Head to the garden work - mini chainsaw test
This chainsaw is incredibly practical, convenient and inexpensive, you need it for honeysuckle!
Check out the machine in action on our Youtube channel:
contents show
Introductory
I’ll tell you honestly, gardening isn’t one of my favorite pastimes, but it needs to be done as well. Pruning, thinning the branches of fruit trees are important things. That’s why I looked to see if I could make my job easier, and that’s why I started looking around for special tools.
The mini chainsaw shown in the article promised a lot of good, but it also raised questions. However, it was not expensive, which is why I decided to surprise myself with one and surprise you with a test. You can read this below.
Packaging and accessories
I don't want to put it roughly, but I've already received Chinese gadgets in nicer packaging. Of course, the box is just one thing, more important is what’s inside.
Well, in this case, a tiny chain plate, a short chain, a socket wrench, a screwdriver, a hand guard, two batteries, an EU plug charger and the machine itself came out of the crumpled box.
We get a short guide to assembling, but of course I also describe what and how to do it, it is not complicated.
At first glance, everything seemed correct, though, on the plastic of the machine, it feels like we’re not facing a branded machine. These plastics aren’t thin, I just feel a little like they’re all made from recycled materials. Let’s say if that’s the case, I don’t mind, in fact!
Assembly
(You can watch the assembly in the video above!)
If you’ve seen a chainsaw up close, or maybe changed a chain, you won’t have anything to say, you’re a professional, you’ll go without help. If that's not the case, don't be sad, slap the whole thing!
I screwed the hand guard into place first. Then I took off the plastic cover held by a screw, I need the socket wrench for that.
I put the chain on the chain plate. Here you have to pay attention, if you look at the machine from the chain, the chain will move counterclockwise. This is important because at the chain you need to make sure that the sharpened teeth are facing forward, if you put the chain upside down you will not cut.
The chain plate must be fitted with the chain, the cover applied and the fastening screw screwed on. Don't pull it off yet!
Once everything is in place, you need to tighten the chain with the screw behind the chain plate, you can use the included screwdriver to do this. Be careful not to pull it completely tight. If you can lift the chain by about half an inch at the chain link, it will be good!
If this is the case, you can tighten the captive screw. The job of this is not only to hold the plastic cover in place, but also to secure the chain plate.
Finally, snap one of the batteries into place and head for the garden!
Use and experience
(You can see it in action in the video above!)
I mentioned in the introduction that I also had questions before buying. In addition to the fact that I had a little fear that the structure would be unfit for the task, I also wondered how the oiling of the chain was solved.
For more powerful machines, there is a separate tank for this that needs to be filled with oil, one that is specifically recommended for chain lubrication. We don't find a trace of this in the small hand saw, so the question arises as to how normal this is.
Well, now that I’m past this year’s work I say it’s completely normal. The power of the machine, not even the speed of the chain, is close to that of a high-performance saw. However, if you are afraid of the thing, feel free to blow it. I thought about blowing the chain spray used on my engine, sure for sure, but then I left and it didn’t go wrong. Then, before shooting, I blew it in, tried it anyway, but didn’t notice a difference.
Honestly, I didn’t see much use for the hand guard that came with the machine. By the grip, it is essentially out of the question for our hands to slide on the chain. It would make sense if we wanted to push the saw onto the tree with one hand at the top, but we don’t do that because the engine power isn’t enough for that, the chain gets stuck if we press it hard on the tree. You may even be able to protect yourself from slamming pieces of wood, but even with this tiny structure, this shouldn't be a problem.
In my experience, the machine can be conveniently used up to a branch thickness of 4-5 inches. Of course, it also depends on what kind of tree we cut, the 10-centimeter of the slightly rotted, already felled apple tree was not an obstacle either, but the huge, very hard hazelnut bush destined for destruction had to be treated 4-5 centimeters more carefully.
What does this caution mean?
It’s pretty much the fact that even though it’s an 800-watt machine, you can’t force it to cut. It is much more expedient to use it with a loose wrist, without strain, only with very gentle resistance. The chain does its job even then, cut the tree as prescribed!
On first use, pay attention to the fact that the chain will stretch a bit, so I had to adjust the tension one day after that. Failure to do so may cause the chain to jump, and this will not do the chain good.
The chainsaw is cordless and I have to say I have no idea how long a battery can hold. The machine comes with two batteries with a capacity of 2500 mAh. Our garden is not very big and I was done with the work before I had to replace the battery.
Regarding the battery, I have to say that it snaps into place quite tight, it is quite difficult to come down. Not a big problem, it will probably wear out, but here you can also feel that we bought a cheap machine.
It is important that you cut the branches that you have cut with pruning shears so far. With branches that are too thin, you will only be unlucky if you want to use a chainsaw. If you do decide to do so, you will have to hold the branch with one hand, otherwise you will not thrive.
The question arises as to what happens if a chain needs to be replaced, can a new one be bought, or is the machine thrown away? Well, of course you can get a chain. The 4-inch chain together with the chain plate costs less than 3000 forints, so this will no longer be a big expense. It’s not like an inkjet printer, which is relatively inexpensive, and then when you need to add toner, it turns out that half a set of toner costs as much as the printer did.
Summary
There are quite a few similar machines on offer in the store, of course it was no coincidence that I chose this one. Its performance is high compared to the price, and the double battery is not a disadvantage either. We can already find a few thousand forints cheaper among the weaker structures, but I didn't dare risk it if it wasn't strong enough.
The machine I use is not a power plant either, but for what it was invented enough. It is not possible to cut down trees with it, and trouble with the thickness of the arms also accumulates. Not just because of the force, but also because the chain blade is small enough, so you’ll be forced to start cutting from multiple directions, and by multiple directions, of course, I don’t mean from below because the chain gets stuck in a tutu.
So, it’s a pruner, but its perfect. Not only because you don’t have to saw, but also because you can easily cut branches with it that you get into trouble with with your hand saw.
Last but not least, you can get a chain or a chain plate cheaply, if there is a lot of wood, it doesn't hurt to order a spare right away, I'll give you a link to it below.
All in all, this package would be a good buy even with the normal price of barely 18 thousand forints, but I asked for a coupon with which my readers can add it to the basket for 12 thousand. Of course, the special offer is far from finite.
If you like it, you will use BGHU0354 coupon code. You can now order the saw from a Czech warehouse, so if all goes well, you can plant it in the garden at the end of next week!
Buy here:
88VF 800 watt mini chainsaw
You can find a chain and a chain plate here (this is a Chinese warehouse, but due to the low value, even if you buy 3 pieces, the package is not subject to customs duties):
4-inch chainsaw and chain
