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#Post#: 50509--------------------------------------------------
Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Philbert Date: December 11, 2014, 12:34 pm
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Oregon released it's 40 Volt, battery powered chainsaw (CS250) a
few years ago, equipped with their PowerSharp chain and a built
in chain sharpener. A month or so ago, they released a corded
electric chainsaw (CS1500), also equipped with the PowerSharp
chain and a built in sharpener. I like electric chainsaws, and
have been happy with their battery saw, so I got one and will
post some comments here on CR as I try it out.
Background: electric chainsaws are not for everyone or every
situation. They have advantages and disadvantages compared to
gas chainsaws and battery chainsaws. That discussion belongs
elsewhere. It is fair to compare this saw against other
electric chainsaws. I have a few. Like gas saws, electric saws
come in a range of price points and quality; from as low as $40
on sale at discount stores, to more than $500 for certain orange
and white models made in Germany. Again, like gas saws, the
size and quality of the saw needs to be matched to the users and
the tasks.
Vital Statistics:
- 15 amps, 120 volts, double insulated;
- 18 inch bar (A041 mount);
- 3/8 low profile, .050 gauge, PowerSharp chain (but can be
equipped with any standard 3/8 low profile chain with the
sharpening stone removed);
- built-in chain sharpener (PowerSharp only);
- 48.1 fps chain speed (Instruction Manual - differs from
website);
- 12.6 pounds with bar and chain (checked);
- tool-less chain tension;
- chain brake;
- $130 - $140 on-line pricing.
Overall, the saw has a solid, quality feel. Large handles, with
rubber or textured grips. Easy to access bar oil fill cap with
visible oil level indicator. Pretty clean under the clutch
cover for easy cleaning. I am not a big fan of tool-less chain
tensioners, but this one felt pretty easy to adjust with bare,
clean hands (gloves and oil may change things). I hope to put
it in some wood in the next few days, side-by-side with some
other electric saws.
More information from Oregon:
HTML http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/corded/CS1500.htm
Philbert
#Post#: 50512--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Chainsawrepair Date: December 11, 2014, 1:06 pm
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Thanks for sharing this info.
Have you heard anything on their top handle battery saw? The
rep a memeber here told me one was in the works when they sent
me that other one to test out 2011 or so.
#Post#: 50513--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Philbert Date: December 11, 2014, 1:23 pm
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They had a press release on a new battery saw (CS300), due out
in Spring 2015. This will use a more efficient, brushless motor
for increased power and longer battery life, and come with a
slightly longer (16") bar. Brushless motors are what the high
end battery tools all seem to be heading to.
But I believe that it will still be a rear handled chainsaw. I
have not seen/heard anything officially or unofficially on a top
handle saw. It would make sense for them to look at developing
one, but it may not fit into a marketing strategy geared more to
high end consumers than pro arborists? I don't always
understand the business case these companies make - I just like
to play with the toys!
Philbert
#Post#: 50526--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: 660magnum Date: December 11, 2014, 4:39 pm
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Electric model airplane motors started going brushless some 17
years ago. The change over was slow at first because of the much
greater cost. But along came the Chinese with their copies and
cheaper LiPo batteries and chargers and away they went.
The electric model car, boat, and plane world is almost
completely brushless now. Some electric brushless motors make
more power than a 150cc twin engine. This is a hint into the
future? We may see large brushless DC chainsaws with Lithium
batteries in the future?
I consider the big electric model airplanes to be more dangerous
than the gasoline ones. The reason being is that they can start
full tilt instantly without warning. The electric motors for
their size have more instantaneous torque than a gasoline
engine. LiPo batteries are well known to burst into a vigorous
flame when being charged improperly. The LiPo battery maintains
its charge while setting around unused. It you draw the voltage
down too low, the LiPo battery will puff and swell up. They are
then no longer any good.
#Post#: 50573--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Philbert Date: December 12, 2014, 7:43 pm
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Cut Some Cookies Today
As mentioned, I like electric chainsaws (photos 1,2). I brought
the electron group out to breathe and to compare size, design,
features, etc. The Remington (8 amp) is a very lightweight,
light duty unit sold as part of a pole saw. The Sears (12 amp)
is almost 25 years old and NLA. So I only compared cutting with
3, more current models: the Oregon CS1500 (15 amps), a Makita
UC4000 (13 amps), and the Oregon CS250 (40 volt). Each of these
has a PowerSharp (3/8 low profile, .050, reduced kickback)
chain. I should point out that the Sears originally came
equipped with an older version of PowerSharp (a.k.a. 'Barracuda
Chain'), and the Makita has been replaced by a newer model
(UC4030, 15 amps).
Subjective and informal, totally qualitative testing was done in
my secret test facility, hidden in a residential neighborhood,
which is fiercely guarded (photo 3). Temps were 38°F. I used
Husqvarna winter weight bar oil. Wood was 4 to 8 inch diameter
birch, cut maybe 6 weeks ago, and 7 inch diameter pine, cut
maybe 8 months ago, scrounged from neighbors. Due to recent
temperatures, this wood may have still been frozen when cut. You
can see my patent pending log mount/test fixture, cleverly
camouflaged as a picnic table (photo 4, 5).
