I recently used an electric Craftsman similar to this Poulan I’m reviewing. I loved it also. I worked it hard. It was easy to use, and felt very secure. I took down and cut-up a big pine tree (40+ years) with it, and accomplished the task more easily than a bigger saw would have. So, I have no complaints about the 16-inch Craftsman (from Sears, not K-Mart).

Having some heavy work to do, I came home intending to buy a Craftsman. However, reviews complained about nylon drive gears stripping. I got cold feet. I found the Poulan and hoped it was more sturdy than Craftsman. I paid just a bit more for it. (I haven’t taken either one apart, so I can’t speak of any impressions I have of relative fabrication quality.)

I expected to get a very similar saw as the Craftsman. I didn’t, other than size and maybe power. (The Craftsman, 16-inch, was ‘bigger’.) Craftsman had an auto-oiler. Poulan requires periodic, manual, push-button oiling. Not difficult, you just have to think to do it– just like with my gas saw. Craftsman has a very clever, user-friendly, cam-actuated chain adjustment. Poulan has the same mechanism as my gas saw. Thus, Craftsman has more whistles-and-bells. Me? I don’t care. I can cope with older styling. I want a sturdy machine.

Prior experience (20 years ago) with electric saws had me expecting to be disappointed in cutting power and speed. With neither electric saw did I regret not having gas power. Each cut with the ease I expected. The advantages? (1) Check oil, chain/bar tension, plug it in, and go. (2) As opposed to adding to the list/mess: mix oil and gas, fill tank, set choke, pull cord, tweak, pull again….

The clincher: After taking down the big pine tree, I was whipped. Tired to the bone. Had I been doing the job with a saw that was bigger and heavier, required frequent pull starts, and simply was more physically demanding , I might not have gotten the job done within the day. Besides, I didn’t relish the idea of being even more tired.

At this point, I have worked my Poulan as much as I worked the Craftsman. Both are still going strong.

Electric saws can do all I want to do in almost all cases, and they do it with less effort. There is less kick-back risk, due to more modern design or whatever. Both things considered: THEY ARE MUCH SAFER TO USE!!! than bigger, heavier machines. (Machismos: I know experienced sawyers who have hurt themselves, very badly, with big, powerful saws.)

I like my choices: (1) To buy an electric chain saw, and (2) To buy this particular one. Craftsman vs. Poulan? Time will tell.