Are Craftsman Chainsaws good?
There is a wide range of both new and used gas, electric, and battery-powered Craftsman chainsaws for sale. The best one for you will depend on the type of work you want to do and your power preference.
My mom, for example, always prefers a battery chainsaw over a gas chainsaw because it’s quieter and less smelly, and she perceives it to be safer. Whereas most guys will choose a gas engine over a battery or electric chainsaw any day.
Overall, Craftsman chainsaws are reliable, useful, and durable chainsaws for use around the home. But there’s a huge difference between the old vintage saws and today’s modern chainsaws.
Vintage and collectible Craftsman chainsaws can be found on eBay here.
The Best Craftsman Chainsaws
See the full range of current Craftsman chainsaws for sale on Amazon here.
Generally speaking, we don’t recommend electric corded chainsaws. They are cumbersome, limiting, and, sometimes, more dangerous.
A battery-powered saw is far better as you can go where you want without the need to be connected to a power outlet. There’s no cord you can accidentally cut either!
Gas chainsaws are best for those who will be using their chainsaws for many hours at a time.
Battery chainsaws run out of power in as little as 30 minutes, so unless you have a stash of suitable batteries they’re not ideal. Gas chainsaws give you more freedom to work where you want for as long as you want – given your chainsaw is up for the challenge.
1. Craftsman 16 Chainsaw
This CRAFTSMAN 42cc chainsaw is one of their best-sellers. It’s a gas chainsaw and it comes with a 16-inch bar.
It comes in the recognizable ‘liberty red’ color of all modern Craftsman saws and is equipped with a ton of great features for such an affordable chainsaw.
For example, it has an adjustable auto chain oiler. For those who are unfamiliar with chainsaws, this is used to provide lubricant to the bar and chain.
You put the bar and chain oil (or a substitute), which is different from engine oil (mixed with the fuel), into the tank closest to the bar. This then feeds out onto the chain and bar.
The flow can be adjusted (a feature not available on all chainsaws) depending on the climate you are working in. In warmer climates, the oil won’t be as thick so the flow can be adjusted down and vice versa.
All this to say, it’s a nice feature to have!
This Craftsman 16 chainsaw is well-balanced, lightweight, and easy to handle. It’s perfect for occasional use around the home.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- It’s been proven reliable for light work
- Performs well for light clean-up tasks
- Ok for felling small trees and processing firewood
Cons:
- At the end of the day, it’s a cheap chainsaw that won’t last forever and won’t be perfect for everyone
- You will be limited in what you can do because of the shorter bar size
2. Craftsman 18 Chainsaw
The Craftsman 18 is also a 42cc gas-powered chainsaw, the main difference is that this one comes with an 18-inch bar.
Customer reviews state that this chainsaw is good for pruning and processing firewood and can be used for both softwoods and hardwoods. It’s good for clearing small trees or dealing with tree debris after a storm.
There are some complaints about the quality of this saw, with some users experiencing a quick drop-off in usefulness. It starts well, but after using it for a bit it can slow down or become extremely difficult to start.
It’s always hard to know if those who make negative reviews are using their chainsaws appropriately and/or maintaining them properly, but it’s always best to hear the good and the bad before buying.
The overall consensus is that for the price the Craftsman 18-inch chainsaw provides good value.
Pros:
- Very cheap
- Good for occasional use
- Perfect as a homeowner chainsaw
Cons:
- Some negative reviews from those who have tried and tested it
- Lower quality components than the likes of a Husqvarna chainsaw
3. Craftsman 12-Inch V20 Chainsaw
The Craftsman V20 is a battery-powered saw that comes with a single 4AH battery and charger.
It is part of the V20 cordless system so the battery can be used with other Craftsman power tools in this line.
It’s a small, comparatively low-powered chainsaw that is good for pruning trees – and that’s about it! You should not expect to be processing large volumes of firewood for the winter with this chainsaw.
It’s a handy chainsaw to keep in your car or truck if you live in an area where you commonly come across branches or small trees across the road.
While it doesn’t require gas or engine oil, it does require bar and chain oil, and it has an automatic oiler. It also has a tool-free tensioning mechanism which makes life a little easier!
Pros:
- Small and lightweight
- Very affordable
- Easy to transport and store
- Quick and easy to start and use
Cons:
- Not for heavy work
- Not a lot of power
- Best for cutting small softwoods
4. Craftsman 16-Inch V60 Chainsaw
The CRAFTSMAN V60 Cordless Chainsaw is another step up in size and power from the V20 and is part of the V60 range of tools.
This model is sold and recommended to be used with a 16-inch bar. It comes with a 2.5 Ah battery pack and charger.
As with all of these electric and battery saws, it has an automatic oiling feature, easy chain tensioning, and a low kickback bar and chain. It’s super easy to use and has been well-reviewed by many verified buyers.
As with most of these types of products, there is also a fair amount of negative reviews saying things like, ‘Does not work,’ or ‘I ended up hating it.’ It’s not for everyone.
If you want a high-powered, versatile chainsaw that can go all day without skipping a beat but isn’t going to break the bank, check out something like the Husqvarna 460 Rancher. The Craftsman range isn’t designed and manufactured to be a logger chainsaw!
Pros:
- More power
- Longer cutting time
- Larger cutting bar
Cons:
- There could be some quality issues
- Won’t run all day or last forever
5. Craftsman Corded Electric Chainsaw
This electric Craftsman has a 14-inch bar and an 8-amp motor.
Again, it’s very light and easy to wield, weighing only 7 pounds. This model is CORDED electric, meaning you are limited to working within reach of a power source.
It also has an auto-oiling feature, easy chain tensioning, and it’s easy to store or transport. Some people consider it a good chainsaw for women.
Pros:
- A bit more power
- A longer bar for more use options
- Extremely cheap
Cons:
- It’s corded
- Not as durable as some brands
Craftsman Chainsaw Review
Overall, are Craftsman chainsaws any good?
They are for the right people.
If you are just looking for a low-priced chainsaw that you can pick up and use on the odd occasion, they might be for you. I wouldn’t recommend them for large (or even small) scale firewood production, or heavy-duty yard/farm clean-up.
While the gas models are certainly better for heavier-duty work, they still aren’t designed to be a hobby farmer’s only chainsaw.
For more info on the brand and history, read this post on ‘Who makes Craftsman chainsaws?‘
And, if you have doubts about the Craftsman electric chainsaw range, consider the DEWALT electric chainsaws or these Ryobi Chainsaw reviews.
