I own this saw and agree with everything you said, but in its defense this saw is not meant to fell large trees, it is for limbing and felling small trees. Here is a direct quote from the owner's manual: "This saw was designed for occasional light duty use and has some limitations as to what it can do." This is after all an 18V saw. I find it to be a perfect complement to larger gas powered saw. In a perfect world I wish this was an 18V X 2 like the Makita, but it is what it is. Addendum: Here is another quote from the owner's manual: APPLICATIONS You may use this product for the following purposes: Limbing and pruning branches from trees Felling small trees Bucking the fallen tree into shorter lengths
I fully agree that we pushed this saw too far. I mention it later in the video that this is meant for limbing, but to learn the tool and how it reacts, we normally push tools beyond what they are meant for to see what they have. Do you think we went too far with this saw? Would you have rather just seen us use this on smaller items?
Not at all Brian I'm glad you did, but I was just point out that someone who might be interested in this saw that it is not a replacement for a higher voltage saw or a gas saw. You did a great job on the video as usual.
We will try to improve the message as to what the tool is meant for. Testing, Pushing the Limits and giving good feedback is not easy. We are working to continue to improve. Thank you for your comment. I will pin it for others to read.
Right tool for the right job. In looking at getting my first Chainsaw. I live in a rural city area and dont plan on building a cabin with this. But will clean up my property and be a good addition to my growing Ryobi brushleds collection.
EXACTLY!!! THIS GUYS IS ALWAYS TRYING TO COMPARE RYOBI TO PRO TOOLS!! WAKE UP RYOBI IS FOR LIGHT DUTY AT HOME DYI!!!! IT DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT IS MEANT TO DO!!!!🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Thank you for the video. I appreciate that you actually used the saw for a project. Electric saws with trigger interlocks don't need a chain break. Even on gas saws they really aren't for "walking around". Your PSAs about safety related to this saw are the same for any chainsaw. Its nice that you practiced your PSA and wore gear in the video. I'm off to buy a saw.
Thanks for the review. I do some light off-roading and I already carry my one-kit batteries for some other tools. I hoped this chainsaw would work to clear fallen trees or branches on the trail in emergencies without having to bring a big noisy gas unit. It looks like it’s a perfect fit.
@@chadjacobsen1 I can tell you my blade wore dull quicker then i expected, but it got the trail clear a few times when I needed it to. Of course operator error could be a factor.
I was curious about the capabilities of this before I bought it. Thanks for the great review. It looks like it will do everything I need a chainsaw to do. I'm going to get it. Thanks!
Ryobi had to know when they started making all their fairly newer "Brushless" tools line that have the extra 2 metal contact points built into all the brushless tools, if they they kinda "Future Proofed" them for the release of the new HP battery line? According to the website, the All New 2018 line of 18V ONE+ "HP" batteries (3, 4, 6 & 9Ah) are specifically designed much more for the brushless tools, but the larger 6 & 9Ah still gives much longer run times also to Non brushless tools. I Bought a 4-pack of 9Ah batteries & just....WOW! You get much more run time, but also the trade off with the battery size & weight depends on the job. The HP batteries have the matching metal contacts on the back of them to give more power when needed & lighten up when not needed to give a big boost in power & run times for all brushless tools. They do offer a very noticeable boost. So GLAD Ryobi upped their game in the battery department!! I know they are going to phase out the P102 1.3Ah, & the good ole P108 4Ah to the newer P192 HP 4Ah. I believe most may stick with the 4Ah as still the base model battery most will use. I guess it's all up to the person, tool & job at hand. However, this saw is still for light duty home use, but it could have knocked off a lot of time cutting that tree down big time with a HP battery.
Good little overlay on this one, have been bit curois about them for same reasons as you said, camping, preparing for hunting season etc where i wouldnt reallynwant to brake out gas power
I've dropped multiple trees, mostly madrone, with the OLD Ryobi battery saw. I love that saw for summer work...a lot safer in California's fire season, less likely to throw a spark, so what if it's a bit slower.
I'm debating this too. It might not be needed since it is a light duty electric chainsaw. Maybe the electric motor slows down and stops faster than a gas chainsaw.... but i dont want to find out after its gone an inch into my skull
Considering it's a battery powered saw, seems to do pretty well. Nope, not gonna get gas powered performance (duh) but will work for my around the house trimming and small tree removal, which is all I need anymore.
I Agree that a Chain Brake is an awesome feature. I Really love my Kobalt 80V Chainsaw, With a Chain Brake and not much more money, you can't beat it for a Cordless Chainsaw! =)
I'm sticking with gas. I chased a bunch of teenagers around my property after they got a flat tire and were looking for shelter from a rain storm. I was happy to reduce my carbon foot print, but the quiet motor just didn't quite have the menacing sound I need to really scare those kids before I murdered them. It took limbs off just fine, just not as scary as I'd like. Next year's Halloween I'll go back to gas. Keeping Ryobi for small projects though. Live and learn. Nice review.
You should try this with one of the Lithium+ HP batteries with the extra contracts for the brushless tools, not the old Lithium+ ones. You aren't getting full output power with that battery. Makes a huge difference.
