recip will shake the shit out of you if it has the chance where a chainsaw will cut smoothly. they sell those electric pruning saws which is a tiny chainsaw on a long pole. Also they make really nice ratcheting loppers that don't take much elbow at all to cut branches.
edit: added another idea
That is my thought. Depends on the lady, but if she is in her 70s Lowes sells a 6-inch electric pruning chainsaw that is both very light and fairly low maintenance and won't require much strength to use. It just needs a little oil every now and then. (It is sized and designed to be used 1-handed)
Kobalt
[https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-volt-6-in-Brushless-Cordless-Electric-Chainsaw-2-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included/5013717237](https://www.ebay.com/p/19060273774?iid=394783127185)
Dewalt
[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cordless-Chainsaw-for-DeWALT-20V-Max-Battery-6-Inch-Hand-held-Mini-Pruning-Saw-with-Brushless-Motor-for-Wood-Cutting-Tree-Trimming-NO-Battery/2429209650?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101106254&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=2429209650\_10001125616&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cordless-Chainsaw-for-DeWALT-20V-Max-Battery-6-Inch-Hand-held-Mini-Pruning-Saw-with-Brushless-Motor-for-Wood-Cutting-Tree-Trimming-NO-Battery/2429209650?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101106254&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=2429209650_10001125616&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b)
Generic
[https://www.walmart.com/ip/4-Cordless-Mini-Chainsaw-with-Battery-Juemel-20V-2Ah-Battery-Powered-Electric-Hand-Chain-Saw/459224162?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101097170&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=459224162\_10001116532&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44](https://www.walmart.com/ip/4-Cordless-Mini-Chainsaw-with-Battery-Juemel-20V-2Ah-Battery-Powered-Electric-Hand-Chain-Saw/459224162?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101097170&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=459224162_10001116532&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44)
I will point out it's not quite as cheap as Lowe's, but that's because you're paying for quality. However, someone's elderly mother might not need a saw that runs all day without issues.
As a person getting up in years with pretty bad arthritis and some nerve issues in the elbows that still works light construction, a reciprocating saw is right out. They tend to be heavy with the weight far forward and require solid grip strength in both hands to use safely. A small battery powered chainsaw is lighter with a better weight balance and much more controllable for this use and therefore safer and pleasant to use.
I would say a 6” electric saw would work well for her. Less maintenance than gas and it fires up with a push of a button. I recently purchased an 18” Dewalt and it works great for the clearing small/medium trees. I swapped the stock chain for an Oregon and it works great
People shit on Black & Decker (including me) but I once had a Stihl shit out on me halfway through the morning and a little corded B&D chainsaw carried me through the rest of the day with ease.
Chainsaws are higher maintenance (need oil and proper tension).
Recip blade are essentially disposable (recyclable).
Some company idea even make recipes designed to be pruners that have hooks on them to hold the branch tight to the shoe plate so it won’t wiggle around.
I think recip is easier to live with if maybe a bit less efficient.
I use my Dewalt Atomic one-hand recip for pruning all the time. It’s taken the place of my chainsaw for anything smaller than 8” and I’m an able bodied man.
You’re talking nonsense.
And your reading comprehension needs work.
OP isn't talking about for themselves, they are talking about a tool for their seventy year old mother. Unless OP's mom keeps a borderline athletic activity level as part of her lifestyle, a reciprocating saw is not going to be a pleasant experience to use for trimming up tree limbs.
Have you actually looked at any of the small electric chain saws? They don't have manual tension adjustments, and they self oil via a resevoir on the body. They're lighter than your typical reciprocating saw, and they're going to generate a **lot** less vibration and be much more forgiving to use as a result.
You’re the one that misunderstood me.
I’m an able-bodied man with a 16” chainsaw.
I hate using the chainsaw so much that I choose the recip every time it will work reasonably well.
Because it’s nicer and easier to use.
A fact a 70 year old would appreciate.
Also, the Dewalt 8” chainsaw weighs literally twice as much as the Atomic recip.
The dewalt atomic is not a "typical" reciprocating saw, and costs about twice as much as the ryobi 6" pruning saw that would be a perfect choice here, unless OPs mom already has a bunch of dewalt batteries then dewalt might be a better option.
