Makita UC120DWD Commercial Grade 4-1/2-Inch 12-Volt Cordless Electric Chain Saw

Comment: While this saw seems a bit pricy compared to some of the other cordless saws you get a lot more than the cheap ones. Comes in its own case with the charger, saw, oil, tool, instructions and battery. I was able to do all the trimming I needed done on one charge with no problems with the saw. It never lacked power and expect it to last a long time.

Comment: We needed a saw to remove branches from the trees on our 4 acre property. We have several species of maple and oak trees. I was looking for something that I could take with me around the yard to do trimming that would supliment my 'loppers' without having to pull out my gas chain saw. Remember, this saw is not meant to replace a gas powered chain saw.
I always do as much research as possible before buying a product, both written and from friends and coworkers. While no one had specific knowledge of this particular saw, no one had anything bad to say about any Makita product.
My first concern was the battery. The new standard seems to be 18 volts. Would a 12 volt battery be enough? Yes, so far.
I was hoping that my better half would be able to use it. I did some trimming while she watched and then gave her a chance to give it a try. She is not very big or particularly strong but reported, 'I can handle this'.
We have put several hours use on the saw since it arrived. We both like it and find it easy to use and powerful enough to handle branches up to about 3".
I wish it was self oiling but perhaps Makita will add that in the future.
The main negative is the cost. It is a bit pricey.

Comment: This saw works pretty well for light pruning, but you do have to stabilize the piece you are cutting. Most of the branches less than the 1-3/4" diameter are too small to be stable on the tree, and so unless you are right at the trunk, the branch dances around a bit, and the cut surface is rough. I did make sure the battery had a full charge, and that the chain was at the right tension. This tool has a use, like for chopping up already cut brush, but it does not have really have enough power/speed to make clean pruning cuts in live fruit tree wood.

Comment: I purchased this saw to help cut into smaller pieces the branches I pruned w/ my Milwaukee hachet recip saw. I was very pleased to see it was made in Japan escpially since companies like Milwaukee are farming more and more out to China. Makita has a bunch of products made in China as well. Looks well made. Bar looks alot smaller in person than it does in photos. Haven't cut anything yet as there is snow in our area. I will use it when the snow melts and ground is dry. Don't want to slip and fall w/ a chainsaw.UPDATE: Used it on 12/14/09 to reduce the pile of loose branches over the bank at the end of the backyard. I bought this chainsaw to cut up the loose limbs. Cutting loose limbs on the ground w/ the Milwaukee Hachet or any recip for the matter results in the saw jumping and vibrating alot. The cordless Makita cut right through w/ no vibration or kickback and did so fairly rapidly. There's no doubt in my mind if I was pruning a large limb from a tree that a recip w/ a Skil "ugly" blade or Milwaukee pruning blade would be faster than the makita cordless chainsaw. But for cutting felled limbs into smaller pieces w/ control and little or no vibration this little Makita can't be beat.

Comment: I bought this chainsaw for light trimming and pruning use on a small acreage tree farm. I'm tired of the hassle and maintenance that most gasoline-powered tools involve -- you spend more time fiddling with them to start & start reliably than actully using them. Not to mention the noise and mess. I was a bit skeptical of this saw's capability before I purchased it, but own several other Makita cordless tools and have used them for years, so this saw being made by Makita provided the added confidence to buy this saw. I have now used it several times, trimmming up to 4" diameter hardwood (oak, walnut) branches and am quite happy with its power and battery runtime. (Be sure to buy the saw with the 2.6aH battery). Certainly the power and longer bar length of gas chainsaws is needed for heavier use, and felling larger trees, but for the convenience and mess-free trimming this Makita saw fills the bill for me.

I have since "doubled down" on this saw, ordering the extension pole handle and an extra battery for longer work days.