Stihl gta 26 vs Milwaukee Hatchet M12! Side by side comparison for you to go out and make an educated decision on what tool is right for you. We cover all aspects of each tool. Short and sweet....Milwaukee wins...haha -Ditch The Itch
Awesome video man. Looking to get a hatchet soon! Also heard you on Brian’s podcast while battling a poison ivy rash. Get it 2-4x a year and I know what it looks like! 😂
Ditch The Itch I believe like you said in the podcast I got the oil on my trimmer at one yard then restrung it at another yard. Then all down hill from there.
Glad I watched this. I am 70 year old woman, and was thinking about the Stihl-GTA26, but as you can imagine- I can't get the dealership sales guy to give me the time of day. YOU told me what I needed to know. I have fruit trees and grapevines out of control, and I believe the Milwaukee M12Hatchet will save me a lot of frustration. Thank you so very much. Well done video.
When you have multiple batteries that can run multiple products what I do I take a silver sharpie because most the time the batteries are black and I write say the number 1 around the battery the number 2 on the other battery etc etc….. so that I don’t have them all sitting there and thinking did I charge this one or this one used
I have the Stihl and love it. I manage to get a long time out of my battery. I did notice that if you spend a long time on one piece of wood it will wear it down faster, but I expected that. I use it for when it’s too big for my hand loppers but not big enough for the gas chainsaw. We’ve cut a lot of trails using it. The safety guard is good to keep you from accidentally cutting the wrong branch and for people like me who are accident prone. 🤣 I also have the hedge trimmers you showed and I love them too. Great video!
I love my GTA 26! It has been a time saver for me by not having to get out the bigger saws to trim the littler stuff. Also great to carry in your backpack while out hiking.
Was looking at the Stihl but I saw that Milwaukee had a "similar procduct, i.e., a bsmall battery operated chainsaw. This would be perfect for cleaning up sprouts and brush around trees and light trimming. I like it for the fact that I don't have to play with a pull cord or gas. Another big plus is I wouldn't have to bring out the big guns, if you will for general lighter cleanup. Thanks for the great side by side analysis.
Get the Milwaukee, self oiler, and 6.0 battery with the bigger blade is a win win combo! Just wish the lock button was a tad easier to push and go to cut. Only complaint. Blows the stihl away cut for cut
@@kwmiked That's exactly what we're going to do. For the Stihl, I was looking at the reviews and the biggest complaint is difficulty in getting additional batteries. Stihl products are very popular in our rural area, and people speak highly of them. But they dropped the ball on the battery issue. We have a ton of small brush that needs cleaning and lugging the big gas powered around will tire me out rather quickly. Easier to change a battery, than play with a gas can. Plus, it's a great size for the small stuff.
@@Shastasays batteries are no problem now, place i went to had atleast 10 of them, just expensive for a little battery. They should have bigger sizes to choose from by now tho, like a 4.0 or 6.0 option like Milwaukee
Love the video thank you was about to buy the still,disappointed with its battery life but over here in Spain the Milwaukee is more than twice the price 440 euros 😟
Just getting the Milwaukee in the UK, it is expensive at £360. However it comes with a carry case & 2 +6 omh batteries. Not sure whether to buy one now or wait a year for the inevitable 18V version?
Buy whatever fits your budget. Who knows if they actually will make a m18 version, considering, they have a chainsaw for the m18 line. I personally love the hatchet and would recommend it to anyone, especially if you are debating buying the Stihl.
@@austindouglas13 looked at the Stihl but don't think it's up to the job for my needs! The Milwaukee looks far more robust but the price is a bit steep here! £360 here is like $450!!
Great review. Want to get one of these saws for my mother for her birthday. I work in the tree service industry and love Stihl commercial chainsaw but I'm not a big fan of how the company is stingy when it comes to selling parts to the public except through dealers unlike Husqvarna and other brands. Definitely going to go with the Milwaukee especially because of the crossover with the batteries. Makes it a no brainer.
@@austindouglas13 lol I rigged mine up, I took a small screw and screwed it in the small open space between the side of the button and the housing part of the handle. As I screwed it in it pushed the button in and held it in place works like a charm let me tell ya It was so nice not having to hold that down lol.