I used a 50', 12/3 extension cord, on a 15 amp GFCI protected
circuit, to be sure that the saws had plenty of power, and
because I was standing in slushy snow. All of the corded tools
are double insulated.
Philbert
#Post#: 50579--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Philbert Date: December 12, 2014, 8:19 pm
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The difference in power and chain speed between the 40 volt
battery saw, and the corded electrics was immediately apparent.
While the CS250 was able to cut all of the wood, and certainly
offers some convenience being untethered by a cord, it was
clearly in another class of saw. The CS1500 (15 amps, 18" bar)
and Makita (13 amps, 16" bar) were very competitive. Handle
spacing was almost identical, except that the Oregon has an
angled front/top handle, like Husqvarna saws. Actual difference
in bar length was only 1".
Performance between these 2 saws was also comparable. I did not
do timed tests. The Makita is maybe 10 years old (a HD rental
rescue) with a used PowerSharp chain. The Oregon is fresh out
of the box, with a brand new PowerSharp chain. So, again, it
was not a controlled test.
PowerSharp cuts fairly aggressively, when sharpened (photo 1).
Cuts with all 3 saws were very smooth (photo 2). The PowerSharp
chain also noodles well (photo 3)!
There are some objective differences between the corded saws.
The Oregon has a side-winder style motor, and the Makita is an
in-line design. This could affect balance in some situations,
and the ability to work in tight spaces (e.g. thick hedges), but
was not an issue for this type of cutting. The Oregon corded
saw also has an electric brake: when you release the trigger,
the chain stops immediately. The chain on this Makita coasts,
which could be a safety issue. All 3 saws are equipped with a
conventional, lever operated chain brake, similar to those on
gas powered chainsaws.
The CS1500 has a surprisingly strong air stream that blows out
of the bottom. I could not figure out where this was coming
from at first, but ended up using it to blow off chips. It also
has very large spacing around handles, so that someone with
large hands and gloves can easily fit them in there, although, I
did not have any trouble grasping either handle with smaller
hands.
I am not a big fan of tool-less chain tensioners. This one was
easier to use than several of the others I have tried: a large
knob in the center replaces the bar nut, and the large ring on
the outside adjusts tension. I still feel that I can do this
more accurately with a screwdriver, and the additional hardware
under the cover makes the chain slightly harder to mount. But
this feature is pretty common for a consumer product to remain
competitive today.
Bottom line? I was very impressed with my once-over and this
very limited test. The CS1500 is almost half the price of the
Makita (street prices), and cut competitively. A more
objective, quantitative, laboratory test might be to compare it
side-by-side with the current (15 amp) Makita model, and with
the similarly priced, WORX 15 amp, 18" saw. But I would feel
very comfortable recommending this to a friend. Equipped with
the PowerSharp chain, and the built-in sharpener, this is a
good, low maintenance cutting choice, for use in the city, or
anywhere near an outlet.
Philbert
#Post#: 50580--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: 660magnum Date: December 12, 2014, 8:30 pm
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Good report +1
#Post#: 50582--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Chainsawrepair Date: December 12, 2014, 8:50 pm
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Nice write up and pics.
One thing that caught my eye was the diferent shape of the
makita. Does that make for better handling aka feel etc in the
hands?
#Post#: 50598--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: RoyM Date: December 12, 2014, 10:27 pm
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I have been told we are not bringing it in for the foreseeable
future. We have to place a large order, the marketing guys don't
see a big enough market to justify it. We are working on the
cordless market, throwing in a free saw with each log splitter
purchase.
#Post#: 50606--------------------------------------------------
Re: Oregon Corded Electric Chainsaw CS1500
By: Philbert Date: December 13, 2014, 12:07 am
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[quote author=Cut4fun_ link=topic=4407.msg50582#msg50582
date=1418439019]One thing that caught my eye was the diferent
shape of the makita. Does that make for better handling aka feel
etc in the hands?[/quote]
I really like the Makita. I saw that HD was renting them, and
figured that they had to hold up. The slim, in-line design is
really nice for working in some thick hedges I have, and is well
balanced. I thought that I would have noticed more of a
difference in balance between the two saws, but did not in this
application.
[quote author=RoyM link=topic=4407.msg50598#msg50598
date=1418444830] I have been told we are not bringing it in for
the foreseeable future. . . the marketing guys don't see a big
enough market to justify it. [/quote] Electric saws have gotten
a bad rap from the cheap ones sold at home centers. A lot of
people are also afraid that they will cut the cord, even though
they don't do this with electric circular saws, reciprocating
saws, etc.
This saw has a lot more power than the battery saws, and sells
for much less, due to the cost of the batteries. Positioned
in-between the cheap electrics, and the more expensive STIHL,
Husqvarna, and Makita models, we will probably see it sell well
in more upscale home centers/hardware stores, on Amazon.com,
etc.
Philbert
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