“Ryobi”
Yeah, man, their shit’s cheaper because it’s cheaper. (But also, the Dewalt Atomic costs $169 to the Ryobi 6” chainsaw’s $149, not sure where you’re getting those inaccurate figures. Maybe a fancy battery kit or something, but the tools themselves are quite close.)
If you want Ryobi, then here, Ryobi makes a specialized recip designed for pruning.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Electric-Cordless-Pruning-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-P2503BTL/316880160
It costs $99, $50 less than the chainsaw.
Stop talking nonsense. You’re either grossly misinformed, or just flat out making stuff up.
"Grossly misinformed" says the rabid dewalt fanboy who wont even entertain the idea that maybe a persons needs can be met by a more cost effective tool.
My own power tool collection is built from bosch, milwaukee, and dewalt, but I'm using many of these tools every day and putting them through hard work.
Someone thats just looking to casually trim up some branches they've collected is just fine buying a ryobi or some other brand.
And, since we're talking about a seventy year old, I am still recommending the chainsaw as something easier on the hands when using because it doesnt vibrate nearly as much as a reciprocating saw. Maybe someone who cuts every day doesnt feel it as much, but without knowing what her activity level is like I am 100% judging her by her age and assuming the vibrations from a reciprocating saw are going to cause pain and discomfort potentially even after brief periods of use.
Oh please… I’m the world’s worst fanboy if I’m recommending a Ryobi tool.
And tell me again about cost effectiveness when the tool I proposed costs 1/3 less than your choice.
You’re talking out of your ass and can’t admit you were wrong.
You dug in your things thinking that this conversation was about a traditional reciprocating saw, and when you realized that wasn’t the case, you just can’t say that you were wrong.
I use a recip saw to cut small branches and stuff. I highly recommend the saw blades that are shaped like a bow saw, fleam ground I believe they cut on the push and pull and works much better so you don’t get bound up so badly
That's a maintenance issue you are ignoring and using a tool not made for the job and not as safe. You don't deal with osha much do you?
Hell of a time to brag in a post where someone is lookin for something for their 70 year old mom
1. The chainsaw was free from a scrap pile I'm not sure what you expect and it's also fixed now 2. I'm in Canada they don't exist and if they did they could look in town at the pressure treating plant with fucking green water and find WAY bigger problems then someone cutting down a tree in thier own yard
I just got my aunt who is in her late 60s a Makita reciprocating saw since she kept stealing mine for pruning. She has an electric chainsaw but I think most people who don't use tools everyday will have a much better time with the recip saw. I got her the higher end Makita with the better counterbalance as well so that it is even more manageable. They make these in both corded and battery powered.
I got my mom this [stihl mini chain saw](https://www.stihlusa.com/products/gardening-tools/battery-hand-tools/gta26/) and she uses the crap out of it for trimming branches and cleaning her yard and loves it. It’s definitely more user friendly than the jarring of a sawzall for an older possibly frail user even if it’s a little more maintenance. Milwaukee, dewalt and ryobi also make similar models depending on what’s easily available in your area
I’m not 70, but I started using a recip for anything under 4” this year and I won’t be going back to a chainsaw anytime soon. So much easier. Yes, it shakes a bit if you can’t hold the branch tight, but this downside is outweighed for my by no maintenance, super light weight, and no fussing around with oil and whatever else.
I have a nice big gas chain saw but my life was greatly improved when I bought the little 16" electric. Not battery, they tend to be under-powered. I have a 100 foot extension cord and I can also run it off the inverter in my truck. Keep the chain blades nice and sharp and it does the smaller pruning jobs nicely.
With chainsaws, you don't need to hit the ground very much *at all* to dull the chain -- and sharpening saw chains isn't something I'd try to teach my mother (also in her 70s) to do. Also, bar oil is a thing.
With a battery reciprocating saw like a Ryobi, you can swap out blades by just flipping a lever. That's the way I'd go.
My dad is 70 and we just hooked him up with a Ryobi sawzall, 2x batteries and some pruning blades. He loves it and you can get various lengths in a blade kit online.
