Best Chainsaw for Milling Lumber: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
If you're looking for the best chainsaw for milling lumber, you're in the right place.
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As chainsaws grow in popularity, more and more product options appear in the market for purchase. This results in some feeling a bit overwhelmed and unable to select the suitable chainsaw that's up to the task at hand.
We're here to help you make a smart and informed chainsaw purchase for your milling adventures.
Let's get started!
Quick Comparison: Best Chainsaw for Milling Lumber
Brand/Model
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1. Greenworks 16" 40V Cordless Chainsaw (Battery Included)
2. Black+Decker 10" LCS1020 20V Cordless Chainsaw
3. Black+Decker 18" CS1518 15A Electric Chainsaw
4. Echo 20" CS-590 Timber Wolf Gas Chainsaw
5. Worx WG322 20V Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
What Size Chainsaw for Milling?
The size of your chainsaw establishes the maximum width for the lumber you cut.
Larger chainsaws are more powerful than smaller chainsaws and are therefore better used for tasks that require cutting large lumber. However, larger saws vibrate more heavily than smaller saws and often take a lot more effort to handle.
If you're looking to cut hardwood timber, such as oak or maple, we recommend bars with 20-inches or longer. For storm cleanup, cutting firewood, and light tasks, 10-15 inch bars are suitable.
Best Chainsaw for Milling Lumber: Cut Through Wood With Ease
When choosing a chainsaw for milling lumber, you'll need to find a reliable enough machine to cut through wood with little effort. The below products have all proven to perform spectacularly in this regard.
Below you'll find five cherry-picked milling chainsaws that have proven to perform spectacularly in this regard.
1. Greenworks 16" 40V Cordless Chainsaw (Battery Included)
Description
If you're looking for a non-gas powered chainsaw, look no further than the Greenworks G-MAX Cordless Chainsaw.
Powered by Greenwork's innovative brushless technology, this chainsaw rips through extremely thick trees with ease. It also offers up to 70% fewer vibrations compared to ordinary gas chainsaws and is impressively quiet when powered on.
The translucent oil tank found in this model makes it easy to tell where your fuel level is at any given moment. With it being so light and easy to handle, you can get straight to chopping compared to the hard-to-manage pull cords found in so many other saws.
With the G-MAX, you won't have to worry about replacing oil, refilling gas, and toxic fumes that are often released by gas chainsaws. Everything is battery powered.
Features and Specifications
- Bar Length:16-Inch
- Weight: 10.4 lbs.
- Chain tensioning: Auto
- Battery power: 40V
- Chain pitch: 0.0375
- Build: Heavy-duty 16-inch Oregon bar and chain
- Warranty: 4 years
Pros
Cons
Video: Greenworks 40V Cordless Chainsaw Demo and Review
2. Black+Decker 10" LCS1020 20V Cordless Chainsaw
Description
Black+Decker is a trusted brand in the forestry industry and offers tons of portable tools to make a logger's life easier. One such tool is the MAX Cordless Chainsaw.
Just like the above product, the MAX Cordless Chainsaw is battery-powered. It packs a 20V Lithium battery, making it a great little tool for having around the yard to cut up limbs and fallen trees.
This compact tool is crafted from heavy-duty steel from Oregon, which is globally known to lead in bar and chain manufacturing. Furthermore, it has a tool-free blade tension system that allows for quick and easy adjustments.
Weighing at only 7.2 pounds, the MAX Cordless Chainsaw lightweight design is easily maneuvered and reduces fatigue while working.
Features and Specifications
- Bar Length: 10-Inch
- Weight: 7.2 lb
- Chain tensioning: Auto
- Battery voltage: 20V
- Build: Heavy-duty 10" Oregon low kickback bar & chain
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
Cons
Video: Black+Decker 20V Cordless Chainsaw, 10" (LCS1020)
3. Black+Decker 18" CS1518 15A Electric Chainsaw
Description
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly chainsaw, the Black+Decker Electric Chainsaw is a highly rated alternative.
Designed for light cutting duties, this electric chainsaw packs a real punch when it comes to power. For the price it offers from a well-respected manufacturer, this product is reliable, easy to use, does everything it promises, and more!
The automatic oiling system that's built-in this product ensures constant bar and chain lubrication. Priming isn't necessary with this one! It also has an oil window for easy visibility, which will allow users to gauge the oil level instead of blindly guessing its fuel volume.
Overall, the Black+Decker Electric Chainsaw is ideal for the small acreage home and an excellent addition for a toolbox.
Features and Specifications
- Bar Length: 18-Inch
- Weight: 12 lb
- Chain tensioning: Auto
- Motor power: 15 Ah
- Build: Oregon low-kickback bar and chain kickback bar & chain
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
Cons
Video: Black and Decker Electric Chainsaw Review
4. Echo 20" CS-590 Timber Wolf Gas Chainsaw
Description
This chainsaw is definitely a favorite. With a powerful 59.8 cc, two-stroke motor, this top-tier machine makes short work of the toughest jobs.
It's reasonably heavy but has an excellent balance and a 20-inch power bar suited for the biggest jobs.
The Timber Wolf Chainsaw is one of the three largest chainsaws by Echo. Echo manufactures professional-grade, hand-held outdoor power equipment for both the commercial and homeowner markets.
It features a powerful 59.8 cc two-stroke motor that can handle the toughest jobs in the shortest possible time. Although it's heavier than the rest of the chainsaws we've reviewed - 13.2 lb - it's compensated by its excellent balance when powered on.
Its sharp 20-inch bars are made of Oregon Pro-Lite with Pro-Am material, both of which feature an enhanced tooth design that allows users to cut through thick wood like butter.
