Battery-powered saw

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Battery-powered saw - how good?

geekIT

2474 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3799

#275787 9-Sep-2020 13:48

I want to cut up some wooden pallets for firewood and may not have a 240V power source for my 150mm and 200mm skilsaws.

How good are battery saws? Rotating blade type, that is, not chainsaws. I'm thinking 150mm models, rather than 200mm.

As far as work required, I reckon the cuts involved in one typical pallet would number about 50, with each cut about 100mm in length. So, 5 meters total distance, through boards from 20mm to 25mm thick, for each pallet.

(Note, that's just the pallet planks - the rails are usually 75mm x 50mm or 100mm x 50, but I'll cut them with a regular gas-powered chainsaw)

Any suggestions?

Trump crowned? No faux King way!

1 | 2 | 3

13735 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6216

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2561026 9-Sep-2020 14:02

they are find for that type of stuff

are you ingrained into any of the big brands batteries for other tools? if so just grab one of their skins.

also the bigger the battery the longer it will last and the more power you will have.

tchart

2397 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 579

ID Verified

Trusted

#2561052 9-Sep-2020 14:21

For pallets I'd probably get a reciprocating saw rather than a rotating blade since you dont care about tidiness. The battery would probably last longer too (my 18V circular saw struggles with longer cuts)

kotuku4

485 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 137

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2561147 9-Sep-2020 15:30

I have ryobi 18v circular saw and it is great, only 52mm depth of cut. Used it on a decking project, mostly pine. I did need another 5ah battery to really keep working, while the other charged.

The newer brushless version has 60mm depth of cut, would be better.

wellygary

8813 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5297

#2561174 9-Sep-2020 15:48

If the wood is dry then battery power will probably be fine...

if they are damp then all bets are off...

CokemonZ

1106 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 313

#2561201 9-Sep-2020 16:38

tchart:

For pallets I'd probably get a reciprocating saw rather than a rotating blade since you dont care about tidiness. The battery would probably last longer too (my 18V circular saw struggles with longer cuts)

Yeah, I have both (ryobi 18v one+ brushed models) I reckon for the job your describing the reciprocating saw sounds like a better fit unless you need precision cuts.

There was another comment about wet wood - yeah, skillsaw sucks through wet wood.

Mehrts

1112 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 984

Trusted

#2561221 9-Sep-2020 17:47

Hope the pallets aren't made from treated timber!

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1100
Inactive user

#2561288 9-Sep-2020 18:42

My Dewaly cuts through anything, wet/dry/hard/soft. It’s less about the battery these days, and more about the blade for the job. I’m no expert though.

hsvhel

1273 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 596

ID Verified

#2561295 9-Sep-2020 19:07

I use a Bosch blue series cordless, goes through much of what i need it to do day to day at work. And i treat it mean. if its something to be used over the years repeatedly, would look at something along these lines, great warranty too

Referral Link Quic

Free Setup use R502152EQH6OK on check out

mdf

3566 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1519

Trusted

#2561305 9-Sep-2020 19:59

I have a battery brushless AEG. I do love it; *super* handy, especially for one off cuts or something quick that you can't be bothered setting up for.

That said...

If I was doing 50+ cuts, I would absolutely set up with a bigger mains powered saw. I have a feeling you will go through the juice pretty quickly. One battery certainly won't cut it. But if it isn't an option to get mains power to the site or the pallets to the mains, I'm not sure what other choices you would have. And it is certainly a plausible reason to get a new tool...

In other observations:

Most reviewers claim better battery life with brushless options. I haven't compared directly myself though.

I've found you do need to cut a bit slower with battery versus mains but once you get the feel for it cutting is good.

Having to change batteries halfway through a cut is a bit of a pain.

pih

667 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 359

Lifetime subscriber

#2561309 9-Sep-2020 20:11

Mehrts:
Hope the pallets aren't made from treated timber!

Yeah, just check that they are stamped with IPPC markings showing the "HT" for heat treated and it should be good to burn, (so long as you're not trying to burn fibreboard packers they sometimes use):

https://www.google.com/search?q=ippc+ht+stamp

neb

11294 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2561371 9-Sep-2020 21:13

tchart:
For pallets I'd probably get a reciprocating saw rather than a rotating blade since you dont care about tidiness.

And don't think of it as a reciprocating saw, think of it as a demolition saw. That's basically what they're used for.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

Froglotion

208 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 78

#2561418 9-Sep-2020 23:12

Just cut the whole lot with the chainsaw? Setting yourself up with a battery circular saw kit won't be cheap for a good one. So unless this is going to be a frequent job i'd just chainsaw. Otherwise, most brands will do the job, add the biggest battery (within reason) to make the job quicker. I have a 12v Milwaukee circ saw that I throw a 6aH battery on and it will cut that sort of thing no worries. A bigger 18v saw will cut the rails too if wanted.

geekIT

2474 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3799

#2561686 10-Sep-2020 13:11

Thanks, guys. Lots of options :-)

One might be to buy a generator, instead of a saw. Anyone know what size generator I'd need for a 165mm skilly?

Trump crowned? No faux King way!

kotuku4

485 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 137

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2561695 10-Sep-2020 13:26

Any way of getting the pellets near a power source to cut up with your existing saws?

Battery circular saws have narrow blades to cut efficiently, not as robust. I do have a small Ryobi brushless chainsaw 18V that cuts ok.

Do you have any existing battery tools, that you could add a saw?

geekIT

2474 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3799

#2561810 10-Sep-2020 16:14

I have an old B&D cordless drill but the battery doesn't match the newer gear, plus I've a couple of Einhell cordless drills with their own batteries.

No, I'm thinking a generator might be more practical. In which case, as well as my 150mm Einhell saw, I could take along my 185mm Makita to cut the rails.

The Mak draws 1400w, and maybe twice that on startup, so I guess a cheap 1200w generator might not be adequate.

Anyone know what size generator I'd need?

Trump crowned? No faux King way!

1 | 2 | 3