With energy price mounting faster than November 5th rockets, it pays to heat your home using your own wood.
Many of you will have a few old branches and the odd fallen tree or may have access to wood from neighbours or friends and to cut them to the right lengths to burn you need a chainsaw.
So here are ten top chainsaws to do the job, from the simplest little electrically powered one to more solid machines for landowners and professionals.
The first is one on exclusive special offer, the Oleo-Mac OM2000E Electric Chainsaw – 40cm Guide Bar, ideal for cutting up small fallen branches and light pruning as well.
Powering it is a 1900 Watt electric motor; and smooth running is guaranteed as it has a 200 ml reservoir for lubricating chain oil.
The chain turns at 15 metres a second and it is fitted with anti-vibration devices to make it easier to use over longer periods.
There is a safety switch to stop accidental starting and a double chain braking system which stops the chain in an instant.
It comes with 10 metres of cable and a host of optional extras which you can buy at special prices when you order this chain saw.
It costs just £99.95, £80 less than the maker’s recommended retail price. Delivery is free the next working day and there is a three year warranty from the manufacturer.
Next is a battery-powered machine from a leading American manufacturer.
The Greenworks 24v Cordless 25cm Chainsaw (20097AT) is light and easy to use and has the benefit that there is no trailing cable to worry about.
Lithium-ion batteries give you 50 cuts on a single charge and will not lose their power when left unused for a few weeks – unlike conventional batteries.
It weighs just 3.6 kg and has automatic chain oiling to give a longer life. Chain tensioning, vital to keep it working efficiently, can be carried out by the turn of a dial – no rushing to the tool box for spanners and screwdrivers.
A hand guard at the front and a switch are useful safety features.
It costs £119.95 and that’s £80 off the maker’s recommended price. Delivery is free the next working day and there is a four year guarantee.
Now another one exclusive special offer with a free safety kit, useful for those using a petrol chain saw for the first time.
The Einhell BG-PC 1235 Petrol Chain Saw with Free Starter Kit is a really low-priced saw ideal for cutting up fire wood and felling smaller trees.
Power comes from a 37.2 cc engine which produces plenty of force, powering the chain along at 19 metres a second. It has been designed for fast and easy starting, even on a frosty morning.
The guide bar a chain are from world leaders Oregon and the bar has a sprocket nose to ease the chains travel around the guide bar and there is automatic chain lubrication.
A clutch stops the engine stalling should it encounter a tough task and there is a full anti-vibration system making it more comfortable to use over longer periods.
It has a claw grip to make it easier to hold the wood being cut.
The extras with this chain saw includes a safety helmet with visor and ear defenders, working gloves, fuel mixing bottle, spare chain and chain file and a handy carrying case.
It costs just £139.95, £120 off Einhell’s recommended retail price. Delivery is free the next working day and there is a two year warranty.
Now one from one of the country’s favourite garden machinery manufacturers.
The Mountfield MC438 Two-Stroke Petrol Chainsaw with a 35cm guide bar is ideal for sawing logs and branches and felling small trees.
The 37.2 engine starts easily with a fuel primer and east to adjust chain tensioning mechanism.
The 35 cm chain bar has a sprocket nose to improve performance and the lubrication system can be adjusted according to the job in hand, an unusual feature for a chain saw in this price bracket.
The safety chain brake works either by inertia or by hand.
It has a one year manufacturer’s guarantee and free next working day delivery.
A host of optional extras can be bought when ordering this machine including helmet with visor and ear muffs and special chainsaw working gloves.
It costs £149, has a two year manuafcturer’s warranty and free next working day delivery.
Now yet another on exclusive special offer with a free start pack including essential safety gear.
The Oleo-Mac GS-350 Pro Petrol Chainsaw is ideal for cutting logs and felling smaller trees and has a 38.9 cc engine driving the chain around the 14 in chain bar.
And it has a three year manufacturer’s guarantee, unusual for a chain saw.
A very handy feature on this one are the instructions printed on the body of the machine. And the on-off switch and choke are all on one lever.
Transparent chain oil and fuel tanks make it simple to keep an eye on the levels – the chain oil tank has capacity of .26 of a litre.
There is an extensive vibration damping system and the carburettor has four ani-vibration mounts.
This chain saw is really well balanced and weighs only 4.4 kg.
The free package includes chainsaw gloves, safety helmet with ear muffs and visor, chain and engine oil and a mixing bottle.
Other extras can also be bought at special prices, like a basic saw horse for £19.95.
It costs £179.95 compared with the maker’s recommended retail price of £289.95. Delivery is free the next working day and don’t forget the three year guarantee.
Now a machine with a longer guide bar for tackling bigger sawing jobs.
The Mitox 5020 Petrol Chainsaw has a 49.3 cc engine which is fitted with a decompression valve to make starting much easier.
There is an aluminium crankcase to enable long periods of use at maximum or near maximum revs.
The air intake system stops particle even getting to the air filter, a feature which prolongs the life of the saw.
Chain lubrication can be adjusted according to the tough ness of wood being cut and it has a safety brake which is activated either by the user or automatically should there be a kick-back.
It costs £199, has two year manufacturer’s warranty and is delivered free the next working day.
Now one from a brand often the choice of the professionals, the STIHL MS181 Petrol Chainsaw with a 30cm guide bar.
This has an excellent anti-vibration system and a master lever control, a lateral chain tensioner and is easy to start.
The 31.8 cc engine gives plenty of power making it suitable for tree felling and as well as log cutting and has Stihl’s easy start system.
The maker’s recommended retail price is £265 but we have it for just £249.
Now another machine ideal for larger felling tasks and used by amateurs and professionals alike.
The Tanaka TCS3301S Petrol Chainsaw with a 30cm guide bar has a five year warranty for domestic use and is a very solid reliable machine.
It has a 33 cc engine giving 1.6 hp and has a chrome-plated cylinder and forged steel connecting rod to give long hours on intensive use.
It has a special feature making it easier to start and weighs just 3.4 kg. An adjustable chain oil system and inertia chain brake are also included.
It costs £279 compared with the maker’s recommended retail price of £359 and is delivered free within three to five working days.
And there is a five year warranty for domestic use.
Now a really heavy-duty machine made with the keen amateur or profession in mind.
The Husqvarna 435 Petrol Chainsaw with a 38cm guide bar is very light in weight and has an air injection system which reduces the need to clean the air filter so often.
It has an extensive anti-vibration system making longer periods of use less tiring and the 40.9 cc engine has been designed to use less fuel.
For an extra £30 you can purchase a similar model which includes a starting system which reduces the effort used to fire up the saw by 40 per cent and haslets you adjust chain tension without using tools.
This is delivered free within two to three working days and has a one year warranty.
It costs £299 compared with the maker’s recommended retail price of £349.99.
The upgraded version costs an extra £35.
And finally one designed with the professional in mind.
The Efco MT6500 Professional Petrol Chainsaw has a 63.4 cc engine giving 4.7 hp and is fitted with an on-off switch and choke all on one lever.
There is also a decompression valve to make it far easier to start.
The engine is built for a challenging life but also has a high-spec anti-vibration system to make it more comfortable to use over longer periods.
The clutch has a drum and brake belt as an extra feature on this top machine.
An extra large air filter and automatic chain oiler also contribute to a long life.
It is for sale for £499, over £80 less than the maker’s recommended retail price.
It is delivered free the next working day and has a three year manufacturer’s warranty.
See these pages for a huge selection of chain saws, and remember you can always ring our team on 020 3026 8712 if you want more advice.