Let's also not forget its Lubri-Dam oil-retaining feature that prevents oil from running out of the bar's tail, keeping gas stored securely inside with virtually no spill.
The engine drives a power bar of up to 24-inches with ease, making it suitable for those who want a powerful, grade A machine that will last for years.
Features and Specifications
- Bar Length: 18 to 24-inches
- Weight: 13.2 lb
- Engine Capacity: 59.8cc
- Build: Oregon Pro-Lite with Pro-Am low-kickback bar and chain kickback bar & chain
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
Cons
Video: Echo CS 590 Chainsaw Review
5. Worx WG322 20V Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
Description
There's a lot of things to love about the WORX 20V Chainsaw. It performs flawlessly with the aid of its powerful 20V li-ion battery, makes fast, clean cuts, and has a comfortable, ergonomic design.
This chainsaw can easily cut through wood of all kinds up to roughly 6-7 inches in diameter. It's the lightest chainsaw on our list, only weighing 6.8 lb. Its petite stature makes it perfect for anyone to use, young or old, professional or beginner.
Another great thing about this product is that it's incredibly affordable. Despite that, it's still good enough to keep up with its competitors.
The Worx 20V Cordless Chainsaw packs some features that you'd only typically find on more expensive models, so it's truly one of the rare chainsaws that offer an excellent value overall.
Features and Specifications
- Bar Length: 10-Inch
- Weight: 6.2 lb
- Chain tensioning: Auto
- Battery voltage: 20V
- Charging time: 5hrs
- Oil tank capacity: 4.5 ounces
- Battery indicator included
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
Cons
Video: WORX 20V Cordless Chainsaw Review
Electrical, Battery, or Gas Powered Chainsaw for Milling?
Chainsaws come in three main variations: Electrical, Battery, or Gas Powered. Each comes with a few advantages and disadvantages.
Corded Electric Chainsaws
Corded electric chainsaws only work when plugged into an outlet, which means that you'll never run out of power, unlike gas and battery-powered chainsaws.
But with this also comes with the limitation of movement. You'll always be tied to an extension cord.
Cleaner and more comfortable to handle than gas-powered saws, corded electric chainsaws often feature a lower maximum cutting power.
While they may not be as robust and reliable for heavy cutting, corded electric chainsaws are a phenomenal option for basic yard work and chores around the house.
Pros
- Never runs out of gas or batteries
- Lightweight
- Minimal maintenance needed
- Easy powerup
Cons
- Limited to the length of your extension cord
Battery-Powered Chainsaws
Battery-powered chainsaws, also known as cordless electric chainsaws, have all the power of a corded electric chainsaw with portability's additional advantage.
Because it's battery-powered, you won't be restricted to the length of the cord attached to them, and you can charge them whenever the battery dies.
Pros
- Portable as long as its battery is charged
- Nearly silent
- Little to no maintenance
- Some models are as powerful as gas chainsaws
Cons
- You won't be able to use them if the battery is dead
Gas-Powered Chainsaws
Gas-powered chainsaws are favored by professionals and those who need to cut huge trees and logs.
These saws don't need to be recharged, and you can take them practically anywhere without being limited to a cord. As long as you have sufficient fuel to add when it runs out of gas, you're good to go.
Gas-powered chainsaws pack plenty of cutting power that can't be compared to electric and battery-powered saws. Their fantastic cutting power and longer run time make them the ideal option for manual laborers.
Pros
- Portable
- Packs heaping amounts of power
Cons
- Noisier than its counterparts
- Difficult to operate
- Requires routine maintenance
- Won't start unless powered by fuel
Best Milling Chainsaw: Factors to Consider Before Buying
Buying a chainsaw for milling lumber isn't just about making sure you get the job done. Here are some factors to consider before spending purchasing one of these powerful machines.
Power
Milling requires you to cut great lengths of wood, so you'll need a machine with a lot of sustained power.
For gas-powered chainsaws, we recommend a machine with at least 50cc of power. Battery-Powered Chainsaws are best bought with 20V of power or more to take advantage of these cordless electric chainsaws fully.
Bar Length
Bar length is determined by two factors: the size and type of the wood to be cut and a user's level of expertise.
If you're new to milling lumber, we recommend selecting a smaller chainsaw as it's easy to handle and maneuver.
On the other hand, if you believe you can handle the power found in larger chainsaws and are looking to fell larger trees and hardwood, choose a larger chainsaw with more power.
Safety Features
Some of the key safety features to look out for when purchasing a chainsaw for milling are that it's equipped with a chain brake, chain stoppers or catchers, and low kickbacks.
These features will help reduce any damage to the operator if an accident occurs when one loses control of the chainsaw.
Conclusion and Best Offer
Milling lumber requires lots of power, so it's essential to choose the right chainsaw that's up for the task.
All of the listed above are considered some of the best chainsaws for milling lumber. If we had to choose, our personal favorite is the Echo 20" Timber Wolf Gas Chainsaw because of its extreme power.
The Timber Wolf can handle the toughest jobs with ease, and its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use over long periods. Plus, it's covered by an impressive five-year warranty.
Although it's expensive and comes heavier than most, it gives you high performance in exchange.
Best Offer
The Timber Wolf can handle the toughest jobs with ease, and its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use over long periods. Plus, it's covered by an impressive five-year warranty.
Although it's expensive and comes heavier than most, it gives you high performance in exchange.
The Alternative
If you're looking for a more affordable option but still get a viable chainsaw for milling, we suggest checking the Worx 20V Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension.
Worx WG322 20V Cordless Chainsaw with Auto-Tension
It costs over half the price of the Timber Wolf but performs well in daily sawing jobs.
However, keep in mind that the Worx Cordless Chainsaw isn't suitable for heavy wood cutting tasks.