Skil Brushless 40V 18 In. Chainsaw Kit

Why I reached for this 40V Skil over gas

I’ve run gas saws for years, but storm cleanup and occasional felling around my property have pushed me toward quieter, easier options. The Skil 40V 18-inch has become my go-to for those jobs. It’s not trying to replace a pro 60cc saw, but it hits an appealing middle ground: enough bar length and torque for real work, with the low maintenance and quick start that make battery saws so compelling.

Setup, build, and what’s in the box

The kit includes the 18-inch saw, a 40V 6.0Ah battery, and a 320W charger. Out of the box, it’s a straightforward setup: mount the bar and chain, fill the 5 oz oil tank, and you’re cutting within minutes. The saw itself is lighter than expected for an 18-inch battery model—under 9 lb bare—and even with the 6.0Ah pack it remains manageable for extended work. Fit and finish are solid, and the plastics don’t feel brittle or hollow. The bar and chain are standard sizes—3/8 in low-profile pitch (9.5 mm) and .050 in gauge—so spares and replacements are easy to source. You’ll want a 5/32 in file on hand for touch-ups.

I appreciate the clean design. The chain brake lever is positive and easy to reach with gloves, the trigger interlock is natural, and the battery locks in with a reassuring click. The only thing I’d change is the oil cap interface—it’s secure but a little slick with oily gloves.

Power and cutting performance

Skil claims gas-like performance in the 40cc neighborhood. That’s optimistic, but the saw has legitimate bite. With a fresh, sharp chain, the 17 m/s chain speed puts cuts in the “confident homeowner” zone rather than pro-firewood territory. In softwoods and medium hardwoods, the saw holds its line, clears chips well, and doesn’t bog unless you get overly aggressive with the dogs. Full-bar cuts through 12–16 inch logs are realistic, and it will take on larger pieces with proper technique and patience.

The 18-inch bar is a sweet spot for this platform. It gives you reach for limbing and the capacity to buck storm-fallen trunks without instantly maxing out the motor. Skil lists up to 32 inches of cut capacity. In practice, that means you can double-cut big rounds from both sides, but it’s technique-dependent and not something I’d plan a day around. For the occasional oversized piece, it’s nice to know the saw will handle it with care.

Torque delivery is instant and predictable. On plunges and bore cuts, the saw feels composed, and chain stall is rare unless the chain is dull or tension is off. Kickback behavior is typical for a consumer 3/8 LP setup—respectable, but keep the tip awareness sharp.

Battery life and charging

The included 6.0Ah 40V battery is the right match for the bar length. Skil rates up to 210 cuts in 4x4 pine; real-world results vary with wood, chain sharpness, and how hard you lean on the saw. For me, a single charge comfortably covers a substantial pruning and limbing session plus some bucking of medium rounds. On heavier days, a second battery is the difference between momentum and downtime.

Charging is quick. The 320W charger consistently refilled the pack from empty to full in roughly an hour, and partial charges are faster than I expected. Thermal management is good; the pack warms under continuous bucking but hasn’t throttled or triggered thermal protection on me, even when I pushed cuts back to back. If you work a long day, a pair of packs and access to power for lunchtime top-offs is a very workable system.

Ergonomics and balance

The saw’s balance is one of its strengths. With the 6.0Ah pack installed, the center of gravity sits just forward of the rear handle, which keeps the nose from wanting to dive during limbing. The front handle is spacious, and the usual hand positions—side cuts, bore cuts, and vertical bucking—feel natural. Vibration is low for a chainsaw, and fatigue at the end of a couple hours is much less than with a comparable gas rig.

Noise is notably lower than any of my gas saws. It’s still a chainsaw—hearing protection is smart—but being able to hear the wood as you cut (and your spotter) is a meaningful safety advantage.

Oiling and maintenance

The automatic oiler keeps the chain fed. With an 18-inch bar and steady bucking, oil consumption is on the higher side, which is appropriate—better a little fling than a dry chain. Plan on refilling the 5 oz tank at least once per battery during heavy cutting. I check tension every refuel/charge cycle. Like any saw, running a loose chain invites derailments; keep it snug but free, and it behaves.

Day-to-day upkeep is easy: no air filter, no carb tuning, no winterizing. Clean chips out of the cover, flip the bar periodically, keep the chain sharp, and use decent bar oil. The saw responds well to a sharp chain; performance drops quickly as cutters dull, which is true of any 3/8 LP setup. The 5/32 in file size is common, and the straight chain path makes hand-filing simple.

Safety features

The inertia chain brake engages decisively, and the motor stops promptly on trigger release. The trigger lockout is natural enough that it never got in my way, and the brake lever is shaped to be reachable without being hair-trigger. As always, PPE matters—chaps, eye and ear protection, and gloves.

One note: if you do lose a chain (usually from tension neglect or a pinch), the motor is still live when you pull the trigger. That’s standard behavior on most electrics, but it’s a good reminder to reset your mental checklist—release the trigger, set the brake, remove the pack, and only then address the derail.

Weather resistance and durability

IPX4 water resistance is a quiet advantage. I’ve worked in light rain and through wet brush without issue. It’s not submersible, and I wouldn’t wash it with a hose, but splash resistance is real and useful. After multiple sessions in dusty, sappy conditions, the switchgear and battery contacts still feel crisp, and there’s no slop at the bar mount.

What it’s best at—and where it isn’t

• Storm cleanup and yard work: Excellent. The 18-inch bar and instant start make fast work of downed limbs and medium trunks.
• Firewood for homeowners: Solid for weekend cutting, especially if you’re processing 12–16 inch rounds. For cords of hardwood every season, a higher-speed pro saw will be faster.
• Remote use: Practical with two batteries and access to periodic charging. A small inverter or generator extends its usefulness off-grid.
• Professional felling/bucking all day: Not its wheelhouse. Chain speed and thermal limits will slow you compared to a pro gas saw.

Small gripes and nice touches

• The oil cap could use more texture for gloved hands.
• The included bar and chain are decent; upgrading to a quality low-kickback chain tailored to your wood can sharpen performance.
• The standard 6-tooth sprocket and common bar spec mean future bar/chain swaps are easy.
• The length and handle geometry make limbing comfortable; you’re not fighting the nose-heavy feel that some battery saws have.

The bottom line

The Skil 40V 18-inch hits a very usable balance: real cutting capacity, predictable torque, and quick charging in a package that’s quiet, lighter than many peers, and easy to live with. It won’t replace a big pro gas saw for daily production work, but for homeowners and property managers who want a capable, low-maintenance saw that can step up for storm cleanup and weekend firewood, it’s a compelling choice. The included 6.0Ah battery and one-hour charger complete the package and make the kit feel ready for work on day one.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw to homeowners, landowners, and tradespeople who want a dependable 18-inch battery chainsaw on the 40V platform. It’s powerful enough for serious yard work, thoughtfully designed, and supported by a fast charger. If you regularly cut large hardwoods or process firewood by the cord, you’ll want either a second battery or a faster, higher-chain-speed pro saw, but for most mixed tasks around a property, this Skil is an easy, confidence-inspiring pick.