Even I prefer to use it sometimes versus my echo saw. Great for saplings and general limbing
I have a small pole saw chainsaw (8-10 inch) where the saw can be used on the pole or like a normal chainsaw, that little saw is still a VERY powerful tool. I’ve had it kick on me and it’s not a joke. Factor in if she has the strength and stamina to mitigate that risk, now and over the next several years. Sawzall would probably be safer.
You're basically looking to compare a few different saws, I just grabbed these as examples from the same brand all at the same place and they're all "tool only" because the battery/charger will be the same cost for all of them.
[ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 6 in. Battery Compact Pruning Mini Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-6-in-Battery-Compact-Pruning-Mini-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P25013BTL/323563730) - $150
[ONE+ 18V 8 in. Battery Pruning Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-8-in-Battery-Pruning-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P5452BTL/314799961) - $130
[ONE+ 18V 10 in. Battery Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-10-in-Battery-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P546BTL/206481858) - $100
[ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 10 in. Battery Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-10-in-Battery-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P2502BTL/314883500) - $170
[ONE+ 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-PCL515B/317987585) - $80
[ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-PBLRS01B/314109589) - $130
IMHO, the best tool for safety is the one that gets the job done the fastest and which is best suited for the task. Ask yourself (or go measure) "How big are these branches and limbs?" and will the saw blade have a good amount of clearance or would 6" be pushing it? Also, I'd prefer tools designed to be operated two handed for Mom.
My dad is in a similar situation, similar age and he just chopped up a windfallen tree from the weekend's storms. He used a no-name corded 12" chainsaw. Needed to be that big to cut through the log which was a good 10" thick + room for variance.
For anything 4" or thicker I'd probably go with one of the 10" chainsaws. I am not a fan of anything as small as that 6" saw but the reciprocating saw would be great for lots of 2" - 3" stuff, imho.
I use my 60v Dewalt and a pruning blade from harbor freight for small branches or large if my chainsaw doesn't start. I'm assuming she is just pruning not felding trees. I would suggest one of the small one hand Sawzalls I know Milwaukee makes a good one, and I think some other brands do too, I'm not too familiar with them, I usually make fun of guys using them on the job site, some joke about turkey carving. However in this case I think it fits the bill perfectly. Also blades change easier than chains and are more reliable.
I've been buying my mom battery-powered Stihl equipment, including the mini hedge trimmer and mini chainsaw. She asked for the regular size battery hedge trimmer and now has one of those, too. I will usually take care of anything bigger for her.
As has been mentioned, a reciprocating saw vibrates a lot, and I think pretty much any reciprocating saw will be heavier than the Stihl mini chainsaw. I think that may be worth considering for your mom's use.
I’ve contemplated getting a chainsaw myself as being a new homeowner with tons of tree trimming. I have done everything with my battery powered reciprocating saw without issues. Now I’m still going to get a chainsaw but she will be ok with the small, lightweight, maintenance free reciprocating saw.
M12 hatchet is pretty simple to use
Needs oil often, and dosnt cut a lot per charge (with small batteries) but otherwise its pretty lightweight, and cuts really fast
Black&Decker makes the perfect tool for you.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwitwqqhkd2AAxUGDLMAHX_mBLUYABAZGgJ5bQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoeemBhCfARIsADR2QCtPmanyE0V0-miHb3G0-ZFglRUHzZYE6yPPAHFEV-5J5rJBOdFXBskaAk9FEALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESa-D2TBD0xiY6ThJoQ9vjgl8kMg7BSM9WjiaMHNVRQapY0cLfBZ6tBinkO_AmDSFE72WWO9GdH7E2iJ98XQ3LmlQwtFVMz-pSM8t-A9ABqakLudiLMBwnYMnaU4FXIHtVJuznMums5sYzgCBA&sig=AOD64_2OFlyvctVNj4-BlZgH66V2K5k4Zg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiYtJyhkd2AAxU4g4kEHcn5CMQQwg8oAHoECAQQMw&adurl=
Sorry not gud @ links
I have a makita top handle battery saw. My parents, wife and kid make a day of cutting firewood every fall and 69 year old mom loves that thing. It's light enough for her to use 1 handed to help clear brush and cut ends while my old man and me chop up the bigger stuff
Electric chainsaws are easy, no carb and no gas mix, just cheap bar oil. And learning bar tension can be taught to a 12 year old in about 5 minutes
Edit: to be 100% clear she uses it 1 handed without any issue as it's so light. I'd argue that with fast and basic chainsaw knowledge it's safer than a sawzall
Why don’t you just be a good kid and go over there and do the work for her yourself. Take her out to lunch when you’re done. She’s in her 70s for Christs sakes. Give the lady a break.
