Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw (CS1500)

Oregon CS1500-091 Chainsaw 18-inch 15 Amp Self-Sharpening Corded Electric I'm posting this review after nearly 4 years of use. One reason that I bought this electric chainsaw nearly 4 years ago was the ease of use over the gas operated chain saw. When I was forced to purchase a home risk insurance policy, I had to cut some very wide tree limbs because they represented threat during hurricane season, I cut branches nearly 18 inches wide with this machine with no problem. They cut like butter. I did not even have to press down on the machine, it cuts with it's own weight. This chainsaw has been above par during it's operation. My only advice is keep the chain tight and watch the oil level carefully. Please don't forget to disengage the chain stop when you get it. Another amazing convenience is adjusting the tension without tools: This highly crafted machine allows you to adjust your chain quickly and easily so that you can maintain the perfect tension for the ideal cut with next to no maintenance Truly, I must have save nearly $1000 with this machine after cutting branches from the oak trees. The machine has literally paid itself off several times over. Another amazing feature is the self-sharping stone that is conveniently located at you hand, press for several seconds and wallah, the chain is sharpened , that easy. While I was working outside, a neighbor came to help me with his 18in gas driven chain saw. Let me tell ;you, the Oregon CS1500-091 is second to none. I cut just as fast as my neighbors saw with greater ease of use. One plus is that I did not even have to worry about mixing gas and oil ratios. The automatic chain oiling works well. Again, I've said it with ad nauseam check the oil level after a long cut! Another plus is the the auto sharpener which is convenient and easy to use. When you push the sharpener handle, you could see little sparks as the sharpener stone brushes against the chain/links. I used a 50 feet extension cord with no power drop. But here is the part you've been waiting for, the customer service is outstanding. I called with a question regarding the oil tank on the machine and the customer service rep answered the phone even away from the office. I must add this part, and she speaks good English. I deal with a plethora of customer service reps and they are simply practicing English while they speak with me. Oh yes, no waiting in line, the phone representative is an expert in her field. Mind you, 4 years later, she had no problem giving me her undivided attention. If you don't by from this company, you've lost your mind. I truly recommend a purchase of this highly rated rugged cutting machine. You won't regret it, trust me!! Michael

Well built chainsaw. Kind of heavy but really cuts. Self sharpening chain works well but the replacements are cost prohibitive. Would buy again.

I can't speak to durability as this is my review after just one day of use; however, I am very pleased with the early performance of this saw. I had read user reviews commenting on the propensity for the chain to jump its track and for the saw to overheat and melt the plastic housing. Thankfully, I had also read other reviews that suggested those issues were probably related to owners not following the guidance given in the manual for prepping the saw for first use. I will admit I am a person who does not always read through manuals, but in this case I applied myself and followed the instructions to the t, taking special care with the steps required for priming the automatic oiler and tensioning the chain. As a result, the chainsaw performed flawlessly as I cut down and sawed up three trees and trimmed back several large branches on other trees that were shading areas of my yard I wanted to garden. A couple of notes that may be of interest to potential buyers and new users: I ordered a heavy-duty 12 AGW/15-amp contractor-grade extension cord for use with the saw but it will not be delivered until tomorrow. Anxious to try out the saw and take advantage of a non-rainy spring day to get those trees knocked down, I paired the saw with a medium use 100 foot cord I already own. Part of the prep work for the automatic oiler involves taking off the bar and chain and running the saw for two minutes. I used this test to see if there was going to be an issue with the cord heating up as I would expect it to do if the load was too much for its rating. It did not heat up whatsoever and neither did it heat up during subsequent use. I still intend using the heavy duty cord I bought but I might have saved myself $65 had I known a medium use cord would serve so well. Second, I have read complaints about the automatic oiler. Mine works just fine (to date) and I want to stress that I had some anxiety going in to the experience but that I soon realized I was getting constant reassurance of performance because I was able to smell the oil. Although it is still highly advisable to track levels and periodically make a visual inspection to validate the chain is being properly coated, I worried less about dryness and chain jumping as I went along, and that was a very welcome change from the experience I had with a battery-operated saw I had previously purchased from another maker. A last comment on the oil - Oregon included a small vial with the saw I purchased and it was sufficient to prime the saw for first operation and perhaps to make a few cuts, but it would not have served to complete the tasks I performed yesterday, which probably required several hundred cuts. The instruction manual is well-written and it was not hard to follow along and get the saw prepped for first use, and I am someone who has almost zero aptitude for all things mechanical. Bonus for that, Oregon, and for the extra instruction you provide for what cuts to make and in what order to make them to fell a tree and cut it up after it is fallen. It had been 40 years since I last spent any time doing that and the refresher was very helpful. The saw is lightweight, quiet, and efficient when handled in accordance with guidelines. I could not be happier at this point, especially as contrasted to the experience I had with the battery-operated model I bought from a competitor and that has been sitting in the box after a really horrible performance on its first day of use. Again, kudos to Oregon - I could not be happier with this purchase and I do not have a single critique for this saw.

