limb convinced me to never try that. Ouch.
Yes, I have a small Stihl and never noticed kickback. I have several battery powered outdoor tools now but the Stihl gasoline powered chainsaw is so reliable, easy to use and fast cutting with very high rpm that I doubt if I would switch. Electric would have to be much cheaper with two batteries before I switched.
Overall, it is probably better to run any gas powered equipment you have until it dies and then consider replacing it with electric.
I always saw with full ppe, even bucking, I don’t care how goofy I look.
My biggest gripe with electric is at max as far as I know you’re limited to 20” bar, that’s too small for bucking as for saw ergonomics you should be standing and cutting with your tip, I’m pretty tall so for me that’s a 32” bar, for average people that’s around 28” bar. I also stalled my battery saw every time I tried a plunge cut on small diameter heavy leaning trees. My 50cc plunges no problem. I just don’t see a future where gas 2 stroke appliances can be replaced by electric yet. My battery saw is good for quick storm use so me or my wife can clear the driveway, I did just buy the m18 hatchet so I’ll test that out this spring looks like it will be fun and easy for pruning trails instead of my 14” husky.
Ive not tried it but Dewalt has a 60v chainsaw they claim is ~ equivalent to a 50cc gas saw. Im not sure what kind of runtime you get off of it, but it comes with a 12 amp hr battery.
I bought their little 8” pruning saw, which is really handy. I still much favor a sharp pullsaw for crucial cuts, but it’s amazing how much productivity it adds to a day. It’s comfortable for one handed use, feeling a bit like a sawzall in use.
I see now that they make a proper top handle saw- which they rate as equivalent to a 35 cc gas saw. Kinda spendy, but probably a good bet if youre pruning im a serious way or for work.
I thought so too, until I discovered the conversion setups. I have one of these headed my way to hopefully revive the old dewalt grease guns, circular saw, and whatever else my boss was going to throw away years ago. One of the grease guns is literally brand new and then we switched to Milwaukee.
There are definitely limits to what they are able to do. With the new Forge batteries, I’m curious if the available power output will enable their chainsaw to use a longer blade, or if they’re going to come out with a new model.
I saw these at the rental store by me and asked about them. The guy at the counter said they had sat there forever, nobody buys them because of the M18 lineup.
I recommend looking for a carbide chain on ebay and Amazon. I think ours was around $55 at work and I haven’t done anything to it. I’m honestly not sure if you can sharpen it.
My old coworkers dad was a commercial arborist, and he taught his son to absolutely wear ear protection, a helmet, and chaps every single time he operated a saw. I can’t imagine the insurance companies for those commercial arborists would continue offering their services knowing industry standard safety practices were not being adhered to. That’s like me not wearing a seat belt operating equipment (Seat belts EVERY TIME, ALL THE TIME). Maybe those commercial guys didn’t have insurance…
I do agree with your explanation on standing to the side, but sometimes weird things happen and that’s when you are happy to not cut into your leg or to have a slice in your hard hat instead of your forehead. Trees might be rotted and you don’t know it, or they might give and pop towards you in a way you weren’t expecting. I’ve seen some things and it’s not even my primary job.
My favorite is hitting a nail. Folks, don’t hammer nails into trees you ever plan to chainsaw.
