What are Normal Cordless 12 Inch Chainsaws?
Normal Cordless 12 inch chainsaws don’t have a brushless motor!
Of course, that fact does not condemn any of them to the rubbish heap. Many of them e.g.The Black & Dekker and the Worx models have been around for ages.
In today’s world, if you have a product that keeps on selling even if the technology is old, then it is both proven and capable.
This is true of these normal cordless 12 inch chainsaws featured below.
The differences between them are not huge. They are all based on the same basic design and have what is regarded as standard features.
These include:
- automatic oiler,
- chain brake,
- tool-less chain tensioning mechanism
- low kickback bar & chain
The (small) differences can be found mostly in the length and weight of the chainsaw as well as battery power/chain speed.
Some have been around longer than others which you might regard as a plus (or negative?)
There is also quite a wide price differential which might sway your choice in the end. You normally get what you pay for, value wise, but perhaps Brand name is also playing a role here?
You will need to decide.
They also almost always are part of a larger set of tools designed around the same battery. This is something you will need to take into account if you are looking to buy more than one cordless tool.
So here we go.
Litheli 12 inch Chainsaw
Vital statistics:
21 inches long (53cm)
Weighs 9,1 pounds (4,12kg)
Powered by a 40V 2Ah battery
The “feature” of this chainsaw is its chain speed which clocks in at 26ft/s (7,9m/s) which is not at all shabby for a cordless chainsaw. .
Despite that, the chain will come to a complete stop within 0.1 second of engaging the brake. That’s pretty impressive and an important safety feature.
Apart from those 2 features, the rest is pretty standard fare that you will find on all chainsaws this size.
Powersmart 12 inch Bar Chainsaw
17,9 inches long (45.5 cm)
Weight 8,4 pounds (3.8kg)
Powered by 20V 4aH battery
This Powersmart has a chain speed of 18.4 ft/s (5.6m/s) which is appreciably down on the Litheli. The brake speed however is 0.12 sec which is very comparable.
So overall a slightly smaller chainsaw physically than the one above with perhaps slightly less capabilities due to its slower chain speed.
Craftsman 12 Inch
Vital Statistics
27 inches long (68.6cm)
Weight 9.9 pounds (4.5kg)
Powered by 20V 4Ah battery
The Craftsman is a slightly larger and heavier chainsaw than the two above.
The chain speed of 25,3 ft/sec (7.7m/s) is closer to that of the Litheli
However, customer satisfaction ratings from confirmed buyers are much higher for this tool than the other two above which must give it the edge in overall desirability.
Black & Dekker 40V Max
Vital statistics
Length 28.5 inches (72.3 cm)
Weight: 9 pounds (4kg)
Powered by 40V battery system
Chain speed 16,6 ft/sec or 5m/s
This chainsaw has been around a long time and is still selling well so not much more to say about it other than….
Trusted and proven in the field.
Wesco 40V 12 inch Chainsaw
Vital statistics
Length: 29 inches
Weight: 9.47 pounds
Powered by 40V 4Ah battery system
Chain speed 20ft/sec (6m/s)
So really bang in the middle of the others in most respects although possibly slightly above the median price for this size chainsaw without a brushless motor.
Worx 40V 12 inch Chainsaw
Vital statistics
Length; 28,35 inches (72cm)
Weight: 9.92 pounds (4.5kg)
Powered by: 20V 2Ah battery system
Chain speed : 21ft/sec (6.4 m/s)
An interesting little fact is that the 40V comes about due to the tool using 2x20V batteries at the same time. The neat part of this is that the supplied charger will charge both the
So What Now?
All these chainsaws will do a job for you.
They are perhaps not as powerful as their 12 inch brushless motor counterparts, but most of them have solid track records that you can count on.
Do remember though that these chainsaws are designed for light work, not cutting down a forest.
Treat them as such and they wont disappoint you.
And if you would like to consider options, then have a a further look around ChainsawChoices.com