The Craftsman 35088 gas chain saw will satisfy the wood cutting needs of many homeowners. It's a solid power tool marketed at a reasonable price by a major retailer.

A 42 cc gas engine with heavy-duty crankshaft provides power to the 18-inch cutting bar. The automatic chain oiler lets you cut without stopping for that tedious chore of oiling the chain. The anti-vibration features, including the anti-vibration handle, protect you from excessive vibration. The black body of this saw is constructed of molded nylon. Craftsman's Sim-Pul Starting makes starting easier, and the tool-less chain adjustment is convenient. A centrifugal air cleaning system helps keep the air filter clean longer.

We found the Craftsman 35088 (Sears item 0719508800) gas chain saw easy to start, and we liked its safety features, listed below. The automatic bar oiler let us concentrate on cutting rather than tending to the tool. Adjusting the chain was easy with the tool-less chain tension adjuster. The saw produced plenty of power and cut cleanly. Because it is a gas model, the 35088 required mixed fuel, and it generated a lot of noise as do most gas chain saws. It weighs a hefty 18 pounds, so it may be rather heavy for some users.

The Craftsman 35088 chain saw offers several good safety features. It uses a low-kickback chain and a narrow-nosed bar to help prevent kickback. A chain brake stops the chain immediately if kickback should occur. This saw comes fully assembled. It requires mixed oil and gas as fuel to operate. A carrying case and bar lubricant are included.

The Craftsman 35088 is a good choice for the homeowner who has the occasional need for a chain saw for general limb removal around the yard and light firewood cutting.


Pros: Good basic unit
Cons: Noisy, heavy

Warranty
1 year