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The Makita Cordless Electric Chainsaw

Battery powered Chainsaw -with optional telescopic handle

Updated 27th June 2009

Breaking News - New 18v Makita model out now

The Makita UC120DWA-EX. cordless electric pruner is also known as the Dolmar AS1212LGE/2 cordless chain saw

The Makita UC120DWA-EX. was blue

The Dolmar AS1212LGE/2 was orange

Both were replaced by the Makita UC120DZ in 2005

Then in 2008 new 14.4v and 18v Li-ion models were introduced

The original model

The Makita UC120DWA-EX

12v batteries

NiCad or NiMh

Bar length - 11.5cm

Weight 2.2kg

max cutting width 4.5 inches

65 - 2 inch cuts per charge

The new model - Makita BUC122Z
18v cordless chainsaw with Lithium Ion battery!
plus 14.4v model

This tool has been bought by roofers to use for cutting beams instead of a circular saw as it is safer and easier to use.
check price of 18v Makita saw at Screwfix

check price of Makita Cordless Chainsaws
mail me if you want another Ł10 off these prices

In 2005 The Makita cordless chainsaw was renamed the UC120 DC.

This excellent gardening tool is made by the Makita corporation of Japan who are also the owners of Dolmar, a German garden machinery company.

Although this tool looks and does the work of a chainsaw it is classified as a cordless pruner so no employee chainsaw certificate is required.

I have been using my Makita cordless chainsaw for 7 years and it is one of my favourite tools. I am frequently asked about this machine so I have made this webpage to provide as much detail as possible for owners and potential owners. Dozens of my readers have bought this tool on my recommendation and have reported back good results and no complaints so far.

Due to company policy at Makita the cordless chainsaws are only available "naked" (without batteries or charger) for users of existing Makita tools.

Use the link below to check prices, and if you want another Ł10 off mail me for details

check price of Makita Cordless Chainsaws

Also if you want one with batteries and a charger you are better off buying a drill kit too.

e-mail fred@fredshed.com

Cordless Chainsaw - no leads, no fuel, or starting problems

Those clever people at Makita have designed a powerful and lightweight battery powered saw that is easy to use and ideal for log cutting and small branches.

It can cut through branches up to 4 1/2", will do 60 2"cuts per charge and weighs 2.2kg. Being so light it can be fitted to an optional telescopic extension handle to reach up to 8ft for added safety.

This top quality product can use Makita 12-Volt Nicad or Nimh batteries that now go up to 3 amph.

Use the Cordless chainsaw with telescopic extension pole for safe fast tree pruning

Makita 192755-2 extension pole for The Makita 12v UC120DWA-EX.

Extends from 1.5 to 2.5 metres, switches and battery are in the lower handle for safety and ease of use.

Ł107 inc vat and delivery

or buy the Black&Decker 18v version below

(recommend an extra battery)

Cordless chainsaw and extension pole being used by professional landscapers for Oxfordshire health authority

If you want to use your Makita cordless chainsaw with the telescopic handle most of the time then it may be worth considering the cheaper Black & Decker GPC1800.

The tool itself it excellent but let down somewhat by the old technology battery. My recommendation is to buy an extra battery or one of the cheaper B&D 18v tools to obtain 2 batteries (and a spare charger)

A cheaper alternative to the Makita Cordless Chainsaw

The black & Decker tool is designed for domestic use not professional so due the the Bizarre health and safety rules it can have a bigger blade

Black &Decker 18v cordless chainsaw and pole saw tested

As the pole for the Makita Cordless Chainsaw is expensive and hard to find I would like to recommend this new Black & Decker Cordless Polesaw as an alternative for those hard to reach areas.

Although this is a domestic quality machine it does the job very well and has a very similar 20cm cutting blade to the Makita tool. The main disadvantage for some people is that it cannot be used as a small hand chainsaw.

It cuts very well on branches over 1 inch but is no good on thinner stems. Also, as with any polesaw, the cut is a bit rough so take care on delicate trees.

The 18v battery is also used in many other Black & Decker garden power tools and will last 20-30 minutes which is enough to get a fair amount of work done.

The real clever bit for me is the handle which can extend the chainsaw to 2m and screws together easily with no wires involved.

Black & Decker 18V Cordless Chainsaw

(GK1817 model)

This excellent new tool from Black and Decker is the latest tool to join their range of cordless garden tools.

The Nicad battery is no match for the 18v Makita cordless chainsaw but the saw performs the same tasks and costs about the price of one Makita battery. It also has a longer bar so when the battery is going well it can cut larger logs.

The saw requires some self assembly but nothing complicated. The 18v battery can also be used in drills and DIY tools as well as Black & Decker strimmers, hedge trimmers, blowers and pole pruners.

price guide Ł89- Ł99

The saw comes apart for easier storage and can be uses in 2 lengths as required. The 18v firestorm battery can be used in the hand held cordless chainsaw and a several other B&D tools

Launched 2008

Mains Powered Electric Chainsaws

If you want to buy a corded electric chainsaw my recommendation is Bosch - They have a wide range, good performance and can be easily contacted for spares and repair. The range covers all requirements with no fancy gimmicks and all the features, including tool-less adjustment of the chain on the higher end models. Another good feature of the Bosch chainsaws is the longevity of the range which means that spares are also going to be around longer.

click here for prices and info for Bosch Electric chainsaws from a Fredshed recommended discount supplier

Use above links to find replacement chains for all Bosch and Black & Decker Chainsaws

Your Makita12v cordless chainsaw batteries can also be used in many more superb Makita products.

Drill drivers

Combi hammer drills

Impact drivers

Torches

Vacuum cleaner

Planers

Circular saws

IF YOU WANT A MAKITA BATTERY CHARGER I HAVE A SPARE DC1414 THAT DOES 7.2 -14.4V BATTERIES

PRICE USED Ł25 INC UK DELIVERY

Makita 18v Lithium Ion batteries

The new 18v Lithium Ion batteries used in the latest Makita cordless chainsaw are also used to power over a dozen top quality power tools and are revolutionising the way craftsmen work with power tools.

The reduction in weight combined with an increase in power and rapid charging (22 minutes) means that more cordless tools can be used which speeds up work time and gets rid of all those annoying cables.

These batteries and the fan assisted charger really are state of the art technology and have a price to match. Do not compare or confuse these batteries with the ones found in cheap powertools.

Makita BHP453 18v combi drill

Parts and spares for Old Makita tools and systems

The Makita Portable lead Battery tool system was years ahead of its time and too expensive for the UK market. The system was very good and included 4 tools,

UM103DST Battery powered grass shear

UM140DST battery powered Grass trimmer

UH 303DST battery powered hedge trimmer

601 DST battery powered drill driver

If you have any of these tools and would like spares or more tools please e-mail me, I may be able to help.

Available used - Makita 12v hedgetrimmer - uses old lead acid batteries - mail me for details.

One of the advantages of Makita tools is the very long lifespan of every product range. Batteries and spares are available longer than any other make I know of.

If you found my site helpful or want to look for other tools or products please use the searchbox below as any purchases will create a small commission that helps fund my site and work. Thank you.

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