Upgraded Mini Chainsaws (Part 2)
In upgraded mini chainsaws (part 1), we looked at the 6-inch bar mini chainsaw market segment which is the most popular segment. i.e. there are more 6-inch bar saws sold than any other size mini chainsaw.
That being the case, there are also more upgraded mini saws available in that segment.
This article however will look at the 4-inch bar mini chainsaw market segment.
As we saw in the first article, most upgrades refer to either safety features that have been added to the tool or bits and pieces of extra stuff have been added to the total package offered. So you might get a spare chain, or a pair of safety goggles and so on.
One of the reasons upgrades are limited in mini chainsaws is the limiting physical size of the tool. There is just not too much space to work with! And how much truer is that of a 4-inch bar saw as compared to a 6-inch saw!?
There are of course exceptions to every rule. The Omola 4 inch for example is a 4-inch bar mini chainsaw that basically has it all.
By that we mean it is already powered by a brushless electric motor (still a rarity in 4-inch bar mini chainsaws). It already has an automatic oiling system included. A safety baffle to stop wood chips and saw dust flying up into your face? Check. A safety lock switch to prevent you accidentally starting the saw and potentially injuring someone/yourself? Check.
So in this case, what is there to upgrade? Not anything really or not until someone totally re-invents the mini chainsaw design or concept.
Other Options
New Huing Store Mini Chainsaw
The main upgrade on this mini chainsaw is the more powerful electric motor now installed.
While this is good news, they have only really done half a job as
they have not gone the brushless motor route which would have been first prize.
Still, its a step in the right direction.
Also itemized as part of the upgrades are extra chains and an extra bar.
Have to wonder about the bar though……are they expecting it to bend, buckle or break??
In any event, some effort has gone into improving the chainsaw AND the total package so that is an indication that they are serious about this little tool satisfying buyers’ expectations
BNT
The BNT mini saw has, in fact, had a pretty comprehensive overhaul. Just about everything except the motor!
- Safety splash guard added
- New safety lock button to prevent accidental starting
- Safety guard around the trigger
- Upgraded battery capacity
- Safety gloves.
So all in all not a bad effort an an upgrade of the tool itself.
Interestingly they also put out a 6-inch bar version which has undergone exactly the same upgrades.
Sportout
This Sportout mini saw has several safety feature upgrades.
These are the splash guard and safety lock button that have been added to the original.
Interestingly, at the time of writing, they are still offering the non upgraded version as well.
The difference in price is minimal so the question is whether the upgrades are worth having (price aside).
The upgrade that looks good on paper but can actually cause more issues than it’s worth is the splash guard. They are a great idea and good safety feature. However, on a practical level, the baffle can sometimes be the weak point as they are sometimes flimsy and the point of attachment to the tool is small and not very robust.
So that is some food for thought.
JpowTech
Here is an example of where an upgrade is advertised but with no obvious specifics highlighted.
Reading between the lines the safety improvements are in two areas.
Firstly a lock button has been added to prevent the accidental starting of the tool.
The second portion are additions to the package are safety glasses, protective gloves, and ear plugs.
Other possible improvements are to the power of the electrical motor and upgraded batteries.
To upgrade…..or not
From the above, it could be argued that most chainsaw upgrades in the 4-inch segment have no real impact on the performance of the chainsaw.
The purpose of looking for an upgraded 4-inch bar mini chainsaw then becomes central to the search.
One of the attractions of the 4-inch sector is the price tag. By and large they are cheaper than their 6-ich or 8-inch counterparts.
As a tradeoff, their work capacity is restricted by the reduced power and size of the bar.
But if you only require a small capacity mini chainsaw for the odd job here and there, then it makes sense to get the best deal for your buck that you can.
In this scenario, a few more dollars could get you a more powerful motor and or an upgraded battery, added safety features and perhaps some gloves or safety glasses.
In most people’s books, that would be classified as a wise purchase!