Sun Joe SWJ599E 14-inch Chainsaw: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Sun Joe SWJ599E is a 14-inch electric chainsaw designed for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts looking for an affordable and portable saw to handle light-duty yard work. This corded electric model offers a balance of power, safety features, and ease of use in a compact and lightweight package.

With a powerful 9-amp motor, 14-inch Oregon bar and chain, and automatic oiler, the SWJ599E can handle pruning branches and cutting firewood or smaller trees around your property. The all-electric design eliminates gas, oil, and fumes for clean operation. Safety features like a hand guard and kickback brake provide peace of mind. At just over 9 pounds, the Sun Joe electric chainsaw is easy to maneuver while cutting.

This review will take a close look at the key features and performance of the Sun Joe SWJ599E 14-inch electric chainsaw to see how it stacks up for light-duty cutting tasks. Keep reading to learn about the design, motor, cutting performance, ease of use, safety features, maintenance, pros and cons, and overall value of this chainsaw model for the average homeowner.

Design

The Sun Joe SWJ599E chainsaw features a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to maneuver and operate. The entire saw weighs just 8.8 lbs, allowing users to wield it comfortably for extended cutting sessions.

At just 34 inches long, the SWJ599E is one of the more compact 14-inch chainsaws on the market. It measures 9.5 inches wide and 10 inches high. The slim dimensions let users access tight spaces and makes storage easy. Despite its small size, the saw still feels sturdy and stable during operation.

The SWJ599E utilizes a plastic housing that is impact-resistant to stand up to rugged use. Rubberized grips on the front and rear handle provide a secure, anti-slip hold when working in wet conditions. An outer hand guard offers protection as well.

Overall, the lightweight build and compact size allow users to maneuver the saw into awkward positions to make cuts. The durable housing and rubber grips aim to provide a long lasting and comfortable chainsaw suitable for most homeowner tasks.

Motor

The Sun Joe SWJ599E chainsaw is powered by a durable 9-amp electric motor. This provides sufficient cutting power for most homeowner tasks like pruning trees, cutting firewood, and storm cleanup.

The motor runs on 120 volts AC power from a standard household outlet. This corded electric design means you always have continuous power, without worrying about charging batteries or refueling gas. Just plug it in and you're ready to start cutting.

9 amps is a common power level for electric chainsaws in this size range. It strikes a good balance between power and portability. While not as rugged as professional-grade gas chainsaws, it has enough oomph to slice through branches up to 14 inches thick. The electric motor provides smooth, consistent power as you cut.

Overall, the 9 amp 120V electric motor gives the SWJ599E ample cutting muscle in a conveniently cord-connected package. This makes it well-suited for most light-duty residential cutting tasks.

Chain and Bar

The SWJ599E is equipped with a 14-inch Oregon low-kickback bar and chain. The chain pitch is 3/8 inches with .043 gauge drive links, which provides good cutting power while still being lightweight enough for easy handling.

The bar length of 14 inches is a nice middle ground - long enough to cut through thicker logs and branches but still compact and maneuverable for use in tighter spaces. The bar is made from hardened steel to withstand heavy usage and features a sprocket nose design for smooth, low-friction chain movement.

The Oregon chain features a narrow kerf for fast, efficient cutting. The depth gauges ahead of each cutter help promote fast chip ejection and smooth cutting even in dense wood. The anti-kickback design with ramped depth gauges and guard links minimizes the risk of kickback accidents. Overall the bar and chain combination offer great performance for the price point of this electric chainsaw.

Safety Features

The Sun Joe SWJ599E chainsaw comes equipped with important safety features to protect the user while operating this powerful tool.

Chain Brake

A key safety component is the chain brake, which stops the chain instantly if kickback occurs. This brake activates automatically in the event of kickback, giving users peace of mind that the chain will stop right away. The chain brake can also be engaged manually for an added layer of protection when performing tasks like changing the chain.

Kickback Protection

In addition to the chain brake, the SWJ599E has a front hand guard designed to reduce the risk of kickback injuries. This hand guard acts as a barrier to protect the operator's hand and arm if kickback were to happen when cutting. The chainsaw's overall lightweight and compact size also gives users more control over the tool to prevent kickback in the first place.

Together, the chain brake and front hand guard give users important kickback protection when using this electric chainsaw. These safety features minimize the risk of injury from the most common chainsaw accident, allowing users to operate the saw with confidence.

Ease of Use

The Sun Joe SWJ599E chainsaw is designed for ease of use, making it a great choice for homeowners and DIYers. Starting the saw is straightforward with the side-mounted on/off switch that's easy to access. The trigger lockout prevents accidental starting.

