What We Like
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Heavy-duty 18-inch bar
- Automatic tool-less chain tensioning
- Low-kickback chain
- Reliable safety brake
What We Don’t Like
- Could be lighter
- A plastic housing
Bottom Line
A mix of high peak power, a heavy-duty bar and chain, tool-less adjustment, and minimal maintenance demands makes the Worx WG304.1 the ultimate homeowner chainsaw.
Introduction
In the world of electric chainsaws, Worx WG304.1 positions itself as the premium homeowner models that provides the power needed to cater for all cutting jobs around the home and even decent-sized properties.
For the average user whose concern is performance, convenience, and low-cost operation, Worx WG304.1 checks all these boxes while delivering more value with its long and capable 18-inch bar, superior handling, and safety.
Worx WG304.1 Review
Photo: Worx
Performance & Handling: Reliable All-round Power
In recognition of the fact that Worx WG304.1 is a corded electric chainsaw, we can appreciate that while it may not match the performance of professional gas-powered tools, you can count on it to run for the entire duration of the task without any inconvenient pauses or constant adjustments.
You are best served by this chainsaw if you are an owner of a home or mid-sized property, which will require regular yardwork in terms of branch trimming, brush removal, or resizing small logs to make firewood or construction lumber.
The 15-amp motor of the Worx WG304.1 should be the primary motivator for you to acquire the tool when it comes to the performance factor. This motor makes the tool rise above its competition in terms of producing consistent and reliable power across a wide range of cutting applications.
Because of the power tool managers, you can count on it to cut logs between 18 inches and 32 inches in thickness, the latter of which you can achieve when cutting from both ends. For an electric chainsaw, this capability is not common and is on the higher end of the performance scale. Very few models reside in this region.
Also, you should expect more reliable and hassle-free starting from this model compared to the same on gas-powered chainsaws. In fact, you can rejoice in knowing that you won’t have to deal with the delicate springs common in pull-start systems, which are prone to failure to demand expensive repair or maintenance.
Read More: Electric vs. Gas Chainsaws
Design & Construction: Ergonomic for Optimal Handling
Even though this chainsaw features a long 18-inch bar, which adds further to its overall size, the WG304.1’s design does a good job in incorporating ergonomics, for safe and efficient running.
The tool’s body is notably thin, which helps to reduce its gross weight to just 11.2 pounds. It is certainly not the lightest chainsaw, but in the category of heavy-duty and long-bar chainsaws, this tool does a decent job at keeping its weight at the minimum for reduced user fatigue.
Obviously, a lot of the weight management on this tool was achieved through Worx’s choice of plastic for the tool’s body and some of its other components. You will need to be careful, however, when working the tool to ensure the plastic is constantly safeguarded against damage.
A final touch of convenience incorporated in the tool’s design is its full-assembly build. You receive the WG304.1 fully assembled, allowing you to jump straight into the cutting task. No more wasting time on tedious tool assembly.
Cutting Equipment: Long, Heavy-duty Bar
At 18 inches in length, the WG304.1’s bar is significantly long. This is a great operational advantage because the saw is capable of cutting superior-diameter wood, as noted earlier. The chain and its bar are made by Oregon, a reputable brand in the power-tools industry.
This chain has 63 links, even though the industry standard is 62 links for this chain type. This information will be handy when looking for replacement chains, especially because finding components for the Worx brand is not always easy.
The bar offers extended reach and usability, especially if you will be cutting overhead branches. Your height plus the long bar length offers that additional vertical reach you need to reach high branches.
To keep the chain working efficiently, the chainsaw adopts an auto-tension system, which the manufacturer included to help prevent over-tensioning while simplifying this task for the user. When you need to adjust the chain’s tension, simply adjust to enlarge black knob on the right side of the chainsaw and you’re good to go.
Noise Level: Not Uncomfortable Loud
One of the most treasured qualities of an electric chainsaw, especially over gas-powered ones, is their ability to run relatively silently. You will only notice the WORX WG304.1’s noise when its powerful motor combines get to the cutting action, and even then, it is not uncomfortably loud.