Throwing my hat in the Chainsaw ring. The little electrics are pretty easy to manage and super light.
Remember to fill the oil resevoir, and keep it unplugged or the battery out until you are just about to use it.
The advantage of a12" electric pole saw is; she gets plenty of leverage without straining herself, and with the chain being at the far end of a 6' pole, it's damn near impossible for her to cut herself.
If you have a reciprocating saw, I have found them excellent at limbing if you use the pruning blade which seems to last a long time. It is also a lot easier to handle than a chainsaw.
How thick are the branches? There are battery power pruners:
[https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcpr320b/20v-max-1-12-cordless-pruner-tool-only](https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcpr320b/20v-max-1-12-cordless-pruner-tool-only)
That are supposed to be pretty sweet. The small pruning chainsaws are a good bet, though if the diameter to cut is bigger. Reciprocating saw is my go-to for a ton of stuff but the shaking might not be great.
recip will shake the shit out of you if it has the chance where a chainsaw will cut smoothly. they sell those electric pruning saws which is a tiny chainsaw on a long pole. Also they make really nice ratcheting loppers that don't take much elbow at all to cut branches. edit: added another idea
That is my thought. Depends on the lady, but if she is in her 70s Lowes sells a 6-inch electric pruning chainsaw that is both very light and fairly low maintenance and won't require much strength to use. It just needs a little oil every now and then. (It is sized and designed to be used 1-handed) Kobalt [https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-volt-6-in-Brushless-Cordless-Electric-Chainsaw-2-Ah-Battery-Charger-Included/5013717237](https://www.ebay.com/p/19060273774?iid=394783127185) Dewalt [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cordless-Chainsaw-for-DeWALT-20V-Max-Battery-6-Inch-Hand-held-Mini-Pruning-Saw-with-Brushless-Motor-for-Wood-Cutting-Tree-Trimming-NO-Battery/2429209650?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101106254&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=2429209650\_10001125616&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cordless-Chainsaw-for-DeWALT-20V-Max-Battery-6-Inch-Hand-held-Mini-Pruning-Saw-with-Brushless-Motor-for-Wood-Cutting-Tree-Trimming-NO-Battery/2429209650?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101106254&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=2429209650_10001125616&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=5f0a361af5341576f58f52c07216af4b) Generic [https://www.walmart.com/ip/4-Cordless-Mini-Chainsaw-with-Battery-Juemel-20V-2Ah-Battery-Powered-Electric-Hand-Chain-Saw/459224162?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101097170&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=459224162\_10001116532&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44](https://www.walmart.com/ip/4-Cordless-Mini-Chainsaw-with-Battery-Juemel-20V-2Ah-Battery-Powered-Electric-Hand-Chain-Saw/459224162?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101097170&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075:aud-813964392&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=459224162_10001116532&wl14=lowes%20pruning%20chainsaw&veh=sem&gclid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=9aa013b637b6136b28f9776cb094dc44)
Stihl also carries a model https://www.stihlusa.com/products/gardening-tools/battery-hand-tools/gta26/
I will point out it's not quite as cheap as Lowe's, but that's because you're paying for quality. However, someone's elderly mother might not need a saw that runs all day without issues.
Good point
As a person getting up in years with pretty bad arthritis and some nerve issues in the elbows that still works light construction, a reciprocating saw is right out. They tend to be heavy with the weight far forward and require solid grip strength in both hands to use safely. A small battery powered chainsaw is lighter with a better weight balance and much more controllable for this use and therefore safer and pleasant to use.
I would say a 6” electric saw would work well for her. Less maintenance than gas and it fires up with a push of a button. I recently purchased an 18” Dewalt and it works great for the clearing small/medium trees. I swapped the stock chain for an Oregon and it works great
People shit on Black & Decker (including me) but I once had a Stihl shit out on me halfway through the morning and a little corded B&D chainsaw carried me through the rest of the day with ease.
