Anybody done this ? Can/should it be done ? Which chainsaw ?

I am aware of the warnings I've seen before regarding variable speed power tools. Does this apply to chain saws?

I just got back from a week in the Plumas Nat. Forest (Ca.) They banned chainsaws until the end of the fire season. It wasn't that big a deal to break up the wood for our campfire (which cut into our beverage consuming time) but was wondering about alternatives for the future.

I still need to check with the local ranger on wheather the chainsaw ban includes electric chainsaws or chainsaws with spark arresters but thats a different issue.

Thanks for any input/opinions

Ever hear of a power inverter.... I have one that will run my 4.5" angle grinder and my 10A Porter Cable TigerSaw (not at the same time tho, but I only have two hands so that's not a big deal).

hell yeah you can do it.
as long as you use it at full speed you'll be fine.

You can use any brush type motor, that's basically anything that turns, from blenders to chainsaws also if you use it at varible speeds you'll burn up the switch, so always go full blast(:D )

If you're still looking, we had a similar problem and ended up with the "pole saw" from Harbor Freight. It's a 7 amp model which can be run from a 700 watt inverter. Works well as long as you keep sharp chain and just lay the chain on the wood instead of taking aggressive cutting approach like you would with gas one. It trips circuit breaker on inverter once in a while, but on the whole works well. Just came back from Mexico and used it half a dozen times. About $90 new. Sometimes they have reburbished ones for about $60. 700 Watt is the last under $100 inverter. Next size up about triples the cost.
Good luck

Hmmm.... they don't allow chain saws but they allow campfires?

My friend has a chainsaw he made from a winch motor and an electric saw...

12VDC.. works awesome!

You can make anything work, the only issue I see is with the amperage - I think that your setup is potentially lethal due to the amps flowing through the cables. Even at 12VDC, 0.10 amps is potentially lethal. You are going to be runing 3-4 amps easy. If your wiring isn't perfect, or if you cut the cable, or if it gets yanked out, run over etc - you may get electricuted.

Why not look into a hydraulic chainsaw setup like a lot of utility companies and working SCUBA divers use? They are very compact and have massive power and are quite. You could probably run the thing off your power steering pump. There have to be some used ones for sale out there somewhere.

If you have an onboard welder, You don't need anything else.

You get either regulated 110V DC (on the expensive models) or unregulated 0-150V DC (depending on motor speed) on home-brew welders. This will easily run most electric chain saws up to about 12 amps, because they are all brush-type motors. AS DMC pointed out, you have to run it at full speed because the variable speed feature won't work with DC. If the alternator output is not regulated, the chain saw speed will vary with motor speed. Works great.

Originally posted by Busto
You can make anything work, the only issue I see is with the amperage - I think that your setup is potentially lethal due to the amps flowing through the cables. Even at 12VDC, 0.10 amps is potentially lethal. You are going to be runing 3-4 amps easy. If your wiring isn't perfect, or if you cut the cable, or if it gets yanked out, run over etc - you may get electricuted.

Why not look into a hydraulic chainsaw setup like a lot of utility companies and working SCUBA divers use? They are very compact and have massive power and are quite. You could probably run the thing off your power steering pump. There have to be some used ones for sale out there somewhere.

you scared of regular power tools too....?

They allow the motor in your truck don't they.....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=996313

Originally posted by Busto
You can make anything work, the only issue I see is with the amperage - I think that your setup is potentially lethal due to the amps flowing through the cables. Even at 12VDC, 0.10 amps is potentially lethal. You are going to be runing 3-4 amps easy. If your wiring isn't perfect, or if you cut the cable, or if it gets yanked out, run over etc - you may get electricuted.


uh, he wants a chain saw, not a pacifier...:flipoff2:

Pete

Originally posted by 4Bangler
They allow the motor in your truck don't they.....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=996313

Dude, that just looks dangerous.

That is real scary.

But I must admit, I wish that I could:

A: lift it
B: use it


j

uh, he wants a chain saw, not a pacifier...

Hmmm ... 110 volt tool versus hydraulic powered tools used by hard hat divers, power companies, astronauts, miners etc.

You figure out which one is the heavy duty industrial tool (hint, it isn't isn't the 110 volt tool). :rolleyes:

back to the topic, why not consider an air powered motor as well?

it should work. I have a mpeg of one of those 454 powered chainsaws in motion, e-mail me if ya want it.

~Nate~

Originally posted by Busto


Hmmm ... 110 volt tool versus hydraulic powered tools used by hard hat divers, power companies, astronauts, miners etc.

You figure out which one is the heavy duty industrial tool (hint, it isn't isn't the 110 volt tool). :rolleyes:

back to the topic, why not consider an air powered motor as well?

I'd say its more of an insullation issue than the heavy dutyness...and also miners would rather not have electrical devices that may spark...same goes for grain elevators (single phase tools have brushes...).

spark + gases = :nuke: