Earthwise CS30016 16-Inch 12 amp Electric Chain Saw
Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Earthwise 16-Inch corded chain saw. 12 amp motor and tool less chain tension. Automatic bar and chain oiling and motor. Has oil level window for convenience. Safety tip blade with plastic blade cover. With the same lime green customer touch points
Product Description
CS30016 Size: 16" Features: -Electric chain saw. -Rubber over molded handles. -Auto bar and chain oiling. -Safety tip blade. -Tool-less chain tension system. -Oil level window. -Electric brake stop. -Cord retention hook. -Available in 16'' and 14'' sizes.
Absolutely the most powerful electric 16 inch saw I have ever used. My McCulloch was great and my Remington was ok, but this item is FANTATISC! Excellent power (4.5 hp) to clear the back 40 and light enough to take up in a tree. Very quiet operation. The customer service was also outstanding from the manufacturer. This item is so new that they have not had a lot of feedback yet. The only thing I found as a slight negative was that nowhere in the user's manual or anywhere else do they tell you how many links to order for a replacement chain. They are correcting that with the new printing of the user's manual. When I do replace the chain, my local Oregon dealer will have the appropriate size. Once done, I will just mark the manual accordingly. The way this thing cuts it might be a while before I need a new chain though! This is a great product at a reasonable price!
This review is from: Earthwise CS30016 16-Inch 12 amp Electric Chain Saw (Lawn & Patio) Since I am a slight single mom- unused to power tools, I thought I would be getting into too much and tried for the "electric handsaw" now I am glad I sent the cheapy could not put together handsaw back and got this- the guys were all saying it would be too much for me-the kickback etc. Well I am thrilled, it cuts small trees like butter- used eye protection and gloves- it was awesome for only about $2.00 more all pre-assembled and ready to go. A powerful yet light enough for me chain saw!
This is my fifth electric chainsaw in thirty years so i had some idea what to expect. I also own a Stihl gas chainsaw and a little 18 volt battery model.
The saw was delivered within a reasonable time period and since it was a Warehouse Deal the price was great. Had I paid full price, I would feel somewhat disappointed. As it is, the saw, though described as used, came in new condition except for some extra tape on the previously opened box.
Some thoughts:
The Earthwise is lighter than my recently departed Remington electric and doesn't look or feel as rugged. I like the chain tightener mechanism on the Remington much better.
Though not as loud as my Stihl, this saw puts out some decibels, and for any sustained sawing I'd recommend some earplugs.
Cutting power - The saw cuts well though not nearly as easily as the Stihl. Small branches pose no problem. I also cut some fireplace size logs easily enough also and didn't have bits of wood chips shooting back at me. Just to test it, I cut off a piece of a 14 inch diameter pine stump. I made the cut without too much difficulty but it would have been easier without the safety tip on the end of the bar. The safety tip might make changing bar and chain a little more involved.
The plastic bar cover fits so snugly that most of the time I'll probably just leave it off.
The small oil tank cover removes easily and with its bright green color should be easy to find when waylaid. It's also convenient to be able to check oil level at a glance through the oil level window.
The owner's manual is printed in a ridiculously small font, so small that reading it can be a painful chore. As of this writing Earthwise doesn't have a web page yet, so any information you seek will have to come from the manual or by calling the company's toll free number found on the back of the manual. When I called, a human answered on the first ring and told me that the Earthwise web page is a work in progress.
The directions in the manual for tightening the chain are incorrect. From experience with other chainsaws I could figure out how the tool free tightener works. Just loosen the inner wheel and tighten with the outer wheel.
The handle is adequate, but I would prefer a wrap around handle like the ones on my Stihl and the Remington. Horizontal cutting is much more secure and comfortable with the wrap around handle.
Too many times the saw became unplugged at the saw end. I finally got in the habit of holding the cord and handle at the same time to prevent this.
The Earthwise delivers what one would expect from an electric saw. Despite being called "The Clean Air Choice", I don't think it's any greener than any other electric saw except for the fluorescent green plastic accents.
UPDATE - 10/2010 Used the saw today and the chain came off three times. Very annoying, but I did learn how to put the chain back on.
