If you’re looking for an affordable cordless electric chainsaw, there are a few different options on the market.
The problem for most buyers, is that finding the right unit can be difficult. If a chainsaw is going to be cordless and electric, then it needs to meet a few different criteria.
Battery life, performance, and ease of use are some of the most important. Black & Decker is a trusted brand, but you should never buy based on the brand alone.
If you want to go cordless, and a gas powered chainsaw is beyond your requirements, then this Black & Decker LCS1240 chainsaw review might just introduce you to your next purchase.
Let’s have a look at this Black & Decker LCS1240 review to see what this power tool has to offer.
Product Showcase
Application
If you’re cutting small lots of lumber, firewood, clearing trees, or pruning on your property, then this chainsaw is aimed directly at you.
It’s designed for light duty work, which means that you’re not going to be able to use this to cut down large hardwood trees, however, it will have no problems with smaller trees or fallen dead trees that need to be broken up.
Some of the biggest advantages of this saw are that it is portable and relatively easy to use, and because there are fewer components than a gas chainsaw, it is also lightweight.
If you need something for general domestic work and you aren’t going to miss the extra power of a large gas saw, then this Black & Decker is definitely worth looking at.
Frequency of Use
Despite this being a battery powered tool with a fixed amount of charge, frequency of use is not something that can easily be determined.
With moderate work, the battery will last for around 30 – 60 minutes of continuous cutting.
Of course, most of the time you won’t be using the saw continuously, so your actual mileage with the battery will vary.
Hot temperatures can reduce battery lifetime, as can the hardness of the wood that you are working with. Cutting into large 11” diameter logs you would be able to make at least 10 straight cuts before needing to recharge the battery.
If you purchase a spare battery, you will be able to significantly increase the operating cycle, as batteries can be hot swapped as needed.
Portability
Lighter than a gas powered saw and with no need for mains power, an electric saw like this Black & Decker LCS1240 is effortlessly portable.
The saw weighs just 10.4 pounds, making it much lighter than a comparable gas powered saw.
You get the benefit of not having to carry a volatile fuel mix, but you will need to carry an extra battery pack (separate accessory) if you want to extend the operating cycle of your chainsaw.
The fact that you won’t have to replace an air filter or make any other major adjustments, helps to increase the portability even more.
Power Source
You don’t need to be plugged into a wall outlet to use this chainsaw, as it is fully powered from a hot swappable 40V lithium ion battery pack.
Batteries can be easily exchanged if you have spares, or you can wait between charging cycles by connecting your battery to an included charger.
One downside to this particular battery and charger set, is that the recharge time is between 4 – 4.5 hours for a full charge from empty. This time is significantly longer than some competing battery powered chainsaws.
Performance and Cutting Speed
It can easily be said that the performance of this saw is very good, but you do need to keep in mind the intended purposes of the saw.
This is for cutting smaller pieces of wood, small trees, or trimming limbs from trees.
You’re not going to be able to cut through multiple full grown hardwood logs, because that is simply not what this saw has been designed for.
Keeping that in mind, you can expect to make light work of firewood and breaking up thinner logs or cords of firewood. Cutting speed is comparable to that of a similarly sized gas powered saw, but will depend heavily on the type of wood that you are cutting through, how dry it is, and its size.
One good thing about the performance is that it doesn’t taper off until you are right down to the minimum charge on the battery. This means that you will get a consistent experience from this saw, just like you would from a small gas powered saw.
Right below you can watch a video I hand picked from youtube; I think you will find it useful to obtain a better picture of what this Black & Decker LCS1240 is capable of!
Handling
A smaller guide bar usually means better handling, and in this case that is exactly what you get.
Even if you only have minimal experience with a chainsaw, you will find this unit easy to use and cut with. The high amount of torque from the electric motor can make it easier to perform straight cuts on smaller pieces of wood, and vibrations are limited thanks to a smooth electric motor.
When compared to a gas powered chainsaw, the learning curve is smaller and newcomers will find it relatively easy to get used to this Black & Decker LCS1240.
Guide Bar Length
The guide bar length on this chainsaw is 12”, meaning it is much smaller than the average saw, but still good enough for its intended purposes.
A smaller blade is more desirable for lightweight work, so it fits the overall theme of this saw.
If you would be thinking about upgrading in the future, you won’t be able to do so on this saw. The blade is paired to the power of the electric motor, which means you would need to upgrade to a new unit should your needs change in the future.
Safety features
This saw includes the standard blade brake feature that all modern chainsaws have, and it features a chain that has been designed to produce as little kickback as possible.
Remember to read the safety manual before operating this saw, and always be aware that a chainsaw is statistically one of the most dangerous power tools that you can work with. You’ll need to exercise caution and common sense whenever you are using this tool.
Maintenance Requirements
Besides keeping the unit clean and free of dust buildup, the only maintenance that is required is topping up the bar oil.
The motor components are all sealed and self-lubricating, and are designed to stay lubricated for the lifetime of the unit. Bar oil is topped up through an easily accessible reservoir, after which the chain will continually lubricate throughout operation.
If you’ve been interested in a chainsaw but have balked at the thought of maintaining all of the separate components of a gas powered unit, then the relative simplicity of a battery powered electric saw should be very appealing.
