Poulan ES350 16-Inch 3.5 HP Electric Chain Saw

Comment: Being born and raised in Florida I've been through a dozen or so Hurricanes. Since there is always power failures who in their right mind would own an electric chain saw? Well me for one LOL. Three things are a must if using electric tools.
1. A heavy duty extension cord
2. A gas generator
3. A Heavy duty 12 volt power converter.

I use the power converter via the charge system on the F 150 pick up. This is used in remote locations when the chain saw is needed. The generator is used when main power is down in the house. The generator is only used during storm conditions, which is wired into the house wiring.

As for the saw its a great unit. I've been through electric chain saws in the last twenty years. Most.... for the most part have served well.
The main thing to remember with any saw is the sharpness of the blade. I for one always resharpen the blade and clean the unit after each use. Drain the oil after each use, wipe off any sap with wd-40, and sharpen the blade. You'll get a decade or so out of an electric saw that is used on a regular basis.

The Poulan Electric 16" 3.5hp Chainsaw is a well made unit and I'm totally satisfied with its performance! Don't forget eye protection with this and any other power tool.

Comment: Conclusion: Whoa! Does this thing cut wood !!! This is an excellent chainsaw.

A little background:
I live among a lot of 80-foot trees. I don't feel safe cutting down 12 - 16 inch trees, but I always have a few smaller ones to deal with, and a lot of `leaners' that look kind of messy, especially when they're near the house.

I have had a gasoline saw (a very good major brand - 18 inches) for many years, but my old and tired shoulders didn't like to start it - especially after a hard winter in storage (without being properly `winterized' of course.) I was very skeptical of an electrical, just figured they were sort of toys. The one I priced initially (same brand as my gas saw) was more than my gasoline cost, so that was that. Then I bumped into the Poulan line.

I inquired casually at my local dealer. He was out for the season, but said he thought they were entirely legitimate saws, definitely not toys. Further inquires confirmed they were definitely not toys, in fact worked very well. Having worked for a company that made them years ago, I was quite aware of the hazards of chain saws, and how to avoid them.

So I went with the 16 inch ES350. I would probably have been very happy with a 14, but I was aware of the very high value of an automatic oiler. (My gas job was getting too big for me anyway, so it was a good excuse to downsize.) These things go through chain/bar oil fast, and it's easy to forget to stop and do it manually. You don't have to run out of oil too many times before you're in trouble from chain/bar wear. BTW, when you buy your saw, order a bottle of chain oil with it. You'll need it right away.

So I bought the ES350 and headed out into the woods. As mentioned in the literature, it didn't take long for the new chain to stretch, and actually come off the sprockets/bar. I was watching for it, too, but got caught napping. Anyway, 5 minutes later I was back in business, and have had no problems with chain stretching since.

Being that my only real experience was with my older/larger gas job, I had no idea what to expect. Whoa! Does this thing cut wood! I was absolutely amazed.

Reality check - This is a 16-inch saw. Some will say, therefore, you can cut through a 32-inch log. Really? Don't even think about it. It's nothing about this particular saw. But Rule #1 with chain saws is don't contact the workpiece ANYWHERE NEAR the nose of the chain/bar. (BTW, that is also Rule # 2 through 10) You are courting almost sure disaster if you do, and all the so-called kickback preventors in the world will not guarantee ANY saw isn't going to wind up in your face. Most people are concerned about cutting into their legs - as they should be. Just don't forget about you face.

This saw, like most electrics, is advertised at 3.5 horsepower. Hmmmmmm! That's actually a `Peak Horsepower' - mostly a meaningless marketing gimmick. Let's see, if that were a true continuous 3.5 horsepower, at 120 volts AC the saw would draw about 33 amps. Obviously not what actually happens.

I highly recommend this saw.

Comment: Bought one of these on sale at Home Depot for $48. Spent a few hours cutting a fallen tree as well as cutting down a few smaller trees. It worked great, no complaints. The no tool adjustment worked great. Had no issues with kickback. Took it apart to clean and it was pretty easy as well. Lots of tools say to clean after use, but a chainsaw is one that you really should clean well - and drain the oil out. But it was simple and no problem.

Couple to things to keep in mind - it doesn't say on the box to get the chain oil, but you need to buy it. Also, unless you get a really small bottle of the chain oil, you will need a funnel too. Then you need a pretty long extension cord and because the saw draws a lot of amps, you should use a 14 or 12 gauge, not a 16 gauge. Make sure you have one handy.

If you haven't used a chainsaw before, read the instructions and be careful....

Comment: I bought this 16-inch Poulan (3.5 hp, automatic oiler) after reading the reviews, and I am happy with the purchase. The chainsaw arrived 3 days after I ordered it (I am in metro-DC suburb). The instruction booklet had useful, detailed information. After inspection and adding the chainsaw oil, this Poulan was at work on a 25-foot apple tree in the backyard. The 3.5hp Poulan (with brand-new blades) smoothly cut thru the 9-inch diameter trunk and with trimming of branches. I am happy with the Poulan. [A complaint: the original box was crushed. While a box does not affect chainsaw performance, I want a good-shape box for storage.] // [I have a 4-year old 16-in Remington electric : a 3hp manual-oiler. The Remington motor remains good but its blades would jump off its guide every 20 minutes, interrupting work and posing a safety issue. The Remington also leaks oil badly.]
*** SAFETY HINT: Always take a few minutes to review tree-cutting and safety procedures. I forgot to factor in a tree's lean and the apple tree almost crashed into a fence.

Comment: I recently bought a Poulan ES 350 after the motor burned out in another brand of electric chain saw while attempting to cut up a large pine that had fallen. Received the Poulan promptly from Amazon and proceeded to cut up the tree and it worked terrific! Powerful, cut clean and quick and no sign at all of overheating or strain. I give this Poulan electric saw top marks across the board.