I've owned this saw for a couple of years--long enough to appreciate its good points and allow for its shortcomings. On the plus side, like other corded electric saws it's quieter and stinks less than equivalent ICE saws. While the cord limits its use in far corners of our 20+ acre property, it's been a great tool for the area when we buck, trim and split firewood. The chain tension system works pretty well. Though the OEM chain and sharpener block sets are pricy compared to conventional chains, they simplify and speed sharpening. On the down side, the saw's electric motor is not up to dealing with 12+ inch logs of any sort, hardwoods or dry fir and pine. While the oiling system works fine when the saw is clean, it loads up pretty quickly so the oil bypasses the bar and chain. That, in turn, can cause overheating. Overall, I'm happy with the saw as a tool for lightweight or occasional use. If you need something more than that, look elsewhere.

Update: May 2025 I had been using this chainsaw for about a year without incident after switching to ordinary chains and sharpening the chains by hand (without using the Powersharp feature), as I wrote in my original review. A couple of weeks ago, however, the chain grabbed the wood and came off the bar, somewhat violently, perhaps because I was applying too much pressure. No big deal, chains come off saws. I put the chain back on, though, and it came off immediately. After two or three more repetitions, I examined the bar and sprocket, and found that the e-clip (also called an e-ring) holding the sprocket in place was gone. Looked around the ground there but couldn't find it (it's a very small part), and the sprocket+e-clip replacement kit seemed to be out of stock everywhere. So I called Oregon and explained things, and they said they'd send me a new e-clip gratis. I didn't want to wait a week for it though, so I went to a local hardware store and bought e-clips in a few sizes. The first one I tried, 5/16", fit perfectly, and the saw runs fine now. Bumped my rating up to 5/5 on the strength of the excellent customer service (although they didn't expedite shipment). Original review, fall 2024: I have been using this chainsaw for six months or so. I like it a lot, and have not had most of the problems that others here have described. The chain jumped off the saw once, but I think I was not keeping the chain sufficiently taut. I am in the habit of checking the chain tightness every 10 minutes or so, and have not noticed rapid slackening etc. However. While the "Powersharp" automatic sharpening feature seemed very nice the first few times I tried it, I found that after maybe four to six weeks and maybe a dozen sharpenings, it was no longer really cutting. Pulling the lever to sharpen the chain had no effect. Bought a new chain+stone combo, tried using it; essentially the same result. After a while the sharpening feature doesn't work. My understanding is that the depth gauge no longer works because the teeth are reduced in height as they are sharpened. As such, these chains are designed to be disposable, so to speak. They work for awhile, are fine for a few months of continuous use, and then must be replaced. That at least has been my experience. I replaced the second chain with a standard 3/8" 0.05 gauge Sensilin chain, and have been using it for some time now. It's great. Cuts like a dream, and I have not yet had to sharpen it. But armed with files for the purpose and an excellent Youtube video (look up the "No Nonsense Guide to Chainsaw Sharpening" by FarmCraft101, the best video guide to chain sharpening I've seen--indeed, one of the best DIY videos I've ever seen on Youtube), I don't think I'll have trouble sharpening it by hand. In short: an excellent saw, except for the sharpening feature. Replace the chain with a standard chain, and I'd give it five stars; but that's not what you get when you buy it here.

