Andrew Barss wrote:
My wife has asked for a small chainsaw for Mother's Day (my kinda
woman). She doesn't want a heavy gas-powered saw, just somthing
convenient for cutting branches and small tree limbs in the yard.
What would be ideal, if anyone makes such a thing, is one that's
convertible between a regular saw a pole saw for high branches.
Failing that, recommendations in either category appreciated. Corded
is fine, cordless would be even better (again, if anyone makes one).

Thanks,

Andy Barss

First piece of advice - and don't take this advice lightly - stay away from
the Homelight saws at HD. Pay no attention to any of the marketing glib,
etc. Any of those plastic saws marketed at dumb homeowners are pure junk.
Even for very light weight work. Ryobi makes an 18v cordless chainsaw, but
I've never seen it in real life, let alone used one. It might be worth a
look. Just remember - you're not going to get many cuts out of a cordless
chainsaw before you have to recharge.

There is no such thing as a light weight chainsaw that converts to a pole
pruner, so you're out of luck there. You can though buy pole pruner
attachments for your string trimmer if your trimmer has a 2 piece shaft.
They work extremely well. You'll get about 12' of reach out of it. Cost -
right around $100.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear but you'd be better off
picking up one of the very small Sthil or Huskvarna saws. Very light
weight, real chainsaws, easy to use, will actually last a long time, etc.
But... they are gas.

--

-Mike-