Craftsman Cordless Chainsaw Review for Yard Work
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A cordless chainsaw Craftsman buyer usually looks at three things: the bar length, whether a battery and charger are included, and whether the saw fits the V20 battery system already in the garage. The Craftsman V20 cordless chainsaws in this roundup range from a 10-inch mini chainsaw to a 12-inch model with a 5Ah battery, and a small 6-inch pruning saw. Most listings state that they run on V20 batteries, some ship with a battery and charger, and others are bare tools. This review explains how to pick among them, looks in depth at the CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw with battery and charger, and compares the other models using only what each listing states.
Quick answer
- For light limbs and small trees, the 10-inch CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw (CMCCS610D1) is the kit with the battery and charger included in this group.
- For longer cuts with a 12-inch bar, the CMCCS620M1 includes a 4.0Ah battery pack, and the CMCCS630P1 includes a 5Ah battery and charger.
- If you already own V20 batteries, the bare-tool versions (CMCCS610B and CMCCS620B) leave out the battery and charger.
- For tight branches and pruning, the 6-inch CMCCS320D1 pruning saw is the smallest model here.
How to choose a Craftsman cordless chainsaw
Start with the bar length, because it sets the largest cut you can make in one pass. The listings in this group use 6-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch bars. The CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw CMCCS610D1 lists a 10-inch bar and chain and says it is designed for cuts up to 8 inches thick. The CMCCS320D1 pruning saw lists up to a 4-inch cut capacity with its 6-inch bar and chain. The 12-inch models have the longest bar in the group, and the listings describe them as compact for cutting in small spaces.
Next, check what is in the box. Some listings include a battery and charger and others say the battery and charger are sold separately. A bare-tool listing is a good choice only if you already own a V20 battery that fits the tool. Read the included-components line before you buy, because the kit contents differ by model.
Third, think about weight and handling. The CMCCS610D1 kit lists an item weight of 7.9 pounds. The listings for the 12-inch CMCCS630P1 say it is 40% lighter than a 42cc gas saw when used with its 5Ah battery. That comparison is the manufacturer’s claim, so treat it as the listing’s statement and not as a measured figure.
Fourth, consider storage. Several models in this group are compatible with the VERSATRACK wall organization system, which lets you hang the saw by its integrated hook. The VERSATRACK system is sold separately, so buy it only if you want wall storage.
Battery platform and what the kits include
All of the Craftsman saws in this group are part of the V20 cordless system, which the listings describe as a platform that also powers other outdoor tools. That matters if you already own a V20 grass shear, hedge trimmer or blower, because one battery can move between tools. The listings do not state how many cuts a given battery gives in every wood type, but some do give a cut count. The CMCCS630P1 says it can complete big jobs with up to 105 cuts per charge, and the CMCCS320D1 says up to 85 cuts.
Battery size also changes the price of ownership, but the listings do not give prices here and this article does not compare them. Instead, note the amp-hour rating in each listing. The CMCCS610D1 kit uses a 2.0Ah V20 battery, the CMCCS620M1 uses a 4.0Ah pack, the CMCCS630P1 uses a 5Ah battery, and the CMCCS320D1 uses a 2Ah battery with charger. A higher amp-hour number generally means longer run time between charges, which is useful for longer jobs.
Bar length, cut capacity and tool type
Bar length is the single number that most affects what a cordless chainsaw can do. A 6-inch bar on the pruning saw is best for small limbs and close trimming around other plants. A 10-inch bar, as on the CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw, covers thicker branches up to the 8-inch figure the listing gives. The 12-inch bars on the CMCCS620M1, CMCCS620B and CMCCS630P1 cover larger limbs, though the listings do not state a maximum cut thickness for every 12-inch model, so check the cut capacity line in the listing you are considering.
Tool type matters too. A mini chainsaw and a pruning saw are both handheld cordless chainsaws, while the CMCPS630D1 pole chainsaw has a long reach for overhead branches and is not part of this comparison. Pick a handheld saw for work at ground level and a pole design only if you need to reach higher limbs. The pole model is a different product class with a different balance and different uses.
Roundup of Craftsman cordless chainsaws in this group
CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw, 10 inch, with battery and charger (CMCCS610D1)
This is the kit with the battery and charger included among the 10-inch models. The listing says it has a 10-inch bar and chain designed for cuts up to 8 inches thick, auto-oiling for continuous lubrication, and bolt-lock chain tensioning. It includes a V20 2.0Ah battery, a V20 charger, a bar cover and a wrench. The listing also says it has an integrated hook for the VERSATRACK system.
CRAFTSMAN V20 Mini Chainsaw, 10 inch, bare tool (CMCCS610B)
This is the same 10-inch bar design sold without a battery or charger. The listing gives the same bar and chain features: auto-oiling, bolt-lock chain tensioning and VERSATRACK compatibility. It is the right pick if you already have a V20 battery and charger. The listing says the battery and charger are sold separately.
CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Chainsaw, 12 inch, with 4.0Ah battery (CMCCS620M1)
This 12-inch model has the longest bar of the battery-equipped Craftsman options in this roundup that use a 4.0Ah battery pack. The listing highlights extended run time from that pack, a bubble level for level cuts, tool-free chain tensioning and auto-oiling, and a 3 Year Limited Warranty. It also lists replacement parts: chain CMZCSC12 and bar CMZCSB12. The listing describes its 12-inch design as compact for small spaces.
CRAFTSMAN V20 Mini Chainsaw, 12 inch, bare tool (CMCCS620B)
This bare-tool 12-inch saw shares the bubble level, tool-free tensioning and auto-oiling features with the battery kit. The listing states that the battery and charger are sold separately, and it notes VERSATRACK compatibility. Buy it when you want the 12-inch bar and already own a suitable V20 battery.