@@austindouglas13 of course it does but what about the weigh it adds? Just looking at both and I can tell if I am up a ladder I'll much prefer the STIHL, absolutely no debate on that. Horses for courses, they just don't operate in the same league.
like your review what about weight difference and chain sharpening r they a one and done chain use it seems to me the stihl is better suited 4 the homeowner with very little pruning from time to time enjoyed your video
@@austindouglas13 Just a thought from someone watching your review to learn about the tools, you really need to try the tools out before you comment on them otherwise there's little basis to your thoughts. And we are visual creatures, a vid of it in action speaks a thousand words. Ramblings have little value I'm sorry. Appreciate you put a lot of work into it and thanks. If you can do a side by side physical test that would be awesome. No worries if not.
Thank you!! I am woman (Ha) searching for a lightweight, portable trimmer. Just watched a very good, and honest video on the Stihl and you, not only reaffirmed that video, but you gave me very valuable info for the Milwaukee M12.. Keep on keeping on. Thank God for You Tube, so I have someplace else to go to for HONEST reviews, not just the ones that are promoted on the sellers websites. I am going to go out to the Milwaukee website. Again, THANK YOU, and I'm sure my son would also :-)
Sweet review. You should definitely do more reviews. Would be sweet if you did one about the best chainsaw blades to use? Take care, stay safe partner!
I wonder if it’s not a commercial cutter due to the licenses people would require in the U.K. if it were a commercial cutter? As for the battery life it’s not that great but if your doing a few cuts here and there it’s probably alright 🤷🏻 also in the U.K. you can get spare batteries for around £25-£30 including VAT. Thanks for the review 😊
I use the sthil as a arborist all the time use it to remove small branches, limbs and twigs when climbing trees and it's grate carry an extra battery in my tool belt along with the belt holster for the sthil
It's all about the battery and how accessible and affordable it is after the warranty is OVER. 5 years later are you going throw it out due to no battery replacement or difficult to find it at extremely high price.$ ( like costing as much as the tool)
Had my GTA for a couple years now. Have cut over a cord of small limbs with it, and just changed out the original chain this week. Don't know where people can't get batteries. I have three of them and never had a problem getting an extra one. My local Do it Store has a "full" Stihl show room with all products. They do have a wait list to get the GTA now, but they are still coming it. AND they are made in Germany, so I know it's not some POS china made product. I also have a whole bunch of M-12 tools and a bag of extra batteries for them; including the big 4 amp one's. I first thought that the chain was too small and there was no oil storage for the bar. Have used the little bottle that came with it, and it's still got 1/4 left in it. I give it a "dribble" before I start and one when I'm finished. Without the oil feed, the chain and saw stay clean, and I can clean it all up with an old toothbrush. One thing about the small chain is that being thin, it cuts down on the drag on the motor. Why have big chips from a thick chain, when you only need to cut the log in half. A lot less drag on the chain. I didn't like the chain guard at first; until I was cutting some bushes with it. The guard keeps the top half of the chain from cutting something that you don't want to cut, and it keeps the upper part of the chain from grabbing something and "kicking back at you". Still love it, and it's a lot easier to carry, and hold one handed than the heavy M-12.
Honestly my biggest concern is the Milwaukee doesn't look safe at all. Not that I'd be worried about that, but I've been scouring everywhere for a chainsaw my girlfriend can carry through our woods to make trails with. She is not the most rugged person, so if that little Milwaukee can provide any kickback at all, the whole no guard thing would worry me. I'd assume it would bind before kicking, but yeah, between the two smallest chainsaws worth buying, I'd rather go with the one that's a little safer and can fit in a backpack without noticing it's there. Manual oiling seems like a win for my situation anyway
@@kyleaguiar3413 Was using my little GTA26 to cut up another pile of wood. From 4" down to 1". Got a wheelbarrow load out of two batteries. Best investment I've made in seveeral years. They even make a "holster" for it. Would get one, but it's for RH people.
I love my GTA 26! It has been a time saver for me by not having to get out the bigger saws to trim the littler stuff. Also great to carry in your backpack while out hiking. @@bigwheelsturning
Get the Milwaukee, self oiler, bigger bar and 6.0 battery is a win win, hands down. The stihl battery is weak and its 52$ for a 2.0 style battery vs Milwaukee
Used Stihl tools for many years but the Milwaukee looks the better tool. Unfortunately the price of it in the UK makes it a non starter! Get the price down and make it 18V and you'll be on to a winner Milwaukee!