The temptation is to take this up on the ladder and limb.......if you don't have experience, I would strongly discourage. Being it's a slow cutter.....it can get you into some trouble.
Seriously.....can't help but look at it and think "wow that could work up in a canopy" but....lol no, that is just asking for trouble I shouldn't even be watching these videos this chainsaw is rear-handled and for standing-on-ground usage only (and is a very weak saw for that use-case IMO! Makita's 2-battery 36V top-handled units, on the other hand.... :D ) Good video, subscribed/liked!!
I have this saw and I am having trouble tensioning the chain even after buying a new chain. Could someone post a video showing both sides of the chain tensioning device? I want to check if a screw is missing. TIA
Electric saws are a different animal than gas. I would recommend my little Stihl ms 170 or the next one up (ms 190?) before an electric chainsaw. - for beginners.
So, If you were brought up on gas saws, you would learn to put on the brake when walking through brush just in case you fall. Also, that brake kicks in if you experience kickback. Same applies to an electric saw. Even though you have a secondary safety, it can be easily depressed and an accidental firing of the saw could happen when walking. Every good electric saw has a chain brake!!!!!!
I was contemplating getting this chainsaw for trimming palm trees. Do you think this saw would be good those kind of trees, or do you think the 10" 18v would work, or do you think i would need a 40v. Any insight would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.
It's a great little chainsaw, tree pruning /re-pollarding, it's fairly light weight, great for taking up a small /medium tree and cutting a few narrow branches. Battery last well, Im considering getting a spare battery for longer jobs, had to get a new chain as old one was too far stretched, you can take links out to shorten and save money but im not sure how. I have a gas powered chainsaw but its so heavy and unreliable starting up, not ideal for tree climbing /pruning. Anyone have experience shortening the chain & how?
Have you tried this chainsaw with a 9Ah ? I'd be curious to see how much of an improvement is seen, and I'd be curious to know if it just shuts the machine down because the battery may be too much for it, causing the motor to overheat..
@@WorkshopAddict I noticed a huge difference between using the 1.3Ah vs using the 9Ah on my old (blue) recip, and also on my circular saw (blue) - even though they aren't brushless - so I can just imagine how much better this chainsaw might be with the 9Ah .. Thanks for responding.
@@BitsOfEternity mine locked up using a 9ah non stop had 2 bars left on battery...just slicing buscuits through 3 inch logs of pecan and mesquite so i can mix with charcoal.. sharpened chain and full of bar chain oil...no pressure either when cutting let it cut down on its own.
Price it yo the Milwaukee that is currently on sale. The Milwaukee is better, but this is a good saw. I also recently reviewed a ryobi 40 volt that rocked out well.
@@WorkshopAddict I gave in and bought this one.... I was gonna get the 40v but I'd hafta buy new batteries and charger, plus the tree I'll be cutting is a little smaller than the one you have in video
I was running this saw for about 2 hours at about a 30-50% duty cycle ru-vid.comUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and it did a great job. I used the lever for the built in sharpener to clear chip buildup out more than to actually sharpen the chain. It managed to cut some hardwood stumps much larger than it's size without bothering the neighbors with hours of 2 stroke noise.
I had this saw for 1.5 year and very happy with it. I am just a regular homeowner with a backyard full of small trees like the one you've cut down. This saw does the job well. I filed the chain and still using the original one and its still cutting well. overall I fully recommend buying and own this chainsaw. All my power tools are Ryobi and all operate with 18 volt battery and no need to worry about power problem.
I’m taking issue with you about the chain beak bro!!! Just watch it because my house is chain break bar free! No one is going to infringe on my no chain break bar rights!!!!
Wow, I'm impressed! That is a huge upgrade over the essentially useless previous version. That would be handy to clean up what has fallen after a storm.
I was one of the very skeptic and reluctant at first for Ryobi tools as a homeowner because of low voltage tools but after pool vacuum, trimmer and blower im sold and a fan now
I'm considering getting this one for occasional use. I've got a big gas powered unit for the big jobs, but seems like a little battery powered unit like this would be awfully handy if I just want to go snip up a couple small logs for a bonfire or take care of a fallen branch. I kinda hate to get my big gas unit all set up, and warmed up, only to use it for 10 min before putting it away again. Nice review!
I've got the Milwaukee hatchet. When I first used it, I was very upset. Now that I'm used to it (It requires two hands to activate and operate.) I bring it in the house and give it a bath every time I use it. It's like a baby.
It's a great saw but count on throw away replacement chains. The adjuster won't adjust out near enough to get the full use of the chain I don't feel like. It lasts a good bit but don't count on it for the only firewood saw if your using it for that. If it wasn't for that chain adjustment that keeps me from sharpening and using it more I wouldn't be afraid to use it for a firewood saw possibly. But it's definitely perfect for intermittent use when you have a tree to cut. It'll cut down a tree fine unlike the non brushless that won't even cut a branch. I have a nice 16" gas saw I haven't touched since owning it cause it's not worth cranking up and not that much better at cutting. Great to have around but if I wasn't into Ryobi I'd go around looking at other brands to see if I can find one that'll adjust enough to allow me to choose if I want to sharpen or not. Other than that the easy chain adjuster was awesome and stays adjusted great. Crazy how that one little thing makes such a big disappointment. But if you don't sharpen them yourself. I probably cut up a good 30 10" diameter trees with the chain I'd guess at least though.