CRAFTSMAN V20 RP Cordless Chainsaw, 12 inch, with 5Ah battery and charger (CMCCS630P1)
This model is the most powerful option in the group by its own listing claims. The listing says it uses a brushless motor that delivers up to 80% more peak horsepower than the CMCCS610D1, and that it can complete big jobs with up to 105 cuts per charge. It includes a 5Ah battery and charger, a 12-inch bar and chain, and auto-oiling with bolt-lock chain tensioning. The listing also says it is 40% lighter than a 42cc gas saw when used with the 5Ah battery. The listing does not state a weight in pounds, so compare the figures on the product page before you decide.
CRAFTSMAN V20 Mini Cordless Chainsaw, Pruning Saw, 6 inch (CMCCS320D1)
This is the smallest saw here, with a 6-inch chain and a listed cut capacity of up to 4 inches. The listing says it is 50% more compact and 14% lighter than the CMCCSL621B, and it lists up to 85 cuts per charge. It includes a 2Ah battery, a charger, a bar and chain, a sheath with an on-board wrench holder, and a 3 Year Limited Warranty. It also has an integrated tip guard for control on upper cuts. It suits trimming and pruning rather than heavy felling.
Review: CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw with battery and charger (CMCCS610D1)
The CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw in this kit is the model to start with if you want one cordless chainsaw that comes ready to run. The listing describes a lightweight, compact tool with a 10-inch bar and chain, designed for cuts up to 8 inches thick. The kit contains the saw, a V20 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery, a V20 lithium-ion charger, a bar cover and a wrench, so you do not need to buy anything else to start cutting.
The listing gives the saw an item weight of 7.9 pounds, and its product dimensions are 8.69 inches long, 8.56 inches wide and 21.46 inches high. Those numbers are useful when you think about storage on a shelf or a wall hook. The listing says the saw has the integrated hook for VERSATRACK, so it can hang from a wall system when you own one.
Maintenance is one of the listing’s main points. The saw has an auto-oiling feature that provides continuous lubrication, and it uses bolt-lock chain tensioning to keep the bar clamped consistently. Those two features reduce the number of manual adjustments you have to make between uses. You still need to keep the bar cover on and store the saw safely, which the included cover supports.
The main limit is the bar length. A 10-inch bar is right for limbs and small trunks up to the 8-inch figure the listing gives, but it is not the right tool for large trees. If your work involves wider trunks, the 12-inch models in this roundup have a longer bar. The listing also states that the battery platform is V20, so the battery works with other V20 tools, which is a practical point if you plan to use a V20 trimmer or blower as well.
Who it suits: buyers who want a 10-inch cordless saw with its battery and charger included, mainly for limbs and small trunks within the listed 8-inch cut thickness. Who should look elsewhere: anyone who needs a 12-inch or longer bar, or who wants to reach high branches without a ladder. For high work, the pole model in another category is a different product type and is not covered here.
Close alternatives from the same group
If you want a longer bar with the same battery-and-charger convenience, the CMCCS630P1 is the closest step up, with a 12-inch bar and a 5Ah battery. If you want a smaller saw for pruning and need a 2Ah battery kit, the CMCCS320D1 pruning saw is the better fit. Both alternatives are listed above with their own product links.
FAQ
Is the CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw a good cordless chainsaw for beginners?
The listing describes a lightweight, compact saw that comes with a battery, a charger, a bar cover and a wrench. Those parts mean you can start cutting after you charge the battery. The listing also mentions auto-oiling and bolt-lock tensioning, which reduce some routine maintenance. Read the safety instructions in the owner’s manual before the first use, because the listing does not replace them.
Are the bare-tool models compatible with my V20 battery?
The listings for the bare-tool models say they run on the V20 system, and they state that the battery and charger are sold separately. Check that the battery you own is a V20 battery and that it matches the amp-hour rating you want before buying a bare tool.
What does VERSATRACK compatibility mean?
Several of these saws have an integrated hook that lets you hang the tool on the VERSATRACK wall organization system. The listings say that VERSATRACK is sold separately, so you need to buy it if you want wall storage.
Which Craftsman saw has the most cuts per charge?
The listings give different figures. The CMCCS630P1 says up to 105 cuts per charge, the CMCCS320D1 says up to 85, and the CMCCS610D1 kit lists 2.0Ah battery capacity without a cut count in its bullets. Compare these numbers only within the same listing family, because test conditions differ and the listings do not all use the same wood type.
Can a cordless chainsaw replace a gas chainsaw?
The listings for the CMCCS630P1 say it is 40% lighter than a 42cc gas saw when used with its 5Ah battery, and that it has a brushless motor. Those are the manufacturer’s statements. Whether a cordless saw can replace a gas saw depends on the size of the cutting job, the bar length you need and how long you need to run the tool between charges. For the largest jobs, a gas saw may still be the right tool.
Do these saws need to be oiled?
Several listings say the saws have auto-oiling for continuous lubrication. Auto-oiling reduces manual oiling, but the listing for the CMCCS610D1 does not replace the need to check the chain and bar in the owner’s manual.
Bottom line
Pick the saw by bar length and what is in the box. If you want one tool that is ready to run, the CRAFTSMAN Mini Chainsaw with battery and charger (CMCCS610D1) is the simplest choice in this group. If you need a 12-inch bar, choose between the CMCCS620M1 with its 4.0Ah pack and the CMCCS630P1 with its 5Ah battery and charger. If you already own a V20 battery, the bare-tool models save money on the kit contents, but you still need the battery to run them.
For more on keeping cordless yard tools working between seasons, read Protecting Cordless Yard Tools From Rain. If you want to keep the chain sharp between cuts, see Best Electric Chainsaw Sharpener: Nine Bench, Kit and Cordless Models Compared.
