Link: http://HarborFreightReviews.com/HFRreviews.html

The Electric Leaf Eater and Shredder is Harbor Freight's "Deal of the Day" selling for our target price of $59.99. Print out their on-line ad (click here) and take it to your local Harbor Freight outlet. Many (most?) Harbor Freight outlets are honoring their on-line sales. I wouldn't expect to combine it with a 20%-off coupon, but hey, you never know.

If you decide to buy this item, be sure to read our online review (click here for the review). We had mixed feelings about this product but do see some merit in it. Try it out within the first 30 days so that you can return it if dissatisfied. Good luck and happy sa(i)ling.

Link: http://www.HarborFreightReviews.com

Item: Craftsman 3.5-hp Electric Chainsaw
Retail price: $99.99
Target price: $79.99 or less
Item Link (not available)

The Sears Craftsman™ 16” 3.5 hp electric chainsaw is such a hot item that it merits special inclusion amongst the reviews of Harbor Freight Tools™. Sure, electric chainsaws are sold at Harbor Freight too, but the Craftsman quality at a near Harbor Freight price makes this item a hands-down winner.

This Craftsman electric chainsaw offers a powerful little chainsaw in a lightweight electric machine. The chainsaw is capable of some serious cutting with its 16” blade, yet the electric motor is much lighter than a comparable gasoline-powered chainsaw. The automatic chain oiler keeps the chain well lubricated and cutting efficiently, and the quick adjust chain-tension adjustment system keeps the chain tight around the chain bar as necessary to prevent chain damage or jumping off the bar. Of course one does have to be careful not to cut the electrical cord, but this electric model does offer some advantages over its gasoline-powered cousin.

The advantages of an electric model include:

1. No gasoline to mix with oil or even load into the unit. No running out of fuel during the job nor trying to remember the exact gasoline-to-oil ratio this unit needs compared to the grass trimmer or other 2-cycle gasoline-powered yard tools (e.g., 50:1? 40:1? 20:1?).
2. No residual gasoline left over in the tank to go bad from aging and to gum up the carburetor. This means that it’s practical to use this unit for just a few quick cuts without the mess and inconvenience of filling and then emptying the gasoline-powered model.
3. The electric motor provides a noticeably lighter chainsaw than a comparable gasoline-powered unit. This is especially important for people that might find the heavier version tiring after a few cuts. With the electrically powered chainsaw, even us aging baby-boomers find this model easy to use throughout the day, trimming and cutting limbs on the small to intermediate size jobs around the yard.
4. The light weight, always ready to run no-mess convenience of this powerful little electric chainsaw makes it a hands down winner for small jobs around the house. It doesn’t replace the large, gasoline-powered models for big jobs, but it provides convenient cutting for most work around the home.
5. Electricity is a renewal/sustainable energy source and does not (in itself) pollute; this might seem like a negligible consideration for some, but save-the-planet where you can and the cumulative effect will add up.

Read the manual for a quick guide to using this chainsaw and keep the electrical cord safely on the right side at all times. Work at a slow, comfortable pace and you’ll find that the extension cord doesn’t hold back the performance of this little giant. Also take seriously the notes about using the proper sized extension cord (e.g., 12-gauge or larger, depending on length where smaller gauge-number equals a larger actual wire). Using an insufficiently sized electrical cord produces a voltage drop at the electric motor which in turn causes it to draw MORE amps and decreases the motor's life!

A special note for the novice chainsaw user: The electric nature of this chainsaw makes it appear to be plug-in and go but that's not quite the case. Be sure to add oil to the oil tank for chain lubrication and re-tighten the chain as necessary throughout use; this is especially important while it's being broken in. And of course keep your fingers and limbs (that's YOUR limbs) well away from the cutting surface and be careful of kick-back and pull -- 3.5hp is the equivalent of three large horses pulling you abruptly without warning when led astray!

Bottom line: A hot buy for most homeowners who do their own yard maintenance (excluding perhaps those living in the desert) -- an always ready to go, easy to handle necessity for trimming larger branches around the home.