Thank you Amazon and Black & Decker!(and I am sure my neighbors would thank you if they could).
When this came up as a recommendation (I had been looking at chain saws) I said "yeah, right, like that's going to do anything". I have an acre with a woody hedge, some branches 6-8 inches in diameter. I have been working on it with a pruning saw, a slow laborious process. Needless to say it has not been coming along too quickly. There are places where it is 20 feet tall.
My saw arrived yesterday, and thanks to great instructions on installing the blade from another reviewer. Since I have not been able to link that review, I will note that if you are having difficulty installing the blade, lay it on it's sideand look into the opening. Make sure that the button which the blade slips on to is oriented correctly (the manual does say to check the orientation and adjust with a screwdriver if necessary. that is, by prodding it a bit to align it). Place the blade in the slot and drop it so that the opening on the blade slips over the oval knob, and then gently pull down until it snaps into place. this should only take a minute or so (less, actually) I was up and running in a couple of minutes, and so surprised at how easy it was: light, maneuverable, powerful (well, more so than I had been expecting). My son came out to check out the new saw, saying "it cuts just like a light saber) lol, well we all have our own points of reference.
I cleared 25 linear feet in less than an hour (more level and cleaner than I could get by hand).... only another 980 or so to go :p The only limitation I have is the length of my extension cords (bet I know what my next recommendation is going to be). I am thinking of tiptoeing over to the other listing and getting that little LI chain saw while it's on sale (and my husband is out of the house.... I got this because he doesn't trust me with a chain saw) :D
Having done that so easily, I attempted to take out a dead orange tree (hardwood) which my husband said he could not get with the (18" gas) chainsaw. I had an avocado tree becoming bonsaied while I waited for the orange tree to come out...and finally did it myself with this little saw! The trunk is over 12" in diameter. The limbs 6"-8". I took it slowly, and had no trouble at all (though the saw is rated for half the diameter). (The trick is to hold it steady without putting much pressure on the blade and let the saw do the work.) A week or so later we used a chipper/ shredder to mulch hat I had taken out. I would guess it produced between 50-100 gallons of wood chips from what i took out in just a few hours with this saw!
Then my husband borrowed the saw to trim some of the bigger limbs to fit in the shredder, and in no time flat, broke the shaft :( (how that happened when I'd used the same saw to take down the tree cutting through larger parts than he was cutting i will never know) BUT: I took it into the local Black & Decker service center & they replaced it, sent me a brand new one no questions asked! In fact It got here in just 1 week (and that is to the most geographically remote land mass on earth.
I am very happy with the tool and amazed at Black & Decker's customer service. When I need another tool (and I do to reach the parts of the yard I can't get to with an extension cord) I will absolutely be going back to Black & Decker. I have never experienced customer service like this before! (Very happy customer!)
This is a great little tool for the price; a great little tool period.
| Brand | BLACK+DECKER |
|---|---|
| Color | Multi |
| Blade Material | Metal |
| Surface Recommendation | Metal,Plastic,Wood |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Special Feature | Brushless |
| Included Components | Large Capacity Blade, Metal Cutting Blade, Black & Decker Phs550B 3.4 Amp Powered Handsaw, Storage Bag |
| Product Dimensions | 17.1"L x 8"W x 5.5"H |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Speed | 4600 RPM |
| Number of Teeth | 6 |
| Current Rating | 3.4 Amps |
| Manufacturer | Black & Decker |
| Part Number | FBA_BDKPHS550B |
| Item Weight | 5.63 pounds |
| Item model number | BDKPHS550B |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Medium |
| Style | Handsaw |
| Material | Metal |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Number of Handles | 1 |
| Special Features | Brushless |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 2 Year Warranty |