I agree with everything you say, but there's one thing that hasn't been discussed: safety. I have never used a chainsaw before. I bought a compact reciprocating saw and it is useful and feels quite safe, but there are things it won't cut. I also like the Milwaukee, but it seems less safe than the Stihl since it doesn't have that cap above the blade. Any advice there?
Yes. As far as the Milwaukee goes, one hand operates the safety and the other hand is inside the grip (that rectangle on top). So long as your hands are at these positions you should never encounter a hand injury from the saw. Always use caution and your best judgment. Gloves, chaps, the works. Safety is #1.
Hi, Also the milwaukee has rapid chargers with certain tools so charging a m12 battery will be much faster. Like you mention milwaukee has larger ah batteries (4.0ah & 6.0ah) available. I believe the chain for the m12 is only through milwaukee so that's kind of a bummer. Milwaukee needs to sell the chains for their m18 chainsaw and the new m12 saw at the local box stores.
Agree on the Rapid Charger. Significantly faster charges. I have the 6 bay M18/M12 charger and it's awesome. It operates like 3 rapid chargers in one package. Milwaukee doesn't decide what tools are sold in stores, the stores do. At places like Home Depot, it's a simple matter of shelf space and the local market. My local HD is one of the WORST. I talked to the manager about this and he told me the store was a "consumer tier" store, or something like that, and they are very limited in what they can stock. Whenever I'm in a metropolitan area, I try to stop in the biggest stores and am amazed at how much more variety they have. I ordered extra chains for my chainsaw and pole saw online the same day I bought the saws. But I've been careful/lucky with them so far and haven't hit any rocks or dirt with the originals and have only had to touch them up with a file a couple of times. New ones are still in the packages.
I just bought one for my wife, she loves it; However, I wish I had bought the Milwaukee instead, for all the reasons you mentioned. The GTA26 is just not that special and I have at least 5-12v batteries for other tools. I don't know what I was thinking, can't really buy the Milwaukee now. But I sure do have buyers regret.
@@austindouglas13 He would most likely break even or even make a profit on the Stihl as no dealers have them, nor are they expected to get them. Stihl stopped making them when the pandemic hit. They go for at least $100 over list on eBay new. I bought a 4" chainsaw with two 18V batteries, two chains, charger and a hard case for $35 on Amazon and it cuts about the same as my Stihl. No, it's not made in Germany, but it was half the price of a replacement battery for the Stihl. I think people are just buying the Stihl because of the name.
I'd get the get the Milwaukee any given day of the week, I just wish the battery was M18 instead of M12; but I assume Milwaukee did it to make it lighter.
@@silvermane5695 a 6" and an 8" would be ideal for me. Personally I would have changed the safety switch on the Milwaukee to be more like a beaver tail pistol safety.
@@austindouglas13 Milwauke could have done something like the Potenco mini chain saw: www.amazon.com/POTENCO-Chainsaw-Electric-Security-Cordless/dp/B08R1GB6M2/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_sspa_dk_rhf_search_pt_sub_0_4/139-2796590-3757859?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B08R1GB6M2&pd_rd_r=a3894ba4-0f85-46bf-9cfa-389645e83136&pd_rd_w=PML20&pd_rd_wg=jsAJL&pf_rd_p=25248977-401c-428a-bf0f-e1aa228a5886&pf_rd_r=8B8WV5J130Q47848HXMB&psc=1&refRID=8B8WV5J130Q47848HXMB&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFJWlA5RFcySFRUQU0mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1NjQzMDUyWlE4R1AzRTI4NlpZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4Mzk0MjExWFNTWFUzM1FDUE5HJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcmhmX3NlYXJjaCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Get the M12 XC 4.0 they are the most reliable version out of all of between XC 3.0, XC 5.0 and XC 6.0 the new XC 5.0 is out by november gives you much more power, they call it High Output
Thank you for review! Hatchet is better that's the fact! But in Russia Stihl gta 26 costs app 230 dollars. Hatchet costs app 750 dollars. So I bought stihl.