Have you ever made a purchase thinking “it’s probably too good to be true, but even if it only kind of works, it’s worth the gamble?” Well, that’s where I landed on this. It just happened to turn out being one of my best decisions. This chainsaw has been great. This thing chews through wood so well it makes the neighborhood beavers and woodchucks hang their heads in shame. The onboard sharpening lets me cleave the bark of my storm felled enemies in seconds and let’s me clear debris with minimal interruptions. As long as the cord stays plugged and I top off the bar oil when needed, this thing has been nearly unstoppable. I have to say nearly because poorly placed cuts that end up putting too much pressure squeezing the bar will stop anything, but that was my own user error. It’s a great saw, but unfortunately it can’t fix bad decisions. You have to do that yourself. It’s the easiest chainsaw I’ve ever had to take care of, it’s reliable, much quieter than my old gas saw, starts every time without any extra fiddling or magic passwords like my old saw needed (i.e. push the button exactly like this, or you have to hold it just like that and only pull the cord while facing the temple of Cthulhu no later than 43 min after dusk otherwise it won’t start), lightweight, and just easy to use. It’s more than big enough to easily handle all of my current needs. It very quickly became the chainsaw I reach for first, almost as fast as it cuts through branches. We have ample outlets and proper extension cords so that hasn’t been a concern for my needs, but make sure you have what you need for a corded saw.

***THIRD AND FINAL UPDATE*** I was cutting up a few incense cedar rounds left in my driveway by a tree trimming company. The motor exhibited signs of weakness, bogging down even when not cutting anything. The motor completely died after two cuts and would not respond to user input after letting it cool down and resetting the safety features. The auto-lube for the chain was working just fine, and the chain was not over-tensioned. I used this saw on a total of three occasions for light work. The first unit they sent melted the plastic chain tensioning nut after two uses, and the second unit had a defective motor which died on the third use. VERDICT: These electric Oregon saws are PLASTIC CHINESE JUNK. Do not buy them. They destroy themselves after approximately two or three uses. Spend the extra money on a Mikita or Husqvarna, or alternately a gas-engine drive Stihl. ***SECOND UPDATE*** I contacted Oregon and was glad to receive prompt and friendly service. Oregon stands behind their products. The unit was shipped back to their facility free of charge and I received the new unit in the mail this past week. So far this weekend I have cut up approximately two cord of cedar, maple and cherry, jumping the chain once, but overall without any issues. One thing I have observed from the new unit is that it is using significantly more lubrication, keeping the chain a nice glistening, almost dripping, wet. It appropriately slings lube off the chain now if I leave the saw running long enough. The first saw I received, while it was steadily consuming lube from the reservoir, appeared to be more on the conservative side in its application to the chain and would never really "sling" any lube no matter how long I ran it. Final verdict: Pros: For an electric saw, the thing is a beast, allowing you to make use of the full bar length when cutting large rounds. Quiet enough not to piss of the neighbors. The clutch mechanism makes it incredibly safe. The price for a unit this powerful is currently unmatched. Sharpening feature is probably pretty handy, although I have yet to try it. Great support from Oregon. Cons: Catastrophic failure of the saw could potentially result from low lubrication to the chain -- YOU ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY MUST KEEP IT LUBED AND COOL. The side-mounted motor gets in the way sometimes and makes the CG of the saw offset to the left of the bar making it a bit awkward to hold at times. The lube fill cap should have been positioned on the left side to avoid chip accumulation around the cap. Overall, I like this saw. Bottom line: when it works, it works well. For those of you accustomed to using gas saws of mostly metal construction, be mindful that this saw is indeed made of plastic and will melt critical components if things get hot. I'm hoping Oregon takes note of this and improves upon this in the next generation of this saw. For now, careful observation of operating temps and routine maintenance, I am hopeful, should be sufficient in providing a useful service life for this product. ***UPDATE*** I'm changing my rating to one star. After cutting about a cord of wood today, the chain kept coming off. I opened it up, and low and behold, the plastic casing had melted, creating a misalignment between the chain and gear; i.e. it walks the chain right off the gear now. The chain was pretty warm, but that's not all that uncommon if you cut a lot of wood. It was cool enough for me to pick it up without gloves. It appeared to be getting plenty of lube on the chain, and I had kept the reservoir topped off, so I know it never ran dry. The chain was tensioned cold per the instructions. I'll be contacting Oregon for warranty service tomorrow, but from what I read in the manual, I'll have to pay for shipping which will likely be as expensive as the cost of the saw. I will post back the outcome in a few days, but right now I'm wishing I'd ponied up and went with the Makita. You'll notice the casing around the gear hub is metal on the Makita and not plastic like the Oregon. I view this as a serious design flaw with the Oregon.