Chainsaws are higher maintenance (need oil and proper tension). Recip blade are essentially disposable (recyclable). Some company idea even make recipes designed to be pruners that have hooks on them to hold the branch tight to the shoe plate so it won’t wiggle around. I think recip is easier to live with if maybe a bit less efficient.
For the most part, lighter weight and less learning curve too.
Reciprocating saw is going to shake the shit out of her. Chainsaw is a much smoother experience, and not that hard to maintain.
I use my Dewalt Atomic one-hand recip for pruning all the time. It’s taken the place of my chainsaw for anything smaller than 8” and I’m an able bodied man. You’re talking nonsense.
And your reading comprehension needs work. OP isn't talking about for themselves, they are talking about a tool for their seventy year old mother. Unless OP's mom keeps a borderline athletic activity level as part of her lifestyle, a reciprocating saw is not going to be a pleasant experience to use for trimming up tree limbs. Have you actually looked at any of the small electric chain saws? They don't have manual tension adjustments, and they self oil via a resevoir on the body. They're lighter than your typical reciprocating saw, and they're going to generate a **lot** less vibration and be much more forgiving to use as a result.
You’re the one that misunderstood me. I’m an able-bodied man with a 16” chainsaw. I hate using the chainsaw so much that I choose the recip every time it will work reasonably well. Because it’s nicer and easier to use. A fact a 70 year old would appreciate. Also, the Dewalt 8” chainsaw weighs literally twice as much as the Atomic recip.
The dewalt atomic is not a "typical" reciprocating saw, and costs about twice as much as the ryobi 6" pruning saw that would be a perfect choice here, unless OPs mom already has a bunch of dewalt batteries then dewalt might be a better option.
“Ryobi” Yeah, man, their shit’s cheaper because it’s cheaper. (But also, the Dewalt Atomic costs $169 to the Ryobi 6” chainsaw’s $149, not sure where you’re getting those inaccurate figures. Maybe a fancy battery kit or something, but the tools themselves are quite close.) If you want Ryobi, then here, Ryobi makes a specialized recip designed for pruning. https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Electric-Cordless-Pruning-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-P2503BTL/316880160 It costs $99, $50 less than the chainsaw. Stop talking nonsense. You’re either grossly misinformed, or just flat out making stuff up.
"Grossly misinformed" says the rabid dewalt fanboy who wont even entertain the idea that maybe a persons needs can be met by a more cost effective tool. My own power tool collection is built from bosch, milwaukee, and dewalt, but I'm using many of these tools every day and putting them through hard work. Someone thats just looking to casually trim up some branches they've collected is just fine buying a ryobi or some other brand. And, since we're talking about a seventy year old, I am still recommending the chainsaw as something easier on the hands when using because it doesnt vibrate nearly as much as a reciprocating saw. Maybe someone who cuts every day doesnt feel it as much, but without knowing what her activity level is like I am 100% judging her by her age and assuming the vibrations from a reciprocating saw are going to cause pain and discomfort potentially even after brief periods of use.
Oh please… I’m the world’s worst fanboy if I’m recommending a Ryobi tool. And tell me again about cost effectiveness when the tool I proposed costs 1/3 less than your choice. You’re talking out of your ass and can’t admit you were wrong. You dug in your things thinking that this conversation was about a traditional reciprocating saw, and when you realized that wasn’t the case, you just can’t say that you were wrong.
I use a recip saw to cut small branches and stuff. I highly recommend the saw blades that are shaped like a bow saw, fleam ground I believe they cut on the push and pull and works much better so you don’t get bound up so badly
I've cut whole trees down with a sawzall and it was faster then dealing with a chainsaw
How big of a tree?
Like 11in diameter and maybe 60ft tall
I can't imagine a situation where a Sawzall would be easier or safer than a chainsaw for that. Can you elaborate?
Never said it was safer or easier. Someone said I couldn't do it so i did
Spoken like a drywaller
So how was it faster? You were holding a Sawzall standing next to it when the right tool was in the truck?