Ease of use
Ensure the battery is charged, check the blade tension, top up the bar oil, and you’re basically ready to go with this saw. This model, and many other electric saws, are the easiest ways to start chain sawing on your property.
You don’t need to worry about purchasing fuel mix, there’s little maintenance, and the tool simply gets the job done. Being so light also helps to make this tool easy to use for small jobs around your property.
General Construction Quality
The housing of the motor section is made entirely of plastic, but the tool feels sturdy in the hands, and the battery pack is placed perfectly to balance out the steel guide bar.
Construction quality is high, and is similar to what you will find on other battery powered saws.
Although plastic will never be as durable as the steel and other metals used on gas saws, the fact that this is for light work means that it should stand up to regular use. All components have been fitted well, and the construction of the large tension adjuster is also noteworthy, allowing for tool free adjustment.
Accessories
This unit doesn’t require accessories for adjustment or maintenance, and comes with a hard plastic blade scabbard to protect the blade when being stored or transported.
If you were expecting to see a bag included with this product, then you may be disappointed.
Documentation
The documentation is clear and detailed, as you would expect from any power tool in this price range. It has a comprehensive breakdown of all features, with a great visual guide of the different elements of the saw itself. It also includes all pertinent safety information and operating guidelines, making for a manual that is of overall good quality.
Tips
Always read the user manual thoroughly before operating the chainsaw. It includes useful safety information as well as operational information that is specific to this saw.
By consulting the manual, you could eliminate any user error when first using the saw. Additionally, ensure that the battery is always removed when the saw is not in use.
This will prevent degradation of battery life. If you’re storing the battery, it’s best to store it with a depleted charge, ideally between 40 and 80 percent.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
So far, this review has been mostly positive regarding performance and features.
As you might expect, consumer feedback has also been mostly positive. The saw enjoys positive reviews on Black & Decker’s own website, as well as on the largest ecommerce website.
There is nothing to suggest that there are major quality control issues, but as with any product, it is possible for consumers to receive ‘bad’ units.
Some key things to take from online reviews are,
- Good performance cutting down and breaking up a 12 inch diameter tree. Although this required a day’s worth of cutting and recharging, the customer was still impressed with the performance.
- Good feedback regarding general trimming and the occasional larger cutting job.
- Customers are happy that the battery pack is hot swapable with other Black & Decker devices, making it easier to extend your cutting time if you already own other 40V MAX series tools.
Price
Currently this Black & Decker LCS1240 chainsaw is priced in the $100 to $200 range.
Recommended Extra Accessories
If you don’t have safety goggles or gloves, make sure you pick some up and always use these when cutting. You won’t need a full face mask for light duty work, and these should meet all of your needs.
If you need a high quality bar oil, go for a high quality Oregon oil.
Quality gloves like the VonHaus chain saw gloves are highly affordable.
Shipping & Packing
The chainsaw ships assembled in standard foam and cardboard packaging. Shipping damage has not been reported by consumers, indicating well thought out factory packaging design.
Manufacturer Support and Warranty
Unfortunately for such a positive chainsaw review, the customer support line is not quite up to standard.
Some consumer reviews indicate that online retailers have been more helpful than the Black & Decker support line, which is disappointing to say the least. Even the Black & Decker website will force you to navigate through a number of menus without finding the support hotline.
For easy reference, the support hotline is 1800 544 6986, and is available 8AM – 5PM (EST) on weekdays.
Despite some complaints about receiving help from the support line, Black & Decker does offer a three year limited warranty, which is more than the industry standard and is honored at service centers throughout North America.
Specifications
Bar Length 12 in
Blade Type Low-Kickback Oregon Blade
Power Source Cordless (Lithium Ion Battery)
System 40 V
Weight 10.4 lb.
Chain Pitch 3/8”
Chain Gauge 0.043”
Chain Type Oregon (Part 90PX045G)
Origin
The tool is manufactured in China.
Dimensions
Shipping dimensions measure at 8.81 x 28.56 x 9.63 inches.
Our Black & Decker LCS1240 Review: Final Thoughts
This is a reliable saw that comes in at a good price point.
It has some excellent features, such as the large tension adjuster, which will definitely make your life easier when you are using this tool. It is let down by a long charging time, which could be an issue if you want to run this saw for some all-day work.
Customer feedback regarding phone support is disappointing, but the warranty offered is definitely better than what could be expected at this price point.
Overall, this is a saw that has been warmly received by consumers, its size belies its true power, and it handles well with almost no maintenance. If you don’t need a large gas powered saw for large trees and continuous work, then this model is definitely worth purchasing.
Black & Decker LCS1240 Chainsaw Summary Review
IMPORTANT FEATURES | PROS & CONS |
---|---|
-40V Battery operation -12” Blade guide bar -Automatic bar oiling -Tool-Free tensioning -Low kickback blade -Interchangeable batteries with the B&D 40V MAX System | PROS -Quiet operation, thanks to the battery powered electric motor -Hot swappable battery pack for longer work sessions -Virtually maintenance free -Easy blade adjustment with a large tension adjuster and locking mechanism -Good performance for a cordless chainsaw -Low price point makes it more accessible than a gas saw CONS -Excessively long battery recharge time -Battery will quickly deplete when cutting large or hard material. -No carry bag -Cannot be modified with a different bar guide |