Black & Decker LCS1020 20V MAX Lithium Ion Chainsaw
In A Hurry? Here's A Summary Of The Black And Decker Chainsaw Review.
This Black & Decker Chainsaw comes with a tool less tensioning system and automatic chain oiling system. Model LCS1020 has low noise emission and a three step ANSI standard safety system. This B & D dual handle chainsaw is perfect for pruning, trimming or performing precise handiwork on expensive pressure treated wood logs with its 10 inch bar with low kickback mechanism and signature power consumption module for long lasting battery life.
Let’s just say I wasn’t planning to switch to a new cordless chainsaw, but somehow I ended up with the Black+Decker LCS1020 in the process. It is a 20V chainsaw with a cute 10-inch bar. Gotta’ admit that the size is pretty small for a cutting tool that’s usually associated with major on-site work.
However, Black & Decker wanted to release something for the minority out there. Dwarves, midgets and regular sized human owners have greatly benefited since then! This specific Black and Decker chainsaw model is described as an ideal power tool for small scale tasks; such as but not limited to pruning, chiseling, wood carving etc.
Table of Content
Coming back to the Story…
Yeah, so, my Ryobi gas powered chainsaw was stolen last season. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I made the drastic discovery. Someone stole it from my garage – and as much as I missed that old chainsaw, I knew that it was time to switch to something new.
That being said, I am not into felling gigantic trees or doing on-site cutting related jobs. My work is simple; I am an avid DIYer who likes to dabble in wood working every now and then. I wanted something small, compact and light to conveniently help me in my week-to-week endeavors.
Source:Black & Decker
So, if you are a professional lumberjack, you may want to reconsider your priorities. The Black and Decker LCS1020 20V chainsaw is meant for intermediate scale jobs; anything bigger or denser than a 10-inch diameter pinewood log is going to be a tough challenge for this pupper. The chainsaw comes with and without an additional battery pack. I wouldn’t sweat over it if B&D forgot to pack it, but since it is only a 2.0 Amp battery, it cannot be replaced with something more powerful. You will eventually need these batteries if you want to get through with anything concrete.
Black & Decker LCS1020 In Depth Chainsaw Review
Size Doesn’t Matter Anymore!
I’d say that with this specific Dewalt DCCS670X1 cordless chainsaw model, size doesn’t pose a lot of hindrance in most number of projects. The ones I have in mind are bookshelves, log carving in different shapes etc. The small size of this product allows me to pay attention to everything with a huge degree of precision. You want the right cuts at the right angles to make sure that everything is going according to the blueprint.
Also, the compact size needed little to no maintenance. It has low emission, in case you were wondering about toxic fumes or whatever. On top of that, the Black+Decker guys made sure that the LCS1020 didn’t produce any noise over 80 Db. At most, you will be hearing a faint hum similar to that of a vacuum cleaner. I suspect you don’t have a sound/ noise measuring device, but I can guarantee that this chainsaw does not roar at all; it’s more like a purr…
No Muscle Power Though…
This Black & Decker LCS1020 Max lithium ion chainsaw lacks serious muscle power. As stated earlier, this saw is meant for precise small level jobs. On the contrary, you’d be amazed at the slick combination of ease of use and twice the amount of output as expected from a normal 20v battery. B&D installed the company’s signature technology equipment to ensure high quality standards for long-term efficiency.
Chain Oil System Is a Big Hit or Miss!
Yeah, about that… The chain oil system is supposed to be the flagship feature, or the selling point for the Black+Decker LCS1020 chainsaw. However, it is more of a hit and miss scenario. Although they integrated an automated oiling system in the B & D LCS1020, things can go awry after a month or two.
Source:Black & Decker
I heard from a lot of pre-existing owners that the oil system can get faulty after rigorous use. Some folks even claimed that they had to manually oil the chain because the system never worked straight out of the box!