I finally had an opportunity to use my saw to take down an old Linden tree. It really surprised me in how well it worked. First there is a learning curve when you have a power cord attached. I had to loop / semi knot the power cord to the saw to prevent it from constantly unplugging itself. You then have to be very conscious as to where the power cord is so that you don't cut it. The only operational issue I had was that the chain popped off about 10 times during this operation. Part of that was operator error in that I think I let the chain get too loose. I started paying more attention and retightened it every few minutes, which seemed to help allot but did not totally stop the chain from popping off. I'm still not certain why this was happening so frequently. The oiler seemed to work well. DO NOT store the saw full of oil. I did this and when I went to use it I found most of the oil had drained out all over the shelf. Be sure to drain the chain oil before you store it. The built in sharpener seemed to work well. The one thing that surprised me was that as soon as you take your finger off the trigger the chain stops immediately. It's such a hard stop that I'm expecting something to break. So far it is holding up well. I used this saw pretty hard on a 65 degree day. I did not sense there was any type of overheating issues. I did unknowingly hit the chain brake while moving from an awkward position. On the next trigger squeeze nothing happened. I thought maybe I had hit a thermal limit but eventually figured out that the chain brake was out of position. So it also really works well, just be sure to check it first if your saw stops working. Most of my cuts were on limb wood size pieces as the trunk was only about 6 foot high before it branched out. Therefore there was not a lot of heavy continuous cutting, which may reveal other limitations. Overall I am really happy with my purchase.

I've used a couple of electric chain saws before and this one is at least as good, and probably better than all of them. It is quite quiet for a chain saw, it cut well, and the stop is almost instantaneous. It is true when they say it is quite balanced - I never felt like I had to compensate one way or the other when operating it. First job with it, I had to cut through a tangle of roots so I would frequently end up cutting through hidden layers of dirt, clay and rocks. The blade got dull pretty quickly but that would be expected of any blade in the circumstances. The auto sharpener came in handy. That feature worked pretty well - don't think it is as good as by hand but it sure is A LOT quicker and was all I needed.

La acabo de estrenar y trabaja excelente y el trabajo lo realice en menor tiempo, el único pero es que no llego bien sellada solo con cinta transparente y la caja semi abierta

This saw is very easy to use and once you let go of the trigger the chain stops rotating immediately which is a great safety feature also not to heavy and has tons of torque even when using a 100ft extension cord. I have down about 2 cords of maple wood with this unit thus far.

Para casa es exelente corta súper rápido

Excelente producto cumple con calidad en sus materiales