BLACK+DECKER20V MAX* Cordless Chainsaw, 10-Inch, Tool Only (LCS1020B)

Ever since I read Robert Frost's poem "Out, Out" in seventh grade--a boy's chain-saw accident kills him--I use anything but a chain saw. But this Black & Decker is the perfect beginner's safety chain saw. It is so useful for blown-down branches and limbs, saplings you don't want, such like. If you use other B & D 20 volt outdoor tools, you'll already have a collection of appropriate interchangeable lithium ion batteries. Buying this, I now have 4 batteries, more than enough to do any work required. You'll get about a half hour of sawing out of a battery. It is plenty powerful to do the work. They sell the oil, replacement chains, and should you ever need one, replacement (or additional) rechargeable batteries on line. I am pleased with the quality of this Black & Decker product, especially for the price of $90-120. B & D has come a long way with this new line of 20 Volt Lithium-Ion battery products for yard use. I would recommend this for anyone needing to saw up to I'd say 7" in diameter or less. No more fooling with oil and gas mixes, no more fumes, and this model is easily portable. One more thing--this comes with an EXCELLENT manual to teach you step-by-step everything you need to know to use this, maintain it, and to saw safely. Now I use it all the time.For those of you needing a bigger saw, they're out there, with longer blades and 40 Volt batteries--but you'll pay a good deal more. But a small well-made chain saw with a low-kickback safety chain has a role to play for many of us. I have had my saw now for just under two years. And oh, by the way, Frost based his poem on a real kid, back in Franconia New Hampshire in 1917.

DeWalts, Milwaukees and Makitas must be nice, but as a new homeowner in sudden need of a whole arsenal of tools, they're out of my price range. Black and Decker is the low-budget alternative, and like all of the other B&D tools I've laid my hands on so far, they've outperformed what I expected of them.Tropical Storm Isaias took down a pair of trees, one of which measured about 12 inches wide at the trunk, and this saw dutifully hacked them apart. It wasn't lighting fast, it wasn't a glamorous montage, but over the course of a couple of hours and a few battery changes, the trees were steadily reduced to logs and branches. It does really suck the batteries down, but that's a worthwhile tradeoff to never deal with 2-stroke oil or gummed up carbs - or expensive service calls from an arsonist. With enough determination, it could probably slowly chew through thicker trees, but I felt that the thickest cuts on the trees I handled were the comfortable limit.The saw isn't super heavy duty, but it can handle abuse short of intentionally destroying it. The only flaw I can point to, is that it leaks bar oil slowly when it's not being used - no problem, it's so lightweight and easy to handle, I can just turn it upside down and pour the oil back into the jug. In just two trees, its already paid for its self and then some, and I see no reason why it won't last for many years - and many trees - to come.

I am pleased with the saw for the most part. I bought just the saw without battery and charger as I have a slow charger. I also bought a 7.0 ah battery. It was cheaper to buy it that way and I did not want the 5.0 ah battery that comes with the kit. The saw works fine for what I do. I am mostly cutting out dead branches that range in the 1 inch to an occasional 6 inch diameter.The saw cuts fine. I do get a little chatter at times but it is not a big deal for me. The one complaint I have with the saw and the reason I did not give it a 5 star is the oiler. It is basically junk. I have no problem with it being manual on a small saw like this, but I do have a problem with it not working.Battery life. As I mentioned I purchased the 7.0 ah battery. The longest I have used the saw is about 45 minutes and then shut it down. I stop for several reasons. One I am not as young as I used to be, two it is HOT here in Texas, and three the battery starts to get warm, not hot but warm to the touch. I want my battery to last so I stop rather than running it dry or over heating it. With the 7.0 ah battery there is no evidence of the battery slowing in 45 minutes of use. I just stop for the reasons I mentioned.I have ordered another 7.0 ah battery so I can switch out at 30 to 40 minutes and not over heat the battery. Now about charging these large batteries. Currently I am using a slow charger, but I am getting a fast charger. I will NOT fully charge the battery on the fast charger. I will remove it before fully charged and top it off with the slow charger for longer battery life.I have seen where some say that when they run the battery down and try and charge it they get a red light on the charger. The reason for that is that the battery is too warm. The charger senses the temp of the battery and will not charge it while warm. Let the battery cool down first before charging. These batteries for long life should be charged where ambient temp is 65f to 80f degrees.

Just the right size for my small jobs that are too big for the pruning shears. Not heavy; can get a lot done with one battery charge!