21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chainsaw fear, 5 Feb 2011
This review is from: Bosch AKE 40 Chainsaw (40 cm Bar Length) (DIY & Tools)
Was originally interested in a motorized chainsaw,but the price of the Bosch one fitted my pocket,in these depressed times. So with trepidation I went ahead and bought it. Great piece of kit,does exactly what I require which is to cut down mature trees around my property,and to cut up logs suitable for burning in our small range/open fire. Result: one HAPPY customer.
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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent brand, poor product, 9 Jun 2011
This review is from: Bosch AKE 40 Chainsaw (40 cm Bar Length) (DIY & Tools)
I purchased this chainsaw to cut back a hedge which was proving too thick for a conventional hedge cutters. The Bosch brand is well respected and generally manufactures very high quality products.
After tensioning the chain to the chain bar as specified in the manual, I tried it out. It cut wonderfully - for all of ten seconds. Then the chain came off. I repositioned the chain and tried again - with the same result. I tried many different settings of the tensioning screw in order to vary the tension of the chain, but to no avail. When the chain came off for the last time, I again replaced the chain and attempted to adjust the tensioning peg, but I then noticed that the tensioning screw had become warped, and the saw was rendered useless. I wish to point out that I did not apply much pressure to the screw.
Replacing the chain on the chain bar is a very tedious business. You need to unscrew the cover using a spanner (provided) which is barely up to the task, and which constantly falls off the nut head. Then you have oil all over your hands, and all over the remnants of cut branches which accumulate inside the cover. The chain bar needs to be removed, the chain re-set on it, and then threaded around the drive cog. The chain bar then needs to be be supported with one hand to prevent it falling out of position while you adjust the tensioning screw and then replace the cover, which holds the chain bar in place, using your other hand. You must go through this procedure every time the chain comes off.
The tensioning peg which holds part of the chain bar in place is clearly not up to the job. It barely protrudes into the chain bar guide hole, making it a rather simple affair for the chain bar and chain to come loose. The screw on which the tensioning peg rests is also sub-standard. There is no way that it should have become warped using the small amount of pressure that I applied to it.
On returning the chainsaw to the dealer, I had to wait for a week to receive a replacement from Bosch. The replacement was obviously a refurbished model, as the box it came in was badly damaged. Again I tried to cut my hedge, and time after time it took no more than 15 seconds of sawing before the chain would come off. After replacing the chain about five times, adjusting the tensioning peg each time, I finally gave up and brought the saw back to the shop for a refund.
I still think the Bosch brand is a good one, but this unit, for me, was all but useless. I could not recommend it to anyone.
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67 of 70 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Does what it says, 16 Jan 2009
This review is from: Bosch AKE 40 Chainsaw (40 cm Bar Length) (DIY & Tools)
I bought this for time-saving cutting back stuff too heavy for pruning (branches 2-4 inches) and find it perfect for that kind of job. Instructions were a bit awkward on fitting the chain but good on safety and use. It does need using with massive care but so long as you follow the instructions and think about what you are doing, it will cut effortlessly and do the job neatly. The operating switches are a bit uncomfortable. Feels solidly built.
Update: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF MICE! Would you believe - over winter, mice ate the entire oil-chamber cap and the top of the chamber too! They must like the oil. If you store in in garage or shed make sure it is well wrapped up or this part protected!
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