WEN 4017 Electric Chainsaw

WEN 4017 Electric Chainsaw, 16

The WEN 4017 electric chainsaw with a 16-inch bar is one of those tools that offer convenience, ease of use, and a good overall value. It’s meant for the homeowner who needs to tackle a few jobs around their yard, or the woodworker who wants to work on projects in their workshop or garage.



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If you're like many people who use chainsaws at home, electric is the only way to go. If you're also like many others, WEN is your preferred brand when it comes to outdoor tools. So, it only makes sense for you to seriously consider ditching your gas-guzzling chainsaw and take a look at the WEN 4017 16-inch electric chainsaw. Aside from all the benefits you get from going electric, you still get an Oregon bar, safety features that are must-haves, and lots of convenient features you'd expect of a much pricier tool. To make sure that this is the chainsaw for you, keep reading to learn why people choose WEN over other brands, what makes this chainsaw worth owning, and what the caveats are according to those who have purchased this particular electric chainsaw.

What is It About WEN That People Love?

Wen 4017 16 inch Electric Chainsaw

You've probably seen the WEN brand online or at a specific big-box store. It's not quite a household name, but close. The company was founded in 1951, and it focused on bringing power to tools – especially for the homeowner and artisan. The brand gets a lot of love from budget-minded folk who want a good tool at a decent price.

A common occurrence among chainsaw brands is that they'll use the same factory to manufacture their products. It's why WEN tools often look like other brands that are popular (and they're usually pricier than the WEN tools). WEN is able to keep prices low through various differences. Using plastic parts where possible can drive costs down, and the company sells through big retailers known for offering a good deal on "free" shipping.

The WEN tools are typically smaller on average than some competing brands because these tools are meant for the DIYer, the craftsman, the hobbyist, and the homeowner. If you're a professional looking for a tool to help with everyday work, then this might not be the brand for you.

Just because the WEN 4017 electric chainsaw is much more affordable than some other more popular brands doesn't mean that it's less effective. Price sometimes reflects quality, but that isn't the case with WEN.

What You Can Expect from Your WEN Chainsaw

One of the main reasons a lot of people buy this WEN chainsaw is for its corded aspect. OK, buying a cordless machine would be more convenient, but there's more benefit in buying an electric-powered chainsaw. You won't have to buy and store gasoline. There's no need to mix gas and oil. You won't have to keep the tank full of fuel. There's less maintenance with this machine overall. And, this is the big one, there's no pull-start. You literally just turn it on and off. So, regardless of the temperature outside, you'll be able to get this baby started with almost no effect.

Extension Cord

Of course, you'll need to buy an extension cord, but there's good news here, too. This chainsaw has a 12-amp motor, which means you can use an outdoor extension cord that's less costly and easier to use. If this chainsaw had been any less powerful, it might not have the power to cut through trees, logs, and limbs. If it had been more powerful, you'd likely have to spend as much as you do on an appropriate extension cord as you would be with the chainsaw.

Features

The 16-inch bar is the ideal size for home-sized jobs. That is, it's good for occasional use for a homeowner or DIYer. You'll be able to blaze through tree limbs and logs for firewood. Tree trunks that are smaller should also be a breeze. The thicker ones or hardwood might take a little more time, but they're doable. It's the professional-sized jobs that you might balk at with this chainsaw. It just isn't meant to tackle the bigger jobs. Can you fell a tree with this little guy? Yes, actually. You just need to know what you're doing and be safe about it.

Speaking of safety, the WEN chainsaw includes a scabbard that protects the bar and chain while you have it stored, but beyond that, the safety is up to you while in operation. There's no chain brake, and there doesn't seem to be any anti-vibration features. The hand guard helps keep you safe from debris and the chain itself, but it isn't foolproof. That's why it's a good idea to wear heavy gloves and avoid loose clothing.

From the moment you plug this chainsaw in and start it up, you'll notice it's quite different from any gas-powered chainsaw you've owned. There's no blue smoke, so you can breathe better. Plus, it's much quieter. If anything, this is going to make your neighbors happy – or happier. Additionally, because this is an electric-powered chainsaw, you can use it indoors. So, work on your projects in the garage or a shed, and you won't have to worry about any cough-inducing emissions.

At about 10 pounds, this chainsaw is definitely considered lightweight. The lightness of this chainsaw makes it easy for anyone to use. And the tool-free tensioner for the chain is like child's play (uh, don't let your children play with this tool). You just turn the knob to tighten the chain if and when it loosens. Simple as that. There's no need for you to find a tool to do it.

The automatic oiler keeps your bar and chain lubricated, so you won't have to constantly stop in the middle of a cut to squeeze some oil onto the saw. The chain oil is necessary to keep the saw going and it helps extend the life of your chain and bar. As convenient as the auto-oiler is, it can sometimes clog and need a good cleaning out.