As far as my unit is concerned, I have not yet encountered this issue, but I am going to keep my eyes open. Automatic oiling sounds convenient and takes the hassle out of many things, but if it doesn’t work as advertised, Black & Decker seriously needs to fix it.
Okay, so How’s it supposed to work?
The automated chain oiling system is supposed to feed oil to the chain in gradual spurts. There is a screw cap located at the top of the unit where the oil is supposed to be poured into. You will also see a translucent window to help indicate the oil level. The oil reservoir capacity is 50 ML for the standard version of this Black and Decker chainsaw.
Do bear in mind that the oil cost can take a toll on your wallet. A quart of good quality machine oil will cost somewhere around 10 bucks. Technically, you’re going to have to fill the reservoir at least 19 times to full capacity. Multiply $10 with 19 and you get a whopping $190. If you can do a bit of haggling, your oil supply guy might be able to shave off an extra $10 - $15.
By default, the oil is depressed into the chain system whenever the primer bulb indicator shows a caution sign. If it doesn’t work, you need to manually oil the chainsaw. You can read more about it in the Black & Decker LCS1020 instructions manual. If I were to go into too many detail, it’d derail me off topic.
Source:Black & Decker
Black and Decker Chainsaw Safety Features:
This Black and Decker chainsaw model comes integrated with multiple safety features.
Don’t forget to wear protective headgear and proper gloves whenever you’re using a cordless chainsaw or any other cutting tool for that matter. These are standard safety precautions. The idea of sawdust sprinkled all over your face will definitely sound manly, but safety always comes first. Wear high quality protective gear to save yourself the trouble of a hefty hospital bill.
Any Extra Accessories Included with the Black and Decker LCS1020 Cord Free Chainsaw?
Yep, that’s a good question, but unfortunately, the chainsaw only comes with a guide bar scabbard, and a users instructions manual. I was expecting a carry case, or a protective bar at least to be on the “happy” side, but Black & Decker didn’t include those accessories.
By the way, there are two versions of this chainsaw available at Amazon. One comes without a battery pack and the other version has a battery set included. The good news is that there’s only a nominal price difference between both editions. Therefore, I’d suggest that you fork out the additional measly $5 for the battery pack.
Black & Decker LCS1020 Chainsaw Features:
Product Specifications Black & Decker LCS1020 20V Chainsaw
B&D Chainsaw Specifications | Black & Decker LCS1020 |
|---|---|
Bar Length | 10 IN. |
Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
B & D Chainsaw Model | LCS1020 |
B & D Chainsaw Warranty | 2 years |
Chainsaw Dimensions | 16.7 x 8.8 x 9.6 inches |
BAR Type | Oregon |
Voltage | 20 V |
Black & Decker Chainsaw Weight | 7.2 lbs. |
What’s in the box
The following is included with the Black & Decker LCS1020 Chainsaw:
Pros of This Black and Decker Chainsaw:
Cons
Closing Thoughts – To Buy or Not to Buy?
If maneuverability and precision are your biggest concern – and that too for home based do-it-yourself woodworking stuff, this Black+Decker LCS1020 chainsaw is the right product for you. Whether it is trimming, cutting, pruning, or weeding off unwanted branches, the saw will work effortlessly through any range of cut material for as long as it is under 10 inches diameter limit.
Anything bigger or thicker’s going to be a tough nail for this Black and Decker chainsaw to swallow. Oh, and by the way, for all that is holy and sacred, don’t even try to hack the chainsaw battery installation with a 40v variant. A lot of smartass saw owners made YouTube videos where they “successfully” installed a 40V battery instead of the 20V official Black & Decker factory supplied battery.
Well guess what, they ended up with a burner unit that also violated the Black & Decker LCS1020 limited lifetime warranty. All in all, it is a good chainsaw with a compact design, an overall lightweight profile and long lasting results. You probably won’t regret buying it.
Are you not convinced this is the right chainsaw for your needs, then make sure to read our massive best chainsaw review right here.
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