Comparison Pro-Craft K450 vs CRAFT-TEC CT-5000

The volume of the engine of a gasoline saw (see "Power source"). On the one hand, the power and performance of the tool depend on this indicator, on the other hand, its weight, price and fuel consumption. Accordingly, it is necessary to choose a model taking into account the specifics of the planned work, and it does not always make sense to chase large volumes. In particular, for simple household tasks, an engine capacity of about 40 – 50 cm3 is considered quite sufficient, and in professional models this figure can exceed 100 cm3. More detailed selection recommendations can be found in special sources.

Saw motor power in watts. For petrol tools (see "Power Source"), horsepower is additionally indicated, see below for details.

The higher the power, the better the tool is suitable for voluminous work and hard materials, the greater the depth of cut it can provide and the easier it can cope with significant loads. In addition, for different types of saws and different types of materials, the actual power values \u200b\u200bcan also be different. For example, a power of 2.5 – 3 kW is actually the limit for chain saws, but in chain saws this is an average figure, among such tools there are models of 3 – 4 kW and even more. Detailed selection recommendations for various cases can be found in special sources.

The power of the saw engine expressed in horsepower (hp). This designation is traditionally used in gasoline models (see "Power Source") along with watts; 1 HP ≈ 735 W.

For more information about power, see the paragraph of the same name above.

- Disc. The presence of a saw blade is included in the delivery set of the circular tool. It can be either one or several, which allows you to use the saw “out of the box” without the need to purchase additional consumables. If you already have a saw blade or intend to select it for specific tasks, it is worth taking a closer look at the configurations without a blade - they are usually cheaper.

- Chain. One or more chains included as standard with the saw. The presence of a chain with teeth for cutting allows you to do without purchasing a separate executive body for chain saw. However, there are configurations without a chain - it is assumed that the customer already has a chain or he will select the required option himself.

— Saw blade. The presence of one or more saw blades in the complete set of a reciprocating or band tool. They ensure that the saw is ready for use literally immediately after unpacking. There are also configurations of reciprocating or band models without a saw blade - they are cheaper, and the customer has the right to choose a suitable blade independently.

— Dust collector. A dust collector is included with the saw. The dust collector is a container for collecting sawdust and other d...ebris generated during operation; As a rule, such a container is made removable. Installing a dust collector slightly increases the dimensions of the entire tool, but this is compensated by cleanliness and convenience: dust and other production waste mostly settle in the container and not on surrounding objects.

- Charger. The presence of a charging block in the package allows you to charge batteries. Accordingly, for models with batteries, this accessory is necessary to power the battery. However, there are models without a charger. And saw with it may differ in the charger model, the name of which will allow you to learn more about its characteristics and, if necessary or if required (breakdown), purchase a similar one.

— Case (bag). Availability of a case or bag included with the instrument. A case is a container-suitcase made of hard material; bags are usually made of soft material. This way the case provides maximum protection and the bag can be folded away compactly when not in use. The specific type of case that comes with the saw should be specified separately. However, in any case, a complete case or bag will be more convenient for storing and transporting the instrument than impromptu packaging.

- Stand. The stand makes the saw tool more stable, reliable and safe. The presence of a stand is typical for stationary type saw. Mostly these are powerful, productive, large and heavy models that are located in a separate place. The stand can be implemented either with classic legs (bed) or with a cabinet with a tool compartment. The stand can be equipped with various types of saw: circular saw, miter saw, band saw, cutting saw and even chain saw (with electric drive).

— Wheels for transportation. Transport wheels make it easy to move sawing equipment around the shop. The presence of wheels will come in handy when the saw needs to be moved a little to install some large workpieces or simply when cleaning the workshop. As a rule, wheels are typical for stationary saw with a table top or work holder.

The noise level produced by the saw during operation. Note that this parameter is rather approximate, because in fact, the “loudness of the work” depends not only on the tool, but also on the material being processed and the characteristics of the environment. Nevertheless, the data given in the characteristics make it possible to assess the comfort of working with the tool. The lower this indicator, the less discomfort the noise will cause, and at high values, even special hearing protection may be needed.

Note that the noise level is usually measured in decibels, and this unit is not linear: for example, a difference of 3 dB corresponds to a difference of 2 times, 10 dB — to 10 times. Therefore, it is easiest to evaluate the noise level using comparative tables. Here is a simplified version of such a table for the range in which modern saws operate:

70 dB — loud conversation of several people in close proximity;
75 dB — a cry in the immediate vicinity;
80 dB — truck engine, mechanical alarm ringing;
85 dB — loud scream;
90 dB — freight car at a distance of 7 – 10 m;
95 dB — subway car at a distance of 7 – 10 m;
100 dB — industrial shop;
110 dB — tractor engine;
120 dB — demolition hammer, thunder from a close lightning strike (pain threshold of auditory perception).

The volume of the fuel tank in saws with a petrol engine (see "Power source"). A volume tank, on the one hand, allows the device to work for a long time without refueling, on the other hand, it seriously affects the weight and dimensions. The latter is not critical for stationary units (see "Type"), but it is very important for portable equipment — and the vast majority of chainsaws and power cutters are made portable. And taking into account the fact that refueling usually does not cause any particular difficulties, it does not make sense to equip hand tools with capacious tanks, therefore this volume is small in such saws.

The volume of the oil tank provided in the tool.

In this case, we mean a tank from which oil is supplied to the saw chain (see "Device") to lubricate it during operation. In general, this is a reference parameter that allows you to estimate how much oil is needed for one refueling of the tool.

The total weight of the tool. For petrol models (see "Power Source"), usually, dry weight is indicated, excluding fuel.

In general, it makes sense to pay attention to this parameter primarily when choosing a hand tool. At the same time, note that higher power, a more capacious battery or a capacious tank will inevitably affect weight. However, tools with similar characteristics can and do differ markedly in weight. And here it is worth considering that a lighter model will be more comfortable to work with, but weight reduction may affect reliability and/or cost. In addition, a more massive tool is more stable, it is not so prone to jerks under uneven loads. If we talk about specific numbers, then a weight of 3 kg or less is considered very light, 3–5 kg is relatively small, 5–7 kg is medium, 7–10 kg is significant, and some powerful tools (mainly gasoline) weigh and over 10 kg.

As for stationary saws, weight is of secondary importance for them — it mainly affects the ease of transportation.