Once running, the SWJ599E is lightweight at just 9.9 lbs yet has an ergonomic front handle and rear hand grip to allow proper control of the saw. The wraparound rear handle can be installed in multiple positions to suit user preference. Anti-vibration technology reduces operator fatigue.

This electric chainsaw has an automatic chain lubrication system to continuously oil the chain and bar during use. There's no messy bar oil to manually refill. The chain tension can also be adjusted tool-free. The chain brake engages automatically in kickback situations or can be activated manually for safety.

Overall, the thoughtful design features of the Sun Joe SWJ599E make it a user-friendly and safe chainsaw that's easy to operate even for beginners. The automatic oiling and tool-free chain tensioning are handy conveniences when using the saw.

Cutting Performance

The SWJ599E 14-inch electric chainsaw delivers excellent cutting performance for tasks around your property. With its powerful 14 amp motor, it has enough strength to handle limbs up to 16 inches thick. The 14-inch bar and chain can make smooth cuts through hardwoods like oak as well as softer woods like pine.

This Sun Joe model has an automatic oiler to keep the chain lubricated while cutting, which helps extend the life of the bar and chain. It has an impressive no-load speed of 16 feet per second, so it can make fast work of smaller cutting jobs. The chain speed can be adjusted as needed for the thickness of the wood.

The 14-inch bar provides good reach for trimming taller branches. It has enough power to cut through logs efficiently without getting bogged down. Reviewers mention the saw cuts very quickly through 4-6 inch logs. It may start to struggle and slow down when tackling very thick and dense wood. But for typical property maintenance tasks, users say it delivers ample cutting muscle.

Overall, the cutting capacity, speed, and power of the SWJ599E make it a great choice for tackling jobs like pruning trees, cutting firewood, and storm cleanup around a home. It provides homeowners with an efficient, gasoline-free cutting solution.

Maintenance

The Sun Joe chainsaw requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Here are some key maintenance tasks:

Chain Tensioning

• Check the chain tension frequently. A loose chain can slip off the guide bar.
• Locate the side access tensioning knob and turn it clockwise to tighten a loose chain. The chain should have no more than 0.5 inches of up and down movement.
• Don't overtighten the chain as this can damage the bar and chain.

Changing the Chain

• Remove the side cover to access the chain and guide bar.
• Loosen the bar nuts and remove the old chain.
• Install a new Oregon bar and chain, making sure the cutters face the right direction.
• Tighten the bar nuts finger tight, then turn the tensioning knob to tension the chain.

Cleaning

• Regularly remove dust, wood chips and resin buildup by brushing off the chain, bar and body after each use.
• Clean the chain with a degreasing agent periodically. Let it soak for 10 minutes then scrub with a stiff brush.
• Rinse, air dry and lubricate the bar and chain to prevent rust.
• Check the chain for damaged rivets or cutters and replace if needed.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful 15-amp electric motor provides high cutting power for logs up to 16 inches thick
• 14-inch bar and chain can tackle medium to large branches with ease
• Tool-less chain tensioning knob for quick adjustments
• Lightweight and compact design at only 12 lbs
• Electric operation is quiet and doesn't produce fumes
• Kickback brake stops the chain quickly for added safety
• Automatic oiler ensures proper lubrication of the bar and chain
• 2-year warranty provides peace of mind

Cons

• Cord limits mobility and reach
• Not as powerful as gas-powered alternatives
• Plastic housing feels slightly flimsy
• Vibration can cause hand numbness over prolonged use
• Not suitable for commercial-level use
• Requires sharpening tools and know-how to maintain the chain

Verdict

The Sun Joe SWJ599E chainsaw is arguably one of the best value electric chainsaws you can buy, providing strong cutting power and good run time from a robust 14 inch bar and chain. The brushless motor and automatic oiling system reduce maintenance while key safety features like a hand guard and chain brake add peace of mind.

While it lacks the raw power of gas chainsaws, the SWJ599E's cordless convenience and quiet operation make it ideal for most homeowners tackling lighter duty cutting tasks. It's easy to start, runs smoothly, and the battery lasts longer than expected. The soft grip handles and lightweight design also make it comfortable and portable to use.

In summary, if you need an electric chainsaw capable of confidently cutting small trees, bushes, and firewood, the Sun Joe SWJ599E is an excellent choice. It combines very good cutting performance and ease of use at a price that's highly affordable. For light to medium duty homeowner use, it's easy to recommend.

Rating: 4/5 stars