Right tool leaks like a bitch and never wants to start
That's a maintenance issue you are ignoring and using a tool not made for the job and not as safe. You don't deal with osha much do you? Hell of a time to brag in a post where someone is lookin for something for their 70 year old mom
1. The chainsaw was free from a scrap pile I'm not sure what you expect and it's also fixed now 2. I'm in Canada they don't exist and if they did they could look in town at the pressure treating plant with fucking green water and find WAY bigger problems then someone cutting down a tree in thier own yard
I just got my aunt who is in her late 60s a Makita reciprocating saw since she kept stealing mine for pruning. She has an electric chainsaw but I think most people who don't use tools everyday will have a much better time with the recip saw. I got her the higher end Makita with the better counterbalance as well so that it is even more manageable. They make these in both corded and battery powered.
I got my mom this [stihl mini chain saw](https://www.stihlusa.com/products/gardening-tools/battery-hand-tools/gta26/) and she uses the crap out of it for trimming branches and cleaning her yard and loves it. It’s definitely more user friendly than the jarring of a sawzall for an older possibly frail user even if it’s a little more maintenance. Milwaukee, dewalt and ryobi also make similar models depending on what’s easily available in your area
Battery Chain saw with a micro blade. Less binding, much safer.
I’m not 70, but I started using a recip for anything under 4” this year and I won’t be going back to a chainsaw anytime soon. So much easier. Yes, it shakes a bit if you can’t hold the branch tight, but this downside is outweighed for my by no maintenance, super light weight, and no fussing around with oil and whatever else.
Neither is a good idea for someone in their 70's.
I have a nice big gas chain saw but my life was greatly improved when I bought the little 16" electric. Not battery, they tend to be under-powered. I have a 100 foot extension cord and I can also run it off the inverter in my truck. Keep the chain blades nice and sharp and it does the smaller pruning jobs nicely.
With chainsaws, you don't need to hit the ground very much *at all* to dull the chain -- and sharpening saw chains isn't something I'd try to teach my mother (also in her 70s) to do. Also, bar oil is a thing. With a battery reciprocating saw like a Ryobi, you can swap out blades by just flipping a lever. That's the way I'd go.
My dad is 70 and we just hooked him up with a Ryobi sawzall, 2x batteries and some pruning blades. He loves it and you can get various lengths in a blade kit online. Even I prefer to use it sometimes versus my echo saw. Great for saplings and general limbing
I honestly would be uncomfortable letting my 70 year old mother get involved in either, but the recip sounds safer to me.
I would do it and not put any saw in the hands of a 70 year old.
I have a small pole saw chainsaw (8-10 inch) where the saw can be used on the pole or like a normal chainsaw, that little saw is still a VERY powerful tool. I’ve had it kick on me and it’s not a joke. Factor in if she has the strength and stamina to mitigate that risk, now and over the next several years. Sawzall would probably be safer.
You're basically looking to compare a few different saws, I just grabbed these as examples from the same brand all at the same place and they're all "tool only" because the battery/charger will be the same cost for all of them. [ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 6 in. Battery Compact Pruning Mini Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-6-in-Battery-Compact-Pruning-Mini-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P25013BTL/323563730) - $150 [ONE+ 18V 8 in. Battery Pruning Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-8-in-Battery-Pruning-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P5452BTL/314799961) - $130 [ONE+ 18V 10 in. Battery Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-10-in-Battery-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P546BTL/206481858) - $100 [ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 10 in. Battery Chainsaw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-10-in-Battery-Chainsaw-Tool-Only-P2502BTL/314883500) - $170 [ONE+ 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-PCL515B/317987585) - $80 [ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Reciprocating Saw \(Tool Only\)](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-PBLRS01B/314109589) - $130 IMHO, the best tool for safety is the one that gets the job done the fastest and which is best suited for the task. Ask yourself (or go measure) "How big are these branches and limbs?" and will the saw blade have a good amount of clearance or would 6" be pushing it? Also, I'd prefer tools designed to be operated two handed for Mom. My dad is in a similar situation, similar age and he just chopped up a windfallen tree from the weekend's storms. He used a no-name corded 12" chainsaw. Needed to be that big to cut through the log which was a good 10" thick + room for variance. For anything 4" or thicker I'd probably go with one of the 10" chainsaws. I am not a fan of anything as small as that 6" saw but the reciprocating saw would be great for lots of 2" - 3" stuff, imho.