I have had this saw for a whole year and I used it a lot. I use it on my small projects when I don't want to drag out my Husqvarna gas saw, which I use for big stuff. This little ryobi is great and really exceeded my expectations, I think ryobi hit it out of the park considering its only 18v and spins a 12" chain. My husqvarna sits a lot more than it used to now.
Same here. Most of my cleanup jobs do not require me to take out my larger gas Stihl chainsaw. It's just so easy to pop a battery in this 18v chainsaw and get to work.
This model is a really good saw but when I cut loose leaves and vines ( yes I shouldn't have) the chain jammed up really hard and I couldn't slacken off the chain tension; I eventually had to remove the small circlip holding on the drive sprocket, not easy; and worse putting it back, it sprung out into space and got lost. Couldn't getting a replacement in time and had to buy a second saw. Can workshop addict show how removing and replacing the sprocket drive circlip should be done?
I have the 40V saw and it is great. It is also designed to be a pruning saw and it does that well. It is just a little bigger than the 18V and the chain tension is set with an on-board tool. I love the electric powered saw. No fuel, no smoke, no recoil starter (less cussing), and not much noise. It does not have a chain brake but I carry it by the front handle so my hand is off the triggers.
Thanks for a balanced review of this saw. I've been using a 16" 40V brushless Greenworks for a few years now and find that it can replace my 16" Stihl for most purposes. But I'm looking for a smaller, lighter saw that I can confidently take into a larger tree for pruning a limb or two. This looks like a good choice, especially since I have 3 One+ tools already. I haven't found the Greenworks' chain brake to be anything but a nuisance, because the chain stops as soon as the trigger is released. It's a must on a saw that can idle though, that is, a gas saw.
Nice video mate ;) Just looking to see if people who have one reckon it's handy enough to take camping etc. as that'd be my main use for one, not chopping and lopping down trees! lol
I think brushless is better.. My Ryobi Model# P5452 motor quit after a year.. Took it apart, brush fell out. No replacement part from Ryobi, no warranty.
In comparison to the small Dewalt you reviewed (DEWALT DCCS620B 20V MAX XR Compact 12 in. Cordless Chainsaw) how would you compare the two? Which would you rather own as the reviewer of both?
great vid man thumbs up! a few questions though first does it have bucking spikes 2. does it auto oil? 3. are you sure it doesn't leak oil like all the others and lastly and most importantly, can I slap a quarter or dime nose on it for carving as that is all that I want it for and to occasionally limb stuff. I've got 2 4Ah batteries so I'm looking for one for sculpture and curious if its worth investing or do I go bigger like the ego + or greenworks?
Ryobi, fix your chain adjuster so that it'll move far enough to sharpen and use the chain for it's entire use. Other than that it's awesome and perfect for intermittent home use. Even all day thinning small trees from woods or clearing an ATV trail. But that chain adjuster stinks. Needs more travel. Please fix. I'd even buy the adjuster separate if you'd make one. I mean it could use slower speed with more torque and a full chisel chain. Probably be better than most pro grade gas with that. These people looking for the fastest chain thinking that cuts faster don't know what they're talking about. If we were all doing those stupid saw competitions with the trees on their sides already for us then maybe high chain speed works. Full chisel with slower speeds would produce a faster cut with more controllability and just way bigger chips. I can literally take a rope on a full chisel chain pulling it back and forth with my hand and cut a limb faster than those junk safety chains. By the way they need the safety cause they're turning too fast.
I'm thinking of getting one of these for cutting logs smaller for my wood stove and that's about it. I really don't feel comfortable using gas. My father has one and it's obnoxiously heavy and stinky.. I think it should be good for a small task like a wood stove.. ?
All I’m looking for is something to trim small branches and limbs shrubs and bushes mostly just the stuff that touches me when I cut grass, I have full size gas chainsaws at work so I use those for anything big, it sounds like this might work but maybe I should go to the 40v
FALSE - While some chaps are not as effective with AC Chainsaws because of the torque of the motor, Chaps are effective with Battery chainsaws because the motor will cutout under the load. Either way, you are 1,000 times safer with chaps than without, even with an electric (AC) chainsaw.
Ok thanks, Ryobi has the new 6 AH batteries, maybe a 14 inch bar and that larger battery would be an ok situation. Thank you for your answer. Great informative video.
I don't think you we're clear enough either. Still kind of fuzzy for me. And I've watched it twice. You said it did well but not specifically if you just used one battery and how many bars were left.
I don't see any point in buying into this kind of tool. As far as i'm concerned you'd be much better off investing in a descent reciprocating saw and putting a pruning blade on it. As far as electric chainsaws I feel that new Milwaukee fuel 16" is where it's at.
Was your ear protection necessary? Was it too loud for brushless motor as some brushless drills are? Or was your ear protection just good safety habit? Thx.