I agree. Next time. The battery can be in. There are toggle safety switches on each saw. So long as you are not hitting the toggle switch and the throttle switch while touching you should be fine. But, you are right. Safety first.
Stihl didn’t think the guard was a good idea... As Stihl is a german brand they first engineered it for the European market. Here the law says a one handed chainsaw got to have a guard on top. The Milwaukee is designed as a two handed tool so there is no need for a guard.
Stihl insists the the GTA-26 is a two handed saw - at least that's what their lawyers told them to say. They even say to check with your doctor to make sure you are in good enough physical condition to operate the saw, (seriously). It seems like the majority of the instruction manual was written by their lawyers. I've never seen so many legal disclaimers on any tool in my entire life! Personally I think the guard a good idea.
As you said the Milwaukee has the replaceable blade and guide and I own one and I watched the guy do a hack he took off the 6-inch and removed his 10-inch guide and blade off his pole saw and put it on only suggestion is to put on an Oregon chain and the thing worked great check it out it's on RU-vid
@@austindouglas13 the auto Oiler and the availability of extra batteries is a great reliability there's one thing I'm not happy about is that there is no type of guard towards the blade understandable that your hand is supposed to be in side the holder but as we know we have a tendency to put it on the outside so maybe they'll be people who have the ability how to use a 3D printer and come up with a guard that could be attached
@@austindouglas13 alright that sounds awesome I'm going to look him up and see what he can do thanks so much and by the way go over to a channel called tool boss and he'll show you how to run some Milwaukee or DeWalt deals and save you some money
Hands down the GTA 26 is a much better saw. I have both and used them extensively in my landscape company the Milwaukee is cumbersome to use and your hands get fatigued faster........ the stihl requires no tools to replace the chain or take apart to clean if something gets stuck........... the battery last decent I bought an extra battery for it and with that it lasts as long as need........... the Milwaukee chain speed is slower the stihl is much faster......... I oil the stihl one time before I use it and lasts the whole job.
@@austindouglas13 I have torture tested both the Milwaukee is back in the garage as a spare........ my guys rather use the stihl so that is why I bought a couple more.
I have almost every Milwaukee tool imaginable so I am not biased either lol...... but I sure wish the stihl had an oiler on it...... but with that said the Milwaukee leaks oil when not in use.
Saw arrived yesterday ru-vid.comUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and today I cut about 3/4 cord of wood with it. Make sure you get an extension chord that is at least 12 gauge wire, minimum. This is my first electric in about 10 years, and things sure have improved. The self-sharpener works great, and it just kept cutting through some pretty decent logs. Wear your eye protection, and ear protection. Excellent saw.
My wife has a friend who bought a Stihl mini. My wife works in the yard a bunch, so I bought her the best pruner I could find, obviously she now wants to upgrade to the cordless chainsaw. I recommended the Milwaukee, she was dubious until she watched your video. You sold her. I’ll be visiting Home Depot or Ace Hardware this week. I used to buy all my Milwaukee tools at Darragh, in Lowell Ar. they have serious personnel problems, I save money with either Home Depot in Rogers or Ace Hardware in Pea Ridge, and the service is far superior. Thanks for the video.
My little 4" China made for 23 buck. Cuts up to 30 min. If it brakes, its not take the bank with it.. What i don't LIKE about both of those is? the PRICE. THERE WAY OVER PRICE TO BE MADE IN CHINA TO! Sure they got some nice features. BUT IS IT WORTH IT? NO! Another thing they do to jack up the prices sell a case chains, battery packs YOU DON'T NEED ALL THE BS. 2 years and you want fine what you need for them!
I was debating on getting one of those as well. I spoke with an arborist on what blade he used on trees and he said a wood with nails. I'll have to find a good deal for black friday.
@@austindouglas13 Home depot has a deal for $199 Buy the M18 Charger with two 4.0 Batteries and get a Free tool. I Choose the M18 "Hackzall" not to be confused with sawzall. It cut super fast easy to reach everything. I even cut a stump that was 5 inches thick with it! The wood and nail blade is great but pruning blade makes it like a chainsaw super fast.
Milwaukee is not a known brand ..... maybe it is in America. Stihl is like say BMW, a worldwide known quality German brand. I don't know if Milwaukee is even available here in Europe but I will stick with the quality I know .... Stihl.