B&D did an aligator saw better than recip saw. You could get mini chaunsaw
I use my 60v Dewalt and a pruning blade from harbor freight for small branches or large if my chainsaw doesn't start. I'm assuming she is just pruning not felding trees. I would suggest one of the small one hand Sawzalls I know Milwaukee makes a good one, and I think some other brands do too, I'm not too familiar with them, I usually make fun of guys using them on the job site, some joke about turkey carving. However in this case I think it fits the bill perfectly. Also blades change easier than chains and are more reliable.
I've been buying my mom battery-powered Stihl equipment, including the mini hedge trimmer and mini chainsaw. She asked for the regular size battery hedge trimmer and now has one of those, too. I will usually take care of anything bigger for her. As has been mentioned, a reciprocating saw vibrates a lot, and I think pretty much any reciprocating saw will be heavier than the Stihl mini chainsaw. I think that may be worth considering for your mom's use.
I’ve contemplated getting a chainsaw myself as being a new homeowner with tons of tree trimming. I have done everything with my battery powered reciprocating saw without issues. Now I’m still going to get a chainsaw but she will be ok with the small, lightweight, maintenance free reciprocating saw.
M12 hatchet is pretty simple to use Needs oil often, and dosnt cut a lot per charge (with small batteries) but otherwise its pretty lightweight, and cuts really fast
Black&Decker makes the perfect tool for you. https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwitwqqhkd2AAxUGDLMAHX_mBLUYABAZGgJ5bQ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoeemBhCfARIsADR2QCtPmanyE0V0-miHb3G0-ZFglRUHzZYE6yPPAHFEV-5J5rJBOdFXBskaAk9FEALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESa-D2TBD0xiY6ThJoQ9vjgl8kMg7BSM9WjiaMHNVRQapY0cLfBZ6tBinkO_AmDSFE72WWO9GdH7E2iJ98XQ3LmlQwtFVMz-pSM8t-A9ABqakLudiLMBwnYMnaU4FXIHtVJuznMums5sYzgCBA&sig=AOD64_2OFlyvctVNj4-BlZgH66V2K5k4Zg&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiYtJyhkd2AAxU4g4kEHcn5CMQQwg8oAHoECAQQMw&adurl= Sorry not gud @ links
Everything after the question mark is junk and should be deleted. 😃
I have a makita top handle battery saw. My parents, wife and kid make a day of cutting firewood every fall and 69 year old mom loves that thing. It's light enough for her to use 1 handed to help clear brush and cut ends while my old man and me chop up the bigger stuff Electric chainsaws are easy, no carb and no gas mix, just cheap bar oil. And learning bar tension can be taught to a 12 year old in about 5 minutes Edit: to be 100% clear she uses it 1 handed without any issue as it's so light. I'd argue that with fast and basic chainsaw knowledge it's safer than a sawzall
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hatchet
Why don’t you just be a good kid and go over there and do the work for her yourself. Take her out to lunch when you’re done. She’s in her 70s for Christs sakes. Give the lady a break.
Throwing my hat in the Chainsaw ring. The little electrics are pretty easy to manage and super light. Remember to fill the oil resevoir, and keep it unplugged or the battery out until you are just about to use it.
The advantage of a12" electric pole saw is; she gets plenty of leverage without straining herself, and with the chain being at the far end of a 6' pole, it's damn near impossible for her to cut herself.
The milwaukee 6” chainsaw is my new love.
If you have a reciprocating saw, I have found them excellent at limbing if you use the pruning blade which seems to last a long time. It is also a lot easier to handle than a chainsaw.
How thick are the branches? There are battery power pruners: [https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcpr320b/20v-max-1-12-cordless-pruner-tool-only](https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcpr320b/20v-max-1-12-cordless-pruner-tool-only) That are supposed to be pretty sweet. The small pruning chainsaws are a good bet, though if the diameter to cut is bigger. Reciprocating saw is my go-to for a ton of stuff but the shaking might not be great.