If you take a pause between tasks, the chainsaw’s noise is reduced to what you’d consider a noticeable hum. When you consider then nature of tasks this chainsaw is designed for, and the fact that you’re unlikely to operate it for extended sessions, then the noise is not something to be concerned about.
Safety Features: Reliable Chain Brake and Other Enhancements
For such a powerful chainsaw, any feature that enhances user safety is welcome. The most prominent one in the WG304.1 is its reliable chain brake, which you can engage effortlessly to stop the chain when needed, especially in the event of an emergency.
It has been positioned strategically close to the top handle such that even though your hand was to lose grip of the tool, you’d be able to rapidly stop the chain, which rotates at 12 meters per second (39.4 m/s) using natural hand reactions. The chain’s speed is certainly not the fastest, but any enhancement that lowers it almost instantly when necessary is appreciated.
Another safety feature, which doubles as a handling enhancement, is the full-wrap front handle. Because the handle has an enlarged soft grip and runs across the tool’s front, it contributes towards making this powerful tool safe for you to operate. A chainsaw that is easier to handle will ultimately prove safer to operate.
Both the chain and bar of the WG304.1 feature an anti-kickback design, which helps to prevent that action from the power tool. A sprocket nose has been included in the bar to allow cutting using the chainsaw’s tip. This design choice helps minimize kickbacks, while an extra metal piece has been included to act as a bumper for the chain link tie straps.
Finally, the WG304.1 does include an intuitive on/off switch, which prevents you from accidentally triggering the chainsaw, especially when picking it up. This action is common especially considering the chain is electric and has no pull-start, which cannot be triggered automatically.
Maintenance: Automatic Oiling for Reduced Wear
Because the WG304.1 is a high-performance chainsaw, you should expect its chain and bar to be subjected to significant degrees of stress, especially with intensive cutting.
To mitigate the effects of the heavy-duty operation, the WG304.1 implements an elaborate system of the automatic bar and chain oiling. This system features a 200-ml oil reservoir that supplies the oil needed for lubricating the tool’s essential components.
Also, the oil reservoir has a level indicator, which will help you monitor the oil reserve and refill whenever necessary. You don’t have to keep opening the reservoir to take a peek inside. The indicator takes care of that.
Price: Acceptable for the Value Offered
For less than $150, you are getting a tool whose superior performance and high cutting capacity guarantees the versatility that you need for professional and DIY cutting projects.
The 15-amp motor allows you to cut even hardwoods, which demand a lot of power. And when you throw in the 18-inch bar and chain, you can use this tool even on thick logs especially if you’re looking to produce some firewood.
Because of the vast array of low-maintenance enhancements such as automatic bar and chain oiling, which have been included in the tool, you will not be spending overly large sums of money to maintain the tool. So, this is a worthy buy.
Verdict
A chainsaw designed to meet the regular home-maintenance demands, but packing enough power and performance for the high-capacity log cutting common in mid-sized projects.
The Worx WG304.1’s robust cutting power, its high-capacity 18-inch bar with automatic tool-less tensioning, and a safety chain brake make the chainsaw the ultimate home and private property owner’s yard-maintenance companion.
Specs
- Product Name: Worx WG304.1
- Product Brand: Worx
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 14.6 x 8.1 inches
- Power: 15 Amp
- Power Source: Corded-electric
- Bar Length: 18 inches
- Chain Speed: 12m/s
- Chain Pitch: 3/8-inch
- Oil Tank Capacity: 200 ml
- Tool Weight: 11.2 pounds
- Warranty: 3 years
Key Features
- A high-performance 15-amp motor for all-round cutting
- The heavy-duty 18-inch bar cuts large-diameter wood
- Auto-tensioning chain system extends bar and chain life
- Automatic bar and chain oiling help reduce maintenance demands
- The built-in brake helps enhance operator safety
- Large soft-grip front handle for superior comfort and safety
- Fully-assembled for easy and straightforward usage