Saw it, wanted it, bought it: used it: oh dear.
It's the teeniest tiniest chain saw you have ever seen, and it ought to be brilliant, but it isn't. If you watch those videos carefully, you will see that although it appears to be going through small to medium sized branches like butter, it is actually going rather slowly, and the videos don't show how much pressure you have to maintain on it, to keep it cutting.
If you let it sit in the cut, as I do with my normal chainsaw, it doesn't make any progress - you have to rock it to and fro in order to get through the branches.
As a girl, with girly-sized hands, it's extremely awkward to press the trigger release catch while pressing the trigger, needs two hands: then you have to get your other hand safely out of the way while cutting, at which point you realise that the hand holding the trigger in can barely manage to do so. Designed for blokes, I guess.
I found that my trusty pruning saw can get through any branch faster than this little toy can, and with less effort on my part: it also leaves a much, much better quality cut.
This, although it looks adorable, manages to combine all the danger of a proper chainsaw (it flicks itself about in the cut, and if you try to cut using the nose, it leaps out like a mad thing, and there ain't no such thing as a "small" chainsaw accident) with less actual cutting power than an old-fashioned manual pruning saw. And it sounds like a dentist drill - no chance of doing a bit of subtle pruning while the neighbour isn't looking, you can hear it for miles.
In addition, I wouldn't dream of using it near anything solid like brickwork (ie massive ivy stems growing up a wall) because of the extreme likelihood of dangerous kickback and/or damage to the blade. But I can use my manual pruning saw in those situations, as I can see where I am cutting.
Good points: the blade fixing system is breathtakingly brilliant, a simple foldover latch and a self-tensioning spring: furthermore, you can't accidentally put the blade in the wrong way round, as it only fits one way. It's easy to clean with an old painbrush, I put one in the case for frequent use: it does fill up with sawdust and debris quickly, but it's super-fast to flick open the latch, brush out the bits, lift out the blade and tap it on something to get the debris out, then slot it back in place. Wear gloves, it gets hot hot hot.
Recharging is quick and easy, the big box case holds everything neatly, including the charger, with ample spare space in the box for a brush, and a small can of oil for the blade.
Verdict? Sadly, it's going back for a refund, and I'm going back to using my pruning saw.
| Manufacturer | Bosch |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 06033C9070 |
| Product Dimensions | 38.5 x 29.1 x 10.2 cm; 900 Grams |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included) |
| Item model number | 06033C9070 |
| Colour | Green |
| Style | Set | 1 battery |
| Pattern | Single |
| Power Source | Battery powered |
| Voltage | 12 Volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Measurement System | Metric |
| Included Components | EasyCut12;1 x nanoblade Wood Speed 65;1 x transparent say system cover;1 x hanging loop;1 x 12V battery;1 x charger |
| Batteries included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Ion |
| Item Weight | 900 g |
