Sizing extension cords

[OldMasterTech]

You're going to need a minimum 10 gauge cord. I still wouldn't attempt it. The cost of such a cord alone makes it impractical. I would get a generator or a battery or gas powered saw.

Ditto, 10g required to prevent voltage drop and overheating of cord. 200 foot cord would be $200 for wire plus cord caps and the weight would be almost 90 pounds!

 

[Retiredguy2]

I thought the transformer went at the end of the cord? This project doesn't make much sense anyway. He could buy a gas saw for what that much cord will cost. If there's some reason he's against gas he could get a battery powered saw.

I agree with the cost of the cord...it is not practical. I do have gas powered saws....HOWEVER: The chore I want to perform is trim a VERY long row of cedar trees of dead and dying branches...a good part of it will require much time standing on a ladder. For safety reasons an electric saw would be more practical and much safer. Odds are I will never have to perform the chore again so I am reluctant to purchase a battery powered saw for a one time chore.

 

[Retiredguy2]

So retired guy, what prompted you to buy an electric chainsaw for remote work? Not trying to give you a hard time I'm actually curious.

Good query on your part....numerous reasons here: Want a lightweight saw with less chance of kickback while standing on a ladder. Do not want to carry a running gas saw up the same ladder. I have gas powered saws I could use but using them for the chore I want to use the electric saw for has a lot more risk. You are not giving me a hard time at all.

 

[mark02tj]

What about something like a Stihl Kombi with a chainsaw trimmer attachment? That could keep you on the ground and away from the chain.

Those "pole saws" will wear you out though. At least they do for this fat, gray haired old guy! :laughing:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'd buy a gas powered pole saw for your stated job...

I have a pretty good electric saw, and I don't like getting up on a ladder with a heavy cord dangling off my saw! One misstep with that cord dangling there, and you are coming off the ladder.

That's why I bit the bullet and bought a "good quality" pole saw.

SR

 

[joefromga]

Home Depot makes a nice 10ga cord for 100 dollars with lighted plug. It's cheaper than making one yourself and is very tough but soft supple insulation making it easy to work with.

Everyone should have one.

 

[smstonypoint]

It seems to me that a reciprocating saw (corded or cordless) would be relatively less "unsafe" while on a ladder, but I would bite the bullet and buy a pole saw.

Steve

 

[Gunny]

It seems to me that a reciprocating saw (corded or cordless) would be relatively less "unsafe" while on a ladder, but I would bite the bullet and buy a pole saw.

Steve

I'd vote for a battery operated reciprocating saw, useful for a lot of things around the house. You can gets in a lot of different lengths and suited for a lot of different tasks

 

[4570Man]

Don't you have a generator?

 

[4570Man]

Home Depot makes a nice 10ga cord for 100 dollars with lighted plug. It's cheaper than making one yourself and is very tough but soft supple insulation making it easy to work with. Everyone should have one.

How long is it? I'm betting not 175 feet.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would vote for a gas powered pole saw. If you already have a string trimmer with a 2 piece shaft, then you would only have to buy the end for the pole saw. This would keep you from having to service a second engine. A pole saw can get a bit unwieldy when you have an extremely long shaft which is the only drawback to using them.
I would never consider using 175 feet of cord to run an electric gizmo of any sort.

I don't know if they still make them, but my daughter has a Black and Decker "Gator" like battery powered chainsaw that works pretty good. It keeps the chain pretty much completely enclosed in a housing when cutting and it will cut up to about 3" limbs. I used it once and it worked pretty good and had lots of power. I have no idea the cost of this tool though. I think I saw them once at Lowes.
Edit: Pricing at Lowes for the Alligator battery powered chainsaw is $89 without battery or charger so I would guess another $50 or so to add those to it. Other similar types sell for about $140 with charger and 20v Li-ion battery.
Even at $150 it would still be cheaper than 175 feet of cord plus the cost of a saw.

Unless you have restriction on using gas powered saws, that would still be my choice.

 

[JimRB]

When I built my barn the temporary power pole was up at the street. I unrolled 250 feet of 12 guage romex and went to work. I used a circular saw and my pancake air compressor. When I rolled up that romex I saw that the rats started to chew on the jacket. No fire in the field.

My dad had an electric chainsaw. I thought it did not stop the chain with the trigger. The neighbor brought one out this summer and the chain stopped when you released the trigger even thought the motor was still spinning down. I liked his saw a lot better than my dad's. I need to check out Dad's saw again to see if I am recaling correctly. It could be I was also annoyed with a dull chain. The neighbor is not hardy enough to start gas engines without a key. The electric chainsaw and weed wacker lets him keep the place up. For bigger stuff I visit or some other neighbor.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Here is the ampacity table from UL. Yes, you need to include the run of house wiring to the receptacle. I agree, you need a generator, but not a large one for that load. One rated for 2000 watts continuous should serve as long as you don't try to start it under load. For occasional use, a heavy duty alternator would allow you to power the chainsaw off of your pickup battery.

UL General-Use Circuit Ampacity Reference Chart

 

[4570Man]

I've seen some Troybuilt equipment although I'm not a fan of Troybuilt that has the ability to start them with a cordless drill.

 

[ultrarunner]

A block over there was a grass fire... old boy had run an extension cord to his wood pile about a 100 feet behind the house... fire investigated said the deteriorated cord was the cause... cord had been out a couple of years...

So it does happen...

 

[GregbkH]

Unless he needs to go more than about 5 feet a 14 gauge is definitely too small. He didn't say how long he needs, but a 12 gauge is likely too small. My circular saw doesn't operate properly with a 50 foot 12 gauge cord.

You must have something wrong with your wiring if your circular saw wont operate with a 50 foot 12 gauge cord. Also, a 14 gauge cord will work well for 25 or even 50 feet. If the saw is working properly it will not trip the gfci receptacle or breaker. They trip when there is an imbalance between the hot and the neutral which indicates a problem with the tool. Being a master electrician, I know these things.

Breakers are meant to run continuously at 80% of their value. 15 amp breaker = 12 amps. 20 amp breaker = 16 amps.

That saw would work if he first plugged in a 100 foot 12 gauge cord and then plugged a 50 foot 14 gauge cord into that to run the saw. No need for generators or any of that other stuff.

 

[4570Man]

You must have something wrong with your wiring if your circular saw wont operate with a 50 foot 12 gauge cord. Also, a 14 gauge cord will work well for 25 or even 50 feet. If the saw is working properly it will not trip the gfci receptacle or breaker. They trip when there is an imbalance between the hot and the neutral which indicates a problem with the tool. Being a master electrician, I know these things. Breakers are meant to run continuously at 80% of their value. 15 amp breaker = 12 amps. 20 amp breaker = 16 amps. That saw would work if he first plugged in a 100 foot 12 gauge cord and then plugged a 50 foot 14 gauge cord into that to run the saw. No need for generators or any of that other stuff.

The saw does start and run, but it lacks the power it had without the cord.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Should have asked question first. 175 feet is way to far. Gas powered is made for this use.

Gas gets my vote...

 

[Streetcar]

I have a 10 gauge cord that is 200 ft. It is heavy .
Used in confined space, chipping concrete for repair

 

[ultrarunner]

Bought my 10 ga for my Bosch Brute Concrete Hammer...

Back in 1989 when the Earthquake knocked out power for an extended time I use it with my Generator which was at my neighbors... he is retired and always home...

Kept 4 freezers going and a few light at 4 homes... Honda EM5000