Perhaps the only other caveat to owning and using this WEN chainsaw is that you are limited to a 100-foot extension cord. So, if you have trees at the back of a large yard that needs trimming, you might have a bit of difficulty getting there with this chainsaw. Or you'll need a longer cord or a generator. The cord wrangler that's built into the tool is helpful to keep the cord out of the way, but there's still no guarantee that something could slip and you'd chop right through the cord. Always use caution.

The two-year warranty is helpful to have because no matter how well made a product is, there's always a chance for defects. Should anything go wrong with your chainsaw, you should be able to contact WEN in the first two years of ownership to get a repair or replacement.

PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Tool-free chain tensioner
  • No emissions
  • Auto-oiler
  • Good size for home use
  • Affordable
  • Starts easily
  • Quieter operation
  • Decent warranty

CONS

  • Oiler clogs occasionally
  • Not great for pro jobs

 

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Features & Benefits

In this Wen chainsaw review, let's break down each feature and how it will benefit you. This is a good way to see, at a glance, how this WEN chainsaw stacks up against others you may be considering.

Lightweight

Wen 4017 16 inch Electric Chainsaw

At only about 10 pounds, this is one of the lightest chainsaws on the market. It's easier to use a lightweight power tool, and this WEN chainsaw is balanced. You can use this chainsaw for an extended period without getting tired because the weight isn't too much.

12 Amps

12 amp power

If there was such thing as a happy medium when it comes to power, 12 amps would be it. Not only is it enough power for this chainsaw to slice through trees, limbs, and more, it's the ideal amperage for the extension cord you'd need.

Auto-Oiler

Automatic Oiler

The automatic oiler means one less thing for you to worry about. Just add oil to the reservoir and let it lubricate your bar and chain automatically.

Chain Tensioning Knob

Chain Tensioning Knob

Many chainsaws require you to buy a separate tool specifically for tightening the chain on the bar. That's not the case with this WEN chainsaw. Just turn the knob to tighten or loosen the chain to the right amount of tension.

No Emissions

Electric-powered tools offer a huge benefit to your immediate environment, and for those around you. There are no harmful emissions coming out of this machine because you aren't burning fuel. Your neighbors are sure to appreciate this.

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Price

Price

WEN is known for making affordable power tools, and its chainsaw meant for home use is no exception. You should be able to find this chainsaw for way less than $100.

Warranty

1 year Warranty
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Some power tool companies only offer 90-day guarantees or one-year warranties, but WEN offers a two-year warranty. So, if you notice any sort of defect in labor or parts, you can contact WEN to make it right for you.

What Others are Saying

Customer-Feedback-sign

One of the best ways to find out what people really think about this WEN chainsaw is to go through customer reviews. Here is a consensus of what people had to say about this chainsaw – good and bad.

Type of Jobs

Overwhelmingly, customers agreed that this is a saw meant for homeowner use. While it can do bigger jobs, it's meant for light duty. If you need a saw for everyday use, most people agreed that this isn't the saw for you. If you're looking for a saw that will handle some limbs, smaller trees, and brush, then this could be the saw for you.

Value

The cost of the saw, plus its effectiveness equals a good value, most people surmised. There are a handful of people who got stuck with a defective unit, which drops the value of this saw considerably. However, the two-year warranty can help recover some of that value.

Power

Surprisingly, this is the little chainsaw that could. Many people shared anecdotes of chopping down oaks, pines, and maples. One person even spoke of using this electric-powered saw to fell 50-foot pine trees, which is quite a big job for such a small, lightweight chainsaw.

Oiler

The WEN chainsaw automatic oiler gets mixed reviews. The view window is a great touch because you can see when it's time to add more oil. However, there were several reports of the oiler clogging or just not working at all.

Noise

Most people who bought this WEN chainsaw said the noise level was considerably less than that of a gas-powered chainsaw. And then there were those who said the chainsaw was louder than they expected from an electric-powered chainsaw.

Convenience

Overall, most customers agreed that this chainsaw is convenient to use. Just plug it in and go. There's no need to mix gas and oil, and no need to store fuel to power this chainsaw.

Ease of Use

From assembly to use, this chainsaw gets high marks for ease of use. Starting this chainsaw is easy, using it is easy, and it easily cuts through most of what consumers said they bought this chainsaw for.

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Conclusion

The WEN 4017 electric chainsaw with a 16-inch bar is one of those tools that offer convenience, ease of use, and a good overall value. It's meant for the homeowner who needs to tackle a few jobs around their yard, or the woodworker who wants to work on projects in their workshop or garage. There are no emissions to worry about, so it's cleaner to use for you and for the overall environment.

Noise is minimal, so even if you live in a suburban area, it shouldn't be much of a bother. The maintenance of this machine is also low, so you won't have to do much more than keeping the bar and chain oiled and occasionally clean out the automatic oiler.

This lightweight chainsaw does require you to be close to an outlet, or have a 100-foot extension cord, but that's one of its only limitations. It's not likely to power through the thickest, tallest trees, but it'll work well for you on big jobs if you're patient with it. This WEN electric-powered chainsaw is an affordable power tool that is a must-have if you have any sort of yard work that requires a chainsaw.